Senior Programme Officer Monitoring & Evaluation

The purpose of this post is to coordinate the effective monitoring and evaluation of WSSCC’s work in line with its Medium Term Strategic Plan (MTSP) for the period 2012-2016. The incumbent is expected to establish a conceptual framework for the monitoring & evaluation (M&E) practice, provide leadership to strengthen WSSCC’s capacity, and to develop systems and engagement strategies to enable WSSCC to:

       i.          Effectively monitor and evaluate progress against its MTSP for the period 2012-2016, and regularly derive evidence-based data and information feeding into organizational and wider sector knowledge and learning.

      ii.          Identify and collaborate on evaluation research initiatives of relevance to the sector as a whole

     iii.          Represent WSSCC in inter-agency meetings and high-level forums on monitoring and evaluation.

    iv.          Develop partnerships and facilitate inter-institutional relations with key research institutions specializing in water, sanitation and hygiene.

WSSCC is currently in the process of strengthening its M&E system to ensure full alignment with recent changes in WSSCC’s organisational size and strategic focus; i) significant organisational growth, ii) a new Medium Term Strategic Plan (MTSP) in place covering 2012-1016, iii) merging of Trust Funds pooling donor resources. In addition, strengthening and harmonisation of M&E activities within the wider sanitation sector at both global and national level has been identified as a priority area for sector learning by WSSCC and its partners. The incumbent is expected to provide leadership to the above processes.

The incumbent is a professional specialist based in the Networking and Knowledge Management Department and expected to work closely with senior managers and staff in all WSSCC departments. General direction on the tasks and area of responsibility is provided by the immediate supervisor, i.e. the Programme Manager, Networking and Knowledge Management. The incumbent exercises leadership to translate this guidance into the specific activities required to perform assigned duties. Detailed workplans are generated by the incumbent, based on his/her judgment of priorities, in consultation with the supervisor and in collaboration with other senior managers and staff within WSSCC. The incumbent has the responsibility to develop or revise guidelines for the  M&E area within WSSCC, represent the organization in high-level forms, and develop partnerships that place WSSCC on the cutting-edge of M&E in the WASH sector.

The incumbent’s work is reviewed in discussion with the supervisor and appropriate in-house staff, in briefings and de-briefings around duty travel, by periodic progress reviews based on planned activities, by reports of activities, and by assessment of progress and impact based on reports. Results are reviewed for attainment of objectives.

The incumbent has direct contact internally with:

       i.          WSSCC senior managers, staff, Steering Committee members, National Coordinators and Members, and externally with donors, partner agencies, research institutions, GSF Project Coordinating Mechanisms, Executing Agencies and Sub-Grantees and other organizations, to discuss and develop corporate M&E strategies and plans, to obtain information and to provide advice.

      ii.          UNOPS for operational and human resources matters.

1.      Design, implement and manage a system for WSSCC to effectively monitor and evaluate progress against its Medium Term Strategic Plan:

a.      Lead  the design and establishment of a strengthened WSSCC M&E system, in collaboration with other WSSCC senior managers, staff and external consultants as required.

b.      Establish baseline data as appropriate.

c.      Continuously monitor progress against the MTSP and its results framework.

d.      Continuously revise and improve the WSSCC M&E system.

2.      Regularly derive evidence-based data and information from the above mentioned M&E system feeding into organisational and wider sector knowledge and learning:

a.      Compile data and information required for WSSCC work planning and reporting.

b.      Compile data and information required for WSSCC’s internal and external communications and advocacy products.

c.      Make available data and information required for WSSCC’s learning and knowledge management agenda.

3.      Develop and manage partnerships with established research institutions that place WSSCC strategically in the WASH sector as a leader in M&E

a.      Represent WSSCC in global symposia and other high-level meetings in order to engage institutions and explore opportunities for collaboration.

b.      Develop joint evaluation research initiatives

c.      Manager inter-institutional relations and partnerships that strengthen M&E practices in WSSCC and contribute postively to the WASH sector.

4.      Support and train WSSCC staff and in-country partners to establish and implement  an M&E system that contributes results to WSSCC’s MTSP.

a.      Support the development of M&E frameworks that are relevant to the national context while contributing to MTSP objectives

b.      Support Global sanitation Fund officers to enhance programme delivery

c.      Support partners in country to strengthen qualitative and quantitative spects of M&E system (supervising technical assistance supported by WSSCC for this purpose)

d.      Identify specific training needs and support in WSSCC priority countries that are line with country strategies

5.      Manage and coordinate WSSCC’s work programme evaluations:

a.      Design and manage the overall MTSP mid-term and 5-year evaluations.

b.      Design and manage national mid-term and 5 year evaluations specific to the Global Sanitation Fund programmes.

Design and manage other specific reviews, studies and assessments of specific components and processes of the WSSCC’s work programme using various donor frameworks for reporting purposes,

6.      Be the client and supervise  various consultants to carry out appropriate parts of the above M&E work programme.

Perform other related duties as required.

IMPACT OF RESULTS

The incumbent is responsible for monitoring progress and effectiveness across all WSSCC activities and expenditures in order to help WSSCC to deliver the five Outcomes as defined in the MTSP in a timely, cost-effective manner.

The Incumbent is also responsible for the design and management of specific outputs including internal monitoring systems and contributing to national monitoring systemsfor WASH as specified in Output 2(d).

The incumbent will also be responsible for linking outputs and outcomes to evaluation research in a strategic manner.

The incumbent is responsible for capturing progress and achievement of WSSCC against all five Outcomes in the MTSP. The post also specifically contributes to WSSCC Output 5(b): A well-resourced and managed Secretariat with clarity of roles and responsibilities supports the achievement of WSSCC’s Outcomes on time and to a high standard.

·        Excellent technical skills in socioeconomic research and programme performance assessment

·        Strong communication and facilitation skills with diverse stakeholders and environments

·        Demonstrated leadership skills fostering inter-institutional relations and strategic partnerships

·       Knowledge and experience with the latest methodologies and developments in M&E

·       Experience with results-based reporting, including logical frameworks

·        Strong interpersonal skills and the ability  to work effectively in teams

·        Highly organized with ability to manage multiple tasks and complex work programme

·       Understands and applies fundamental concepts and principles of a professional discipline or technical specialty relating to the position.

·       Possesses basic knowledge of organizational policies and procedures relating to the position and applies them consistently in work tasks.

·       Strives to keep job knowledge up-to-date through self-directed study and learning

·       Excellent writing and data analysis skills

·       Excellent computer literacy.

Functional Competencies:

Advocacy/Advancing A Policy-Oriented Agenda-Preparing information for advocacy

• Identifies and communicates relevant information for a variety of audiences for advocating WSSCC’S’s mandate

Results-Based Programme Development and Management-Contributes into results through primary research and analysis

• Assesses project performance to identify success factors and incorporates best practices into project work
• Researches linkages across programme activities to identify critical points of integration
• Monitors specific stages of projects/programme implementation

Building Strategic Partnerships - Maintaining a network of contacts

Maintains an established network of contacts for general information sharing and to remain up-to-date on partnership related issues. Analyzes and selects materials for strengthening strategic alliances with partners and stakeholders

Representation – Maturity and competence to be the face of WSSCC

Provides enthusiasm and leadership in the WASH sector among monitoring experts, evaluation specialists and researchers; capable of upholding the values and distinct character of the Council in high-level forums.

Innovation and Marketing New Approaches:Enhancing processes or products

Generates new ideas and proposes new, more effective ways of doing things Demonstrates good knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments

Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing

Generates new ideas and approaches, researches best practices and proposes new, more effective ways of doing things

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise -Possesses basic knowledge of organizational policies and procedures relating to the position and applies them consistently in work tasks. Strives to keep job knowledge up-to-date through self-directed study and other means of learning.

Essential:

·       Seven (or for a Bachelor’s degree nine) years of progressively responsible experience in results-based management, monitoring, and evaluation at the international level;

·       Experience in designing and managing monitoring systems for programmes and projects;

·       Experience in programme and project evaluation techniques;

·       Experience in designing and participating in evaluation missions

·       Experience in results-based reporting systems;

·       Monitoring and evaluation experience in more than one country context, ideally in Africa and/or Asia

·       Experience working with stakeholders at all levels-from grassroots and local governments to  national governments

·       Willingness to undertake regular field visits

Desirable:

·       Demonstrated interest and experience in evaluation research

·       Experience in monitoring and evaluation of programmes and projects in the field of sanitation and hygiene or public health.

·       Experience in monitoring and evaluation of programmes and projects in the areas of behaviour change, advocacy and knowledge management.

·       Extensive experience in Africa and/or Asia is an asset.

Fluent written and spoken English is essential;

Fluent written and spoken French is desirable.

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time (CET)
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• For staff positions UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.