UNV Youth Volunteer in Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E)

Contract

This is a UNV National Youth contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Youth contracts.

UNFPA works in more than 150 countries and territories that are home to the vast majority of the world’s people. UNFPA is the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency and UNFPA’s mission is to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled.The actions and recommendations identified in the report are crucial for achieving the goals of the ICPD Programme of Action and its linkage with the 2030 Agenda.

The work of UNFPA is based on the premise that all human beings are entitled to equal rights and protections. We focus on women and young people because these are groups whose ability to exercise their right to sexual and reproductive health is often compromised. Our work on their behalf is informed by an understanding of population dynamics, human rights, and cultural sensitivities.

UNFPA’s strategic plan (2022-2025), reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture our strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the ICPD and SDGs in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030.

The UNFPA Evaluation Policy 2024 outlines a comprehensive framework for evaluation principles and procedures, and sets out roles and responsibilities for the evaluation function. The policy guides the planning, management, conduct and use of evaluations. It applies to evaluation at all levels of the organization, including project level and humanitarian evaluations. The use of evaluation for decision-making, accountability and learning remains a central focus of the policy. Further, the policy strongly emphasises innovation, especially in developing the capacities of youth in evaluation and meaningfully involving them throughout the evaluation process. The policy also sharpens the focus on leveraging ethical and responsible use of artificial intelligence in evaluation. It also reinforces the commitment to joint and system-wide evaluations, multi-stakeholder engagement, and intergenerational evaluation partnerships, towards developing national evaluation capacities.

This UNV assignment is part of the United Nations Evaluation Group-United Nations Volunteers (UNEG-UNV) young evaluator programme. The programme seeks to recruit and deploy young monitoring and evaluation (M&E) professionals across the UN system, at national and international levels, to support the effective delivery of Agenda 2030 and enhance national evaluation capacity development.

Under the direct supervision of the Regional M&E Advisor, the UNV Young Evaluator will provide technical assistance to the M&E team by completing the following tasks: ● Contribute to planning and conduction of regional and country programme evaluations commissioned by the organization by supporting the development of the evaluation terms of reference, establishment of the reference group, review of draft reports, preparation of management responses, etc.
● Participate in the M&E focal points network. ● Support the evaluation of UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks in the region through the participation in the Regional Evaluation Group. ● Contribute to national SDG monitoring and reporting.
● Assist in preparation of various reports; conduct data collection, analysis and research. ● Contribute to knowledge management, including collection and categorization of various programme related documents, update and maintenance of documents; ● Assist with innovative forms of data gathering, data mapping, statistical analysis and visualization
● Support the development of training programmes on M&E, including capacity building of internal staff and national stakeholders,
● Capture best practices and advance knowledge management in relation to M&E
● Support the use of evaluation evidence to inform decisions and programmes
● Support in advancing advocacy for influential evaluation.
● Increase the M&E capacity of small evaluation functions in the UN system, including at the national and regional levels.
● UN Volunteers can also support national evaluation capacity development through training national government and civil society personnel on M&E, advising governments and policy. ● 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 and UNFPA 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 or experience in programme implementation, monitoring and evaluation, data analysis or other relevant fields is an asset. ● Background or knowledge quantitative and qualitative methodologies, research, information systems, reporting, data quality assessments or data analysis is an asset. ● Experience working in the UN or other international development organization is an asset. ● Motivated to contribute towards peace and development and to serve others; ● 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; ● Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture, (i.e. studies, volunteer work, internship) would be highly regarded; ● Computer skills (i.e. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, social media, and others). ● Keen interest to improve as a professionally competent evaluator within the framework of national evaluation capacity of the country

The volunteer will work full-time in Panama. The duty station is Panama City, Panama, where the UNFPA Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean is located. Panama City is a family duty station classified as an A hardship duty station and considered to be a safe place to live. However, like in any city around the world, it is always good to be aware of your surroundings and to be alert. There is a wide range of goods available in Panama and many modern shopping complexes as well as department stores and designer stores. There are suitable residential areas, accommodation options, good hospitals, schools, universities, banks, and a wide selection of restaurants. There are beaches, mountains and national parks in the rainforest that are said to have the broadest range of flora and fauna in the world. Panama does not have any serious health concerns to worry about, however, it is important to note that in some areas such as the Darien province, it is recommended to take precautions for malaria. The Centers for Disease Control website also recommends yellow fever vaccination for travel to Darien province and the San Blas islands. Weather: Panama has two seasons, the dry season, which is from January until late April or early May, and the rainy season which is the rest of the year. The daytime temperature ranges between 80 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit with the evenings being cooler by 5 to 10 degrees. The average humidity is 70%. Average cost of living: USD1,120. Currency: Panama Balboa; pegged 1:1 with the US dollar. Internet: High-speed internet is readily available in cities like Panama City, Colon, and David. In remote areas, you'll find DSL, cable, or satellite internet. Panama is a unique country. 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 harsh and potentially hazardous conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential.

BENEFITS: (MLA) Monthly Living Allowance estimated at USD1,390.27 Entry Lumpsum of USD400.00 (paid in the first payroll). Exit allowance estimated at USD 115,85 for each month of service, paid upon contract completion. Medical, dental, and hospitalization assistance insurance, as well as life and disability insurance. Medical insurance for eligible dependents. Refer to the Conditions of Service for eligibility details. Annual leave of 2.5 days per month of service