Monitoring Evaluation and Learning Associate

Background

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

UNDP is the leading United Nations organization in fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality and climate change. Working in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet (learn more at undp.org, follow @UNDP). UNDP in Ghana is currently focusing its development interventions on accountable, inclusive and responsive governance and social cohesion; and sustainable, resilient and inclusive growth and structural transformation. UNDP has incubated strategic initiatives to ensure its ‘fitness for purpose’ to deliver new development solutions. These initiatives include the UNDP Accelerator Lab (AccLab) Network, which serves 115 countries including Ghana. AccLabs help in tackling complex development challenges, such as youth unemployment.

Young people comprise 38% of Ghana’s population, but despite investments to create employment opportunities for them, significant problems remain. Many young Ghanaians have innovative solutions to social and economic challenges but struggle to unlock economic opportunities and create employment. About 25% of young people are not in employment, education or training (NEET). The situation is particularly challenging for marginalized groups including women, persons with disabilities (PWDs) and rural communities.

Youth-based entrepreneurship provides a route out of unemployment, but it is estimated that 74% of Ghanaian start-ups fail due to limited systems and pathways to develop and scale. There is a critical need to support young innovators and entrepreneurs to develop and scale innovative solutions and create employment opportunities. UNDP (with funding from Mastercard Foundation) is deploying a Young Africa Innovates (YAI) Programme which will develop an innovative system to generate, identify and scale youth-led solutions to spur employment, with a focus on marginalized groups.

UNDP now requires a Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Associate for the YAI project.

Duties And Responsibilities

• Support in coordinating and implementation of the YAI Monitoring Evaluation and Learning Plan: Working closely with UNDP Ghana’s M&E focal point to coordinate the effective implementation of the YAI MEL plan. This includes identifying and validating data sources and data collection methods, where necessary refining process, output, outcome and impact level indicators and undertaking periodic monitoring and evaluation.
• Support in progress reporting and risk management: Prepare consolidated reports to monitor achievement of key YAI project targets (including participation of atypical actors and implementation of relevant activities), identify challenges and successes in project implementation and provide recommendations. Ensure that all UNDP dashboards related to MEL, including risk logs are kept updated. Monitor risk logs and ensure mitigation actions are identified and progress monitored.
• Engage in Field work: Undertake field visits to support implementation of MEL plan and identify where adaptations might be needed; support externally-led monitoring and evaluation missions.
• Support in knowledge management: Systematically document and disseminate project lessons for key stakeholders, in a way that encourages reflection and inspires action.
• Support capacity building of YAI Team and Sub-Partners: Identify MEL capacity gaps, and recommend capacity building training to minimize gaps, including in results reporting.
• The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement

The Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Associate will be based in Accra and work under the direct supervision of the Chief Technical Advisor & Head of Experimentation.

Competencies

Core

• 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: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination.

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

System Thinking

• Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.

Knowledge Generation

• Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to stated need.

Working With Evidence And Data

• Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions and supporting decision-making.

Partnerships Management

• Ability to build and maintain partnerships with networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies.

Monitoring

• Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities and programme performance and results.

Evaluation

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

Effectiveness

• RBM standards and practices for programming.

Education

Required Skills and Experience

• Secondary Education is required.
• University degree in Development Studies, International Relations, Economics, Statistics Business Administration or equivalent field will be given due consideration, but it is not a requirement.

Experience

• Minimum of 7 years (with secondary education) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in working with young people, women, rural communities or persons with disabilities is required;
• Experience in MS Word and PowerPoint software is required;
• Specialist knowledge and experience in the area of MEL methodologies and approaches, including Quantitative, qualitative, and participatory approaches;
• Planning, design, and implementation of MEL systems for large-scale development projects;
• Devising and delivering training in MEL development and implementation and/or facilitating learning-oriented analysis sessions of MEL data with multiple stakeholders;
• Experience with the innovation ecosystem in Ghana including the organization of innovation challenges, hackathons, and other innovation-focused events;
• Experience of skills development strategies and labour market dynamics in the Ghanaian context;
• Familiarity with youth empowerment and inclusive development approaches;
• Use of data analysis and visualization software such as STATA, SPSS Excel, PowerBI and Tableau.

Required Language(s)

• Fluency in English and at least one of the Ghanaian languages is required.

Disclaimer

Applicant Information About UNDP Rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Non-discrimination

UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

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