Monitoring and Evaluation Analyst

Background
 

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP:  we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.
 

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) together with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is currently implementing the Support to Justice Reform (JURE) project, supported by the European Union and facilitated by the Ministry of Justice. The Programme contains a holistic package of support to the Justice sector in Sri Lanka spanning Civil, Criminal, Commercial and Alternative Dispute Resolution sectors. The Project developed in close collaboration with sector stakeholders, adopts a three-pronged approach; 1) Strengthening Access to Justice (including through legal aid, language mainstreaming, greater awareness of rights and responsibilities) 2) Strengthening transparency and credibility within the sector (including through data collection, analysis and dissemination) and 3) Improving quality and efficiency within the sector (including through age-appropriate Justice for Children, improved skills, legislative reform in line with international standards, a strengthened alternate dispute resolution mechanism and improved coordination within the sector). The Project will contribute to Sri Lanka achieving SDG 16 (which is a key enabler for realizing SDGs 1-15) as it aims to ‘promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels. It will also contribute to the achievement of SDG 10 ‘Reduce inequality within and among countries and SDG 5 ‘Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.

For this project, UNDP is seeking to hire an experienced Monitoring and Evaluation Analyst to ensure regular monitoring and reporting on the progress and results of the project interventions, support the project team in implementing Results-based Management (RBM) principles and support the implementation of the project activities by undertaking research and analysis of relevant data and information to fulfill the monitoring and evaluation requirements of the Support to Justice Sector in Sri Lanka project in line with donor and relevant UN Agencies’ corporate requirements. The Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist will be expected to introduce improved results-based monitoring practices to the team as well as the partner agencies to ensure strengthened M&E systems with a focus on results, through improved tools and data collection systems.

Duties and Responsibilities

 

The M&E Analyst reports to the JURE project manager.

 

Leads Monitoring and Evaluation:

• Leads the design and development of the projects M&E framework based on the agreed and approved project document, to include results and indicators, results monitoring tools for measuring project results and impact, data collection tools, and regular/periodic results reporting tools. 
• Leads the development of JURE monitoring frameworks and tools for the project’s activities / initiatives.
• Takes the overall responsibility to monitor and update risks log, develop mitigation plan, measure results and suggest adaptative action in the workplan, log frame and on quantum. 
• Prepare terms of reference and evaluation questions for reviews and evaluations in accordance with UNDP guidance. 
• Assist in the preparations of the mid-term review and/or project evaluation if necessary as well as spot-checks, HACTs and other administrative requirements (drafting, contracting, operational facilitation). 
• Undertake regular review of the JURE’s M&E plans in line with the broader results framework and programme objectives of the Project.
• Ensures that all project indicators are tracked in a database on a regular basis, using the stipulated baselines, means of verifications and data sources in the project results framework;
• Designs, pilots and rolls out simplified/innovative tools and leads the team to support the project monitoring process.
• Works closely with the UNDP and JURE project teams and partners to strengthen systems for qualitative and quantitative data gathering and analysis.
• Ensures accuracy and consistency of information collected and carry out regular verification of reported information for accuracy.
• Undertakes regular visits to the field to support implementation of results-based project monitoring and provide timely, clear and concise feedback to the team.
• Guides to ensure that proper field level context, gender, conflict and risk analyses are conducted, as necessary.
• Supports for reviewing the M&E strengths and weaknesses of implementing partners and devising means for improvement.
• Leads and/or supports in identifying innovative methods to carry out assessments
• Leads regular data collection and timely enter the data in the project data base.
• Support the team in the conduct of project reviews to discuss progress against project outcomes/outputs, documenting of lessons and comprehensive results reporting.
• Follow up on the implementation of evaluation recommendations. Ensuring the optimal use of evaluations by guiding in preparation of timely management response to all mandatory evaluations and by developing a communication/dissemination plan

Ensure Effective Data Management and dissemination:

• Set up and maintain a database for the management of the indicators framework for the data management and analyze the trends of data to disseminate with stakeholders and partners to take necessary actions.
• Provides timely support to the project implementing staff to collect and verify accurate data for the project.
• Provides feedback on the data trends to the project for the improvement and/ or to makes course corrections of the project. 
• Take responsibility to provide and feed JURE’s data in the EU (donor) database on regular intervals.
• Maintains a repository of the JURE’s knowledge products and maintain close coordination with the UNDP CO M&E and Knowledge Management Analyst and relevant Portfolio and project managers
• Design systems to constantly improve data collection notably disaggregated data, coordinate the baseline assessment and other feedback mechanisms, 
• Supports Reporting and Communications Analyst by providing relevant accurate data and sources to produce policy briefs and other knowledge products.

Facilitates Knowledge Management, Communication and Reporting:

• Take overall responsibility for the project’s reporting activities: draft, compile inputs, finalize, ensure design and synthetic infographics for all ad-hoc, donor and corporate reporting requirements. Coordinate with UNDP focal points for corporate requirements. 
• Compiles project and field-based data and analytical information for the preparation of donor reports
• Prepares project data/information required for UNDP’s corporate reporting requirements such as Results Oriented Annual Report, Integrated Work Plan updates, etc as required;
• Develops visual presentations aids of data trends and/or results for incorporation into reports, knowledge and/or outreach products; and
• Supports in developing dissemination products based out of studies and assessments conducted
• Selects and brings lessons learnt to help achieve the outputs of the programme and facilitating the use of global knowledge networks 
• Support the identification, synthesis, documentation, and dissemination of key lessons learned and good practices derived from monitoring and evaluation activities on what works, what does not work, revised theories of change to identify innovative ideas for their scaling or replication.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization

Competencies

Core competencies:

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements 
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible 
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination 

Cross-Functional Technical competencies:

Business Direction and Strategy System Thinking               

• Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system

Business Management    

• Monitoring: Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities and programme performance and results
• Evaluation: Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks. Ability to anticipate client’s upcoming needs and concerns

2030 Agenda: People 

• Gender: Gender Mainstreaming 

Business Development   

• Knowledge Generation: Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in the areas of Monitoring and Evaluation, Statistics, Social Sciences, Business, Public Administration or Economics is required. or
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas stated above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree

Experience:

• Minimum 2 years (with master’s degree) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience at the national or international level in providing management advisory services, and/or hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects.
• Previous experience in working on monitoring and evaluation of development projects.
• Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and web-based management systems, and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database package
• Demonstrated ability to plan and implement effective M&E systems is an asset.
• Experience in designing and implementing various data collection methods (quantitative and qualitative) an advantage.
• Experience with data and information analysis/presentation and report writing is an asset.
• Previous working experience in the UN System or other development partners is an advantage

Required Languages:

• Fluency in Sinhala and/or Tamil with strong English communication skills is required.

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