Background

Office/Unit/Project Description

The Gambia has made significant strides in its development trajectory, guided by the National Development Plan (NDP) 2023-2024, which outlines the country’s vision and strategic priorities. The NDP serves as the principal framework for aligning national development efforts with global and regional commitments, including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the African Union’s Agenda 2063. The plan provides a clear roadmap for sustainable development with a focus on economic growth, good governance, human capital development, environmental sustainability, and social inclusion.

The UNDP Country Programme Document (CPD) 2024-228, UNDP’s 2022-25 Strategic Plan, provides a comprehensive framework to support The Gambia in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through nationally driven programmes. UNDP The Gambia’s work is also guided by the UNDP Africa Offer, which aims to accelerate the attainment of the 2030 SDGs and the African Union’s Agenda 2063. Within this context, UNDP The Gambia’s efforts to support national priorities align also with the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework.

With a strong emphasis on strengthening institutions, upholding human rights, gender equality, youth empowerment, promoting climate action, and driving economic transformation, UNDP The Gambia focuses on:

• Environmental sustainability and climate resilience
• Responsive, Accountable Governance and Peacebuilding
• Green, Inclusive Economic Growth

Within this framework, UNDP implements a range of programmes to enhance democratic governance, access to justice and security, youth and women’s economic empowerment, and climate resilience. Key initiatives include institutional reforms, capacity-building for government institutions, and fostering community-led development approaches.

UNDP is also engaged in strengthening transparency, accountability, and citizen participation in governance while improving the effectiveness of public service delivery. Additionally, UNDP supports economic opportunities through skills development, entrepreneurship promotion, and inclusive financial systems, mainly targeting vulnerable populations.

In the area of climate resilience, UNDP collaborates with national and local actors to implement nature-based solutions, disaster risk reduction strategies, and sustainable livelihood interventions. Digitalization and innovation are integrated across thematic areas to enhance efficiency and impact.

To advance these objectives, UNDP seeks to recruit a Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Specialist to support programme implementation, monitoring, and coordination within the CPD 2024-2028 framework.

Scope of Work 

Under the strategic guidance of the Resident Representative and direct supervision of the Deputy Resident Representative (Programme), the M&E Specialist will lead the design, implementation, and management of M&E frameworks, systems, and tools to ensure the effectiveness of the Country Office (CO) portfolio. This role promotes a results-based management (RBM) approach, enhancing programme quality and supporting the development of relevant systems.

The M&E Specialist will provide technical support on M&E and reporting practices to CO senior management and programme/project teams, fostering a collaborative, client-focused, and evidence-based approach. The M&E Specialist will coordinate a team responsible for CO M&E and RBM activities, working closely with Programme, Operations, and project teams and stakeholders such as UNDP HQ, other UN agencies, government officials, donors, and NGOs.

The role ensures the integration of M&E practices across UNDP’s portfolio, supporting the achievement of strategic goals and adapting to changing business needs. The M&E Specialist will operates within the Programme Management Support Unit (PMSU) and plays a key role in collaborating with oversight and compliance functions, as well as M&E officers assigned to various projects, ensuring alignment with monitoring and evaluation standards across the portfolio

Duties and Responsibilities

Design and implement monitoring and evaluation frameworks, systems, and tools, and as applicable, conduct quality assurance in keeping with corporate policies:

• Develop and provide advice on the formulation of integrated monitoring and evaluation (M&E) and results-based management (RBM) frameworks, systems, and plans in line with UNDP Programme and Operations Policies and Procedures (POPP) for CO programmes, projects, and initiatives to inform programme implementation, ensure programme effectiveness and compliance with corporate programming and reporting requirements, and support CO management decision making. Assist in ensuring application of UNDP social and environmental safeguards as applicable;
• Lead the design of the Country Programme and Portfolio Theory of change and ensure its tracking and updating thought the programme cycle;
• Lead the development of funded evaluation plans that accompany the development of Country programmes documents and oversee the timely annual implementation of evaluations in the plan;
• Provide technical, innovative and policy advice on M&E and RBM requirements and activities to CO programme and project managers, UNDP CO staff concerned with monitoring and evaluation, and consultants and/or members of the evaluation team. Collaborate with Programme and project teams on developing integrated development approaches;.
• Provide advice, tools, and approaches to the formulation of thematic/sectoral programme strategy documents; and provide support, as applicable, in ensuring projects are designed, implemented, and completed in line with UNDP RBM and quality standards and programme and project management policies and procedures;
• Participate in CO´s annual planning processes such as coordinating inputs to the formulation of the Integrated Work Plan (IWP), CO Annual Business Plan, and defining targets and indicators to ensure consistency with approved country programme and project documents and UNDP POPPs;
• Support the elaboration and mapping of business processes and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in programme and project oversight that includes providing input to establishment of quality assurance processes, guidance notes, protocols, tools, checklists, and sharing best practices;
• 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 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;
• Coordinate with other UN agency partners to ensure strategic, robust, and quality planning, reporting and evaluations consistent with UNSDCF agreed-upon standards.

Lead coordination of and support to monitoring, reporting, evaluation and results-based management of Country Office programmes and projects:

• Oversee implementation and application of efficient and evidence-based results monitoring, and as applicable, quality assurance work for CO programme and project development and delivery using integrated portfolio management approach;
• Ensure timely identification of potential implementation problems and bottlenecks and advise the CO management and programme/project teams on strategies/corrective measures to address them;
• Lead the preparation and coordination of the ROAR (Results-Oriented Annual Report) and other periodic information and reports for stakeholders;
• Ensure donor reports are timely prepared in line with established requirements. Prepare CO Results Reports, analysis of results of projects, and other periodic information and reports for the CO, government partners, donor community and other key stakeholders. Advise on data use and interpretation to assess country programme results, improve programme quality, identify trends, and inform future decision-making processes;
• Ensure consistent maintenance and monitoring of relevant scorecards and quality assurance tools such as the Social and Environmental Safeguards. Provide support to the management and coordination of third-party monitoring and/or any other data collection interventions in the country office;
• Ensure regular and timely updating of the Evaluation Resource Centre (ERC);
• Ensure timely implementation of planned evaluations in line with UNDP standards as outlined in the UNDP Evaluation Guidance. Review and approve all plans and Terms of Reference (TOR) for project and programme mid-term reviews, evaluations, and assessments. Participate in consultant and evaluation team recruitment and selection. Review and provide input on evaluation inception reports, evaluation methodology, and draft evaluation reports for quality assurance and compliance purposes;
• Ensure the optimal use of evaluation findings and recommendations. Provide guidance and input in the preparation of timely management responses and key actions to all evaluations; consolidate evaluation findings to assess effectiveness and impact of UNDP CO programmes/projects; and develop a communication/dissemination plan to incorporate into recommendations for improvement by projects and partners. Follow up on implementation of evaluation recommendations by CO and project teams;
• Coordinate with the UNDP Independent Evaluation Office in the preparation and implementation of the Independent Country Programme Evaluations (ICPEs) and in the sharing of draft reports with partners and stakeholders. Coordinate the collation of comments; and provide support, as needed, in the completion of management responses to ICPEs. Ensure the findings, conclusions, and reflections of the ICPE process are considered in the CPD development process;
• Support collation of monitoring and evaluation of impact results and/or data/information in a format that is relevant for evidence-based policy and or development interventions.

Provide substantive contributions to capacity building and facilitate knowledge building and sharing on monitoring, evaluation, and results-based management:

• Contribute to the assessment of capacity needs and elaboration of capacity development plans, tools, and methodologies. Design, organize and lead training activities; and participate in preparing knowledge packages on RBM, monitoring and evaluation, data collection/survey methods, gender mainstreaming and portfolio approach for CO staff, programme and project teams as well as national partners and key stakeholders;
• Support the identification, synthesis, documentation, and dissemination of key lessons learned and good practices derived from monitoring and evaluation activities on what works, what does not work, and/or revised theories of change to identify innovative ideas for their scaling or replication;
• Provide sound contributions to local and global networks, communities of practice, and other knowledge management mechanisms. Proactively participate in UNDP regional and international fora on relevant thematic areas (including engaging in thematic discussions, contributing with analytical papers, etc.);
• Contribute to the implementation of Evaluation Knowledge Management and Learning Strategy.

Resource Mobilization and Strategic Planning:

• Contribute to resource mobilization efforts, ensuring M&E practices align with the CPD and the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF);
• Coordinate inputs to the Integrated Work Plan (IWP), Annual Work Plans (AWPs), and participate in the quarterly and annual reviews to ensure consistency with programme targets and indicators;
• Lead and coordinate inputs for the quarterly and annual review of the performance of the Country Programme Document (CPD), ensuring alignment with programme objectives and tracking progress;
• Support the development of business processes and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for programme and project oversight, ensuring effective planning, monitoring, and evaluation practices;
• Coordinate inputs for the Joint Work Plan (JWP) of the UNSDCF in UNINFO, ensuring alignment with programme objectives and monitoring requirements.

Other Tasks:

Perform any other tasks in connection with the programme which may be entrusted to by the UNDP Country Office.

Institutional Arrangement

The M&E Specialist works under the general supervision of the Deputy Resident Representative and collaborates closely with the three programme clusters.

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

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

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

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies 

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 other parts of the system

Business Management:  Portfolio Management – Ability to select, prioritize and control the organization’s programmes and projects in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual while optimizing return on investment

Business Management : Monitoring – Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities and programme performance and results

Business Management: Evaluation- Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks. Ability to anticipate clients’ upcoming needs and concerns

Business Development :Knowledge Generation- Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need

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

2030 Agenda: Engagement & Effectiveness – Effectiveness – Programming principles & standards and development effectiveness principles.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

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

Experience:

Min. years of relevant work experience 

• Minimum 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in M&E, programme and/or team management working with quality assurance instruments, results-based management models, and multiple stakeholders.

Required Skills 

• Proven technical knowledge of the results-based management cycle and monitoring and evaluation is required;
• Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.), and web-based management systems, and up-to-date, advanced knowledge of data management tools and database packages is required.

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

• Proven experience in designing monitoring and evaluation systems and designing development projects or integrated portfolios is an advantage;
• Proven experience in Programme or project management with Prince 2 certifications is desirable;
• Proven ability to work with quantitative and qualitative data, and appropriately use qualitative data/information collection tools in innovative ways is desirable;
• Experience in designing, implementing and/or managing assessments and/or data collection exercises/processes is desired;
• Experience conducting project surveys, evaluations and reporting on findings is desired;
• Experience working within the region is an added advantage;
• Demonstrated experience working across themes/clusters/departments to deliver results is desired.

Required Language(s) 

• Fluency in English is required.

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.

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.