Communication, Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

Eligibility criteria

Minimum age: 25 years old. Nationals of the country of assignment are not eligible, except the assignments in Headquarters duty stations.

Description of task

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Programme Manager, Support to Implementation of Lesotho National Reforms Programme or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer Communications, Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist will:

Specific Tasks and Responsibilities:

Lead the M****onitoring and Evaluation role for the programme and project implementation.

• In consultation with the Programme Manager and programme team, develop a Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) framework and plans, define project indicators, prepare tools and collect and review monitoring data.
• Design and implement data collection and reporting protocols linked to project outcome indicators to support routine project progress reporting.
• Support monitoring data quality tracking the progress of activities and identifying opportunities for staff and Implementing Partners (IP) capacity building opportunities.
• Perform field visits as per need to ensure the quality of the data gathered by the project and to verify the accuracy of the reported data.
• Record report and analyze data against indicators listed in the logical framework against indicators and Annual Work Plans (AWP).
• Manage key informant in-depth interviewing, managing survey data collection, reviewing data, preparing datasets, analyzing quantitative or qualitative data, and report writing.
• Interpret outcomes of implementation through data or other evidenced-based sources and provide program recommendations as needed.
• Assist in the management of field monitoring, evaluation design, empirical and statistical analysis, environmental compliance, and management of information systems.
• Reviewing project reports, back-to-office reports, activity implementation reports, visiting sites, meet with communities and beneficiaries and engaging in written and oral communications with project stakeholders, beneficiaries, grant recipients and local communities to support M&E;
• Prepare regular M&E reports, update risk matrix and logs, lessons learned logs and organize regular monitoring and implementation progress reporting with key government partners, NGOs and IPs
• Collect data from field monitoring reports. BTORs, activity implementation reports, Key Informant Interview (KII) etc. and regularly update the results monitoring and tracking framework.
• Asist on monitoring of environmental and social risks, and corresponding management plans as relevant, monitoring of gender action plan and monitoring of stakeholder engagement plan.
• Assist in the preparation of quarterly and annual reports, in adherence to and compliance with project (AWP) and M&E frameworks;
• Assist in the monitoring of milestones and key accomplishments of the program;
• Support in organising special events such as launching, donor engagement/joint monitoring, etc
• Conduct M&E need identification survey among project staff (including municipality level) and identify M&E capacity gaps.

C****ontribute to incorporation of communications, monitoring and reporting into programme and project implementation.

• Lead the development of Performance Results Frameworks, monitoring calendars, and field monitoring plans and quality assurance processes.
• Support the formulation and implementation of internal and external communications and advocacy strategies, support to business development.
• Technical support to design of monitoring and evaluation standards and strategies including development of monitoring tools and standards.
• Include inputs from relevant evaluation findings, conclusions and recommendations into programme formulation.
• Contribute to AWP monitoring, reviews and reporting;
• Provide technical support to partners in developing Performance Monitoring Frameworks (PMFs), systems and plans, and Baseline Surveys.

Supports the formulation and implementation of internal and external communications and advocacy strategies.

• Preparation and conduct of communications needs assessments for the programme, project and country office initiatives.
• Development of communication materials for visibility and awareness-raising campaigns, including program briefs, press releases in coordination with the Programme Manager.
• Organize of roundtable discussions, press conferences, briefing sessions, interviews.
• Provision of inputs and researched information in programme formulations to integrate advocacy and communication strategies into all aspects of the Programme, project and country office.
• Plans, implements and monitors programme and project communication and media activities, including monitoring and collecting electronically all national news relevant to programme and project.
• Liaises and coordinates with Country office and regional communications staff to ensure communication and media outreach strategy and activities align with the country level strategy and activities.
• Supports and prepares content for the website parts related to the Programme and project ensuring consistent quality and appropriateness of the materials.
• Identifies and develops storylines for publications and substantive articles contributing to debates on key development issues. Prepares human interest stories and project updates drawn from programme and project activities and partnerships, for UNDP’s global and regional websites; EU, Government and .
• Maintenance of programme and project communication information database and photo library.
• Draft a communication work plan for the project, including links to broader UNDP work and programmes, as well as activities to promote the project and its objectives.
• Organize public awareness raising activities, consistent with the communication strategy
• Work closely with UNDP other units, EU, UN PBSO and government sector offices to ensure related communications materials include information about the project.
• Collaborate with UNDP, EU and Government Communication teams to develop, publish and disseminate media friendly communications products.

Contribute substantively to the monitoring and tracking of results against country, regional and global level targets and UNDP Strategic Plan

• Lead development and monitor the programme and project Monitoring, Evaluation, and Research Plan.
• With support from the country office and UN Monitoring and Evaluation Group, ensure that data collection and analysis from field visits are coordinated and standardized across programme and linked to UN System.
• Monitor data from partners on a quarterly basis and provide substantive inputs to regular management briefs to inform decision making.
• Visit partners, along with the Programme Team, to support monitoring of results and planning processes as required.

Facilitate the reporting of results to internal (Senior Management) and external (Programme Board, Programme Implementation Committee; Donors; Media) audiences.

• Develop programme and project donor and programme reports (both narrative).
• Identify relevant evaluation findings, conclusions and recommendations and input them into programme reporting.
• Review progress reports submitted by partners and provide feedback to improve quality and timeliness of reporting.
• Collect and maintain data for country, regional and global corporate reports, mid-term reviews, and final evaluations.

Contribute to knowledge building and capacity building.

• Identify and disseminate good practices, lessons and knowledge, as identified through programme implementation, monitoring and evaluation activities.
• Contribute to the development of capacity development tools, including training materials and packages.
• Facilitate capacity building opportunities for staff and partners in the country in the areas of Results Based Management and communication.
• Promote the awareness and understanding of the shared responsibility of M&E through communication, training, learning and development activities.
• Constant communication with the Programme Manager, Project Management team, project Board and UNDP staff for implementation of the project communication work plan.
• Facilitate and support learning agendas, collaboration, learning and adapting, and knowledge management activities; all aimed at facilitating effective collaboration and promote learning and sharing among stakeholders.
• Support the preparation of publication, document case stories and best practices for learning and sharing.
• Generate knowledge management products on M&E such as handbooks, toolkits for indicators, lessons learnt reports, webinars and others.
• Network and actively engage with counterparts, communities of practice, and other partners in disseminating learnings and acquiring timely information with respect to communication, M&E policies, tools, and best practices.

Qualifications/Requirements

Required degree level:

Master degree or equivalent

Education - Additional Comments:

University degree in Communication, Journalism, Media, Economics, Statistics, Social Sciences, Professional Certification in Project Management, Journalism, Media is a definite advantage

Required experience:

60 Months

Experience remark:

• A minimum of five years of relevant professional experience, including:
• Experience in planning, design and implementation of communication, M&E systems;
• Demonstrable expertise in drafting impactful communication products is required
• Experience in application of the logical framework, other strategic planning approaches, communication, M&E methods and data/information analysis;
• Experience in the area of Governance is desirable;
• Experience working with government counterpart on national development issues an asset;
• Experience working with UNDP, other UN entities, donor organizations or development organizations is an asset.
• Must have a high level of computer literacy (competent in MS Office) and good technical report writing skills; Knowledge of statistical tools is an asset.

Language skills:

• English(Mandatory), Level - Fluent
• Sesotho(Optional), Level - Working Knowledge

Area of expertise:

Public information and reporting, Monitoring and evaluation

Driving license:

No

Competencies values:

Client Orientation, Commitment to Continuous Learning, Communication, Knowledge Sharing, Leadership, Managing Performance, Planning and Organizing

Application procedure:

* Not yet registered in the UNV Talent Pool?

Please first register your profile at https://vmam.unv.org/candidate/signup. Important: After creating your account, complete all sections

of your profile and submit it. Then go to ‘My Page’ at https://vmam.unv.org/candidate/mypage and click on the ‘Special Calls’ hyperlink.

Lastly, select the special call to which you would like to apply.

* Already registered in the UNV Talent Pool?

Please first update your profile at https://vmam.unv.org/candidate/profile. Then go to ‘My Page’ at

https://vmam.unv.org/candidate/mypage and click on the ‘Special Calls’ hyperlink to select the special call to which you would like to

apply.

Application deadline: 25 May 2021