Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist, IPSA 10 - UNCDF - Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo

Background and Organizational Context

General Assembly Resolution 2186 (XXI) decided to “bring into operations the United Nations Capital Development Fund as an organ of the General Assembly which shall function as an autonomous organization of the United Nations. The UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) assists developing countries, especially least developing countries, in the development of their economies by supplementing existing sources of capital assistance by means of grants, loans, and guarantees. UNCDFs vision is to help mobilize and catalyse an increase of capital flows for SDG impactful investments to Member States to address the most pressing development challenges facing vulnerable communities in these countries and thereby contribute to sustainable economic growth and equitable prosperity. 

 UNCDF utilizes its unique capability in the UN system to deploy grants, loans and guarantees to crowd-in finance for the scaling of development impact. UNCDF focuses on where the needs are greatest, a deliberate focus and capability rooted in UNCDF’s unique investment mandate to support the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the realization of the Doha Programme of Action for the least developed countries, 2022–2031. 

 As per its Strategic Framework, UNCDF works to deploy its functions as a hybrid development organization and development finance institution. UNCDF responds to Member States requests for assistance by providing targeted technical and financial advisory services on investments for development outcomes, designing bespoke financial structuring solutions, undertaking financial derisking of investments, and enhancing investment readiness of SDG aligned projects in partnership with private sector, UNOs, International and Local Finance Institutions, Development Finance Institutions as well as Foundations and Philanthropy, among others. UNCDF works to develop local financial systems, new markets and mobilize and crowd in capital from public and private sources. 

 UNCDF is driven by a partnership mindset which enables it to deploy its different capital capabilities in highly tailored and responsive ways to mobilize investments flows from other sources, from the private sector. By structuring transactions which are highly impactful, but also recognize the need for multiplying the impact of its own capital, UNCDF seeks to position itself as a preferred partner for different stakeholders. UNCDF’s work is focused on six priority areas, including: Sub-national and local infrastructure financing, Women focused/owned enterprise financing, Nature, climate and energy financing, Sustainable food systems financing and Inclusive digital finance. 

 Following a recent restructuring, UNCDF’s organizational set up includes an Investment and Implementation Division (IID), Investment and Finance Oversight Division (IFOD), Operations and Oversight Division (OOD) and a Directorate of the Executive Office. UNCDF staff and personnel are located in regional hubs based in Dakar (Senegal), Nairobi (Kenya) and Bangkok (Thailand) with sub-regional presence in a number of locations in the Caribbean and Pacific Regions. UNCDF is led by an Executive Secretary based out of New York, USA. Pursuant to General Assembly resolution 2321(XXII, para 1.a), the Administrator of the UNDP performs the function of the Managing Director of UNCDF. UNCDF is overseen by the Executive Board of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and performs the function of the Executive Board of UNCDF. 

 Within UNCDF’s thematic are of nature and climate, the Pro-Congo project is a joint initiative by UNEP and UNCDF in partnership with the Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI) aimed at mobilizing private sector investment towards sustainable enterprises in the Congo Basin across four countries: Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Republic of Congo (RoC), Gabon, and Cameroon. The initiative seeks to contribute to catalyzing long-term transformation in the Congo Basin by integrating Nature-based Solutions (NbS) into agriculture, forestry, and energy sectors. By providing technical assistance and access to capital for MSMEs, the project supports businesses that utilize sustainable practices contributing to forest conservation, biodiversity protection, job creation, emission reductions, and sustainable economic growth. 

 To facilitate the achievement of these objectives, UNCDF seeks to hire a Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Specialist to lead M&E activities of the project. The M&E specialist will also contribute to UNCDF corporate activities as required. The M&E specialist will lead on project M&E activities, and collaborate closely with project staff from UNEP and UNCDF. 

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the guidance of the Pro-Congo Project Manager, the M&E Specialist will conduct the following tasks: 

 a) Monitoring & Evaluation Framework and Methodological Guide 

• Develop and operationalize the projects multi-year M&E framework, along with a M&E methodological guide that will orient the work teams, experts and consultants as well as partners involved in data collection and monitoring of the project in accordance with UNCDF guidelines and CAFI's Manual of Operations, the Monitoring and Evaluation Policy and Guidelines, and Spatial Reporting Guidelines. 
• Update the projects Results Framework with baselines and updated data in accordance with CAFI’s requirements. 
• Monitor the implementation of the M&E plan and the results framework, following clear methodologies for data collection and analysis. 
• Develop data collection tools when required. 

 b) Programme Monitoring 

• Ensure systematic tracking of programme activities, outputs, outcomes, and impacts leveraging GIS verification systems.
• Oversee timely collection, management, analysis, and reporting of qualitative and quantitative data, including georeferenced spatial data. 
• Facilitate regular monitoring visits and reviews, coordinating closely with programme partners and stakeholders to enhance data reliability and validity. 

 c) Evaluation and Reporting 

• Coordinate periodic independent verifications and evaluations in accordance with UNCDF and CAFI standards and ISO 14064 methodology, ensuring compliance with established timelines and procedures. 
• Liaise closely with UNEP for their reporting on their project specific outputs and associated indicators, to compile information from both organisations for quarterly, bi-annual, and annual updates. 
• Supporting the project manager in drafting and disseminate timely, high-quality data analysis and project progress reports including quarterly, bi-annual, and annual updates. 
• Coordinate collaboration with UNCDF HQ on mid-term and final joint project performance evaluation. 
• Provide technical input for adaptive programme management based on findings from independent verifications and evaluations. 

 d) Capacity Building and Technical Support 

• Provide training and technical assistance to programme staff, partners, local enterprises, and experts in M&E methodologies, data collection tools, and best practices as per CAFI requirements. 

 e) Data Management and Learning 

• Establish and maintain an effective, secure data management system capturing comprehensive programme information, including all raw and processed data from surveys and studies as per CAFI requirements. 
• Document lessons learned and best practices, based on an analysis of the project's results, highlighting the key success factors and challenges in implementing the project's different activities. Facilitate knowledge exchange and continuous learning among stakeholders. 

 f) Compliance and Quality Assurance 

• Ensure compliance with donor and UNCDF standards, environmental and social safeguards, and fiduciary transparency. 

 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 M&E Specialist will work under the direct supervision of the Pro-Congo Project Manager who reports to UNCDF’s Senior Portfolio Manager for Nature and Climate based in Kigali, Rwanda. The M&E Specialist will be required to report to the office in Kinshasa, DRC. The M&E Specialist will have multi-country responsibilities and be required to travel for on-site data collection and monitoring within Central Africa (DRC, RoC, Gabon and Cameroon) approximately every six (6) months. 

Competencies

Competencies 

Core 

Achieve Results:     LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact. 

Think Innovatively:    LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems. 

Learn Continuously:     LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences.

Adapt with Agility:      LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands.

Act with Determination:   LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results.

Engage and Partner:   LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration.

Enable Diversity and Inclusion:     LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity.

 Cross-Functional & Technical competencies 

Thematic Area Name   Definition          

Business Direction & Strategy - Business Acumen

• Ability to understand and deal with a business situation in a manner that is likely to lead to a good outcome Ability to make good judgments and quick decisions within such frameworks Knowledge and understanding of the operational frameworks in the organization             

Business Direction & Strategy  - Systems 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           

Business Management - Monitoring and Evaluation

• Ability to systematically monitor results of strategies, programmes, and activities with a view to make sure that they are being implemented effectively; Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback and reporting on the consistency or discrepancy between planned activities and programme management and results. 
• Ability to make independent judgment of the management and results of strategies, programmes and activities based on set criteria and benchmark, keeping in mind the needs and concerns of client, current and upcoming. Knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, concepts, methodologies, systems, processes, and tools. Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks. Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.  

Business Management - Portfolio Management 

• Ability to select, prioritise and control the organization's programmes an-d projects in line with its strategic objectives and capacity Ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives with regular activities for optimal return on investment. Knowledge and understanding of key principles of project, programme, and portfolio management.          

Business Management - Results-based Management 

• Ability to manage the implementation of strategies, programmes, and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results. Knowledge and understanding of relevant theories, concepts, methodologies, instruments, and tools.              

Business Management – Communication

• Communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience. ‡Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels  

Partnership Management - Relationship management

• Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding.           

Required Skills and Experience

Minimum Education requirements

• Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Development Studies, Economics, Environmental Management, Social Sciences or related field is required; or 
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the above fields in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree. 

Minimum years of relevant work experience 

• Minimum 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in monitoring and evaluation is required. 

Required skills

• Minimum 5 years of professional experience in monitoring and evaluation
• Experience with designing and implementing robust monitoring systems, including digital data collection platforms, GIS data management, and statistical analysis software such as SAS, STATA, SPSS. 
• Experience of working with private sector actors in developing countries. 

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section 

• Experience within UN or international development programmes. 
• Experience with implementing ISO 14064 methodology. 
• Experience with UNCDF/UNDP rules and procedures.   
• Experience working with the Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI), Global Funds, IFIs, UNCDF and/or another UN entity. 
• International experience working in developing countries in Africa. 

Required Language(s) 

• Fluency in French is required
• Fluency in English is highly desired
• Knowledge of other official UN languages will be considered an asset. 

Travel and Reimbursement: 

The M&E Specialist is expected to render services from the office in Kinshasa, DRC. Frequent travel within Central Africa (DRC, RoC, Gabon and Cameroon) for on-site data collection and monitoring visits will be required approximately once every six (6) months and will be paid for by UNCDF, in accordance with UNCDF travel policies. A separate TOR with clear deliverables, budget and timelines will be prepared and agreed prior to each field mission. 

 The following documents shall be required from the applicants: 

 a)           Personal CV or P11, indicating all past positions held and their main underlying functions, their durations (month/year), the qualifications, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate, and at least three (3) the most recent professional references of previous supervisors. References may also include peers. 

b)           A cover letter (maximum length: 1 page) indicating why the candidate considers him-/herself to be suitable for the position. 

c)           Managers may ask (ad hoc) for any other materials relevant to pre-assessing the relevance of their experience, such as reports, presentations, publications, campaigns or other materials. 

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Right to select multiple candidates

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.

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