Consultancy Title: Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist (11.5 months)

Under the overall guidance of the ISU director and direct supervision from a senior technical , the M&E specialist will be responsible for the monitoring and ensuring high quality and timely inputs, and for ensuring that the thematic areas maintains their strategic vision and that all activities result in the achievement of its intended outputs in a cost effective and timely manner according to the action plan of the NSPS.

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BACKGROUND:

The Government of Jordan launched the National Social Protection Strategy (NSPS 2019-2025) in May 2019. The strategy aims at enhancing coverage and better outcomes for the most vulnerable groups through improved targeting, strengthened institutional capacity, and enhanced coordination. In this perspective, the strategy represents an overarching framework to maximize synergies and ensure effective integrated approaches by considering the following areas of the SP system: social assistance, social services, social insurance, and labour market policies.

The strategy is organized around three pillars – collectively directed at a decent life for targeted groups – through provision of a comprehensive, transparent and equitable social protection system.  The first pillar focuses on opportunities for families to be economically self-sufficient through the labor market.  The second pillar focuses on empowerment of the population through education, health care and protection services that support those with special needs remain integrated into their families and communities.  The third pillar focuses on targeted social assistance that allows the poor to maintain a basic level of consumption with dignity.

The implementation of the Social Protection Strategy is supervised by a Steering Committee led by Minister of Social Development (MOSD) and consists of high-level representatives from relevant ministries and civil society organizations. The implementation will be supported with an Implementation Support Unit (ISU) that will be based at the MoSD and reports to the steering committee. The ISU will include technical teams which will oversee multiple thematic technical committees, support the resources mobilization and partnership, coordinate with the governmental entities, and undertake the monitoring and evaluation activities. The establishment of Unit is part of a larger EU-MADAD supported program led by UNICEF and ILO to provide technical assistance and facilitate the implementation of the Strategy.

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DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNMENT:

Under the overall guidance of the ISU director and direct supervision from a senior technical , the M&E specialist will be responsible for the monitoring and ensuring high quality and timely inputs, and for ensuring that the thematic areas maintains their strategic vision and that all activities result in the achievement of its intended outputs in a cost effective and timely manner according to the action plan of the NSPS.

The M&E Specialist will also be responsible for designing and implementing the M&E activities of the NSPS; assisting the ISU director in preparing Quarterly/Annual reports on progress and will monitor the activities with line ministries on a regular basis, supporting the development of the MIS and will be responsible for the collection & analysis of different data in relation to the NSPS.

The M&E Specialist works in close collaboration with the focal points representing line ministries, development partners, non-government and civil society organizations.

SCOPE OF WORK & DELIVERABLES

The Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist will have the following duties and responsibilities:

• Develop and strengthen monitoring and evaluation procedures
• Monitor all NSPS activities according to the action plan that was approved by the cabinet.
• Work with line ministries to develop monitoring and impact indicators for different activities.
• Monitor and evaluate overall progress on achievement of results;
• Suggest strategies to the thematic areas teams for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of by identifying bottlenecks in completing all activities and developing plans to minimize or eliminate such bottlenecks;
• Report monthly, quarterly, half-yearly and annual progress on all activities to the National ISU;
• Provide inputs, information and statistics for quarterly, annual and other reports to ISU director and line ministries;
• Support monitoring and evaluation of the effects and impact of different activities;
• Assist in coordinating across the thematic areas of the strategy to ensure effective implementation of M&E/MIS;
• Assist the personnel of line ministries with M&E tools and in supporting them in their use.
  Perform other duties as required;
• Assist the ISU director in preparing other relevant reports;
• Organize and conduct training on M&E/MIS for government staff as needed.
• Assist ISU director and line ministries in the preparation of reports on the findings and lessons learned from different activities;
• Support the development of an M&E and MIS system for all activities under the strategy and for the line ministries/stakeholders;
• Development of thematic reviews based on Strategy pillars to identify bottlenecks and means to support effective implementation of NSPS activities.
• Identification of gaps, further assessments and studies to be conducted in line with progress and policy updates
• Prepare and maintain data base for all relevant information

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Education: A Master’s degree or greater in a relevant field such as applied social sciences, development studies, or monitoring and evaluation.

Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years of progressive responsibility working in M&E for donor-funded development programs.
• A strong background in Performance Monitoring.
• Technical expertise in Social Protection or any relevant field.
• Demonstrated abilities in program/project results monitoring and reporting.
• Demonstrated technical expertise, ample field of experience, and relevant technical background in evaluating development programs.
• Familiarity with M&E databases to collect performance indicators.
• Experience writing findings and recommendations in assessment or evaluation reports.
• Strong organizational, writing, and communications skills.
• Ability to coordinate well with personnel within and outside the government, meet deadlines, and work with minimal supervision.

 Languages: Excellent English and Arabic verbal, writing, and editing skills.

• National candidates only

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UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.