Monitoring & Evaluation Officer, P3 Juba, South Sudan

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1 Monitoring & Evaluation Officer, P3 Juba, South Sudan The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is the world's largest humanitarian agency, fighting hunger worldwide. We are seeking to fill the position of Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) Officer at the P3 level, based in our Country Office in Juba, South Sudan. Monitoring and evaluation in WFP involves the collection and analysis of indicator achievement data in relation to outputs, outcomes, processes and cross-cutting concerns such as gender and protection. At the country office level, monitoring is a managerial function encompassing the collection and review of project level information to know how an operation is proceeding and what aspects of it, if any, require adjustment. This function in WFP is also responsible for the conduct of project level Reviews which entails a more in-depth assessment than is expected during on-going monitoring. The key objective of monitoring and project reviews is to provide quality evidence on achievement of results in order to inform operational decision making and quality reporting. Monitoring Officers are expected to collaborate closely with the Office of Evaluation and Regional Bureau Monitoring Advisers in the planning and organization of country specific evaluations managed by the Office of Evaluation. ARE YOU UP TO THE CHALLENGE? Selected candidates may be asked to serve in a difficult duty station upon appointment. Please visit our careers page to get more information about being an International Professional in WFP: Background: Since December 2013, the Republic of South Sudan is facing an escalating conflict, which has displaced more than 1,000,000 and killed over 10,000 while a humanitarian crisis threatens many more. Following the outbreak of armed conflict in the capital city of Juba, armed conflict spread to other areas of the Republic of South Sudan, currently affecting seven states directly or indirectly. Neighbouring countries have also been impacted by the conflict. This situation is compounded by the prevailing food insecurity in the country, estimated to affect almost 4 million people. In response, the World Food Programme (WFP) in the Republic of South Sudan is implementing a wide-range of assistance activities, including general food distributions in displacement sites and for affected populations in rural areas; bot blanket and targeted nutritional support for children under five and pregnant and lactating women, school feeding, as well as cash and voucher interventions in areas where markets are 1

2 functioning. In addition, WFP Country Office (CO) in the Republic of South Sudan is also engaged resilience enhancement, conflict-mitigation and peace-building activities. WFP operates through three Field Offices and eight Sub-Offices that are responsible for implementing food assistance activities. CO Monitoring & Evaluation team provides specialist technical services to the programme, and has the functional responsibility of the monitoring and evaluation of all activities undertaken by WFP in the Republic of South Sudan. In so doing, the M & E utilizes appropriate technology, including database systems, to enhance efficiency and effectiveness. WFP Republic of South Sudan works with trained Cooperating Partners and utilizes a beneficiary feedback mechanism for reviewing monitoring findings. The Monitoring and Evaluation Officer is expected to lead a team of international and national staff, which includes data management and database administration specialists, to accomplish M&E-related tasks, including establishment and implementation of a context-specific M&E plan taking into account the operational environment; to provide ontime information to the Programme Unit and CO management on project implementation status; to facilitate availability of quality performance information/project results; to coordinate with Cooperating Partners; and to utilize the WFP feedback mechanism for reviewing monitoring findings and to act on these findings. WFP in the Republic of South Sudan is seeking a highly competent professionals who have the skill fit and commitment to join the organization in the work of fighting hunger. All applicants will go through a comprehensive selection and assessment process to demonstrate their skill fit and the potential to grow and work across diverse WFP duty stations. Under the general supervision and guidance of the Head of Programme, the Programme Officer will be responsible for the following key duties: Monitoring planning, guidance and implementation In consultation with Programme staff develop log frames and select indicators during project design stage; Develop detailed monitoring and review plans and formulate budgetary requirements to implement the plans; Provide technical and administrative leadership to the Monitoring Team ensuring optimum utilization of all resources and achievement of M&E objectives; Provide guidance and participate in the preparation of training modules in M&E and periodic training of WFP Field Monitors, Cooperating Partners' staff and third party monitoring staff and their supervisors; Liaise with HQ Monitoring Team and Office of Evaluation for updates on guidelines for M&E including the sampling designs adopted for the M&E studies/surveys, as suited to local context; Follow up on monitoring and review findings to ensure corrective actions are taken as required; Coordinate planning and implementation of monitoring activities in consultation with Heads of Area/Sub-Offices, as required and requested; Ensure that all the M&E tool kits are revised and updated as required for effective M&E of project activities; Ensure links with the Beneficiary Feedback mechanism; Develop and disseminate information products reflecting monitoring findings. Information Management and Reporting Oversee and manage data collection, data validation and data analysis processes; 2

3 Ensure that the Country Office Monitoring Database systems are functional and effectively utilized and all required enhancements are undertaken promptly; Ensure data collection using the M&E toolkits and exercise oversight of the third party monitoring process and use of mobile data collections tools; Oversee development and management of monitoring and reporting including the preparation of the annual Standard Project Report (SPR) and other periodic reports requested for by Country Office Units for varying purposes including meeting the donor needs; Oversee and participate in data analysis undertaken by M&E Team and ensure the timely preparation and submission of all corporate, donor, internal and other reports as required; Liaise closely with the VAM Unit on methodological and data interpretation issues and Operations Unit on project planning data as required to ensure professional concurrence; Contribute to preparedness actions such as early warning, risk analysis and contingency planning and make recommendations; periodically monitor the management of risks and report on any actions taken; Ensure the monthly production of M&E dashboard properly annotated to guide management on the project status and decision making; Play an active role in the preparation of the Annual Performance Plan (APP) and its review for the Programme Unit. Supervision and oversight Carry out people management and supervisory responsibilities, as required; In close collaboration with the Operations Unit, ensure participation of the M&E sub unit in annual evaluation of the Cooperating Partners (CPs) and participate in CO project/thematic evaluation missions as required; Undertake periodic visits to the Field/Sub Offices to ensure that M&E guidelines are being implemented and provide any required on-site technical support; Ensure regular oversight visits are conducted at distribution sites to check food availability in relation to the number of beneficiaries, rations, commodities and quantities distributed. Qualifications & Experience Required Education: University degree in Social Science subjects with proven research expertise (indepth knowledge of social applied research methods qualitative and quantitative). Experience: At least five years of postgraduate progressively responsible professional experience in public sector management, development projects, emergency assistance, and/or operational aspects of national, bilateral or multilateral food assistance or commercial transactions, including practical experience in the design and implementation of a comprehensive monitoring system applied at a regional or country level for relief and food assistance operations. Experience in planning and conducting assessments and reviews of operations desirable. Technical Skills & Knowledge: 3

4 In-depth knowledge of results-based management principles and practices; In-depth knowledge of monitoring and evaluation methods, metrics, statistical applications and reporting systems; In-depth knowledge of programme design, implementation and operational challenges in food assistance; Practical knowledge on how monitoring data is collected, compiled, analyzed and presented for management decisions, programme adjustment and donor reporting; Strong statistical analysis (both qualitative and quantitative) skills to assess food and nutrition security; Gather and use information available from assessment, analysis and consultations to make informed programme intervention choices; Ability to work with relevant technology and procedures (e.g.: web-based databases and other statistical applications) to collect, organize, share and use information. Competencies: Effective action management skills with ability to establish priorities and plan based on work objectives; manage and measure the performance of own work and those under his/her supervision; Client orientation with ability to engage and empower beneficiaries as actors in their own development; Excellent cognitive capacity with ability to make sound decisions based on thorough analysis to select, recommend or design appropriate food assistance interventions for the right audience; Excellent teamwork skills with ability to develop and maintain effective work relationships with members within and outside the organization; Partnership skills to build strategic relationships with a wide range of external stakeholders (WFP donors, host population, NGOs and other UN agencies) to advocate for the wider impact of WFP s programmes. Language: Fluency in oral and written English with an intermediate knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish) or Portuguese (one of WFP s working languages). Terms and Conditions Selected candidate will be employed on a fixed-term contract with a probationary period of one year and eligible for the Rest and Recuperation (R&R) scheme. He/she will be required to travel abroad sometime to remote and difficult locations. WFP offers an attractive compensation and benefits package, including basic salary, post adjustment, relocation entitlement, travel and shipment allowances, 30 days annual leave, home leave, an education grant for dependent children, pension plan and medical insurance. For more details please visit icsc.un.org Application Procedures: Go to: Step 1: Register and create your online CV. Step 2: Click on Description to read the position requirements and Apply to submit your application. NOTE: You must complete Step 1 and 2 in order for your application to be considered for this vacancy. Deadline for applications: 24 September

5 WFP has zero tolerance for discrimination and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status. Qualified female applicants and qualified applicants from developing countries are encouraged to apply. No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service. REF: Fighting Hunger Worldwide 5