UNICEF Mauritania: Planning, Monitoring & Evaluation Specialist, P3, FT, Nouakchott, Mauritania, #126708

Under the overall guidance of the Deputy Representative the PME Specialist is accountable for the accomplishment of the following overall end results through undertaking programme planning, monitoring and evaluation, in the collaboration with National counterparts, chiefs of section and the UN country team in support of the attachment of the SDGs. He/she will supervise and be accountable for quality assurance of the three functions of 1. Planning and Monitoring, 2. HACT and 3. Reporting.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, an advocate.

How can you make a difference?

Under the overall guidance of the Deputy Representative  the  PME Specialist is accountable for :

Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks:

1. The Country Office has accurate, coherent and reliable up to date information disaggregated by gender on the performance of UNICEF-supported programmes including their relevance, efficiency, effectiveness, and sustainability, and in emergency contexts, their coverage, coordination and coherence;   
2. The delivery of valid and reliable information on the attainment of the SDGs, UNICEF strategic plan  and other goals, and on the performance of UN-supported programmes;
3. National and sub-national, Planning monitoring, evaluation and research capacities are strengthened, with special attention to local planning and monitoring (PDL)
4. UNSDCF implementation through the strengthening of DAO approach;
5. Accurate, coherent and reliable information collected and reported on. This includes RAM reporting and Annual Reports;
6. Ensure that Country office planning process is aligned to national planning and priorities particularly local planning in favor of children and women;
7. Provide technical support to the country office in the formalization of implementing partnerships with government, civil society organizations and other implementing partners in line with relevant policies, procedures and guidelines, including the CSO Procedure and guidance on work plans.
8. Provide technical and administrative support in the implementation of HACT in line with the HACT policy and procedure and other relevant organizational policies, procedures and guidelines, including the DFAM Policy 5: Cash Disbursements Supplement 3-Cash Transfers (HACT). This includes coordinating the preparation of CO annual assessments and assurance plan, facilitating its execution and coordinating with other adopting agencies as appropriate.
9. Integrated Monitoring, Evaluation & Research Planning (IMEP) is prepared and in place to provide strategic priority and realistic plan of activities for M&E.
10. Timely monitoring and measurement of changes in conditions due to Programme or policies in the country  are provided to the Country Office and national partners to facilitate national planning, and assess the impact of the programmes and policies.
11. Technical guidance and support provided for local planning aligned to national priorities and competencies transferred to local councils;
12. Technical guidance and support provided to ensure that Country Office Performance are systematically monitored and data for key indicators of the Annual Management Plan and management reports are collected, analyzed and made available to management and the Country Management Team.;
13. Evaluation is designed and carried out with quality process and products in line with priority and strategy. Evaluation findings, recommendations and reports are useful to improve programme performance and are effectively disseminated to the intended audience.
14. The monitoring and evaluation capacities of Country Office staff and national partners are strengthened, enabling them to increasingly engage in and lead monitoring and evaluation processes and to develop and use gender-specific indicators and monitoring and evaluation approaches to address gender inequality. The know-how of knowledge institutions is mobilized for monitoring and evaluation capacity enhancement as well as for an evidence-based policy change agenda on behalf of children. 
15. Effective advocacy and partnerships are achieved in carrying out integrated planning of research, monitoring and evaluation activities within the Country Office and with the Regional office, national partners, the UN Country Team and the international community. Tools to assess and monitor effectiveness UNICEF communication around UNICEF strategic Plan, and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are in place, used and are leading to an enhanced awareness and engagement of partners towards these commitments.
16. The awareness and understanding of the shared responsibility of M& E function among the all staff members are promoted and senior management are committed to it.
17. Technical assistance provided for the conduct of inter-agency rapid assessment to define humanitarian response, in line with core commitment for children in humanitarian action.
18. Quality assurance and timely upload of reports into FIORI in close collaboration with Section chiefs and the Partnership Specialist.
19. Proof-read, cross-checking of figures and references of donor and annual reports ensuring all documents submitted are checked for clarity and comprehension, respecting UNICEF terminology, grammatical and factual accuracy, and consistency; and ensuring compliance with the available guidelines and UNICEF brand rules (see Writing for UNICEF guide).
20. Supervision for quality assurance of the three functions of 1. Planning and Monitoring, 2. Implementation of HACT and 3. Reporting.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you must have…

• An advanced university degree in social sciences or other relevant disciplines is required. 
• Practical training in programme management and evaluation, survey and research analysis, or applied statistical data analysis in social sciences an asset.
• A minimum of five years of international professional work experience in programme development and implementation including monitoring and evaluation activities is required.
• At least one instance of exposure to emergency programming, including preparedness planning.
  Active involvement in a humanitarian crisis response programme preferred.
• Fluency in French and English is required.  Knowledge of another official UN language or a local language is an asset.

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: https://uni.cf/UNICEFValues

Core Values :

• Care
• Respect
• Integrity
• Trust
• Accountability
• Sustainability

UNICEF Core competencies required for this post are…  

• Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (1)
• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (2)
• Works Collaboratively with others (2)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (2)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (2)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (2)
• Drive to achieve impactful results (2)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)

Female candidates and those living with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

Click on the following link to watch the video : https://uni.cf/47mx4rI

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.
We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.
UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. 

Remarks:

[If applicable] This position has been assessed as an elevated risk role for Child Safeguarding purposes as it is: a role with direct contact with children, works directly with children, is a safeguarding response role. Additional vetting and assessment for elevated risk roles in child safeguarding (potentially including additional criminal background checks) applies.

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable are encouraged to apply.

[If Applicable] Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be cancelled.

All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.