Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Senior Officer

Cities Alliance, which is hosted by UNOPS, is a global partnership promoting the role of cities in poverty reduction and sustainable development. Managed by a Secretariat based in Brussels, it is a unique partnership with a diverse membership that has come together to strengthen both impacts and coherence in urban development. Cities Alliance is a global leader with a strong track record in grant-making, which supports strategic city planning, slum upgrading strategies, and national policies designed to make cities more inclusive and sustainable. Through UNOPS, the Cities Alliance operates a Multi-Donor Fund supported by an efficient, flexible grant-making mechanism with global reach.

As per its Charter, the main objective of the Cities Alliance is to reduce urban poverty and promote the role of cities in sustainable development. To assess the extent to which its efforts and those of partners are making progress toward that objective, the Cities Alliance monitors, evaluates, and publicly reports its activities within an agreed-upon corporate results framework and through a dedicated result-based management system. The Cities Alliance is also strengthening its learning systems and approaches and integrating learning into the project cycle and Monitoring and Evaluation.

In accordance with UNOPS policies, procedures and practices, and in alignment with the Cities Alliance Corporate MEL system, the MEAL Specialist will be responsible for

• Work with and advise the programme teams on MEAL needs, such as providing technical support relating to log frames, indicators, targets, and data quality.

• Support the  and implementation of the MEAL Plan including indicator reference sheets and other M&E-related guidance, a learning plan, and tools and templates that facilitate the quality monitoring and reporting of results.

• Assist with continual development and updating of an effective MEAL system for actions - an online system - supported by the SUIDAC Program and the programmes own performance. 

• Document and collate available and relevant internal and external data, conduct data verification and quality control.

• Ensure the maintenance of the database of performance data, including data verification processes for all SUIDAC - funded activities.

• Assist in the coordination of SUIDAC’s monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning activities, including the preparation of annual MEAL work plans and MEAL-related budgets.

• Regularly revise and update the risk assessment and mitigation plan.

  • Ensure that emerging risks are identified through regular monitoring and are fully documented.

  • Ensure that contextual and external risks are updated, identified, tracked, and managed.

  • Regularly update the SUIDAC programme coordinator on emerging or evolving risks.

• When required visit project sites for M&E activities and provide recommendations.

• When required, attend all relevant technical meetings, events, monitoring, evaluation, and learning missions and ensure adequate documentation. 

• With the support of the Cities Alliance M&E Specialist, introduce SUIDAC Program grantees and cities to SUIDAC MEAL requirements and design and implement capacity-strengthening processes to ensure compliance.

• Assist with the review of implementing partners’ internal MEAL systems and needs, conducting data quality assessments, and providing advice when required.

• Under the Supervision of the Cities Alliance M&E Specialist, provide technical assistance to implementing partners to ensure participation in SUIDAC MEAL process and an adequate flow of information and data.

Assist the Cities Alliance M&E Specialist with the  support to partners in strengthening participatory monitoring systems and the collection and use of feedback. Support partners to collect, analyze and use stakeholder feedback, document resulting programme decisions, and share the learning with other partners and Cities Alliance.

• Ensure adequate feedback to/from SUIDAC beneficiaries on data and analyses.

• Promote information sharing on all aspects related to MEAL activities among stakeholders and promote cross-learning between project sites.

• Contribute to the development of the terms of reference for national and international consultants on MEAL. 

• Under the guidance of the Cities Alliance M&E Specialist, support the design of baseline, mid-term, and final evaluations to ensure credible methodologies for assessment and the identification of learning.

• Assist in the design, procurement, implementation and quality control of specific monitoring and evaluation activities.

• Support contract management and quality control relating to SUIDAC’s MEAL activities.

• Assist in reporting in accordance with the funder requirements including drafting progress reports, updating online reporting systems and annual reporting against the Cities Alliance Corporate Results Framework.

• Review and quality control implementing partner reports, particularly relating to MEAL aspects.

• Draft lessons learned and internal evaluation/review reports that are evidence-based, and practical and emphasize learning and utilization. 

• Ensure that MEAL data and risk management information is readily available, as appropriate, to the SUIDAC team and other stakeholders, particularly on performance data and results, lessons learned, and risk management relating to the Program activities.

• A Masters Degree, preferably in Monitoring and Evaluation, Social Sciences, Political Sciences, Development, or a related field is required.

• A Bachelor’s Degree, preferably in Monitoring and Evaluation, Social Sciences, Political Sciences, Development, or a related field with an additional two years of similar experience is considered equivalent.

• A minimum of two years of professional M&E experience is required.

• Demonstrated experience in projects implemented in Africa is required.

• Demonstrated knowledge of sub-regional and local African contexts is required. 

• Experience in the development of log frames/results frameworks and identifying appropriate performance indicators is an asset.

• UNOPS experience and/or experience in implementing EU-funded projects is an asset. 

• Experience in quantitative and qualitative analysis, identification of lessons learned, and report drafting is an asset. 

• Willingness to travel frequently to project sites across the country and sub-region is required.

• Fluency in written and oral English is required. 

• Basic knowledge of French is an asset.

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.

• Disclaimer : Contract issuance will be subject to the signature of project agreement and availability of funds.

• 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.

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.