National Position: Programme Specialist, M&E, Malawi, NO-C

The Position:

The Programme Specialist, M&E provides guidance in defining results, including leading the development of theories of change and quality M&E frameworks. S/he provides technical guidance and oversees monitoring and tracking of results against defined targets and leads annual results plans and reporting of results. S/he ensures implementation of results-based management (RBM) principles and standards and contributes to knowledge management and maintenance of a culture of results. More specifically, she/He also promote use of the results information for adaptations. The Programme Specialist, M&E  is also responsible for leading and providing technical support to the development and implementation of costed evaluation plan and manages and ensure the quality of all evaluation processes and products in conformity with the UNFPA evaluation Policy and UNFPA evaluation quality standards.

Under the overall supervision of the M&E Specialist / M&E Team Lead, you will report directly to the Head of Office.

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead United Nations agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is intended, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The UNFPA Strategic Plan for 2026-2029 articulates the organization’s response to a complex global environment, providing a roadmap for resilience and renewal. It is designed to accelerate the implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. This mandate is pursued through a focus on four interconnected outcomes: ending the unmet need for family planning; ending preventable maternal deaths; ending gender-based violence and harmful practices; and adapting to demographic change through evidence and rights-based policies.

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff who embody these international norms and standards and will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates who transform, inspire, and deliver high-impact sustained results, ensuring effective external relations, communications, partnership-building and resource mobilization in a rapidly changing development and funding landscape. We need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them, and who commit to delivering excellence in programme results.

Job Purpose:

The Programme Specialist, M&E will lead effective results planning,  monitoring, reporting, communication and evaluation of programmes and projects. 

You would be responsible for:

A. Results planning

Provide guidance to the country office/regional office/programme in defining results

• Lead the development of theories of change of the programmes and projects counting the past, present and future contexts. 
• Lead developing quality M&E frameworks including the costed monitoring and evaluation plan of the country programme.
• Provide relevant inputs to the formulation of United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, more specifically common country analysis, strategic prioritization, theory of change, results framework and joint work plans.
• Lead developing annual and multiyear results plans.
• Support developing workplans to operationalise the results.
• Facilitate and substantively contribute to the development of field monitoring plans and quality assurance processes.
• Facilitate generation of evidence and lessons to support evidence-based planning and programming.   

B. Monitoring

Provide technical guidance to the Country Offices in and oversee monitoring and tracking of results against programme/ country/ regional level targets and UNFPA Strategic Plan

• Lead monitoring of the Annual Results Plans. 
• Lead annual reviews of the projects and programmes.
• Facilitate the midterm reviews of the projects and programmes.
• Lead monitoring work plans in collaboration with programme staff.
• Support field monitoring and coordinate with the programme team and promote use of monitoring visits recommendations.
• Support collecting and analysing data and evidence including higher-level indicators and oversee regular data quality checks.
• Actively participate and lead joint united nations joint results groups and other joint monitoring mechanisms.
• Provide inputs for implementing adaptive and innovative monitoring practices such as remote monitoring, real time monitoring, etc. 
• Contribute to the implementation of the assurance plans including the spot checks.
• Lead and contribute to mandatory risk assessments for the office.

C. Results reporting and results communication

Oversee reporting of results to internal (Senior Management) and external (Executive Board, Donors) audiences

• Collect quality quantitative and qualitative data.
• Compile and analyze data for projects and present analytical reports to inform reporting and decision making.
• Develop quality results reports.
• Lead communicating results for both internal and external audiences in close collaboration with communication staff.
• Provide required results and data for producing external reports such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework. 
• Support producing and disseminating results reports on implementation of UNFPA strategic plan and regional programmes. 

D. Evaluation

Provide technical support to programmes in the implementation of the UNFPA Evaluation Policy

• Lead and provide technical support to the development and implementation of costed evaluation plan in the country office/programme; including an annual update and regular monitoring of implementation of planned evaluations.
• Manage and ensure the quality of all evaluation processes and products in conformity with UNFPA Evaluation Policy and UNFPA evaluation quality standards (EQA). 
• Manage decentralized evaluations at the country level.
• Development of the decentralized evaluations TOR, quality assurance of the evaluation inception and final reports.
• Provide guidance on the appropriateness and design of evaluations (methods, scope of work, technical proposal and consultant qualification), including on the conduct, the management, strategic communication and the use of evaluations.
• Provide leadership in interagency and coordination work on M&E at country level, including technical advice to UNSDCF evaluations.
• Ensure dissemination of evaluation results and ensure results are incorporated in formulation and implementation of programmes.

E. Knowledge management and culture of results

Contribute to knowledge management and maintaining a culture of results

• Ensure implementation of results-based management (RBM) principles and standards.
• Provide technical support to implementing partners on strengthening capacity development on results-based management. 
• Promote interventions for utilizing results and demonstrate adaptive management. 
• Identify, disseminate and use good practices, lessons and knowledge. 
• Support results communication in collaboration with relevant staff.
• Coordinate development of management responses to all evaluations within six weeks of completion, including quarterly updates on implementation of actions plans of management responses to evaluations.

F. Advocacy and resource mobilisation

• Contribute to advocacy and resource mobilisation efforts of Country Office by preparing relevant documentation (i.e. project summaries, conference papers, speeches, donor profiles, and participating in donor meetings and public information events).
• Develop factsheets, briefing materials, info graphics, and presentations for public information, advocacy and resource mobilisation purposes.
• Prepare project proposals and share information about UNFPA tools for co-financing and funding, specifically in M&E frameworks, indicators, targeting.
• Build strong technical and programme multi-sectoral partnerships for advocacy for ICPD agenda through national institutions, networks, alliances and coalitions.  Monitor and keep updates on existing and potential partnerships. Follow through and ensure that recommendations and action points agreed to are addressed.

G. Funds management

• Prepare and manage relevant budgets.
• Monitor expenditures to ensure delivery is in line with approved budgets and to realise targeted delivery levels.
• Ensure the timely and accurate reporting of financial information.
• Raise requisitions for relevant travels and procurement under the e-procurement module in UNALL, Quantum and relevant systems.

Carry out any other duties as may be required by the supervisor and the UNFPA leadership. 

Key performance indicators

• Timely and quality technical support to the programme team and implementing partners in line with work plan
• Quality and timely systems for tracking/monitoring developed and implemented
• Timely synthesis and submission of quality and accurate reports 
• Quality knowledge management tools
• Quality support to evaluation processes, including timely completion of high quality and credible evaluations
• Completion of (1) an e- learning course certificate: How to Manage Country Programme Evaluations; and (2) RBM in UNFPA

Qualifications and Experience: 

Education:  

Master’s Degree in political sciences, social policy, economics, health, social mobilisation, population demography, business administration, international relations, statistics, development studies, or any other social science discipline. 

 Knowledge and Experience: 

• At least 5 years of relevant national/international working in the area of monitoring, reporting, and evaluation including proven track-record in the design and implementation of comprehensive monitoring systems.
• Experience with using data collection and analysis software.
• Experience in providing critical analysis of programme result frameworks, particularly with regards to internal logic and coherence between different level results (project; programme; country etc.).
• Experience in the United Nations, UNFPA and/or other multilateral organizations, field work experience, are highly desirable.
• Experience in managing evaluation.
• Experience in one of UNFPA transformative areas is an asset.
• Strong knowledge of programme formulation and implementation and Results Based Management.
• Strong knowledge of monitoring and evaluation, evaluation design, data collection and analysis, and reporting.
• Good knowledge of UN programme management systems.
• Ability to provide policy advice and support to implementing partners.
• Ability to interact with donors.
• Ability to synthesize program performance data and produce analytical reports. 
• Strong analytical and report writing skills.
• Strong planning, goal setting, prioritization and organizational skills.
• Ability to pay close attention to detail.
• Good people management and conflict resolution and negotiation skills.
• Ability to work across geographical locations. 
• Excellent computer / information systems skills (MS Access, MS Excel, MS Project, MS Word, CsPro, SPSS, Stata, NVivo, Kobo Collect, PowerBi).

Languages: 

Fluency in English; knowledge of other official UN languages, is desirable. 

Required Competencies: 

Values:

• Exemplifying integrity, 
• Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system, 
• Embracing cultural diversity, 
• Embracing change

Core Competencies: 

• Achieving results,
• Being accountable,
• Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen,
• Thinking analytically and strategically,
• Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships,
• Communicating for impact. 

Functional Competencies:

• Advocacy/ Advancing a policy-oriented agenda,
• Leveraging the resources of national governments and partners/ building strategic alliances and partnerships,
• Delivering results-based programmes,
• Internal and external communication and advocacy for results mobilisation.

Managerial Competencies:

• Providing strategic focus,
• Engaging internal/ external partners and stakeholders,
• Leading, developing and empowering people/ creating a culture of performance,
• Making decisions and exercising judgment.

Compensation and Benefits:

This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary plus health insurance and other benefits as applicable.

UNFPA Work Environment:

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA's workforce - click here to learn more.

Disclaimer:

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements. 

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts. 

Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.