Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Specialist - Home Based Retainer

Contract

This is a IICA-2 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 5 years of experience, depending on education. More about IICA-2 contracts.

Background information- ECR

Based in Geneva, the Europe and Central Asia Regional Office (ECR) supports UNOPS offices throughout the region through: management, financial and programmatic oversight of global and country-specific portfolios, clusters and operations centres, including hosting services; fund and management advisory services; project implementation; procuring goods and services; and managing human resources.

ECR ensures that projects are executed to the highest standards, providing a shared knowledge base and ensuring that best practices and lessons learned are disseminated between business units and projects across the entire region.

ECR strategy is to:

• Strengthen UNOPS role in operationalizing the Sustainable Development Goals with particular emphasis on health, environment and economic development.
• Position UNOPS in the Balkan sub-region, the Caucasus and Central Asia.
• Strengthen the implementation of ECR global and regional programmes, with revitalized partnerships in infrastructure, procurement and project management.

ECR operates global portfolios from offices in Geneva, Brussels and New York, and country-specific programmes from its operations and project centres located in Eastern Europe and Central Asian countries.

Background Information - Job-specific

Since 2010, the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement has inspired a new way of working collaboratively to end malnutrition, in all its forms. With the governments of SUN Countries in the lead, it unites people—from civil society, the United Nations, donors, businesses and researchers—in a collective effort to improve nutrition. The SUN Strategy 2021–2025 (SUN 3.0) prioritises country leadership and focuses on supporting systemic change at the country level. It seeks to capture the ambition of SUN countries and guide the work of all actors at all levels aligning concerted action behind and responding to commonly agreed national priorities set out by governments in SUN countries.

SUN 3.0 is committed to fundamental, non-negotiable aspects of effective nutrition action, including equity and the principle of leaving no one behind. For its third phase, the SUN Movement will drive forward gender equality and enshrine youth leadership across the Movement. SUN 3.0 will strengthen partnerships to achieve greater impact on nutrition through food systems, health systems, social protection systems, actions by the private sector and humanitarian and development actors, and through education, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and climate change adaptation.

The SUN Movement Secretariat (SMS) plays a central role in enabling the multiple members and structures of the Movement to work together to advance progress on country-level priorities and the global positioning of nutrition.

The SUN Movement Secretariat comprises personnel, based in Geneva and in various regions globally. All parts of the Movement – member governments, the SUN Global Support System - the GSS, consisting of four SUN networks (Civil Society, United Nations, Business, Donors) and the SUN Movement Secretariat, together with the SUN Movement Coordinator, work together to align and focus efforts on priorities within countries.

The SUN Movement Secretariat is hosted by UNOPS.

Role of the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability ad Learning (MEAL)Specialist

The main objective of this retainer role is to support the SUN Movement Secretariat and Networks (Global Support System) under the guidance of the SMS MEAL/KM advisor to achieve SUN 3.0 objectives

Functional Responsibilities

• Support the pilot phase of the Mutual Accountability Framework (MAF) of the SUN Movement Secretariat

  • At the country-level, work with SUN countries to design the fit-for-purpose MAF process and questionnaire, including working with countries to ensure its integration in a national review meeting.
  • At the global level, work with key stakeholders including the Executive Committee, SUN Coordinator and the Global Support System to simplify the process and questionnaire.
  • Work in close collaboration with the SMS Data Analyst to create an online platform which includes the comprehensive MAF process and questionnaire (at the national and global levels).
• Provide expert support in the development of MEAL-related reporting briefs for the SUN Movement
• Coordinate activities of the Global Support System MEAL and Knowledge Management Working Group as per agreed action plan priorities.
• Support the SUN Movement by providing technical assistance to help advance and adapt the MEAL system to SUN 3.0 and respond to country specific needs.
• Participate in the MEAL/KM Advisory Group and relevant coordination meetings under the overall guidance of the MEAL/KM Advisor
• Collaborate with the gender adviser to ensure gender prespectives are reflected in MEAL reporting.

Deliverables:

• Report on Mutual Accountability Framework pilot phase learning and recommendations, including process, final questionnaires and key lessons learned at all levels of governance.
• Mutual Accountability Framework survey online submission platform.
• 1-3 MEAL reporting briefs and its inclusion of key data points on the SUN website

• MEAL technical assistance provided to SUN countries.

  Impact of Results: The activities listed within this terms of reference will contribute to ensuring that SUN members – countries, networks, organisations and the individuals who represent them: (1) learn about what works (as well as why and how) and share know-how about what works; (2) be more accountable to each other and to people at risk of malnutrition; (3) course-correct nutrition promoting actions at the subnational, national, regional and global levels, and; (4) evaluate the value added by SUN.,

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education :

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) preferably in Monitoring and Evaluation, public health, international development or nutrition.

• A Bachelor degree in related fields combined with additional two years of experience in a similar responsible position in public health, international development or nutrition.

Experience: - Minimum 5 years (or more based on academic credentials) of progressively professional experience in Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) within an organisation/entity is required.

• Experience working with the SUN Movement or similar projects /portfolio an asset.

• Experience in facilitating multi-stakeholder dialogues on nutrition MEAL, and providing technical assistance on MEAL to SUN countries is a strong asset.

• Experience in accountability framework design is an asset

Languages: - Fluency in written and oral English is required. - Knowledge another UN language is highly desired

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: Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA) Contract level: ICS 10 (IICA 2 / LICA 10 ) Contract duration: 12 months - Up to 180 working days per year, Contract may be renewable subject to programme requirements, funding availability, and satisfactory performance.

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 Information

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.
• This position is a Home Based Retainer role.

Terms and Conditions

• 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 (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. For more information on a retainer contract here.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.