National Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist

Background

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security.

In line with UN Women’s Strategic Plan 2018-2021, the UN Women Egypt Office is contributing to three interdependent and interconnected outcomes:

• Women lead, participate in and benefit equally from governance systems
• Women have income security, decent work and economic autonomy
• All women and girls live a life free from all forms of violence

Women’s economic empowerment is central to realizing women’s rights and gender equality. Women’s economic empowerment includes women’s ability to participate equally in existing markets; their access to and control over productive resources, access to decent work, control over their own time, lives and bodies; and increased voice, agency and meaningful participation in economic decision-making at all levels from the household to international institutions.

Empowering women in the economy and closing gender gaps in the world of work are key to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 5, to achieve gender equality, and Goal 8, to promote full and productive employment and decent work for all; also Goal 1 on ending poverty, Goal 2 on food security, Goal 3 on ensuring health and Goal 10 on reducing inequalities.

Under the framework of the United Nations Partnership Development Framework (UNPDF) Output 4.2: Women Economic Empowerment and in alignment with the goal and objectives of the Economic Empowerment pillar of the National Strategy for Women’s Empowerment (NSWE), UN Women Egypt has supported the economic empowerment of women through implementation of projects such as the One-Village-One-Product (2014-2016), Village Savings and Loans Associations (2014-2017), and the creation of a more inclusive and gender-sensitive environment along the agricultural value chains of select agribusiness firms (2017-2018). The projects have had positive outcomes for women participants, the majority of whom are poor and marginalized, as demonstrated in their increased income through savings, access to loans and investments, in addition to greater self-confidence and community recognition. A critical factor across all UN Women interventions has been the formation of women’s networks that have enhanced participants’ social skills and created opportunities for networking and exchange of knowledge, thus contributing to better and more effective cooperation among them. These networks have also provided a voice to women’s need for formal financial services (as in the case of the VSLAs) and improved working conditions (as in the case of the agribusiness firms).

Building on the successful results achieved through the above-mentioned projects, UN Women in Egypt is implementing a 5-year project (2019-2024) that aims to support women's empowerment for sustainable economic growth in Egypt. The project will be implemented by a consortium made up of UN Women and UNIDO, with UN Women as the lead agency.

The project intermediate outcomes are contributing to:

• Increased productivity and job opportunities generated by women entrepreneurs;
• Increased employment of women by businesses; and
• Reduced gender-specific barriers to women’s entrepreneurship and to women entering and remaining in the work force.

Project interventions will result in a) Increased number of new businesses established by women entrepreneurs in the sectors of focus, b) Enhanced capacity of women led businesses to grow, attract and retain workers, c) Strengthened performance of productive clusters to employ more women, d) Enhanced employability of women in growth-oriented sectors, e) Increased abilities of businesses to implement gender-sensitive corporate policies, f) Strengthened individual and collective agency of women in the sectors of focus, g) enhanced capacity of Government to mainstream gender in public policies and programs, and h) Increased access of women entrepreneurs to tailored financial and non-financial services.

 

 

Duties and Responsibilities

The M&E specialist is required to use a results-based management approach in accordance with UN Women and Global Affairs Canada guidelines. The overall objective of the assignment is the establishment and implementation of an operational Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) system for the programme. The purpose is to provide the programme team with tools to effectively monitor projects progress and achievements, and to ensure that the programme is sufficiently documented for its mid-term and final evaluations.

The Consultant is expected to carry out the following:

I. Programme Monitoring and Evaluation

•  Develop the Performance Management Framework (PMF) for the project ensuring alignment between the donor and UN Women frameworks including the study of the relevant project documents (including, but not limited to the project document, work plan), review and revise the log frame and result matrix, and revise the indicators, baselines and targets, if necessary
•  Review the M&E needs and plans of the project, and extract relevant indicators to monitor the project outcomes, outputs, and activities
• Establish an effective data collection system and reporting forms for capturing quantitative and qualitative information in collaboration with the different programme stakeholders
• Based on the relevant indicators help design baseline socioeconomic surveys
• Identify sources of verification that the project can use. As much as possible, use existing data sources embedded in existing systems

II. Training and Capacity Building

• Development of simple tools to enable staff and stakeholders to collect data in accordance with agreed-upon indicators; training and ongoing coaching for application of the tools.
• Selection and implementation of an online data recording tool that allows program staff and stakeholders to upload data collected to the internet and share it with each other. 
• As required, ongoing coaching in M&E approaches and methodologies for programme’s staff and stakeholders

III. Reporting and Dissemination

• Establish an operational manual for the MERE system to guide the programme team and stakeholders in processing and evaluating the information
• Carry-out quarterly data interpretation sessions with the programme team and selected stakeholders where relevant
• Ensure that data collection and analysis are done on regular basis to inform program implementation and learnings
• Development of semi-annual and annual project monitoring activities for the purposes of reporting to Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and guiding project management and learning. 
• Gather all information required for semi-annual and annual reporting to be disseminated with Global Affairs Canada (GAC) based on results achieved.
• Documentation of lessons learned and leading practices as they emerge throughout the programme.
• Make recommendations regarding programme’s activities to the Prorgramme Team.

Specific objectives:

• To develop the PMF with a set of relevant, simple and straightforward indicators to monitor the programme’s outcomes, outputs and activities, through establishing the MERL system;
• To implement the established MERL system during the inception and implementation of the programme

 Inputs to be provided by the Project Management Committee (PMC) to the Consultant:

• M&E Log frame
• Project document
• Project progress reports
• Site visits Report

Deliverables:

1. Develop the PMF (Review and study the relevant project documents including, but not limited to the project document, work plan), review and revise the log frame and result matrix, and revise the indicators if necessary; Review and revise the M&E log frame (1 month after signature of contract).

2. M&E System (Establish an effective data collection system and reporting forms for capturing quantitative and qualitative information through a set of expert’s meetings and in accordance with the revised M&E Log frame; Review the M&E needs and plans of the project, and extract relevant indicators to monitor the project outcomes and outputs; Establishment of Manual on M&E indicators; Identify sources of verification that the project can use. As much as possible, use existing data sources embedded in existing systems; Establishment of Manual on Reporting; Based on the relevant indicators help design baseline surveys on environmental and socio-economic to avoid collecting redundant information). (3 months after signature of contract).

3. Produce an operational manual of M&E that includes the above; and guides the project team in processing and evaluating the information. (3 months after signature of contract).

4. Monthly Progress Reports- Monthly narrative report of the activities conducted; Progress in achieving the set milestone for reporting period; Status report including challenges, deviation, alternate solution, new initiatives.(Monthly starting one month after finalization of the M&E system).

5. Bi-monthly M&E Reports (Compiling and analyzing of the collected data and information for producing related Reports. (Bi-monthly starting one month after finalization of the M&E system).

6. Semi- Annual and Annual Report (A comprehensive summary report on the M&E of the programme’s results including outcomes, outputs, and activities (Bi- Annual Deliverable in accordance with reporting timeline of the programme).

Payment Schedule:

Monthly Payment based on number of working days. Payment is inclusive of DSA, Field Visit and required reservations.

Impact of Results:

The M&E system designed by the selected service provider will have the capability to ensure the followings:

• Efficient implementation and accomplishment of the activities,
• Informed learnings that can improve programme design and implementation
• Adequate monitoring and evaluation of programme activities to assess progress and impact of results.

Competencies

Core Values:

• Respect for Diversity
• Integrity
• Professionalism

Core Competencies:

• Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues
• Accountability
• Creative Problem Solving
• Effective Communication
• Inclusive Collaboration
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Leading by Example

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Core Values and Competencies: 

https://www.unwomen.org/-/media/headquarters/attachments/sections/about%20us/employment/un-women-values-and-competencies-framework-en.pdf?la=en&vs=637

Functional Competencies:

• Field Competency: Ability to work in the field and communicate efficiently with the beneficiaries;
• Continuous Learning and knowledge Sharing: Encourage learning and sharing knowledge
• Gender Issues: Demonstrated analytical skills on issues related to gender, the economy and poverty reduction;
• Soft Skills: Excellent communication, presentation and writing skills in Arabic and English. Knowledge of any other official UN language would be an asset

Required Skills and Experience

Education and Certification:

• Masters Degree in Economics , Management, Rural Development, Social Sciences, or related field. Additional certification in statistics, MIS management and Monitoring and Evaluation will be considered as an asset;

Experience:

• A minimum of five (7) years of professional experience in the field of monitoring and evaluation in large, multi-stakeholder, international projects, previous experience with rights-based monitoring and evaluation is required.
• Experience in the management of gender equality and women’s empowerment programmes or analytic work in gender and development, gender analysis and/or human rights;
• Good knowledge of rights-based approach and results-based management;
• Experience related to UN Women’s mandate and activities would be an added advantage;
• Experience related to Global Affairs Canada (GAC) results-based approach would be an asset;
• Experience in issues related to women’s economic empowerment;
• Sound knowledge of international standards on human rights, women’s rights and related instruments;
• A proven ability to liaise with a myriad of stakeholders and partners, including government, civil society, international organizations and grassroots organizations. 

Language Requirenments:

• Fluency (written and verbal) in Arabic and English

• All applications must include (as an attachment) the completed UN Women Personal History form (P-11) which can be downloaded from https://www.unwomen.org/-/media/headquarters/attachments/sections/about%20us/employment/un-women-p11-personal-history-form.doc?la=en&vs=558. Kindly note that the system will only allow one attachment. Applications without the completed UN Women P-11 form will be treated as incomplete and will not be considered for further assessment.

• A current and complete C.V. in English with indication of 3 references as well as the permanent e-mail and phone contact.
• Financial proposal: Lump sum per month. Please note, the sum is inclusive of all travel-related expenses.

Evaluation Criteria:

UN Women applies a fair and transparent selection process that takes into account both the technical qualification of potential consultants as well as the financial proposals submitted in support of consultant applications.

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodology:

Cumulative analysis: When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract should be made to the candidate whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

Responsive/compliant/acceptable; and having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical criteria.

Technical Criteria weight: 70%

Financial Criteria Weight: 30%

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points in the technical evaluation would be considered for the financial evaluation. 

Criteria Weight Technical: 70%

• Relevant education: max. 10 points;
• A minimum of five (7) years of professional experience in the field of monitoring and evaluation in large, multi-stakeholder, international projects, previous experience with rights-based monitoring and evaluation (15 points).
• Experience in the management of gender equality and women’s empowerment programmes or analytic work in gender and development, gender analysis and/or human rights; (10 points)
• Good knowledge of rights-based approach and results-based management; (10 points)
• Experience related to UN Women’s mandate and activities would be an added advantage; (5 points)
• Experience related to Global Affairs Canada (GAC) results-based approach would be an asset; (5 points)
• Experience in issues related to women’s economic empowerment;(5 points)
• Sound knowledge of international standards on human rights, women’s rights and related instruments;(5 points)
• A proven ability to liaise with a myriad of stakeholders and partners, including government, civil society, international organizations and grassroots organizations (5 points)

Financial: Lowest financial proposal (30%) The Financial officer must be a Lumpsum all-inclusive; (all costs including any travel or transportation related expenses ...etc.).

Contract will be awarded to the technically qualified consultant who obtains the highest combined score (financial and technical). The points for the Financial Proposal will be allocated as per the following formula:

 (Lowest Bid Offered*)/ (Bid of the Consultant) x 30

*"Lowest Bid Offered" refers to the lowest price offered by Offer or scoring at least 49 points in technical evaluation.

Applications:

 Candidates must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:

• Personal CV;
• UN Women Personal History form (P-11) which can be downloaded from http://www.unwomen.org/about-us/employment;
• 3 References/letters of recommendations from previous recent employers
• Education certificates.
• Health certificate signed and stamped.

• Please note: All documents have to be uploaded in 1 single file.