Background
UNDP is the leading United Nations organization in fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet. Learn more at undp.org or follow at @UNDP
UNDP in the Pacific has developed its multi-country programme document (MCPD, 2023-2027) to guide its interventions in the next five years in full alignment and directly to contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF, 2023โ27). The Office covers 10 countries in the Pacific with an extensive portfolio which has grown over time. The UNSDCF and UNDP MCPD are designed in full alignment with the 2030 agenda, Samoa Pathway, and 2050 Blue Content Strategy, which is endorsed by the Pacific Island Countries (PICs) among others. The UNDP Pacific Office next five-year plan strategic priorities are encapsulated under three outcome areas: (i) Planet, (ii) Prosperity, and (iii) Peace.
The marine biological diversity of the Kingdom of Tonga is crucial to the well-being of its people and the country's economy. However, this diversity is under threat from various sources, including habitat loss, overexploitation, pollution, and climate change. The GEF project โImplementation of the Fangaโuta Lagoon Stewardship Plan (Tonga R2R Phase II) and replication of lessons learned from the Tonga R2R Phase I to priority areas in Vavaโuโ aims to protect Tonga's indigenous marine species and ecosystems through a holistic Ridge to Reef management approach. This includes strengthened governance, enhanced capacity building, and the development of resilient blue/green livelihoods. The project focuses on conserving wetland ecosystems and implementing an integrated strategy to prevent destructive activities, with the objective of effectively implementing the Fangaโuta Stewardship Plan (FSP) and replicating successful strategies in priority areas in Vavaโu. The project consists of three interrelated components: 1) Conservation of critical lagoon ecosystems and catchment management. 2) Governance for sustainable management and biodiversity conservation, and 3) Awareness raising and knowledge management of ecosystem functions and services.
The Monitoring and Evaluation team plays an essential role in Country Offices (CO). The team assists CO and its partners to find and implement integrated, transformational solutions across the Sustainable Development Goals and six signature areas of poverty, governance, environment, resilience, energy, and gender. In addition, the team puts in place and administers effective monitoring and evaluation, results-based management, and quality assurance frameworks in the CO to ensure UNDP remains accountable and transparent and learns from its programme implementation.
ย
Duties and Responsibilities
The Project M&E Officer works under the overall supervision of the Project Manager โ R2R for the Tonga R2R Project and collaborates closely with the RCC Team Leader, Programme Analyst, Finance and Operations team, as well as technical and implementing partners. The M&E Officer will also engage regularly with government counterparts, particularly MEIDECC and the Ministry of Finance, to ensure alignment with national systems and effective coordination of monitoring and reporting efforts. ย ย
Under the strategic guidance of the Climate Change and Resilience Unit Team Leader and direct supervision of the project manager, the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Officer promotes results-based management and a programme effectiveness approach by leading the implementation of innovative and effective monitoring and evaluation frameworks, systems and tools. ย The M&E Officer provides technical support on M&E and reporting practices to programme and project teams. Where relevant, the M&E Officer will also support programme quality assurance and develop relevant systems. ย The M&E officer promotes a collaborative, efficient, client-focused, evidence-based, and portfolio management approach.
Develop Monitoring and Evaluation Framework for the project.
Develop and strengthen monitoring, inspection and evaluation procedures for the project Monitor all project activities, expenditures and progress towards achieving the project output; Recommend further improvement of the logical framework. Develop monitoring and impact indicators for the project's success. Monitor and evaluate overall progress on achievement of results; Monitor the implementation of the Result Resource Framework (RRF), Social Environmental Policy (SEP), Social Environmental Screening Procedure (SESP), Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF), Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI), Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) and Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP), etc. Monitor the sustainability of the project's results; Update Management Effectiveness Tracking Tools (METTs), Key Performance Area (KPA), Capacity Scorecards and other relevant tools to access project effectiveness Support the MTR and TE evaluation teams Conduct capacity assessment on existing monitoring and evaluation system Develop indicators and a monitoring strategy for the project; Support monitoring and evaluation of the effects and impact of the project; Support the project in designing the results-based management, monitoring and evaluation frameworks and plans in line with UNDP Programme and Operations Policies and Procedures (POPP) with appropriate tracking tools. Help in ensuring the application of UNDP social and environmental safeguards as applicable.ย Support monitoring and evaluation of the effects and impact of the project; Support mapping business processes and elaborating Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in programme and project oversight. Act as custodian for evaluation quality assurance checklist to ensure quality check from the TOR formulation to final evaluation report and timely implementation of the recommendations.Establish partnerships, coordination and open channels of communication, build capacity of the government
Provide feedback to the Project Manager on project strategies and activities; Suggest strategies to the Project Management for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the project by identifying bottlenecks in completing project activities and developing plans to minimize or eliminate such bottlenecks;ย Support the Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Climate Change and Communications (MEIDECC) in establishing a function Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) system for the Ful Sized Project (FSP) and Vaipua Channel Marine Protected Area (MPA). Serve as the project focal point for the provision of overall technical and policy advisory support on monitoring and evaluation (M&E) and results-based management (RBM) requirements and activities to CO programme and project managers, UNDP CO staff concerned with monitoring and evaluation, and consultants and/or members of evaluation teams.ย Advocate the adherence to UN/UNDP policy positions on monitoring and evaluation, results-based management, and quality assurance, as applicable, and ensure their mainstreaming into all aspects of the project interventions. Provide guidance on the systematized, effective application of RBM, M&E and quality assurance tools throughout the full programme/project cycle from the design to implementation, reporting and during the timely closure of projects.ย Ensure gender equality, disability inclusion, and Leave No One Behind (LNOB) principles are an integral part of UNDP programmes and operations and that these considerations are fully mainstreamed into programming and reflected in programme/project design, monitoring, reporting and evaluations in line with the UNDP Gender Equality and Disability Inclusion Strategies, UNSDG Operational Guide for Country Teams on LNOB, and available regional guidance. Assist the project personnel with M&E tools and training and support them in their use. M&E System Integration: ย work closely with MEIDECC and the Ministry of Finance to ensure alignment and integration of the projectโs M&E Tracker with national M&E frameworks and reporting systems. This includes harmonization of indicators, promoting risk-informed and results-based planning, and leveraging digital tools where applicablePrepare project monthly, quarterly, annual and final reports
Report monthly, quarterly, half-yearly and annual progress on all project activities to the National Project Director/ Project Manager Provide inputs, information and statistics for quarterly, annual and other reports to the Project Management Team and UNDP; Participate in annual project reviews and planning workshops and assist the Project Coordinator in preparing relevant reports; Contribute to joint UN planning and reporting processes by coordinating UNDPโs adherence to agreed standards in the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF). Assist in coordinating across the available components of the Project to ensure effective implementation of M&E/MIS. Support Governance mechanism. ย The Project M&E Officer will support the Project Manager in the preparation of technical inputs, presentation materials, secretariat for the Project Board meetings, Quarterly Project Oversight Meeting with Ministry of Finance, and any relevant Steering Committees or technical working groups.The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization
ย
Competencies
Core Competenciesย
Achieve Results: Level 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline Think Innovatively: Level 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvementsย Learn Continuously: Level 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback Adapt with Agility: Level 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexibleย Act with Determination: Level 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident Engage and Partner: Level 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships Enable Diversity and Inclusion: Level 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discriminationCross-Functional & Technical competenciesย
Business Direction & Strategy
System 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 systemBusiness Management
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 understanding2030 Agenda: Planet
Nature, Climate and Energy: Ecosystems and Biodiversity: Natural Resource ManagementRequired Skills and Experience
Education:
Advanced University Degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Environment, Natural Sciences, Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Political Sciences, Social Sciences, or related field is required ORย A first-level university degree (bachelorโs degree) in the above fields of study, combined with a minimum of two additional years of qualifying experience in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience, will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degreeExperience:
Minimum 2 years (with masterโs degree) or 4 years (with bachelorโs degree) of experience in the design and implementation of Monitoring & Evaluation systems or Management Information systems (MIS) Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and web-based project management or monitoring systems, and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages Experience on biodiversity conservation, marine and fisheries conservation and management, sustainable resource management Proven experience and strong understanding of the results-based management cycle and monitoring and evaluationย Proven experience in designing M&E systems and contributing to development project or portfolio design.ย Demonstrated ability to work with quantitative and qualitative data, and appropriately use qualitative data /information collection tools in innovative waysย Experience conducting applied research projects and reporting on findingsย Proven ICT skills, particularly in the development of MIS platforms or use of database management tools. ยย
Required Languages:ย
Fluency English and Tongan language is required.ยProfessional Certificates:
Desirable: Relevant certifications in Monitoring and Evaluation, Project Management, Data Analysis or Information systems are an asset.ยEqual 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.ย
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.ย
Right to select multiple candidates
UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.ย 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.
Scam alert
UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.
ย