Description of assignment title: Monitoring and Evaluation Assistant
Assignment country: Afghanistan
Expected start date: 05/01/2024
Sustainable Development Goal: 17. Partnerships for the goals
Volunteer category: National UN Youth Volunteer
Host entity: UNDP
Type: Onsite
Duration: 12 months (with possibility of extension)
Number of assignments: 1
Duty stations: Kabul
Organization: UNV – United Nations Volunteers
Location: Afghanistan
Grade: Volunteer – National Youth – Locally recruited Volunteer
Occupational Groups: Administrative support
Monitoring and Evaluation
Closing Date: 2024-05-09
Details
Mission and objectives
UNDP has been working across Afghanistan for more than 50 years on challenges related to climate change and resilience, gender, governance, health, livelihoods and rule of law. Guided by the government and its Development Councils, our work is fully aligned with the Afghanistan National Peace and Development Framework and National Priority Programmes, and is carried out in close coordination with partner UN agencies under the One UN Framework. As the UN’s development network, we connect the Afghan government and people with the resources and information they need to drive their own development according to their own priorities, as well as to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
Context
UN Volunteers should be provided equal duty of care as extended to all host entity personnel. Host entities support to the UN Volunteer includes, but is not limited to: • Introductory briefings about the organisation and office-related context including security, emergency procedures, good cultural practice, and orientation to the local environment. • Support with arrival administration including setting-up of bank accounts, residence permit applications and completion of other official processes as required by the host government or host entity. • Structured guidance, mentoring and coaching by a supervisor including a clear workplan and performance appraisal. • Access to office space, equipment, IT support and any other systems and tools required to complete the objectives of the assignment including a host entity email address. • Access to shared host entity corporate knowledge, training, and learning. • Inclusion of the volunteer in emergency procedures such as evacuations. • Leave management. • DSA for official travel, when applicable. • All changes in the Description of Assignment occurring between recruitment and arrival or during the assignment need to be formalized with the United Nations Volunteer Programme. • Investigate misconduct: sharing reports with the UNV. • Provide emergency assistance, e.g., the death of volunteer or medical evacuation, in collaboration with UNV. Accept letters of guarantees or potential liabilities for covering medical costs not claimable under medical insurance in extraordinary situations (e.g., isolation facilities` services during pandemics).
Task description
Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Project Manager or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer M&E Assistant will: • Support the design, review and implementation of UNDP projects and programmes M&E plans and tools, ensuring alignment with the UNDP Programme M&E framework. • Support project monitoring and evaluation activities to assess whether the project is on track to achieve project results as per the project document and annual workplan. • Provide support in the continuous monitoring, documentation of lessons learned, and best practices contributing to overall goal of the country Programme and to distil lessons learned, best practices to inform programming. • Assist in the provision of inputs to the technical progress reports, annual progress reports, results oriented annual reports (ROAR), integrated work plan (IWP) updates, and other accountability report on concrete results achieved. • Assist in supporting field level team to collect data and information that supports quarterly reporting, ensuring adherence to and compliance with project annual work plans and M&E frameworks. • Assist in supporting Field offices in the implementation of results-oriented peace community cohesion and conflict mitigation approaches. • Assist in provision of methodological support to projects in development of the projects’ results frameworks. • Support in development of the unified monitoring tools such as monitoring plans/reports, data collection forms, analytical data sheets, etc. • Assist in supporting and providing technical assistance to field offices to ensure the implementation of the results-oriented activities, enabling high quality delivery of outputs and activity results. • Support the country office M&E community of practice and M&E Team in any kind of data analysis and reporting. • Assist in coordinating and facilitation of the evaluation missions, including provision of logistical support as required. • Maintaining and administering M&E documents and filing system Support with translation of various documents into Pashto and Dari • Providing support in any other M&E related work. Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities: • Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day). • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country. • Provide annual and end of assignment self- reports on UN Volunteer actions, results, and opportunities. • Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc. • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived UN Volunteers. • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.
Eligibility criteria
Age: 18 – 26
Nationality
Candidate must be a national or legal resident of the country of assignment.
Requirements
Required experience
3 years of experience in • 0-3 years with bachelor’s degree of progressively responsible M&E, information management or Programme/Project experience is required at the national or international level. • Other desired/mandatory required technical knowledge • Experience working with the UNDP framework at the national level. • Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems. • Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills. • Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel.
Area(s) of expertise
Communication, Business management, Development programmes
Driving license
Languages
English, Level: Fluent, Required Dari, Level: Fluent, Desirable Pashto, Level: Fluent, Desirable
Required education level
Bachelor degree or equivalent in Development Studies, Economics, Social Sciences, International Relations any other relevant field.
Competencies and values
• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNDP; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNDP procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented; • Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNDP in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority. • Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues; • Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment. • Planning and organizing effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities. • Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; • Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary. • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNDP mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.
Other information
Living conditions and remarks
This position is open for local applicants and UNDP will not provide any accommodation facilities. Conditions of Service The initial contract is issued upon arrival for the period indicated above. The contract can be extended depending on continuation of mandate, availability of funding, operational necessity and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectancy of renewal of the assignment. A UN Volunteer receives a Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA), which is composed of a Monthly Living Allowance (MLA) and a Family Allowance (FA) for those with dependents (maximum three). UNV will provide, together with the offer of assignment, a copy of the Conditions of Service, including Code of conduct, to the successful candidate.
Inclusivity statement
United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.