Programme Management Advisor (Monitoring and Evaluation)

UNOPS supports partners to build a better future by providing services that increase the efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of peace building, humanitarian and development projects.  Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations.

The New York Service Cluster (NYSC) supports the United Nations Secretariat, as well as other New York-based United Nations organizations, bilateral and multilateral partners in the delivery of UNOPS mandate in project management, infrastructure management, and procurement management.

The Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC) supports diverse partners with their peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations. It was formed by combining the following portfolios: Grants Management Services (GMS), UN Technology Support Services (UNTSS), Development and Special Initiatives Portfolio (DSIP) It provides Services to partners' programmes that are designed, structured, and managed with a global perspective and primarily serving partners that are headquartered in New York.  The SDC has a footprint of approximately 125 countries.

UNOPS has signed an agreement with the United Nations to implement the project activities for UN Global Pulse.

UN Global Pulse Background

UN Global Pulse is the UN Secretary-General’s innovation lab. Originally established in 2009 to harness the power of big data and artificial intelligence to protect the vulnerable during crises, UN Global Pulse operates as a globally distributed network advancing innovation in the UN’s work for people and the planet.  These terms of reference are the result of a strategic realignment of the UN’s innovation ecosystem, overseen by the Secretary-General’s Executive Office and a cross-pillar review team, to maximize its impact.  Going forward, UN Global Pulse will serve as the Secretary-General’s cross-pillar lead and hub for experimentation and digital innovation in support of leadership priorities and in the advancement of the UN Charter.

UN Global Pulse works with digital innovation, real-time data and artificial intelligence to further sustainable development, humanitarian and peace outcomes.  UN Global Pulse’s vision is ‘A world in which responsible and inclusive digital innovation serves people, advances their sustainable development, and protects the planet’.  Our mission is to work at the intersection of digital innovation and the human sciences to inform, inspire, and strengthen the ability of the United Nations family and those it serves to anticipate, respond and adapt to the challenges of today and tomorrow. 

The goals of UN Global Pulse  are: i) Advance digital innovations to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, respond effectively to crises, and address emerging global challenges; ii) Facilitate the development of global frameworks that maximize the impact of digital innovation, minimize the risk of harm, and create pathways to scale and sustainability; and iii) Support the transformation of the UN family into a more dynamic and resilient ‘next-generation’ institution.

The incumbent of this position will be a personnel of UNOPS under its full responsibility. 

To achieve its goals, UN Global Pulse is looking for a Programme Management Advisor (Monitoring and Evaluation) preferably with experience in innovation and the public sector. The primary responsibility is to create a programme level Theory of Change (ToC) and a Results Framework for the UN Global Pulse network, incorporating the renewed mandate and recently updated Terms of Reference of UN Global Pulse. The ToC, Results Framework and related indicators developed will serve as a foundation for monitoring and evaluation guidelines, processes and project level frameworks within the UN Global Pulse network. Secondly, the Programme Management Advisor (Monitoring and Evaluation) will support the UN Global Pulse´s new foresight workstream - SG Lab Futures Initiative - by developing a detailed logframe and a M&E framework for the initiative which aligns with the UN Global Pulse programme level indicators and outcomes.The Programme Management Advisor (Monitoring and Evaluation) will also support the design of specific project/portfolio level indicators where needed. 

The Programme Management Advisor (Monitoring and Evaluation)’s work is expected to support the iterative and innovative nature of UN Global Pulse’s work. An ideal candidate will have an understanding of adaptive assessment approaches for the rapid cycle of pilot experiments that new SG Lab Futures Initiative require, while being able to establish a broader impact results framework for the network of four Labs.  He/ she will be able to combine ToC with systems thinking and looks at change not as a linear process, but as a system of feedback loops which informs the evolution of UN Global Pulse’s work. Preferably, the Programme Management Advisor (Monitoring and Evaluation) should also have experience in developing monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) approaches for experimental portfolios and/or innovation and/or foresight programmes. 

The Programme Management Advisor (Monitoring and Evaluation) is expected to deliver the following activities under the supervision of the Lab Manager at UN Global Pulse Finland, with a technical reporting line to the Programme Manager Specialist (Focal Area Lead in Strategic Foresight).

Development of UN Global Pulse´s Global Results Framework 

• Design a high-level global network ToC and Results Framework with Key Performance Indicators linked to UN Global Pulse’s vision, mission and new Terms of Reference.

• Develop an overall M&E framework and process for constant feedback and progress monitoring to support both innovative and iterative programme development. 

Monitoring and Evaluation Framework for the sub-workstream, SG Lab Futures Initiative

• Connect the global ToC and Results Framework to a sub-workstream reflecting different results monitoring & reporting levels  

• Update the initial logframe including baseline and target outputs to the SG Lab Futures Initiative’s M&E framework.

• Establish impact indicators for a portfolio of pilot experiments aligning with the SG Lab Futures Initiative and global level (expected) results.  

• Develop an M&E process that supports learning, and agile continuous development and incorporation of good practices and lessons learnt. 

• Design data collection and analysis processes.

• Conduct qualitative and quantitative data analysis and information evaluation, contributing towards the situation analysis, and progress, constraints and gaps assessments, and evaluation of the programme performance.

• Provide advice on all M&E matters, progress reviews, and evaluations. 

Donor Reporting Framework for the SG Lab Futures Initiative

• Design and implement performance and donor reporting roadmap, guidelines, templates and processes.

• Ensure M&E components are well integrated into implementation plans, taking into consideration thematic priorities and normative frameworks.

• Identify ways to promote information sharing related to M&E among stakeholders.

* FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY
Education 

• Advanced university degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) preferably in Social Sciences, Monitoring and Evaluation, Economics, International Relations, Organizational Development, Management, or Public Administration or a related field is required.

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent preferably in Social Sciences, Monitoring and Evaluation, Economics, International Relations, Organizational Development, Management, or Public Administration or other relevant disciplines with a combination of two (2) additional years of relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience 

Required:

• A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of projects/programmes is required.

Desirable: (The following experience is optional.  Candidates who do not have it are welcome to apply)

• Experience working in diverse country contexts, in the field of technology and/or futures methodologies.

• Working experience with multilateral organizations.

• Previous successful involvement with, and good knowledge of, government, private sector and civil society.

• Excellent skills in quantitative and qualitative analysis, particularly in Results-Based Management evaluations and Theory of Change design.

• Extensive experience in developing logframes/results frameworks and identifying appropriate performance indicators.

• Strong communication and data storytelling skills, and ability to establish good working relationships with colleagues.

Language 

• Fluency in English (read, write, speak) is required. 

• Knowledge of another United Nations official language is an advantage.

Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA)  Contract level: International Individual Contractor Agreement (I-ICA 3)
Contract duration: 100 days 

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.

Background Information - Sustainable Development Cluster 

Based in New York, the Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC) supports diverse partners with their peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations.

The SDC’s services include grants management, development and special initiatives support, and technology support to the UN and UN agencies.

The SDC is part of the New York Service Cluster that supports the United Nations Secretariat, as well as a broadening community of other New York-based United Nations organizations, bilateral and multilateral partners in the delivery of UNOPS mandate in project management, infrastructure management, and procurement management.