Junior Monitoring and Evaluation Officer

Contract

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

This UNV assignment is part of UNFPAs joint implementation project “Building Resilience in Guinea-Bissau through a Shock-Responsive Social Protection System “that bring together 3 United Nations Agencies and Funds (UNFPA, UNICEF and WFP) and aims to Enhance Guinea-Bissau’s capacity to respond to climate, health and economic-related shocks. It is important to protect and support the most vulnerable through an effective social protection scheme. However, today, only less than 5% of public and private sector workers have access to social insurance, leaving everyone else behind.

The project aims to strengthen the capacity of national institutions to develop, implement, finance and deliver a shock-responsive social protection system. The Joint Project plans to do so by a) supporting the Government on the policy level with the development of a social protection policy, the design of a financing framework and the outline of a registry system; and b) testing delivery mechanisms through the implementation of a pilot non-contributory emergency social protection scheme in three target vulnerable regions: Bolama Bijagos, Tombali and Gabu. Through these activities, the project wishes to increase the country’s resilience in face of any future shocks, thus upholding the principles of leave no one behind and to build back better.

Under the direct supervision of the Head of RC/HC’s Office, the UN Youth Volunteer will serve as a joint program Secretariate and undertake the following tasks:

• Provide secretariate support to the joint SIDS (Small Islands Development States) program in Guinea-Bissau. • Follow data gathering and monitoring systems ensuring that rigorous quality standards are maintained. • Assist in the design of surveys to be undertaken for the collection of required data • Support design program, monitoring and evaluation tools in line with the Joint Annual Implementation plan • Support the coordination and tracking mechanism of the implementation plan • Contribute to the preparation of accurate and timely reporting on programs and activities that enable informed decision making • Assist with organizing, coordinating and monitoring and evaluation missions • Support the identification, development, and management of potential partnerships to collaborative working • Contribute to the development of guidance and training in the area of SDG indicators and data collection • Participate in the preparation of lessons learned reports from these information management systems to continuously improve them. • Support organization and planning of regular regional monitoring meetings with relevant colleagues • Support and promote innovation in the working methods of the RCO, particularly in the areas of data mining, information and knowledge management to improve data flows, data analysis and efficiency. • Support the development of partnerships and cooperative arrangements with institutions and entities that may provide specialized expertise in these areas. • Participate in the preparation and support the production of evidence-based analysis and analytical reports and products that effectively integrate progress attained across different SDG indicators and the implementation plan • Assist with identification and interpretation of trends/patterns using different statistical/structured techniques to detect features related to SDG measurements. • Support to prepare webinars and other presentations on knowledge management, the knowledge hub including organization of meetings, note-taking and ensuring follow up of action points. • Support UNCT interagency planning processes and other multi-stakeholder coordination forums, as required, including the update of the Common Country Analysis (CCA) and the development of the new UN Cooperation Framework, in close collaboration with the RCO team members. • Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; • Provide annual and end of assignment self- reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers; • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to [UNFPA; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to [UNFPA, procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented;

• Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority;

• Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues;

• Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment;

• Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities;

• Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;

• Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary;

• Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNFPA mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

• Demonstrated interest and/or experience (up to 2 years) in (Monitoring and evaluation of social protection, development projects in developing countries required). • Experience in data collection, data analysis and data management is required. • Information management skills are required. • Demonstrated knowledge of the SDGs and SDG indicators would be an advantage. • Experience in interagency/ inter-institutional coordination would be an advantage. • Knowledge of the UN and RC systems would be an advantage. • Ability to use graphic designer and information management programmes would be an advantage. • Good interpersonal, networking and communication skills; • Willingness to contribute and work as part of a team; • Flexible and open to learning and new experiences; • Respect for diversity and adaptability to other cultures, environments and living conditions; • Computer skills (i.e. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, social media, and others).

Guinea-Bissau is as of December 2017 classified as an E duty station (on a scale a-f). The capital, Bissau, is small city with basic services, including hotels and restaurants. Both public and private health services are fragile, and any major accident/health issue must be attended abroad, closest location being Dakar. Malaria is endemic, and prophylaxis/protection is necessary.

Flights to and from Guinea-Bissau are limited, currently operating to/from Portugal, Morocco, Togo and Senegal.

Despite the somewhat sober description of Guinea-Bissau in press and news clippings, the general characteristic is really one of great human warmth and a positive and humoristic take on life. Also, crime levels in Guinea-Bissau are quite low, even if they’ve recently been reported on the rise. Normal precautionary measures such as and not walking late at night are advised.

There is limited nightlife but the few establishments that do exist (restaurants, cafes, bars, clubs) are of decent quality and food is generally very good. There are also plenty of very good Bissau-Guinean musicians and music events take place often in more or less organized and publicly announced manner. On the other hand, Guinea-Bissau offers ample natural experiences, albeit access and logistics being at times complicated and/or costly.

Guinea-Bissau is a unique country and is a unique (humanitarian) operation. The general security situation in the country is calm with exception of some petit crime and some political instability. Travel by air is served by at least 4 airlines with direct connect to Europe via Lisbon, Daily flights to Dakar Senegal. Alternative air travel could be made by driving 120Km to Zinguinchor Senegal. Banking facilities are available with banks accepting Visa, Master card

There are several supermarkets/shopping centre that avail almost everything from grocery to … UN has its own medical clinic but medical service can also be sourced from some private clinics and public hospitals for basic assistance. Two communication companies serve the country with call and internet. It provides for an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in cultural diverse environment and potentially hazardous conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential.