Monitoring and Evaluation Officer

• Position Information

Office/Unit/Project Türkiye/Climate Change and Environment Portfolio

Functional Title Monitoring and Evaluation Officer

Classified Level (NPSA 1-12) NPSA9

Duty station (City and Country) Ankara/Türkiye

Type (Regular or Short term) Regular

Office- or Home-based Office

Expected starting date 15 March 2024

Expected Duration 1 Yearwith possibility of extension based on performance and funding availability

Position Number 00174196

• Office/Unit/Project Description

UNDP is the UN’s global development network, an organization advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life.

UNDP positions itself as a development partner that brings global knowledge, through a multi-sectoral approach – the key comparative advantage of UNDP – and concentrates its work on 3 programmatic fields: i) Inclusive and Sustainable Growth, ii) Inclusive and Democratic Governance, iii) Climate Change and Environment. In addition, UNDP also plays a key role in supporting the Government of Türkiye with the refugee response through its Syrian Crisis Response and Resilience Programme- relying on its experience in these three major areas (i.e. livelihoods and facilitation of job creation, municipal service delivery, youth empowerment and protection/ social cohesion).

UNDP Türkiye Climate Change and Environment Portfolio (CCE) contributes to consolidating the gains made so far and to the advancement to ensure the voice and participation of all stakeholders on environmental issues and enable the valuation and sharing of the benefits of ecosystem services. It is focusing on strengthening the “capacity to prevent and respond” to environmental degradation, particularly in relation to biodiversity, forest management and chemical waste prevention and management. It is guided not only by UN values, but also by the 10th National Development Plan’s objectives with regards to integration of biodiversity and ecosystem services into development planning. The purpose of this portfolio is to improve the implementation of more effective policies and practices on sustainable environment, climate change, biodiversity by national, local authorities and stakeholders including resilience of the system/communities to disasters. UNDP is cooperating with various national counterparts in the referred field, such as Ministry of Environment and Urbanization, Ministry of Forestry and Water Affairs, General Directorate of Forestry, etc. Climate Change and Environment (CCE) Portfolio seeks sustainable solutions for climate change adaption and mitigation action across sectors and initiatives to strengthen systems and tools for risk-centered and integrated disaster management and increase the resilience of society by also taking into account of differentiated gender impacts. The primary target will be rural populations in sensitive biodiversity areas/hot spots. Currently UNDP is working on different new fields addressing to the capacity needs in the field of environment.

CCE Portfolio focuses on three programmatic areas that complement each other: 1-Natural Resource Management contributing to sustainable environment management and conservation of natural resources in production landscapes, within the general framework of the ecosystems approach; 2- Climate Change and Disaster Resilience (including chemicals and waste) strengthening institutional capacities for analysis and risk management for resilience with a specific emphasis on climate change, and 3- Cooperation with relevant stakeholders to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy.

Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) is a continuous management function to assess if progress is made in achieving expected results, to spot bottlenecks in implementation and to highlight whether there are any unintended effects (positive or negative) from an investment plan, programme or project (“project/plan”) and its activities. Therefore, in order to have good planning, monitoring and evaluation and to enhance the contribution of UNDP by establishing clear links between past, present and future initiatives and development results, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer (M&E Officer) position in scope of CCE Portfolio is planned to be mobilized.

The M&E Officer will support the development and evolution of organizational performance management framework as well as specific program M&E needs to ensure the quality, and effectiveness of program implementation. S(he) will provide assistance to the programme staff in developing performance monitoring plans and results frameworks during program design and implementation, creating M&E system, processes and tools, contributing to measuring, analyzing, and reporting results.

The M&E Officer will play a critical role in the implementation of the projects by providing advice on: (i) how to strengthen the adaptive management and monitoring function of the projects; (ii) how to ensure accountability for the achievement of the objectives; (iii) how to enhance organizational and development learning; and (iv) how to enable informed decision – making.

This evaluation and monitoring function will be undertaken by the M&E Officer within the scope of CCE Portfolio and aims to provide Portfolio Manager with strategy and policy options for more effectively and efficiently achieving the projects’ expected results and for replicating the results. It also provides the basis for learning and accountability for managers and stakeholders. The M&E Officer will provide CCE Portfolio and UNDP with complete and convincing evidence to support its findings/ratings. Particular emphasis should be put on the current project results and the possibility of achieving the objective and outcomes in the established timeframe, taking into consideration the speed, at which the projects are proceeding.

The M&E Officer will identify potential project design problems, assess progress towards the achievement of the objectives, identify and document lessons learned (including lessons that might improve design and implementation of projects and to make recommendations regarding specific actions that might be taken to improve the projects. S/he will serve all CCE Portfolio to validate and fill the gaps in the initial assessment of relevance, effectiveness, and efficiency obtained from monitoring. The M&E Officer’s evaluation will provide the opportunity to assess early signs of projects’ success or failure and prompt necessary adjustments.

• Scope of Work

The objective of this assignment is to carry out Evaluation and Monitoring function for CCE Portfolio. Under the direct supervision of the CCE Portfolio Manager and under secondary matrix supervision of CO Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) and Knowledge Management (KM) Analyst, the M&E Officer will be responsible for assessing the overall projects’ progress, to make sure that the projects are on track to deliver the agreed outcomes and produce recommendations on any adjustments needed on Portfolio Basis.

The Purposes Of The Evaluation And Monitoring Are

(i) To assess overall performance against the projects’ objectives and outcomes as set out in the Project Documents, sub-project documents, Annual Work Plans etc.

(ii) To assess the effectiveness and efficiency of the projects;

(iii)To analyze critically the implementation and management arrangements of the projects;

(iv)To assess the progress to date towards the achievement of the outcomes;

(v) To review planned strategies and plans for achieving the overall objective of the projects within the timeframe;

(vi)To assess the sustainability of the project’s interventions;

(vii) To list and document initial lessons concerning project design, implementation and management;

(viii) To assess projects’ relevance to national priorities;

(ix)To provide guidance for the future project activities and, if necessary, for the implementation and management arrangements.

The M&E Officer is expected to assume the following tasks:

• Data Collection, securing data backups, Developing M&E system and plan
• Develop the M&E system with the support of M&E and KM Analyst, setting up standard procedures and processes to ensure credible, reliable, timely and cost-effective monitoring data needed to inform ongoing management decisions, strategic planning, learning, and uphold accountability.
• With the support of M&E and KM Analyst, develop SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound) indicators supported by clear and concise indicator guidelines which define the data sources, data collection methods, frequency and audience.
• Develop and implement CCE Portfolio’s strategy in results – based management, results monitoring and reporting framework according to UNDP Global, regional and national based plans.
• Develop and strengthen monitoring, inspection and evaluation procedures.
• Monitor and evaluate overall progress on achievement of result and the sustainability of the project’s results.
• Build substantive knowledge and knowledge sharing on monitoring – evaluation and reporting.
• Coordinate the development of knowledge management tools for the Projects.
• Establish an inventory of reliable, secondary data sources of key statistics to contribute to M&E, and to reduce the use of time and resources needed in primary data collection.
• Carrying out analysis, coordinating, reporting and training staff
• Mainstream gender equality, women’s empowerment and other cross-cutting issues into all M&E tools and methods.
• Maintain and ensure M&E related data management on corporate and external databases such as QUANTUM, UNITY, RISK TOOLS, PIMS+, IDCIS, UNINFO etc.
• Coordinate and provide support to PM/ project team to develop project database linked to project outcome indicators by closely liaising with government counterparts.
• Collect data and reporting protocols linked to project outcome indicators.
• Coordinate and support project teams to undertake data analysis to generate information for regular reporting and knowledge sharing.
• Provide data and information for regular project reporting.
• Provide support to the project team to identify M&E related challenges and develop a methodology to resolve the issues and improve the capacity.
• Serve as a portfolio focal point for M&E, coordination with Quality Assurance Unit of UNDP.
• Coordinate with project staff, projects coordinators and portfolio manager of CCE portfolio and M&E and KM Analyst to ensure accurate, thorough and useful monitoring and reporting of project activities and impacts, both internally and externally. This includes particularly close collaboration with the CCE Portfolio Managers and the area-based staff to ensure that data needed for monitoring are properly collected and reported.
• Coordinate and oversee monitoring of projects within CCE Portfolio, ensuring that they are timely and useful using a range of quantitative and qualitative methods and various participatory methodologies to monitor performance and evaluate impact.
• Coordinate with M&E and KM Analyst for the commissioning and delivery of high-quality independent evaluations of CCE projects.
• Coordinate with the project managers/projects coordinators to get their respective timely and adequate inputs.
• Inform CCE staff, primary stakeholders and implementing partners, as necessary, on project/programme design, monitoring and evaluation concepts, sense-making studies, skills and tools.
• Coordinate Result Group 6 member inputs for updating and reporting on RG6 Joint Work Plan and act as rapporteur for RG6 and Extended RGs Workshops.
• Identifying best practices, participation to PSC Meetings
• Identify and summarize good practices and lessons learned from the overall Project and deliver presentation to relevant coordination forum.
• Ensure that lessons learned from programme M&E to improve future programme decisions, design and implementation. This includes liaison with external organizations to identify and distribute good M&E practices.
• Participate in “Project Steering Committee” meetings as a focal point of CCE Portfolio and provide the representatives of the relevant members with M&E related inputs; make relevant presentation to the programme steering committee.
• 4.Reporting
• Coordinate and prepare the overall reporting of CCE Portfolio, ensuring timely and quality submission of reports, ensuring that progress is highlighted, impact documented, gaps identified, and corrective measures recommended.
• Facilitating and assisting of Result Oriented Annual Report.
• Collaborate with M&E and KM Analyst and integrated operations teams on the preparation of reports including, but not limited to donor reports; plans monitoring.
• Provide feedback to the Project Manager on project strategies and activities.
• Contribute to the preparation of “RRF, M&E plan, risk log, SESP” sections in “Progress Reports” in projects under the CCE Portfolio.
• Provide inputs, information and statistics for quarterly, annual and other reports to Project Management Team and UNDP.
• Act as QA Assessor for Quality Assurance Reports of projects.
• Liaise with the Portfolio Administrator for financial progress of the projects and CCE Portfolio Managers and the ARR (Programme) for programmatic issues in the production and submission of reports.
• Work closely with M&E and KM Analyst of UNDP CO Türkiye to develop and contribute to the implementation of CO M&E Framework and corporate M&E requirements.
• Perform other duties as required.
• Institutional Arrangement

The duty station will be Ankara, Türkiye with frequent visits to the project sites.

The M&E Officer will work under the overall guidance and supervision of the UNDP CCE Portfolio Manager and M&E and KM Analyst of the UNDP CO. The M&E Officer will provide consultation and receive support as necessary from UNDP CCE Portfolio Manager, UNDP Türkiye M&E and KM Analyst, CCE Projects Coordinators, CCE Project Managers/staff/consultants and CCE Projects Implementation Administrator on all technical, financial and administrative issues on day to day basis.

Core Competencies

Achieve Results

LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline

Think Innovatively

LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements

Learn Continuously

LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback

Adapt With Agility

LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible

Act With Determination

LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident

Engage And Partner

LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships

Enable Diversity And Inclusion

LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Thematic Area Name Definition

Business Management Communication

• Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through

written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience.

• Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels

Business Direction & Strategy Strategic Thinking Ability to develop effevtive strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDP’s objectives

Business Development Knowledge Facilitation Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally

Business Development Knowledge Generation Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for content, or responsive to a stated need

Business Management Evaluation

Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks. Ability to anticipate client’s upcoming needs and concern

2030 Agenda: Engagement & Effectiveness

Effectiveness

Programming principles & standards and development effectiveness principle

• Minimum Qualifications of the Successful NPSA

Min. Academic Education

• Advanced University degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Statistics, Econometry, Development Studies, Social Sciences, Economics, Engineering or related disciplines, or;
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree

Min. Years/areas Of Relevant Work Experience

• Minimum 2 (two) years (with masters degree) or 4 (four) years (with bachelors degree) of professional experience in design, implementation or monitoring&evaluation of climate change/environment policy or programmes/projects at a government entity, development agency, donor institution, CSO or international organization.

Required Skills And Competencies

• Proven experience in use of software, such as word processors, spreadsheets, databases and/or good knowledge of Research Methods.
• At least 3 (three) years of experience with internationally funded development projects (funded/implemented by UN agencies, the EU, IFIs etc.)

Desired Additional Skills And Competencies (Assets)

• PhD/Doctorate degree in Statistics, Sociology, Development Studies and Social Sciences is an asset.
• Demonstrated experience in field work in the form of extended monitoring missions, verifications, on-site checks, use of qualitative and quantitative research methods in the field is an advantage.
• Proficiency in statistical software such as SPSS, PSPP etc.is an asset.

Required Language(s) (at Working Level)

• Fluency in English and Turkish is required.