United Nations Population Fund

The Position:

The Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Specialist position is located in the UNFPA Country Office (CO) in Addis Ababa. Under the direct supervision of the SIARP 2.0 Programme Coordinator and in close collaboration with the assigned Focal Persons from the RUNOs involved in the Programme, the Specialist is responsible for ensuring quality and timely M&E and reporting activities, training and capacity development, and knowledge sharing with all stakeholders of the joint program. Violence against women and girls is a global human rights violation. The 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063 prioritize gender equality and eliminating this violence. The Spotlight Initiative, funded by the EU, combats this issue. SIARP 1.0 strengthened legal frameworks, supported reforms, and empowered civil society. SIARP 2.0 builds on this, aiming to address violence and improve sexual and reproductive health outcomes. It utilizes a rights-based approach, targeting root causes and promoting systemic change. The program focuses on legal reforms, prevention, service delivery, and empowering women's rights organizations, hence, a Monitoring and Evaluation Officer is needed to guide its implementation.

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled. UNFPA’s new strategic plan (2022-2025), focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; end gender-based violence and harmful practices including ESA regional priority: to prevent Sexual Transmission of HIV.

The transformational journey mapped out in the Strategic Plan leads to 2030 and the achievement of universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights. Emerging trends inform the plan, new and expanded priorities add to longstanding commitments, and “how we work” is changing.

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction. UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in Programme results.

Job Purpose:

The purpose of the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Specialist is to oversee and execute M&E activities for the Spotlight Initiative Africa Regional Programme (SIARP) 2.0. This role, based in Addis Ababa, involves developing and implementing a comprehensive M&E framework, collecting data on program indicators, and providing M&E training and capacity development. Reporting to the Programme Coordinator, the M&E Specialist will track progress, analyse performance, and advise on strategic program improvements to ensure results, quality, and timely reporting.

Key responsibilities include coordinating M&E capacities and resources, developing tools and guidelines, and supervising M&E-related consultants. The role also entails gathering data and feedback, supporting mid-term and end-of-project evaluations, and producing programmatic progress reports. Collaboration with UN agencies, the African Union Commission (AUC), Regional Economic Communities (RECs), and the Civil Society Regional Reference Group (CSRRG) is crucial. The Specialist will ensure quality data collection and reporting, contributing to evidence-based programming and accountability.

Responsibilities:

The M&E Officer will work under the overall authority and guidance of the SIARP 2.0 Programme Coordinator and in close collaboration with the assigned Focal Persons from the RUNOs involved in the programme. S/He will ensure quality and timely M&E and reporting activities, training and capacity development, and knowledge sharing with all stakeholders of the joint programme.

His/ Her duties and responsibilities are as follows:

Lead Development of the SIARP 2.0 M&E Framework and Annual Plans and, in addition to Strategies for EVAWG

• Lead the development and implementation of a comprehensive and realistic M&E framework, strategy and annual plans for the programme with appropriate data sources, collection methods, analysis plans, quality controls and resource requirements.
• Continually assess methodologies and instruments for collection, documentation, analysis and reporting of data for gaps, weaknesses and potential improvements.
• Advise the SIARP 2.0 Programme Coordinator and Team on the development and improvement of core implementation tools, including work plans.
• Collect information on the latest developments in the use of new types of data sources and tools for sustainable development.

Coordinate Monitoring, Data Collection, and Reporting of SIARP 2.0

• Manages the collation of regional baseline data in relation to the M&E Framework and ensures that agency reports are submitted by the participating UN agencies and partners.
• Respond to technical requests from SIARP partners regarding monitoring and identify adaptations as may be needed.
• Under the guidance of the SIARP Coordinator, supports the mid-term assessment and end of project evaluation.
• Coordinates and develops interim programmatic progress reports for donors and the Regional Programme Steering Committee.
• Design and disseminate M&E resource materials, templates, and guidance documentation with participating UN agencies, AUC, RECs and the CSRRG.
• Support inter-agency efforts on results and progress monitoring and reporting on the Spotlight Initiative programme.
• Coordinate and participate in interagency work related to the collection and use of monitoring data, as well as evaluation and reporting.
• Conduct regular consultation with participating UN agencies, AUC, RECs and CSRRG focal persons to ensure the quality and accuracy of collected or reported data.
• Support the development and implementation of baseline, mid-line, end-line and evaluation.
• Supervise M&E consultants and contractors alongside the SIARP 2.0 Programme Coordinator.
• Document progress of SIARP 2.0 against project implementation plans, results matrix, milestones and targets.

Develop and Expand Strategic Research and Data Partnerships

• Support participating UN agencies, AUC, RECs and CSRRG in engaging with continental, regional and national data and statistical systems in advancing the programme’s mandate.
• Communicate and coordinate with existing partners and engage in advancing new partnerships with other sister UN agencies, academia, the private sector, and regional and national institutions and agencies to further the use of data science for EVAWG.
• Communicate and coordinate with internal and external partners on data collection and programme/research implementation.

Knowledge Management, Dissemination and Use of EVAWG Data

• Facilitate the efficient flow of M&E data within participating UN agencies, AUC, RECs, CSRRG and EU.
• Facilitate the sharing of learnings and best practices with the SIARP 2.0 Regional Steering Committee and all programme partners.
• Support the identification and dissemination of good practices and lessons learned with all programme partners, including AUC, RECs, participating UN agencies and the CSRRG, so that best practices advance the work and mandate of the programme and all partners, and the EVAWG sector more broadly.
• Lead in designing thematic activities and knowledge-sharing forums and mobilize participation.
• Support activities in the SIARP workplan related to the collation and analysis of strategic information, such as the development of baselines.
• Work with partners to produce annual updates on VAWG/HP and SRHR to track regional and country progress in meeting regional and national targets.
• Document lessons learnt, share knowledge and disseminate good practices, on the monitoring and evaluation of VAWG/ HP and SRHR in Africa.
• Support SIARP 2.0 partners to prepare manuscripts and abstracts for submission to international, regional and national journals, conferences and other fora to share lessons learnt.
• Act as a resource person for strategic information in SIARP 2.0, and join, if required, any external monitoring missions.

Carry out any other duties as may be required by the supervisor.

Qualifications and Experience:

Education:

• Master's degree (or equivalent) in economics, international development, statistics, public policy evaluation, human rights or any other related field.

Knowledge and Experience:

• At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in monitoring and evaluating complex multi-stakeholder and multi-year programmes, ideally with some experience on the African continent.
• At least 3 years’ experience in M&E and conducting policy research and analysis on gender equality, human rights especially around the elimination of violence against women and girls.
• Experience monitoring and evaluating joint programmes, working with and building partnerships with governments, donors and civil society organizations working on ending EVAWG.
• Proven ability to draft, edit and produce written results-focused reports.
• Excellent analytical and communication skills.
• Experience in designing tools and strategies for data collection, analysis and production of reports.
• Demonstrated experience in applying theories of change and guide programme implementation staff on the causal chain between inputs, intermediate and outcome level results.
• Strong qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis skills.
• Proficiency in database and office software.
• Substantive knowledge of Result Based Management principles and logical frameworks.
• Knowledge of the UN system would be an advantage.

Languages:

• Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of other official UN languages is desirable.

Required Competencies:

Values:

• Exemplifying integrity.
• Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system.
• Embracing cultural diversity.
• Embracing change.

Core Competencies:

• Achieve results
• Being accountable
• Developing and applying professional expertise/ business acumen
• Thinking analytically and strategically
• Working in teams/ managing ourselves and our relationships
• Communicating for impact

Functional Skill Set:

• Excellent oral and written expression
• Excellent analytical and organizational skills
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Teamwork and Inclusive Collaboration
• Managing Performance
• Feminist and human-rights based principles
• Creative Problem-Solving

Compensation and Benefits:

This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary, health insurance and other benefits as applicable.

UNFPA Work Environment:

UNFPA is dedicated to fostering a work environment that upholds the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity, and a healthy work-life balance. We are committed to equitable representation within our workforce and encourage applications from women, persons with disabilities, and individuals from diverse backgrounds. UNFPA promotes equal opportunity in all aspects of employment, including appointment, training, compensation, and selection. Our inclusive approach is central to our mission, and we welcome talent from varied cultural and professional backgrounds.

Disclaimer:

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements.

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts.

Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.

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