Monitoring and Evaluation Officer

Post Number : 6CMBSP0002PA

Grade : P-2

Parent Sector : Bureau of Strategic Planning (BSP) 

Duty Station: Yaounde

Job Family: Programme Coordination 

Type of contract : Project Appointment

Duration of contract : 1 year

Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 10-MAY-2024

UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism

(Duration of contract: 1 year, with possibility of extension subject to availability of funds and satisfactory performance.)

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

As a specialized agency of the United Nations system, UNESCO contributes to the building of peace, the eradication of poverty, sustainable development and intercultural dialogue through education, the sciences, culture, communication and information. For the period 2022-2029, this mission translates into four strategic areas:

• Ensure quality equitable and inclusive education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
• Work towards sustainable societies and protecting the environment through the promotion of science, technology, innovation and the natural heritage.
• Build inclusive, just and peaceful societies by promoting freedom of expression, cultural diversity, education for global citizenship, and protecting the heritage.
• Foster a technological environment in the service of humankind through the development and dissemination of knowledge and skills and the development of ethical standards.

The UNESCO Regional Office for Central Africa in Yaoundé (Cameroon) covers 10 countries: Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and Sao Tome and Principe. The Yaoundé Regional Office, in conjunction with the National Offices (Brazzaville, Kinshasa et Libreville) and Antennas (Bujumbura, Luanda et N’Djamena) attached to it, represents UNESCO to national authorities, institutions and technical and financial partners in the sub-region, as well as appraising and implementing UNESCO programmes in the Central Africa region. UNESCO is currently implementing a reform of its field network, which devolves a number of roles and responsibilities to the Regional Offices. The Yaoundé Regional Office’s mission/mandate is to implement programs and projects in UNESCO’s areas of competence.

Long Description

The Monitoring and Evaluation Officer will be responsible  for  ensuring the alignment  of  programmes and projects implementation and the achievement of the main expected results of the strategy by providing professional expertise and technical assistance in the management cycle of programmes and projects including, but not limited to, planning,  establishment of a system of monitoring & evaluation (M&E), data quality  assurance, reporting and capacity building with special attention to the participation of key stakeholders.

Long Description

Under the general authority and the direct supervision of the Director of the Office, the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer will be responsible for, among others, the following responsibilities:

• Coordinate the planning, development and implementation of integrated M&E strategies and systems through the UNESCORE platform (Core Planner and Core Manager) in support of the Regional Office programmes and projects.
• Lead the Regional Office’s M&E system with robust tools to assess implementation progress and impacts for informed decision-making, including:
  • Coordinate with programme specialists, project coordinators and staff to adapt or create relevant tools and systems for effective data collection, management and analysis, archiving and use of data.
  • Provide technical support in the area of ​​M&E to ensure that the Regional Office has quality information to assess progress towards expected results in project documents as well as annual work plans.
  • Work closely with implementing partners, beneficiaries, to ensure collection of relevant and appropriate data necessary for an effective ​​M&E system.
  • Lead activities related to data quality assurance, on-site data verification through spot checks which further contribute to ensuring the validity and quality of data from the source.

• Provide the Regional Office with technical support in the project design process on all issues related to M&E.
• Coordinate and manage all decentralized evaluations within the Regional Office as “Evaluation Focal Point” including, but not limited to, providing technical support in evaluation planning, formulation of the terms of evaluation reference, participate in the selection and contracting, manage the evaluations and follow the evaluation recommendations.
• Coordinate joint planning of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and reports on the interventions of UNESCO in the information system of the United Nations (UNINFOS).
• Strengthen the capacities of staff, implementing partners, government partners of host countries, through coaching, mentoring, upgrading on the management system based on the results of the UNESCO (RBM) and UNESCO information management systems (UNESCORE platform and UNINFOS system), allowing them to be more involved in monitoring and evaluation processes.
• Carrying out or following up, as necessary, urgent or unforeseen, any other task falling within the remit of the Direction.

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)
Communication (C)
Accountability (C)
Innovation (C)
Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C)
Planning and organizing (C)
Results focus (C)
Teamwork (C)
Professionalism (C)
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For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in the field of development, evaluation management, business administration, social sciences, or a related field.

Work Experience

• At least two (2) years of relevant professional experience in the field of programme and project management, monitoring and evaluation, or in a related field, of which preferably one (1) year acquired at the international level.

Skills & Competencies

• Knowledge of management of development programme.
• Knowledge of project and activity evaluation.
• Professional technical knowledge/expertise in data collection, demographics, statistics and data management, and survey management.
• Professional technical knowledge/expertise in managing the evaluation process.
• Knowledge of following up on recommendations and disseminating monitoring and evaluation results.
• Mastery of monitoring and evaluation methodology (quantitative/qualitative/mixed).
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to produce/write high quality documents and briefings/reports, in a clear and concise manner.
• Ability to work in a team and maintain effective working relationships in a multicultural environment.
• Excellent organizational and coordination skills and ability to work effectively under tight deadlines, dealing with complex and sensitive situations.
• Excellent computer skills, including MS Office software (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, Project, etc.).

Languages

• Excellent knowledge (written and oral) of French or English, and good knowledge of the other language.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Training

• Training or other qualifications in disciplines in a field related to the position.

Work Experience

• Experience working with the United Nations system or an international organization/institution.
• Professional experience acquired in multicultural work environments.
• Experience of at least one (1) year in the field of emergency programmes.
• Active participation in a humanitarian crisis response programme.

Skills & Competencies

• Knowledge of the mandate, vision, strategic direction and priorities of the Organization.
• Geopolitical knowledge of the African region, particularly Central Africa.
• Knowledge of the work and general functioning of international organizations and/or the United Nations system.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Languages

• Knowledge of a spoken language spoken in the Central African region.
• Knowledge of other official UNESCO languages ​​(Arabic, Chinese, Spanish or Russian).

BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS

UNESCO’s salaries consist of a basic salary and other benefits which may include if applicable: 30 days annual leave, family allowance, medical insurance, pension plan etc.

The approximate annual starting salary for this post is 72 112 US $.

For full information on benefits and entitlements, please consult our Guide to Staff Benefits.

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information. To apply, please visit the UNESCO Careers website. No modifications can be made to the application submitted.

The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice, and may include tests and/or assessments, as well as a competency-based interview. 

UNESCO uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference, e-mail correspondence, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates.

Please note that only selected candidates will be further contacted and candidates in the final selection step will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided.

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UNESCO recalls that paramount consideration in the appointment of staff members shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, technical competence and integrity. UNESCO applies a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment. UNESCO is committed to achieving and sustaining equitable and diverse geographical distribution, as well as gender parity among its staff members in all categories and at all grades. Furthermore, UNESCO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Candidates from non- and under-represented Member States (last update here) are particularly welcome and strongly encouraged to apply. Individuals from minority groups and indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality. Worldwide mobility is required for staff members appointed to international posts.

UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.