Monitoring & Evaluation and Coordination Specialist

Office/Unit/Project Description 

The scale, severity and complexity of needs across Syria remains overwhelming. An estimated 70% of the country’s population is in need as of the end of 2024. The increase in numbers of returnees to various Syrian governorates increases the pressure on the already existing overwhelmed services.

Six UN Organizations have developed a Joint Programme to Strengthen Urban and Rural Resilience and the Conditions for Recovery in Syria, with a current budget of approximately US$ 18 million during the period 2025-2026 to be impmented in Eastern Aleppo, Syria.

The United Nations Joint Programme (UNJP) enables the participating UN organizations to respond to people’s needs in the dynamic Syria context with the required early recovery and resilience programming that supports basic social services provision and livelihoods, while facilitating social cohesion and supporting the resolution of local disputes.

To support the effective implementation of the programme, the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office is looking to recruit a Communications and Advocacy Officer. Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Joint Programme Manager, and as part of the Programme Management Unit (PMU), the M&E and Coordination Specialist implements the goals of the programme and monitors the implementation of activities to ensure alignment with the M*E framework.

Scope of Work 

The PMU is seeking to recruit a Monitoring & Evaluation and Coordination Specialist, who will be responsible for the following:

1.Design and establish a Joint Programme Monitoring and Evaluation Framework focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Design and establish a Joint Programme Monitoring and Evaluation Framework
• Coordinate implementation of program’s M&E activities among all M&E staff from different agencies and develop strategies and tools for data flow
• Prepare annual M&E plan and review it at least quarterly
• Data collection, data analysis and design of survey and questionnaires to collect data, including at community level, as needed
• Develop and regularly review the tools for monitoring and evaluation and make adjustments to facilitate objective measurement of indicators included in the Joint Programme
• Monitor, evaluate and update risks and provide recommendations for mainstream means to address risks. In particular, monitor and ensure compliance for risk control in strict accordance with due diligence assessments, contribution agreements and the Joint Programme documents.
• Provide support and serve as focal point for JP audits and evaluation in consultations with UN Organizations.
• Establish and develop a functional and appropriate feedback mechanism that can input into Programme designing and implementation to ensure accountability to all stakeholders

2.Coordination of joint programme implementation in the context of the UNJP Strategy

• Provide technical support to ensure efficient inter-agency information flows, including the preparation and dissemination of relevant documentation to Participating UN Organizations for joint programme implementation.
• Provide coordination and management support to programme formulation, monitoring and evaluation and joint programming initiatives in the context of the UNJP strategy and goals.
• In liaison with the Programme Team in Damascus,  coordinate the implementation of activities in the approved work plan for a joint programme, and support review of the work plan to reflect changing priorities, when applicable.
• Support integration of social, cultural and religious dimensions into risk mitigation measures, including in support to the implementation of identified mitigating measures.
• Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the participation of women and men in all areas of work.
• Takes responsibility for incorporating Persons With Disabilities across all possible areas of work.
• Performs other related duties as required.

3.Strategic liaisons for implementation of the UNJP 

• Support the creation and coordination of partnerships with the Participating UN Organizations and other relevant stakeholders to ensure cohesion and joint efforts to achieve intended programme outcomes.
• Provide technical support on implementation of integrated risk management including guiding possible engagement with de facto administration and external partners on recommended actions to take.
• Provide substantive support to consultative, technical and steering committee meetings including proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of agenda, meeting documents and presentations, draft minutes of the meetings, etc.
• Support establishment and maintenance of strategic liaisons among regional level working groups and the central level technical coordination working group level to achieve UNJP programme outcomes.
• Support preparation of briefs on possible opportunities for conflict sensitive yet gender targeted programming within the scope of the UN joint programmes.
• Performs other related duties as required.

4.Knowledge sharing and management

• Document best practices and lessons learned on joint programming as submitted by Participating UN Organizations to provide contributions to guide decision-making.
• Support the Communications Specialist and Participating UN Organizations in preparation of various communication products for joint programming.
• Monitor, analyze and synthesize significant amounts of information of relevance to UNJP on conflict sensitive programme implementation, including from open sources, in close coordination with UN and other actors (e.g. civil society organizations).
• Provide sound contributions to the thematic working groups, and sub-groups on gender, social, cultural and conflict sensitive considerations for joint programming.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Institutional Arrangement

The incumbent will work under the direct supervision and overall guidance of the UNJP Manager. And will also work in close collaboration with the UN Participating Organizations in Aleppo, the PMU in Damascus, and will liaise with the local authorities in Aleppo.

Competencies      

Core
Achieve Results:	LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
Think Innovatively:	LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
Learn Continuously:	LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
Adapt with Agility:	LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
Act with Determination:	LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
Engage and Partner:	LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
Enable Diversity and Inclusion:	LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity
People Management : N/A
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies Thematic AreaNameDefinition Business Direction & Strategy Strategic Thinking Ability to leverage learning from a variety of sources to anticipate and respond to  future trends; to demonstrate foresight in order to model what future developments and possible ways forward look like for UNDP. Business Development Knowledge Generation Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need. Business Development Integration within the UN Ability to identify, and integrate capacity and assets of the UN system, and engage in joint work; knowledge of the UN System and ability to apply this knowledge to strategic and/or practical situations. Business Management Portfolio Management Ability to select, prioritise and control the organization’s programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimising return on investment. Business Management Partnerships Management Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies. Business Management Project Management Ability to plan, organise, prioritise and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals. Business Management Communication Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience.

Minimum Qualifications of the Successful NPSA

Min. Education requirements	Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Public Administration, Business Administration, Economics, international affairs, international law, conflict prevention, political science, international development, or a related field is required. First-level University degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with an additional 2 years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Min. years of relevant work experience	Minimum 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in inter-agency coordination, programme management, or related area in a conflict or post conflict context is required.
Required  skills	Proven hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects is required Proven experience in leading inter-agency coordination for large programme portfolios is required. Proven experience in programme management and knowledge management for international organizations (UN agencies, INGOs) is required. Strong communication skills both written and verbal, excellent report writing and organizational skills is required.
Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section	Experience working in a conflict/post-conflict environment is desirable. Prior experience in working with international organizations (UN agencies, INGOs) on coordination and programme management is desirable. Previous experience in conducting and managing assessments, designing and/or providing strategic guidance is desirable. Prior experience in multi-partner trust funds and/or joint programmes is desirable.
Required Language(s)	Proficiency in English – both written and oral is required. Proficiency in Arabic – both written and oral is required.
Professional Certificates	N/A

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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