Project Associate- Monitoring and Evaluation

With projects and programmes in every state and union territory in India, UNDP works with national and subnational government, and diverse development actors to deliver people-centric results, particularly for the most vulnerable and marginalized communities. As the integrator for collective action on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within the UN system, we are committed to supporting the Government of India’s national development vision and priorities and accelerating the achievement of the SDGs for the people and the planet. 

UNDP India’s new Country Programme (2023-2027) builds on our prior work and aims to provide an integrated approach to development solutions in three strategic portfolios:  

• Strong, accountable and evidence-led institutions for accelerated achievement of the SDGs.
• Enhanced economic opportunities and social protection to reduce inequality, with a focus on the marginalized.
• Climate-smart solutions, sustainable ecosystems and resilient development for reduced vulnerability.

South-South cooperation, gender equality and social inclusion are promoted across the pillars. The programme is supported by a framework of renewed partnerships and blended finance solutions, strategic innovation and accelerator labs, and data and digital architecture.

You are invited to join a team of future-smart development professionals to support India in achieving the national and globally agreed goals. As part of the UNDP team, your focus will be to work with diverse stakeholders to find country-specific solutions that lead to sustainable development and reach those furthest behind first.

1. Office/Unit/Project Description 

The UNDP India Country Programme Document CPD (2023-2027) signed with the Government of India (GoI) aims at transformative change and development impact at scale. In line with this, UNDP has initiated active support to many state governments in mainstreaming SDGs within their schemes and programmes as a part of an UN system- wide to SDG roll out for visioning and planning in India. UNDP has done some pioneering work on localizing SDGs in States like Uttarakhand, Haryana, Assam, Madhya Pradesh and Northeast. The focus of the agency is to support the States in Localization & Integration and to provide technical capacity in the implementation framework for SDGs. In view of India’s commitment to the 2030 Agenda, the Economic and Statistical Organization (ESO), Department of Planning has come up with vision document focusing on sectoral growth aligned with SDGs and is in the process of developing State Indicator Framework also. State level consultations are underway to align the global goals with the planning process of the State. 

To implement the ambitious targets set for itself in SDG VISION 2030, Government of Nagaland has already started the process of integrating the SDGs into the planning and development process of the state and has set up and has partnered with UNDP to establish SDG Coordination Centre (SDGCC) under the Department of Planning. Since 2019 UNDP has a team of experts as part of the SDGCC and working closely with relevant government departments, technical agencies, UN agencies, civil society organization and academic institutions to provide the requisite impetus to the state government’s initiative in rolling out the SDGs. With the SDG Nagaland vision in place and the monitoring dashboard launched, the SDGCC is expected to enhance its monitoring and evaluation work to accelerate the progress of achievement of the global goals. 

• Job Purpose and Scope of Work 

1. Main Purpose:

The Project Associate - Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) position in Nagaland is designed to support the SDG 2030 Vision rollout by establishing a comprehensive M&E system in collaboration with the SDG Coordination Centre (SDGCC) team. The role involves aligning monitoring and evaluation processes with Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) and UNDP guidelines, as well as ensuring coherence with the approved project document and key performance indicators.

The scope of work includes:

• Identifying and addressing data gaps to enable comprehensive monitoring of SDG progress in Nagaland.
• Support in facilitating informed decision-making through the use of big data analytics, ensuring that insights support effective policy and implementation strategies.
• Overseeing the development and continuous monitoring of the SDG dashboard, which tracks progress and serves as a critical tool for project management.

Ensuring effective dissemination of the SDG dashboard and progress updates to all relevant stakeholders, including government entities, to promote transparency and accountability.

• Coordinating with direct stakeholders and team members to maintain consistent engagement and alignment with project objectives, enabling a collaborative approach to achieving the SDG targets.

2. Duties and Responsibilities:

        Under the overall supervision of the UNDP Regional Head (North-East), NPSA 11, the incumbent will:

Assist in providing technical support to the SDGCC Project team and various departments in the government to design and operationalize an integrated monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system based on the SDG VISION 2030 document and in line with the SDG indicators approved by MoSPI, the State Indicator Framework (SIF) and the District Indicator Framework (DIF) of the state: 

• Support in monitoring the progress and maintenance of the SDG Monitoring dashboard. 
• Assist in developing an internal framework for SDG monitoring and data management system for collecting, validating and analyzing data on progress of SDGs.
• Assist in Developing results monitoring frameworks, including establishing baselines and setting targets as per directions given by NITI Aayog.
• Support capacity development of line departments for more responsive and accountable governance, through IT based tools. 

Coordinate with various internal & external stakeholders for effective monitoring of progress against targets set in the SDG VISION 2030 DOCUMENT, the SIF and DIF: 

• Support coordinating with the various departments, SDG wise, to help them collect data and use the same for effective monitoring of progress on SDGs. 
• Coordination with agencies involved in the process, including Government of Nagaland, UN Agencies, NITI Aayog, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), and technical agencies and collaboration with UNDP CO. 

Assist in generating reports for effective management and accountability: 

• Support to generate high quality monitoring reports using data analytics, at agreed intervals, including on specific themes that help review progress and programme strategy. 
• Ensure preparation and dissemination of knowledge products. 

Assist in capacity building & training of staff: 

• Coordinate with District based Data Coordinators and Data Operators within the Government in establishing simple processes and capacity building for collecting quality data for management and accountability in line with SDG VISION 2030 Document. 
• Deliver M&E-related training to staff members and other nodal officers of the government. 
• Performing other duties within the purview of the programme and any related activities as assigned by the Regional Head, UNDP Northeast. 
• Any other work assigned by the supervisor.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement[1]

Reporting To: UNDP Regional Head, Northeast India Region (NSPA 11).

        Reportees to this position (if applicable): NA