CONSULTANCY - TERMS OF REFERENCE

UNRWA is a United Nations agency established by the General Assembly in 1949 and is mandated to provide assistance and protection to a population of some 5 million registered Palestine refugees. Its mission is to help Palestine refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank and the Gaza Strip to achieve their full potential in human development, pending a just solution to their plight. UNRWA’s services encompass education, health care, relief and social services, camp infrastructure and improvement, microfinance and emergency assistance. UNRWA is the largest UN operation in the Middle East with more than 30,000 staff. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions.

MONITORING AND EVALUATION OFFICER, HQ AMMAN – CONSULTANT

BACKGROUND

The UNRWA Department of Planning (DP), located in Headquarters Amman, serves as a focal point for policy and strategy development, annual operational planning, quality assurance and report development.

The UNRWA medium-term strategy (MTS) 2016-21, presents UNRWA’s strategic vision and objectives for its programmes and operations for the period with the aim of maximizing its use of resources and the impact of the Agency’s operations in serving refugees. This document has been translated into individual field office strategic plans and annual operational plans. Consistent with the MTS, these documents outline intended outcomes and outputs of UNRWA programming. The MTS 2010-15 and its successor, each contain a comprehensive Common Monitoring Matrix (CMM) that includes outputs, indicators, including indicators of cost efficiency and effectiveness, baselines and targets. Commencing in 2016, measuring progress against CMM and emergency programme indicators will be disseminated through an omnibus annual operational report.

The monitoring and evaluation officer will focus on the provision of enhanced capacity to the Department of Planning, specifically in the development and deployment of monitoring initiatives for the Agency including, but not limited to, results-based monitoring systems, operational planning and report development. The position is based in Amman but may require travel to some or all of UNRWA’s fields of operation.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the daily supervision of the Senior Programme Officer and the general supervision of the Deputy Director, the Consultant, will:

  • Develop, update and manage monitoring frameworks[1] and tools applicable to regular and emergency UNRWA programming. This includes the development / revision of performance indicators and methodologies to accurately collect data, facilitating the development of realistic intermediate and end targets, updating the RBM system to include new reporting structures and quality assuring data.
  • Support UNRWA programme and field offices in the effective use of methodologies and tools for planning, monitoring, reporting and programme coherence, the implementation of the monitoring and evaluation system, benchmarking and indicator measurement at the outcome level.
  • Provide methodological support to various field office and headquarters departments during the formulation and implementation of monitoring and evaluation procedures and instruments and select Results Based Monitoring system tools, in particular related to outcomes and impact monitoring.
  • Provide capacity to continuously streamline and improve the quality, consistency and reliability of the collection, processing and management of data as it relates to planning and reporting.
  • Act as the focal point for technical support for the Agency wide annual and mid-year results reviews.
  • Provide support towards the development of indicators for the oPt and Syria emergency appeals, emergency appeal related reports and other key Agency annual and periodic reports.
  • Provide technical advice and quality assurance to field offices to ensure timely and quality data input in the Results Based Monitoring system.
  • Identify, adapt and incorporate major lessons learned and good practice to strengthen planning, monitoring and reporting.
  • Other tasks that may be assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

  • Relevant university degree in monitoring and evaluation, development, humanitarian studies or other related fields.
  • A minimum of 4 years of relevant experience at the national or international level in monitoring and evaluation, including hands-on experience in the design, monitoring and evaluation of development and humanitarian programming.
  • Proficiency in programme cycle management, inclusive of monitoring and evaluation and the logical framework approach.
  • Demonstrated analytical abilities and problem solving skills and an excellent eye for detail.
  • Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting.
  • Ability to implement new systems and affect staff behavioural/ attitudinal change.
  • Proven proficiency in the usage of computers and office software packages and experience in the handling of web based management and monitoring systems.
  • Fluency in English, strong interpersonal and communication skills and a proven ability to work in a multi-cultural setting and in teams with diversity of backgrounds and skills.
  • Strong organizational skills and the ability to meet deadlines and to manage multiple tasks effectively and efficiently.
  • Ability to independently plan and manage work processes.
  • Initiative in setting challenging outputs for her/himself and a willingness to accepts new work assignments.
  • Promotes organizational learning and knowledge sharing.
  • Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback.
  • Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

  • An advanced university degree in monitoring and evaluation.
  • Experience in the region.
  • Familiarity with Palestine refugee issues.
  • Familiarity with humanitarian response issues.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

  • Valid driving license.
  • Ability to travel across all areas of operation.

SUPERVISION AND REPORTING

The position directly reports to the Senior Programme Officer and is under the general supervision of the Deputy Director.

CONDITIONS OF SERVICE

  • The duration of the consultancy is 6 to 12 months with the possibility of an extension, and an expected start date of 01 March 2016.
  • Remuneration for this consultancy will range from $4,000 to $4,500 per month depending on qualifications and experience.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applicants should submit a cover letter and CV or UN Personal History Form demonstrating clearly the knowledge and experience required to meet the consultancy requirements via, clearly indicating the title of this consultancy “Monitoring and Evaluation Officer” in the subject line of the message.

The deadline for the submission of applications is19 February 2015 (late applications will not be considered).

UNRWA is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from both qualified and experienced women and men. UNRWA encourages applications from female candidates. Only those applicants short-listed for interview will be contacted. UNRWA is a non-smoking work environment.

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[1] UNRWA relies on the Results-Based Monitoring (RBM) system, a web-based instrument designed to facilitate strategic results monitoring as it allows field offices and headquarters departments to systematically capture and assess progress towards set targets. The RBM system also hosts monitoring structures such as emergency appeals, projects and other frameworks set out by the Agency and, where possible, establishes linkages between them.