Monitoring and Evaluation Senior Officer (Environmental- Solid Waste Management) Retainer

The Project funded by the World Bank and Global Environment Facility (GEF) aims to support the Ministry of Environment (MoE) in Lebanon to reduce Unintentional Persistent Organic Pollutants (UPOPs) emissions and to improve solid waste management. The project will address critical barriers for reducing UPOPs emitted from the waste disposal and open burning processes by approximately 12% and minimize the adverse impacts to public health and environmental risks. In addition, the project will contribute to building the circular economy as a pathway for Lebanon’s green growth and sustainable development in the post COVID-19 era.

The Project comprises four components. UNOPS will implement the components 1, 2 and 3. 

Component 1: Strengthen Regulatory Framework and Capacities for Sustainable Waste Management in the Circular Economy which aims to improve the policy framework, build capacity and long-term planning for applying a circular economy model in waste management.

Component 2: Demonstrations on 3R Practices (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle) and Best Available Techniques/ Best Environmental Practices (BATs/BEPs) at Open Dumpsite in Selected Geographic Zones. This component aims to provide investments to demonstrate: (i) 3R practices to reduce waste entering dumpsites/landfills in selected Solid Waste serviced zones; and (ii) BATs and BEPs to eliminate open burning at selected dumpsites.

Component 3: Project Monitoring and Evaluation: This component encompasses Third Party Monitoring as part of monitoring activities. 

Component 4: Project Management (to be implemented by the MoE).

The Project Management Unit (PMU), (assigned by the MoE) will be responsible for the overall management, procurement, financial and environmental and social management functions to be carried out and will provide needed operating costs associated with day-to-day project management and implementation. 

Given that the PMU will be hosted at MoE, government contributions for this component will be leveraged through office space and other logistics for effective functioning of the PMU. 

The proposed project will create a platform for piloting an Integrated Solid Waste Management approach towards a circular economy in the Solid Waste sector at the level of the selected serviced zones which are currently covered by facilities funded by the Government of Lebanon. Through this initiative, MoE will aim to upscale this approach to the level of all Solid Waste facilities (17 in total) in the country.

Under the direct management and supervision of the Project Manager, the incumbent will be responsible for efficient reviewing, monitoring and evaluation of the project’s planned activities, the implementation progress, and outputs. The incumbent will promote a client-oriented approach consistent with UNOPS rules and regulations and will work in close collaboration with the Project Team, respective units in the Amman Operational Hub, and local stakeholders.

The M&E Expert shall perform all the following tasks under direct management and the supervision and in consultation with the Project Manager:

1. Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting

2. Stakeholder management, coordination and liaison

3. Knowledge management

Under this function the incumbent shall:

• Support in monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of Components 1 and 2 of the Project.

• Monitor the project implementation progress to achieve the objectives and results based on goals and indicators set in accordance with the Results Framework, the Monitoring and Evaluation Plan and procedures set for the project

• Support in developing and application of clear implementation guidelines and expected outputs and outcomes of the implementation of the components including supporting the implementing partners develop and implement their the M&E plans and activities;

• Support the planning of projects activities and monitor progress against the approved work-plans and budget.

• Support the preparation of Terms of Reference (TORs) and supporting documents, mainly in identifying environmental objectives, outputs, outcomes and indicators, for the project’s various activities in accordance with the work plans;

• Systematically follow up on project implementation progress, demonstrate results on the ground, evaluate if a readjustment and changes needed (i.e, on methodologies, approaches, and implementation plans), considering evolving circumstances and to guarantee the fulfillment of the established objectives and achieve the established goals.

• Contribute to updating the monitoring and evaluation procedures;

• Provide technical inputs on monitoring, reporting and evaluation to improve planning, programming and implementation of the various project’s activities.

• Monitor and review project deliverables against the work plans, TORs and contracts documents, coordinate and ensure distribution of deliverables/reports. 

• Monitor trends and changes in Unintentional POPs concentrations in Lebanon over time and contribute to the development of the implementing partners annual work plans and budgets;

• Support the Project Manager in Updating the risks log and identifying new risks if any, and report to the Project Manager for consideration and recommendations/ decisions on possible mitigation actions/ measures;

• Support in planning and conducting field visits, support supervision missions by the Donor’s experts, and preparing mission statements.

• Conduct a comprehensive review of relevant literature and data. 

• Design and review monitoring data collection tools and protocols to ensure the data being collected is credible and verified;

• Collect, analyze monitoring data, perform quantitative and qualitative assessments and document key findings from monitoring and evaluation activities and submit monitoring reports to the Project Manager on the progress in achieving Project’s outcomes and results indicators.

• Support in the preparation of the relevant reports to be prepared under the Project in what concerns monitoring and evaluation matters including early warning reports related to project implementation progress;

Under this function the incumbent shall:

• Collaborate with the stakeholders and MOE staff in performing the monitoring and evaluation activities. 

• Coordinate and provide technical guidance on preparing reports to the relevant staff of the consultants, suppliers and contractors, to ensure timely delivery of high-quality project progress reports and results; 

• Support in organizing workshops with partner institutions and Project beneficiaries to analyze the information and reports obtained on the achievement of targets, analysis of bottlenecks and success factors.

Under this function the incumbent shall:

• Assist in providing training and knowledge transfer to the Project Team Members, consultant/contractor personnel.

• Follow a participatory process, facilitating learning, and adequate dissemination and sharing of best practices, success stories and lessons learned to be utilized for planning and knowledge building.

• Utilize the Lessons learnt for future reference to guide programing and adaptation by UNOPS, the Donor, the PMU, and relevant staff of the Ministry of Environment.

• Support in planning and development of sessions on M&E with the PMU to ensure establishment of the monitoring and evaluation systems and framework for the PMU and relevant staff at the Ministry of Environment.

• Perform any other project related duty/role as may be assigned by the Project Manager.

Impacts of Results

The incumbent directly impacts on the achievement of project outputs by adhering to the Project Documents and UNOPS procedures, reducing risks, cutting costs and improving success rates. This consequently reinforces the visibility and image of UNOPS as an effective service implementing agency in project services and management, and strengthens its competitive position as a partner of choice in sustainable development and project services

Education:

Bachelor Degree in Environmental Engineering or Sciences, Geotechnical Engineering or Sciences, Geology, hydrogeology, Chemistry, or any related field.

 Experience:

• At least four (4) years of experience in projects (Preferably funded by donor agencies) related to solid waste management, landfill construction and operation, Reduction of UPOPs, waste management in Circular Economy, fieldwork, data analysis, environmental policies and regulations is required;

• At least one year of experience in monitoring and evaluation of solid waste management projects is required;

• Proven experience with Donors’ (e.g. World Bank, EU, etc..) Environmental Frameworks is an asset.

• Work experience with an international organization and/or UN Agencies is an asset.

• Knowledge of UNOPS/UN rules and regulations is an advantage.

Computer skills

• Proficiency in the use of computers and cloud-based office software packages (Google Suite) is desirable.

• Experience in handling web-based management systems is desirable.

Language skills

• Fluency in English and Arabic are required. 

• 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.

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.