Monitoring and Evaluation Advisor (Women’s Empowerment in Agriculture Index)

  • Contractor
  • Remote
  • TBD USD / Year
  • UNOPS profile




  • Job applications may no longer being accepted for this opportunity.


UNOPS

Background Information – Myanmar

UNOPS Myanmar is one of UNOPS’ leading offices in Asia, acting as fund manager for three of the largest development programmes in the country, namely the Access to Health Fund, the Livelihood and Food Security Fund (LIFT) and the Joint Peace Fund (JPF). In addition, UNOPS is Principal Recipient for the Global Fund in Myanmar and for the Global Fund’s regional artemisinin-resistance initiative towards elimination of Malaria, which works to accelerate progress towards malaria elimination in the greater Mekong sub-region. UNOPS provides procurement, infrastructure and project management services to a wide range of organisations in the country, including the international development partners, other UN agencies, NGOs and INGOs. UNOPS plays a critical role in ensuring that the quality of services provided to its partners meets stringent requirements of speed, efficiency and cost effectiveness.

Background Information – Job-specific

The Livelihoods and Food Security Fund (LIFT established in 2009 with the overall aim of reducing by half the number of people living in poverty in Myanmar. LIFT has received funding from altogether 15 international donors since it was established. The current donors are the UK, the EU, Australia, Switzerland, the US, Canada, Ireland and Norway. LIFT aims to strengthen the resilience and sustainable livelihoods of poor households by helping people to reach their full economic potential. This is achieved through increasing incomes, improving the nutrition of women and children, and decreasing vulnerabilities to shocks, stresses and adverse trends. To date, over 12.8 million people in 77 percent of Myanmar’s townships have benefitted from LIFT’s programmes.

In the last two years (2020, 21), Myanmar has experienced major crises linked to the Covid-19 pandemic and the February 2021 Coup. Both, and more specifically the latter has contributed to a rapidly deteriorating socio-economic and political situation leading to decreased livelihood opportunities, increased vulnerabilities as well as an overall decline in basic service provisioning. It is now estimated that 40-50 percent of the population are living in poverty (compared to 25 per cent in 2017). As part of its initial response to the twin crises, LIFT adapted its interventions with a view to mitigating the impact of the crises on the livelihoods of its beneficiaries and target groups in general. Subsequently, LIFT embarked on a comprehensive review of its 4th strategy with a view to aligning it with the prevailing realities in Myanmar. This process has culminated in a broader LIFT reset strategy (2022-23) geared towards addressing programming challenges in a rapidly evolving conflict context characterised predominantly by humanitarian needs.

Purpose and Scope of Assignment

Women’s empowerment and gender equality is among the key strategic priorities that will shape the LIFT reset strategy 2022-23. In this regard LIFT seeks to strengthen the integration of women’s empowerment and gender equality across all its projects as well as ensuring effective monitoring and evaluation of the effects of LIFT programming on women. The LIFT household survey design includes a module to collect data for the Abbreviated Women’s Empowerment in Agriculture Index (A-WEAI). The A-WEAI consists of a range of questions related to participation and decision-making in the spheres of production and income generation, access to productive capital, access to credit, time allocation and group membership to be asked of the primary male and female respondents in the household.
LIFT is looking for a consultant to provide technical support for the WEAI component of the LIFT household survey. Anticipated support cuts across the key stages of the household survey from the study design, tools review/adaptation, survey implementation, data analysis, preparation of WEAI indices and reporting. The technical assistance will build on the work that has already been undertaken the defining the WEAI indicators and subsequent development and adaptation of tools for mobile phone based data collection. LIFT anticipates that surveys in the coming years will still be undertaken on mobile phone platform hence the need to improve on the efficiency in the data collection of WEA data.

Functional Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the LIFT Programme Manager- Monitoring and Evaluation and in accordance with UNOPs policies, procedures and practices, the consultant shall provide technical assistance for A-WEAI related work including:

  • Training of LIFT M&E staff, survey managers and enumerators on the implementation of the A-WEAI questions/module: The consultant will update/modify as may be necessary the existing training module for the A-WEAI and will conduct comprehensive trainings for (a) LIFT M&E staff and survey/field managers and (b) survey enumerators. The training curriculum must be discussed and approved by LIFT. The consultant will engage with LIFT contracted household survey firm and plan how best to coordinate and integrate with the broader training agenda. The consultant will furthermore provide written notes on observations made during the training – specific areas of difficulty etc.

  • Participation and assistance in survey piloting and ensuring appropriate adjustments to A-WEAI components: The consultant will engage with the LIFT survey firm and participate in pre-testing and actual piloting of the questionnaires to ensure correct understanding of and implementation of A-WEAI related components. The consultant should deliver written notes of any major issues and descriptions of how these were handled and/or proposals on to address these to optimise data quality.

  • Remote and on-site support (as may be required) for field managers during field work in case of questions or challenges related to the A-WEAI questions/module: The consultant should be available to respond swiftly to questions or problems related to the implementation of the A-WEAI that may arise during the field work for the household survey. On-site support will be limited to selected sample sites to also act as quality control.

  • Guidance for the LIFT survey firm on any specific A-WEAI related coding and data cleaning requirements: As the A-WEAI questions and components are integrated into the LIFT household survey the coding of the data will follow the structure used in the remainder of the household survey. However, the Consultant should engage carefully with the survey firm to discuss the coding to ensure that each A-WEAI related question can be easily identified and to ensure correct linking of individual responses with household roster ids and household ids. Written instructions should be supplied alongside in-person capacity building and/or hands on assistance as needed.

  • Analysis of WEAI data and production of analytical report. The Consultant will construct the A-WEAI indices and present the findings in an analytical report linking the WEAI to other components of the household survey such as Child and Maternal Nutrition, Household Income, Agricultural Productivity, Vulnerability, Displacement Status among others. Results will be compared across regions, by LIFT tier and for LIFT and non-LIFT beneficiaries. Specific research questions will be specified by, and discussed with, LIFT during the initial stages of the technical assistance.

  • Capacity building for LIFT M&E staff on use of the WEAI: The consultant will conduct a workshop to train LIFT M&E team in the analysis and interpretation of A-WEAI data for future use.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education

  • Masters or PHD Degree in Agricultural Economics; Agriculture; Development Economics or any other related discipline is required.

  • A Bachelor’s degree in the above mentioned areas in combination with an additional 2 years of similar relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the Master’s Degree is considered as equivalent.

Technical Experience/Other essential qualifications

  • At least seven years’ experience in designing and/or providing training or similar quantitative survey questionnaires covering the fields of livelihoods, agriculture, nutrition and gender in Myanmar or other developing countries is required.

  • Excellent technical skills in socio-economic research is highly preferred.

  • Demonstrable experience in the topic of women’s empowerment in agriculture in Myanmar or related countries, and ideally of working with the WEAI or A-WEAI is preferred.

  • Additional experience conducting quality research in development economics or similar relevant topics will be an added advantage.

  • Knowledge of the political, economic and social situation in Myanmar is desirable.

  • Willingness to undertake field visits in difficult conditions is required.

  • Proven experience in strong communication and facilitation skills, and ability to establish good working relationships with colleagues and stakeholders in a sensitive environment is highly preferred.

  • Computer literacy in office software packages is required and SPSS is an asset.

Language

  • Fluency in both written and spoken English is required.

Contract type, level and duration

  • Contract type: ICA (Individual Contractor Agreement)
  • Contract level: ICS11 – International – Specialist ICA, Level I-ICA 3 (Retainer)/Home based with mission travel to Yangon, including field support
  • Contract duration: 2 years (150 working days per year) – Renewable subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.**(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above)**

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.

Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).

Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.

Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.

Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.

Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Additional Considerations

  • Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
  • 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.
  • UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
  • Work life harmonization – UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
  • 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 (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
  • The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns.
Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

Background Information – UNOPS

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.

How to apply

https://jobs.unops.org/Pages/ViewVacancy/VADetails.aspx?id=23502#1


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