Monitoring and Evaluation Advisor

Contract

This is a IICA-3 contract. This kind of contract is known as International Individual Contractor Agreements. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's an external contract. It usually requires 7 years of experience, depending on education. More about IICA-3 contracts.

Background Information - Job-specific

Today, over 1 billion people need at least one form of Assistive Technology (AT), such as wheelchairs, eyeglasses, or hearing aids, but over 900 million people (90%) do not have access to the AT they require. The number of people who need AT is expected to grow to more than 2 billion people by 2050.

Access to appropriate AT enables people with loss of function, disabilities, non-communicable diseases, and the ageing population to participate in education, work, family, and community life. Lack of access to AT has significant consequences for individuals, their families, and the wider society. It causes poorer health outcomes including premature death, deteriorating mental health, and increased risk of chronic health conditions and secondary complications, all of which lead to a higher burden on health systems. Increasing accessibility and affordability of AT unlocks unrealised economic potential and provides socioeconomic benefit for individuals, families, and countries by increasing productivity and participation in the workforce.

ATscale, the Global Partnership for Assistive Technology, was developed in response to the need for a new, catalytic approach to overcoming the significant gap in access to appropriate, high-quality, and affordable AT globally. ATscale is a cross-sector partnership for AT that aims to bring greater resources and strategic focus to this significant global challenge with the goal of reaching 500 million more people with life-changing assistive technology (AT) by 2030, to enable a lifetime of potential.

The ATscale Secretariat is hosted by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and is based in Geneva, Switzerland.

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners' peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organisations. With over 6,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, where they need it. 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.

Functional Responsibilities

ATscale, the Global Partnership for Assistive Technology, is seeking a Monitoring and Evaluation Advisor to create a Monitoring and Evaluation Framework to guide ATscale’s work.

There is a dearth of data on AT use, and even when mandated, the information collected is not well-validated to strengthen responses. WHO's Policy Brief on Access to Assistive Technology (2021) recognises that there is a global need to strengthen data collection and information management systems to ensure accurate estimation of population need and demand, while monitoring assistive technology provision. This includes establishing M&E systems that can track the provision of high-quality and affordable AT and its services. In May 2022, WHO and UNICEF will be releasing the first global report on effective access to AT, which will serve as a core document that will guide ATscale's M&E Framework finalization.

A robust M&E framework and system are necessary to guide and measure progress towards the strategic objectives and ambitious overarching goal. The M&E Framework will address the overall ATscale strategic objectives and likely will involve a deeper dive into ATscale’s priority products. It will serve as a foundational working document to define, measure, and track ATscale’s progress against its two strategic objectives and ultimately towards its mission and goal. ATscale seeks expertise to support ATscale in the development of an M&E framework to guide its initial phase of investment and to provide a foundation for a longer-term strategic plan.

This draft Framework will be shared for further consultation, testing, and refinement based on lessons learnt during its implementation. The Framework and the indicators are expected to guide and support the development / modification of additional relevant monitoring systems and approaches that might be necessary, such as at the country level, in order to help monitor progress and support strategic decision making.

The assignment is expected to start as soon as possible and to be finalized within a three month timeframe.

Key outputs and deliverablesThe M&E Advisor will develop an M&E framework to support the implementation of ATscale’s strategic interventions and will inform the development of an effective, efficient, and relevant M&E system.

The proposed M&E framework should provide recommendations on how best to identify ATscale’s contribution to the progress that will be made in the coming years, particularly in LMICs, in access to AT.

Functional Responsibilities

The M&E Advisor will build upon and utilise ongoing work as a key resource when developing the final recommendations and Framework to align with the most recent standards in AT. Building on work already conducted by ATscale, key stakeholder organizations, and other partners, the M&E Advisor will:

1. Conduct a document review of relevant literature, strategies, policies, and reports available within ATscale. These documents will be provided by the ATscale Secretariat after the M&E Advisor has been selected.
2. Conduct interviews with the ATscale Secretariat and members of the ATscale Board, including its donors, as well as relevant partner organizations, AT M&E experts, to obtain input into the M&E framework.
3. Discuss initial findings in a short workshop with the ATscale Secretariat (and possibly a few key partners).
4. Develop a comprehensive and detailed M&E framework to support the implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the strategic framework developed under each of the two strategic objectives. Elements of the M&E framework will include:

• High-level output, intermediate outcome, and outcome statements that translate each strategic objective into clear language of anticipated change, both to help orient planned programmes, as well as inform future programme design;
• A concise set of SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound) indicators to support monitoring, adaptive management, and final evaluation of programmes;
• Key performance indicators to support monitoring ATscale’s progress overall and to help inform future resource mobilisation;
• Where possible, recommend initial targets and baselines for each prioritised AT (i.e., wheelchairs, hearing aids, prostheses, eyeglasses, and assistive digital devices and software) that build upon and/or note existing and planned data sources (e.g. WHO and UNICEF’s Global Report on Assistive Technology, to be published in May 2022); and,
• Means of verification, possible data sources, and responsible parties for outcome-level indicators.

1. Provide recommendations on how best to attribute outcomes of interventions and overall positive developments in the AT sector to ATscale’s investments, taking into consideration the multiple partners working on improving access to AT;
2. Identify institutional capacity (opportunities and challenges) for implementation of the M&E plan, including existing sources of data and expertise that can be leveraged, as well as possible capacity-building support that may be considered for ATscale or partners;
3. Ensure that the M&E plan is gender-responsive in addition to addressing each of the AT priorities;
4. Ensure age dimensions are mainstreamed, including the priorities of both young and older users of assistive technology; and,
5. Ensure compatibility with other relevant frameworks, e.g. indicators around the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), OECD disability marker, Washington Group on Disability Statistics, etc.
6. Present the draft M&E Framework to the ATscale Secretariat (and possibly a few key partners in the same session)
7. Revise draft M&E Framework based on feedback and submit a final version.

ATscale will provide key documents necessary to complete this task.

Impact of Results

The role of the M&E advisor will be key to develop the M&E framework and system that will guide and measure progress towards the strategic objectives and ambitious overarching goal.

The M&E Advisor will be paid a lumpsum based on the following deliverables:

• Document review and proposed workplan
• Interview notes
• Presentation of initial findings in short workshop
• Draft M&E Framework including list of recommendations
• Presentation of draft M&E Framework
• Final M&E Framework

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education - Advanced degree in health, social science, economics, international relations, international development, public administration, management or other related field is required. - A Bachelor degree in related discipline in combination with additional 2 years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree

Work Experience

• A minimum 7 years of experience in M&E for large programs, global programs, or multi-stakeholder partnerships is required.
• Demonstrated knowledge of M&E methodologies for large-scale health or education or social protection programs is required.
• Demonstrated experience in developing logframes/results frameworks and identifying appropriate performance indicators is required.
• Familiarity with disability rights and inclusion of disability in projects and programmes, as well as a foundational understanding of the CRPD and other international instruments and relevant frameworks would be an asset.
• Ability to engage input from a Disability Movement partner would be an asset.
• Field experience is an asset.

ATscale values diversity and particularly encourages candidates with a lived experience of disability and/or using assistive technology to apply. ATscale offers reasonable accommodation for candidates with disabilities.

Language

• Fluency in both written and spoken English is required.

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.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: International ICA - Lumpsum contract. Details on payments schedule and deliverables will be shared in the Terms of Reference Contract level: International ICA -3 Contract duration: Short-term ICA, three month duration

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

Additional Considerations

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

Background Information - UNOPS

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.