Background Information – Job-specific

UNOPS – an operational arm of the United Nations – supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by successfully implementing its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world.

Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve peace and sustainable development. By implementing around 1,000 projects for our partners at any given time, UNOPS makes significant contributions to results on the ground, often in the most challenging environments.

We are proud of our people. The UNOPS family brings together approximately 160 nationalities, represented by over 5,000 UNOPS personnel. Operating across more than 80 countries, our workforce is rich in diversity and culture – with inclusion at its core.

The Evidence, Insight and Learning (EIL) initiative is one of six global transformation initiatives initiated to implement UNOPS new strategic plan. The initiative is focused on making UNOPS an impact-oriented organisation where each project is better than the last, by gathering and leveraging evidence of what works and what doesn’t, and on that basis developing insight and learning.

The vision of the initiative is a culture where success is defined as contributions to the SDGs, and enabled by curiosity for evidence, insight and learning. In pursuing the vision it is critical to consider the operating model of UNOPS as a service provider to UN Member States and UN agencies, funds and programmes.

The M&E specialist will work in the core team of the initiative and report to the Corporate Strategy Advisor in the Strategy Team. The M&E specialist may be requested to travel to UNOPS offices.

There will be flexibility in the Duty Station as it can be in Copenhagen (HQ) or any other UNOPS field office or similar.

Functional Responsibilities

 

1. Monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning
2. Data collection, management & use
3. Knowledge management and capacity building

Monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning

• Contribute to the development of approaches and guidance for monitoring and evaluation in various kinds of UNOPS projects and programmes.
• Identify and propose options for new and innovative mechanisms for establishing flexible M&E capacity in line with organizational objectives and UNOPS operating model.
• Collect benchmarking data and develop guidance for resourcing of EIL practices in UNOPS projects and programmes, as well as corresponding corporate functions.
• Contribute to the integration of M&E in emerging policies, processes, systems, and guidelines for portfolio, programme and project management.
• Extend technical support to facilitate the design of projects, programmes and portfolios’ results frameworks and theories of change, means of verification and reporting tools.

Data collection, management and use

• Establish and coordinate plans for collection and analysis of data.
• Plan, design, and set-up data collection tools and management systems.
• Document and collate available and relevant internal and external data, conduct data verification and quality control.
• Create data visualisations (charts, graphs and dashboards) to effectively communicate results, achievements and findings to stakeholders.
• Support the integration of data and analysis into decision- making processes.
• Work on collection of evidence and identify insights and lessons, conclusions and recommendations, and contribute to organisational reporting and learning.
• Generate evidence, lessons learnt and insights for UNOPS senior management Quarterly Management Reviews and Annual Impact Reviews

Knowledge management and capacity building

• Identify and map internal capacity in outcome-based project design and theories of change, monitoring, evaluation, reporting, evidence and learning.
• Identify, elevate and connect with evidence/M&E focal points.
• Contribute to capacity development regarding approaches and resourcing of monitoring and evaluation practices in various kinds of UNOPS projects and programmes.
• Interact and follow up with the different programs and project teams to support preparation of case studies, lessons learned, success stories, and best practices for internal and external sharing.
• Communicate UNOPS Evidence, Insight and Learning agenda.
• Provide coaching and support to facilitate learning-focused monitoring and evaluation processes
• Promote collaborative efforts through the community of practice between projects and programmes for learning and exchanging lessons learned and good practices.

 

Competencies

 

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above)

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.

Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).

Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.

Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.

Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.

Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

 

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education

• A Master’s degree in a relevant field such as Public Administration, Business Administration, International Development, Political Science or International Relations is required.
• A Bachelor’s degree with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the education requirements outlined above.

 

Contract type, level and duration

 

Contract type: ICA

Contract level: ICS-10, IICA-2
Contract duration: One year with potential for extension

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx