Monitoring/Evaluation Officer

The UNDP Country Office in Tajikistan, together with Committee for Environmental Protection under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan, is launching a large-scale project “An integrated landscape approach to enhancing the climate resilience of small-scale farmers and pastoralists in Tajikistan” funded by Adaptation Fund.

The objective of the project is to enhance the livelihoods of the small-scale farmers and pastoralists living in the Kofirnighan River Basin (KRB) under future climate change conditions. Such conditions are expected to include increased frequencies and intensities of extreme climate events such as intense rainfall, rise in air temperatures, and accelerated glacial melting. As a result, hydrometeorological disasters such as droughts, floods, mudflows and landslides are more frequent and rates of soil erosion across the country are increasing. The socio-economic impacts of these changes are considerable: livelihoods, agricultural productivity, water availability and hydroelectricity production are all compromised.

The overarching approach of the project is to employ integrated catchment management approaches within KRB. To this end, a climate-resilient catchment management strategy will be designed for the basin which will enable national rural development planners, local government and local communities to manage a wide range of climate risks. Three interrelated outcomes within the project will contribute to achieving this objective, namely: i) catchment management strategy to manage climate risks operationalised at raion and jamoat levels in the KRB; ii) an integrated approach to building the climate resilience of agro-ecological landscapes operationalised at village level; and iii) existing knowledge management platforms supported for integrated catchment management and ecosystem-based adaptation.

The project will be nationally implemented (NIM) by the Committee for Environmental Protection under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan with support from the UNDP, in line with the Standard Basic Assistance Agreement (SBAA, 1993), the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) 2016-2021 signed between the UN and the Government of Tajikistan, and the UNDP Country Programme Document 2016-2021 signed between UNDP and the Government of Tajikistan.

The Monitoring & Evaluation Officer (M&E) will report directly to the Project Manager (PM) and will work under an overall guidance of the UNDP Team Leader/Climate Change, DRR, Energy and Environment and in close partnership with the M&E Specialist of UNDP. The incumbent will be responsible for the monitoring and ensuring high quality and timely inputs, and for ensuring that the project maintains its strategic vision and that its activities and outputs result in the achievement of its intended objective in a cost effective and timely manner

The Monitoring & Evaluation Officer will have following responsibilities: 1) coordination and planning, 2) monitoring implementation, 3) evaluation of project results, 4) capacity development and transfer of knowledge; 5) reporting.

The impact of the Monitoring & Evaluation Officer’s position is expected to be the timely and effective implementation of the project activities and outputs and ensuring that those activities and outputs result in positive outcomes. The expected results are:

• Effective planning and implementation of project components;
• Effective monitoring and evaluation of project components to achieve performance targets;
• Effective monitoring and reporting on the progress of implementation of project;
• High level of responsiveness to the changing environment within and outside or each project component.

The M&E Officer will support the PM to ensure that the principles of human rights-based approach, gender mainstreaming, conflict sensitive management, results-based management (RBM), as well as a client-oriented approach, consistent with UNDP rules and regulations, are applied and promoted.

Planning and coordination of project outputs and results

• Together with the project team, plan, prioritize and sequence the implementation of project activities ensuring that the activities result in tangible outputs and outcomes;
• Develop and implement monitoring and evaluation plans in coordination with project team.
• Design and implement a monitoring mechanism based on good understanding of Adaptation Fund’s  M&E guidelines to monitor and ensure the timely implementation of all activities under each component of project including development of performance indicators and success criteria for each component.

Monitoring implementation of project components

• Maintain and track an up to date project M&E framework.
• Coordinate progress of project activities and outputs within the project to ensure synergies within components.
• Provide support to Project Manager/project team in designing and implementing a methodology for establishing a project baseline survey.
• Develop project database linked to project outcome indicators by closely liaising with government counterparts, communities and civil society organizations, as relevant.
• Support implementation of data collection and reporting protocols linked to project outcome/component indicators.
• Coordinate implementation of activities to ensure complementarities and synergies, and participate in events organized by each component;
• Support liaison with all relevant partners to determine level effectiveness of the activities and outputs of the project.
• Keep and updated risks and issues log and inform management of the project about risks and issues arising within or outside the project that are relevant to any of the project components.
• Prepare presentations and briefings including performance monitoring charts and tables on all components of the project.      

Evaluation of the project results

• Prepare evaluation plan to ensure effective and efficient implementation of the project and to ensure that activities and outputs result in positive outcomes.
• Carry out quarterly informal and annual formal evaluation of the project in coordination with the project team.
• Prepare plan for corrective action and assist Project Manager to realign the project activities and outputs to ensure positive results.
• Prepare for, and support to, project mid-term and final evaluations, and support to development of management response to the project mid-term and final evaluations.
• Ensure regular follow up to the recommendations of project mid-term and final evaluations.
• Support in development of project exit strategy and its implementation.

Capacity building, transfer of knowledge and knowledge management:

• Build the capacity of the project team and government stakeholders to ensure proper monitoring and evaluation of the project;
• Closely work with project team in building their capacity in all areas related to the management and regular monitoring & evaluation of their own activities;
• Ensure systemic capturing of key lessons learnt generated by the project through feasibility studies, research, surveys as well as other primary and secondary sources to produce knowledge-based products.

Reporting

• Provide inputs, information and statistics/data for quarterly, annual and other reports to Project Manager, donor and UNDP Country Office, as necessary.
• Support project team undertake data analysis to generate information for regular reporting and knowledge sharing.
• Maintain periodic monitoring reports to support routine project progress reporting.
• Document important findings, lessons learned and best practices from project implementation.
• Lead on behalf of the project the development of the project’s contribution to UNDP corporate reports and publications, and serve as peer reviewer, as and when required.

Innovation

Ability to make new and useful ideas work

Level 3: Apply & Adapt (Recognized contributor with demonstrated ability)

Leadership

Ability to persuade others to follow

Level 3: Apply & Adapt (Recognized contributor with demonstrated ability)

People Management

Ability to improve performance and satisfaction

Level 3: Apply & Adapt (Recognized contributor with demonstrated ability)

Communication

Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform

Level 4: Originate (Peer Regarded Lead Expert)

Delivery

Ability to get things done

Level 4: Originate (Peer Regarded Lead Expert)

Technical/Functional

Advocacy/Advancing a Policy-Oriented Agenda

Analysis and creation of messages and strategies

• Creates effective advocacy strategies
• Performs analysis of political situations and scenarios, and contributes to the formulation of institutional responses

Level 3: Apply & Adapt (Recognized contributor with demonstrated ability)

Results-Based Programme Development and Management

Contributing to results through provision of information

• Provide information for linkages across project activities to help identify critical points of integration
• Provide information and documentation on specific stages of project implementation
• Provide background information to identify opportunities for project development and helps drafting proposals
• Participate in the formulation of project proposals

Level 4: Originate (Peer Regarded Lead Expert)

Building Strategic Partnerships

Identifying and building partnerships

• Effectively networks with partners seizing opportunities to build strategic alliances relevant to UNDP’s mandate and strategic agenda
• Identifies needs and interventions for capacity building of counterparts, clients and potential partners
• Promotes UNDP’s agenda in inter-agency meetings

Level 3: Apply & Adapt (Recognized contributor with demonstrated ability)

Innovation and Marketing New Approaches

Developing new approaches

• Seeks a broad range of perspectives in developing project proposals
• Identifies new approaches and promotes their use in other situations
• Creates an environment that fosters innovation and innovative thinking
• Makes the case for innovative ideas from the team with own supervisor

Level 3: Apply & Adapt (Recognized contributor with demonstrated ability)

Resource Mobilization

Implementing resource mobilization strategies

• Analyzes information on potential bilateral donors and national counterparts to recommend a strategic approach
• Identifies and compiles lessons learned
• Develops a resource mobilization strategy at the country level

Level 3: Apply & Adapt (Recognized contributor with demonstrated ability)

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise

In-depth knowledge of the subject-matter

• Understands more advanced aspects of primary area of specialization as well as the fundamental concepts of related disciplines
• Keeps abreast of new developments in area of professional discipline and job knowledge and seeks to develop him/herself professionally
• Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of information technology and applies it in work Assignments
• Demonstrates comprehensive understanding and knowledge of the current guidelines and project management tools and utilizes these regularly in work assignments

Level 4: Originate (Peer Regarded Lead Expert)

Global Leadership and Advocacy for UNDP’s Goals

Research and analysis

• Analysis and creation of messages and strategies
• Performed analysis of political situations and scenarios, and contributes to the formulation of institutional responses
• Uses the opportunity to bring forward and disseminate materials for global advocacy work and adapts it for use at country level

Level 4: Originate (Peer Regarded Lead Expert)

Client Orientation

Contributing to positive outcomes for the client

• Anticipates client needs
• Works towards creating an enabling environment for a smooth relationship between the clients and service provider
• Demonstrates understanding of client’s perspective
• Solicits feedback on service provision and quality

Level 3: Apply & Adapt (Recognized contributor with demonstrated ability)

Education: University degree in Economics, Statistics, Sociology, Public Administration, or related areas.

Experience:

• At least 5 years of experience in the design and implementation of M&E in development projects implemented by national/international NGOs/UN agencies/ Government;
• Experience in designing tools and strategies for data collection, analysis and production of reports in the area of environmental protection, natural resource management, climate change and/or any other related fields;
• Experience and expertise in analyzing data using statistical software
• Good knowledge about Tajikistan, Central Asia and its development context in environmental protection and natural resources management in general and climate change in particular;
• Proven expertise in monitoring and evaluation and reporting experience.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English and Russian is a must. Knowledge of Tajik would be a strong advantage.

IT skills:

• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages. Experience in handling of web-based management systems is a strong advantage.

Other:

• Strong sense of integrity is essential;
• Strong communication and reporting skills and ability to work in a team

Important applicant information

All posts in the SC categories are subject to local recruitment.

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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