Monitoring and Evaluation Senior Officer

Afghanistan

With more than 20 years of experience in the country, UNOPS Afghanistan focuses on providing maximum support to the people of Afghanistan through the delivery of projects and services that improve the lives of people in need. The UNOPS Afghanistan Country Office (AFCO) serves as an organizational mechanism to deliver a range of projects for which UNOPS has been designated as the implementation agency. At present, UNOPS AFCO activities cover a range of sectors including humanitarian, basic human needs, cash for work, infrastructure, development, procurement and HR services.

The functional objective of UNOPS AFCO is to contribute to improving the lives of girls, boys, men and women living in Afghanistan. The aim of UNOPS AFCO is to provide efficient and cost-effective implementation services on behalf of all our partners to support the humanitarian response and development of the country. UNOPS AFCO’s mission is to exceed the expectations of all stakeholders in the delivery of AFCO services, at all times, in all places, in all circumstances, in order to improve the lives of Afghans in need.

Project Information

Following the political events in Afghanistan in August 2021, the subsequent economic collapse has led to an unprecedented humanitarian crisis putting over 24 million people in immediate need of aid. To provide immediate short-term livelihood opportunities and deliver urgent essential services in rural and urban areas, UNOPS is working with funders to implement a large-scale community resilience program. The initiative aims to reach an  estimated 1.1 million households, or 7.5 million Afghans,with livelihoods and income support. In addition, 9 million Afghans in some 6,200 rural communities and 8 cities will benefit from improved access to essential social services through strengthening the capacity of community institutions in inclusive service delivery.  

Job-Specific Information

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Project Manager, the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer is responsible for efficient reviewing, monitoring and evaluation of the project’s planned activities and implementation progress. They contribute to the design of monitoring tools to collect relevant and required data for monitoring of project activities, and provide training to Facilitating Partners (FPs) and other stakeholders on the monitoring tools and plan.

Summary of Key Functions  

1. Planning and monitoring

2. Training and support

3. Data management and reporting

4. Evaluation and learning

1. Planning and Monitoring

• Lead on the development of a detailed monitoring plan for the overall project, covering all aspects of the Project that need to be reported upon, in a time bound manner. The plan will include monitoring responsibilities, key indicators, frequency for monitoring, etc., allocated for  the key relevant actors (CDC/GA/Mosque Committees, FPs, private contractors, UNOPS personnel, ARTF monitoring agents, etc). The plan should cover all indicators stated in the legal agreements, the Results Framework, and/or in the Project Operations Manual (POM).

• Design monitoring tools to collect the required data to respond to the project Results Framework’s indicators, to monitor field implementation quality and to adhere to the Project Operations Manual (POM).

• Conduct monitoring field visits, and support other relevant stakeholders in conducting the monitoring field visits, against the approved monitoring plan.

• Leading coordination with the ARTF monitoring agent, reviewing the reports, coordinating with the Project team, the Facilitating Partners (FPs) and Contractors, and identifying corrective actions.

• Review the ARTF agent’s online platform dashboard to ensure that the reported deviations/findings are addressed by the Project Team and FPs in a timely manner. 

2. Training and Support

• Train field level monitors, including the FP monitoring teams, in the use of the forms and the data collection methodology.

• Train FP staff in the establishment and training of Community Participatory Monitoring (CPM) teams where needed.

• Training all relevant actors, outside of the ARTF monitoring agent, on the Monitoring Plan, once approved.

3. Data Management and Reporting

• Develop, with the support of the ICT Specialist, an efficient database for compiling, analyzing and reporting monitoring findings.

• Compile and analyze data and prepare monthly and quarterly detailed monitoring reports, ensuring all key findings from the monitoring of the reporting period are summarized and highlighted for the management’s attention.

• Prepare monthly internal quantitative/output-based reports for quick review for the management.

• Prepare the UNOPS sections of the Project quarterly progress reports and submit the same to the Senior Project Manager within 20 days of the close of each reporting quarter. This includes updates on all indicators in the Results Framework for the project.

• Support the project management team to prepare for Implementation Support Missions’ (ISMs) overall/management, M&E sessions, including data collection, analysis, reporting, presentation preparations, attendance and participation in the sessions.

4. Evaluation and Learning

• Support the project management team in coordinating and/or conducting short, thematic internal evaluations to analyze trends, deviations from procedures, challenges, gaps, lessons learned from the Community Resilience and Livelihood Project field implementation and actively contribute in the revision or updating of CRL POM and other implementation policies or procedural guidelines etc.

3. Impact of Results

The effective and successful achievement of results by the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer ensures the project is delivered according to the Project’s design and as per the Results Framework, that key data is regularly shared and is accessible to key stakeholders, and that the project is in compliance with Environmental and Social safeguards requirements. It confirms UNOPS’ role as a key and trusted partner to the World Bank, and UNOPS’ position as a critical service provider, in all challenging work environments. Given the current political and humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, this project would support the urgent repositioning of AFCO and strengthen UNOPS presence and visibility in Afghanistan, raising the profile of UNOPS  in the global humanitarian context. 

Monitoring and progress controls will be in accordance with work plans that the Supervisor and incumbent will prepare at the beginning of the assignment.   

Education

• A first-level university degree (e.g. Bachelor) in Development Studies, Project Management, Sociology or other relevant discipline is required. 

b. Work Experience 

• A minimum of 4 years of experience in monitoring and evaluation is required.

• Experience with logframes/results frameworks, managing data for reporting on key indicators and working with multiple data sources is required.

• Experience in training is required. 

• Experience working with the World Bank, UN agencies or other donor agencies, government ministries, and/or non-governmental organizations (NGOs) is valued.

c.  Languages

• Fluency in English is required.

• Fluency in Pashto and/or Dari is desirable.

Contract type: National Individual Contractor Agreement (LICA)
Contract level: LICA 9
Contract duration: Ongoing ICA - Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance 

• 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. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. 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.