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.
UNDP is the leading United Nations organization, fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet.
The Agenda 2030, based on a set of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), is underpinned by a strong commitment to leave no one behind and to reach the furthest behind first. It recognizes the multi-dimensional nature of poverty and inequality and provides a framework that comprehensively addresses all dimensions of well-being. Pakistan was one of the first countries in the world to endorse the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the Sustainable Development Summit held on 25 September 2015. In 2016, Pakistan Parliament unanimously approved the SDGs as the national development agenda. Since then, Pakistan has demonstrated an impressive policy, institutional, and financial commitment to achieving SDGs, embracing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and leaving no one behind by adopting the UNDP-supported Goals frameworks as part of its national development planning. Since adopting the Sustainable Development Goals as the National Development Agenda, the Punjab Government took the lead in establishing the SDGs Support Unit at the Planning & Development Board in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme.
As a second-generation intervention of the long-standing National Initiative for SDGs (2016-2023), the Punjab SDGs Plus Project, as a joint initiative of UNDP Pakistan and the Government of Punjab, is launched to strengthen a policy integration approach, evidence-based decision-making, resilient institutional capacities, diversified partnerships, mobilization of innovative financing, and integrating climate resilience, innovation, social protection and inclusion to provide a comprehensive ‘SDG Push’ in priority policy areas to help Punjab embark on a stable, sustainable, and accelerated trajectory of achieving the SDGs. The project is anchored by an integrated framework comprising three key areas based on the provincial priorities, including:
- Objective 1: Internalizing SDGs: Improved governance for SDGs aligned equitable and inclusive development planning, budgeting, expenditure tracking, monitoring, and reporting, with a special focus on underdeveloped/marginalized districts to achieve regional equalization.
- Objective 2: Financing for Development and Climate Resilience: Public and private financing for development, identifying and channeling resources to reduce the development financing gap, focusing on SDG investments and climate financing.
- Objective 3: Inclusive Development, Social Protection, and Innovation: Gender equality, inclusion, innovation, and digital transformation mainstreamed in SDGs to achieve Leave No One Behind.
Under the supervision of the Project Manager, Punjab SDGs Plus Project, and in close coordination with UNDP Pakistan Development Policy Unit, the Monitoring, Impact and Knowledge Management Specialist’s prime responsibility is to ensure the following deliverables:
The Monitoring, Impact and Knowledge Management Specialist works under the direct supervision of the Project Manager and guidance from the Assistant Resident Representative, Development Policy Unit UNDP and collaborates closely with the UNDP Pakistan DPU colleagues, Punjab Planning & Development Board and the relevant stakeholders at the provincial and district levels.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Project Planning and Implementation Support
- Ensure provision of robust strategic planning and policy advisory services to UNDP and the Punjab Planning & Development Board and facilitation of capacity development, knowledge building, and management supporting provincial priorities and plans.
- Formulate the Project’s Annual Work Plan by defining data/information requirements for project planning, coordinating steps of the formulation process, and consolidating inputs from the project specialists and IPs.
- Ensure that inputs are appropriately reflected in the UNDP monitoring MIS and other implementation planning formats.
- Support preparation of other project plans, including procurement, HR, risk management, and communications. Work closely with the Project Manager to sequence and plan project procurement and recruitment to achieve AWP results.
- Contribute to the monitoring of achievement of AWP results and targets and the analysis of deviations between planned and actual results achieved.
- Ensure that project information in UNDP results-management systems is regularly updated and that the updates/revisions are done according to CO timelines.
Data Monitoring, Management and Analysis
- Implement the project results-monitoring system according to the Project Document and the IRRF. Develop a results-monitoring plan based on the IRRF and review and revise it periodically in close collaboration with the project team, UNDP, and P&D Board.
- Coordinate collection and verification of data (qualitative and quantitative, data sources) and other information under the project results-monitoring system and according to the results-monitoring plan.
- Develop tools and formats for data collection and verification with Implementing Partners (IPs) and other project stakeholders. Ensure that data collection is conducted on time. Undertake ongoing quality assurance of monitoring data and information.
- Systematically identify and record lessons learnt, communicate with the Project Manager and through results-reporting systems.
- Plan and coordinate monitoring activities and develop a plan for field visits.
- Develop and maintain an updated database on results data and information related to project monitoring.
- Support conceptualization and implementation of results-monitoring systems of project partners and provide technical advice and coordinate implementation activities.
- Organize and coordinate the implementation of Project Internal Reviews utilizing qualitative data collection methodologies.
- Provide support in compiling and drafting inputs to be presented in the Project Technical Committee meeting.
- Analyze project activities and collect monitoring evidence that the outputs are being produced as envisaged in the project document.
Knowledge Management and Dissemination
- Extend technical support in implementing the project reporting system and prepare all project reports according to timelines and other specifics aligned with UNDP and Punjab P&D Board guidelines.
- Incorporate inputs to reports (data, information) collected from the project team, government and other project partners ensuring compliance with the appropriate formats, and standards corresponding to the requirements of the project Results-monitoring system.
- Compile and draft ad hoc reports, analyses, presentations, and summaries on various aspects of project implementation, including for the Project Technical Committee meetings and donor briefings.
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 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: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity.
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies
Digital & Innovation
- Data literacy: Understand the potential as well as the limitations of using data-driven innovation; Ability to use a mix of data sources (quantitative, qualitative, or real-time techniques) to develop understanding, identify patterns to inform decision making or identify opportunities for further exploration.
Information Management and Technology
- Data Management & Analytics: Knowledge in data management, data sciences, ability to structure data, develop dashboards and visualization; Design data warehouses, data lakes, or data platform concepts; Familiarity with Machine learning, natural language processing or generation, and the use of artificial intelligence to support predictive analytics; CDMP or TOGAF9 or equivalent certification desirable.
Business Management
- Working with Evidence and Data: Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data to discover useful information, inform conclusions and support decision-making.
- Programmatic Risk Management and Analysis: Ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks.
- 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
Digital & Innovation
- Collective intelligence design: Ability to design, lead or manage processes that help a collective to become smarter together by bringing together diverse groups of people, data, and technology; Ability to define and articulate why and how collective intelligence can add value to development programming (understanding problems; finding solutions; decision making and mobilizing action; monitoring progress in real time, learning and adapting); Being able to integrate different types of data (real-time, ‘ground- truth’ and novel data) to unlock fresh insights. Understand guidelines and principles around data privacy, ethics and protection; Increase diversity of inputs – and look beyond the ‘usual suspects’, ability to navigate and manage a variety of actors, appreciate the diversity in perspectives, opinions, expertise; Ability to facilitate platforms or sessions where people can contribute by providing their views and ideas independently and freely; Being people-centered: ensure people understand and can determine how their data is used. Feed back inputs and insights to empower people, don’t extract data.
Business Direction & 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.
Required Skills and Experience:
Education:
- Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Economics, Public Policy, Research, Political Science, Development Studies, Public Administration, Social Sciences, or any other relevant disciplines is required. Or
- A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the above fields of study, with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree
Experience:
- Minimum 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible monitoring experience at the national or international levels.
- 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 packages.
- Demonstrated experience in research, data management and analysis, economic forecasting, monitoring and implementation, research, evaluation, reporting performance management/ and reporting in development projects or programmes.
- Experience of working on knowledge management, impact assessment and monitoring and evaluation approaches and tools.
- Prior experience of SDGs, Agenda 2030, MAPS Approach, provincial policies and priorities especially in Punjab context, innovation, social protection, and inclusion.
- Experience of communicating and collaborating and functioning effectively with diverse stakeholders in an international, multicultural environment.
- Certified Monitoring and Evaluation Professional (CMEP) or any other certification in M&E will be of added value.
Required Languages:
- English and Urdu
- Knowledge of other local languages is an asset.
Disclaimer
Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.
UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.
Applicant information about UNDP rosters
Note: 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.
Non-discrimination
UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
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