Monitoring and Evaluation Officer

The EU funded Support to Rural Entrepreneurship, Investment and Trade project (STREIT) aims to contribute to sustainable and inclusive economic development in East Sepik and Sandaun Provinces. It will target integration with and support to the broader work of FAO and other project partners to support cocoa, vanilla and fishery value chains. The ILO has been tasked to implement the project transport infrastructure component, thereby improving access to communities and markets, in particular those linked to the value chain development. 

By applying local resource-based approaches in the infrastructure works, the ILO also seeks to (i) increase participation of local communities in the planning and implementation of works, (ii) increase the creation of jobs and income by applying employment-intensive work methods and (iii) secure the involvement of the local construction industry. The dimensions of increased employment and income opportunities and more private sector business prospects are expected to create additional synergies with the sustainable and inclusive economic development ambitions of the project.

The ILO activities will also place emphasis on strengthening the capacity of local institutions responsible for the improvement and maintenance of PNGs transport infrastructure, introducing approaches relying to the extent possible on the use of local resources such as local entrepreneurs and communities. All activities will be gender-mainstreamed targeting women, youth and disadvantaged groups.

The project will be delivered by a team based in Wewak, PNG, with support from the office in Port Moresby, the ILO Office in Suva, Fiji, and ILO expert teams in Bangkok and Geneva.

In collaboration with local authorities, UN agencies and local communities, the M&E Officer will engage in a number of activities, including but not limited to:

• Participate in the development and implementation of the communications and knowledge management strategy, allowing the project and its key stakeholders acquire and apply knowledge necessary to strengthen value chains and enhance the ability to manage local infrastructure;
• Updating and management of the M&E framework against the logical framework;
• In consultation with the operational staff identify measurable performance indicators and methodology for monitoring work outputs and impact on project beneficiaries, including systems and tools for collecting and storing data, sources of data and proposed frequency for data collection; 
• Participate in the establishment and operation M&E system for capturing, analysing and communicating a range of performance information about the project infrastructure works;
• Liaise with key personnel within the project and partner agencies to ensure that the objectives and outcomes are effectively communicated and shared amongst key stakeholders and that they interface effectively within relevant government agencies;
• Coordinate the inputs, information and data on planning and monitoring generated under the project infrastructure component;
• Participate in the design and implementation of baseline and impact studies in areas such as travel and transport patterns, market surveys, cost of infrastructure works, household expenditure, wage levels, etc;

• Establishing a comprehensive baseline, with gender-disaggregated data, including specific gender sensitive indicators;
• Supporting the analysis of performance data and the preparation of key reports with findings, recommendations and lessons learnt in relation to the infrastructure works;
• Support the mainstreaming of project indicators into national monitoring frameworks;
• Oversee documentation services, maintenance and updating of websites, databases and web content ensuring consistency and timely publication of information and compliance with applicable standards;
• Providing technical oversight of key M&E processes, including the development and refinement of tools/approaches;
• Participate in media events and other public information events to raise awareness of project activities and results. Respond to inquiries on the activities of the project infrastructure component;
• Represent the work of the ILO in interagency fora and meetings, prepare information notes on key issues and developments and follow up as required;
• Support reviews and evaluations in line with both ILO and donor requirements, including facilitate and serve as liaison for externally-managed evaluations;
• Carry out other duties as may be assigned by the Infrastructure Specialist.

First level university degree in statistics, public policy, international development, economics or related field, preferably with professional level training in M&E and related strategic planning.

• Minimum two years professional experience in an M&E position responsible for implementing M&E activities, preferably in infrastructure-related international development programmes;
• Experience in strategic planning and performance measurement, including indicator selection, target setting, reporting, database management and developing monitoring plans;
• Experience in planning and managing surveys, developing and refining data collection tools, data quality assessments and oversight and managing and providing guidance to project staff and survey personnel;
• Knowledge of evaluation methodologies (qualitative and quantitative) and data collection and analysis methodologies;
• Demonstrated experience and understanding of knowledge management (including management information systems) and communications in a development context;
• Experience in the use of Management Information Systems (MIS) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

Excellent command of English.  Knowledge of the main local language(s) is preferable.

• Effective skills and ability to interpret project information to identify and analyse challenges as a basis for finding appropriate solutions and provide guidance and support to project staff and counterparts;
• Ability to adapt quickly to new software and systems including for updating websites, social media, desktop publishing, graphic design and producing communication and information products;
• Attention to detail and skills in design, layout, formatting and editing documents;
• Ability to work independently with a clear focus on reaching defined outputs in a timely manner as agreed in work plans;
• Ability to establish priorities and to efficiently plan and organise work activities;
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes;
• Good communication skills, both written and verbal.