Organization: UNICEF – United Nations Children’s Fund
Location: Addis Ababa
Grade: Mid level – NO-C, National Professional Officer – Locally recruited position
Occupational Groups:
Monitoring and Evaluation
Closing Date: 2025-01-06
In order to promote evidence-based decision-making, stakeholder accountability, and adaptive program management, UNICEF is seeking an experienced Monitoring & Evaluation Specialist to design and implement a strong MEL system. The Specialist will be in charge of making sure the MEL framework is in line with UNICEF’s objectives as well as the program’s priorities and design. In order to inform programming and decision-making for each yearly programmatic cycle, the job will be centered on monitoring progress, assisting with the evaluation of the programs’ impact, and promoting learning across sectors.
From infancy through adolescence, UNICEF works in more than 190 nations and territories to protect children’s rights, save lives, and enable them to reach their full potential.
We at UNICEF are dedicated, enthusiastic, and proud of the work we undertake. advancing each child’s rights
Responsibilities:
1. Design and Implementation of the MEL Framework
- Develop a comprehensive MEL framework that aligns with the program’s objectives and UNICEF’s global monitoring standards.
- Identify relevant indicators, data collection tools, and methodologies across all related program sectors: MHPSS/protection, health, nutrition, education, WASH, social protection, and employment.
- Ensure the inclusion of gender-sensitive and disability-inclusive indicators in line with the program design and targets.
- Support the development of baseline, midline, and endline surveys.
2. Data collection and management
- Oversee the collection, management, and analysis of quantitative and qualitative data from program activities.
- Work with field teams and program CSO partners to ensure accurate, timely, and high-quality data reporting.
- Support capacity-building of filed staff and CSO partners in data collection methodologies and use of digital tools for data collection and tracking.
3. Evaluation and Learning
- Support program evaluations, including process evaluations, impact evaluations, and thematic studies as required.
- Facilitate learning sessions and workshops to ensure insights from monitoring and evaluation activities inform adaptive programming and management.
- Document and disseminate best practices, lessons learned, and innovations to stakeholders.
- Support the development of learning products – reports, case studies, presentations – for internal and external audiences.
4. Reporting and Accountability
- Prepare and submit timely reports on MEL activities, highlighting key findings, challenges, and recommendations.
- Contribute to reporting for the Mastercard Foundation, ensuring that MEL data and analysis are accurately represented.
- Contribute to UNICEF corporate reporting by ensuring that progress of Mastercard Foundation programme is well captured.
- Support accountability to affected populations by integrating feedback mechanisms within the MEL framework.
5. Collaboration and Coordination
- Work closely with sectoral teams – education, protection (MHPSS), nutrition, WASH, health, SBC, and social policy – to integrate MEL activities into sectoral plans.
- Collaborate with UNICEF’s CO Monitoring and Evaluation teams to ensure alignment with global MEL standards and practices.
- Engage with external partners, including government agencies and CSOs, to strengthen the program’s MEL capacity and promote joint learning.
6. Capacity Building
- Provide ongoing support and capacity-building to program and field office staff on MEL tools, methodologies, and data use.
- Strengthen the MEL capacity of CSO partners to promote sustainability of monitoring and learning systems
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
Requirements:
Education:
- An advanced university degree in one of the following areas Social Sciences, Development Studies, or a related field.
Work Experience:
- At least Five (5) years of relevant work experience in in monitoring, evaluation, and learning, ideally within multisectoral context.
Skills:
- Strong experience in designing MEL frameworks, conducting and/or supporting evaluations, and facilitating learning.
- Proficiency in data collection and analysis software (e.g., Excel, SPSS, Stata, Power BI).
- Knowledge of digital MEL platforms and tools (e.g., KoboToolbox, CommCare).
- Strong analytical and report-writing skills.
- Ability to work in a multisectoral team and in a cross-cultural environment is a strong asset.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills are highly desirable.
Language Requirements:
- Fluency in English language is required.
Desirables:
- Knowledge of another official UN language (French, Spanish, Arabic, or Russian), Amharic or the local language is an asset.
- Experience working in the UN system or other international organizations is highly desirable.
- Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency.
For every Child, you demonstrate…
UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values
The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…
(1) Builds and maintains partnerships (1)
(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (1)
(3) Drive to achieve results for impact (1)
(4) Innovates and embraces change (1)
(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)
(6) Thinks and acts strategically (1)
(7) Works collaboratively with others (1)
All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.
How to apply
Simply click on the apply button, fill out of the form, upload your documents