Monitoring & Evaluation Specialist [Open to tier 1 & 2 applicants]

Description Tiered Approach In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby: - Tier 0 : UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026. - Tier 1 : Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments - Tier 2 : UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers - Tier 3 or no tier indicated : All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply. Background The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria was created to significantly increase resources to fight three of the world’s most devastating diseases, and to direct those resources to areas of greatest need. The Global Fund attracts, manages and disburses resources in a public-private partnership that makes a sustainable and significant contribution to the reduction of mortality and morbidity caused by the three diseases and to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. UNDP is a key partner to the Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM) and is the UN agency assuming the role of Principal Recipient of GFATM grants in South Sudan for TB and HIV/AIDS. In its role as Principal Recipient, UNDP ensures quality financial management, timely procurement of supplies, and efficient monitoring and delivery service. UNDP’s management role consists of implementing grants, ensuring financial accountability, and training of national and international counterparts on program management, financial accountability and timely programmatic reporting to the Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM) and Global Fund (GF) Secretariat. Position Purpose The Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist will report to the Program Manager (Global Fund) and will work within the Program & M&E unit to support the Finance & QA unit, the PSM & Procurement unit and the Warehouse/Supply Chain Management team. The Specialist will liaise with the GF Country Team, the Local Fund Agent (LFA), the Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM), the Ministry of Health (MOH), the South Sudan AIDS Commission (SSAC), the National TB Program, the technical working groups responsible for HIV and TB, and various other partners and stakeholders. The incumbent will be required to travel to service delivery sites for the purpose of monitoring and supporting project activities. Scope of Work Under the overall guidance of the Program Manager (Global Fund), the Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist will be responsible for the following key tasks: Lead the GC8 monitoring and evaluation framework and plans : - Lead the development and updating of M&E frameworks and plans for the HIV, TB and Resilient and Sustainable Systems for Health (RSSH) portfolio in coordination with MOH, SSAC and the National TB Program; - Conduct regular analysis of grant performance against GC8 targets, identify implementation gaps and emerging risks, and recommend concrete corrective actions in coordination with program teams and sub-recipients; - Develop M&E tools, indicator reference sheets and training materials for the PMU, SRs and implementing partners; - Support SRs to strengthen their M&E systems for timely and accurate reporting; - Supervise and monitor the work of any M&E consultants assigned to support the team; - Conduct M&E capacity assessments of SRs and national partners and implement a capacity development plan; - Review progress reports against targets and propose remedial actions for under-performing indicators; - Monitor implementation bottlenecks and provide analytical inputs to program decision-making. Deliver grant performance reporting to the Global Fund : - Coordinate the preparation of Program Update, Discontinuation and Progress Reports (PUDRs), bi-annual and annual updates to the Global Fund; - Consolidate quarterly programmatic information and ensure timely submission through corporate systems and the Global Fund transparency portal; - Organize and document program review meetings, including preparation of background data and follow-up action points. Assure data quality across the HIV and TB portfolios : - Review data from HMIS/DHIS2 and program sources for completeness, accuracy and consistency; - Plan and conduct routine data quality assessments (RDQA/DQA) and support sub-recipient site quality assurance (RSQA); - Supervise, mentor and support the M&E Analyst (TB/HIV); - Strengthen the use of routine program data, including DHIS2 and community-level reporting, to identify service delivery gaps, monitor coverage among key and vulnerable populations, and inform program adjustments. Manage surveys, evaluations and learning: - Coordinate baseline, mid-term and end-line surveys and evaluations, including drafting Terms of Reference and providing technical direction; - Facilitate dissemination of evaluation findings and the preparation of management responses; - Document lessons learned and promote their use in program design and grant revisions. Build M&E capacity and support nationalization and facilitate knowledge sharing - Deliver M&E and health information systems (HIS) training to MOH, SSAC, National TB Program staff and SRs, including NEPWU-NASOSS; - Support the Country Dialogue Transition Plan (CDTP) and capacity transfer for progressive nationalization of the PR role; - Develop and monitor measurable milestones for transferring M&E responsibilities to national institutions, including strengthened national ownership of data quality assurance, analysis and Global Fund reporting; - Identify, synthesize and document best practices and lessons learned that are generated from the project and implementing partners. The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the PMU, Country Office and the Organization. Institutional Arrangements The key impact of the post will be high-quality, timely monitoring, evaluation and reporting of the GC8 portfolio, sustaining the grant’s high-rating performance and enabling UNDP, the LFA and the Global Fund to verify results. The post also builds national M&E capacity, supporting data quality for HIV and TB services and the sustainability of interventions under the Country Dialogue Transition Plan. The position will be supervising M&E Analyst. Competencies Core Competencies - 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. People Management Competencies - UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site . Cross-Functional/Technical Competencies Business Direction and 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 system. Business Management - Monitoring and Evaluation - Ability to systematically monitor results of strategies, programs, 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 program management and results; - Ability to make independent judgment of the management and results of strategies, programs 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 independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks. Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns. - Working with Evidence and Data - Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions and supporting decision-making. 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 Education - Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Public Health, Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Statistics, Social Sciences, Monitoring & Evaluation or a related field is required. Or; - A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas stated above in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree. Experience - Minimum 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in monitoring and evaluation of health programs, preferably including HIV and TB is required. - Proven experience in developing and implementing M&E frameworks, performance frameworks and data quality assurance (RDQA/DQA) processes; - Experience in designing and managing surveys, including the use of HMIS/DHIS2 and statistical analysis tools (Excel, SPSS, Stata, or R). - Proven experience in excellent report writing and presentation Desired skills - Experience with Global Fund grant reporting (PUDRs and performance frameworks); - Experience in South Sudan or a similar post-conflict setting; - Familiarity with UNDP and/or UN systems; - Experience in facilitating trainings. Languages - Fluency in English is required. - Working knowledge of Arabic is an asset 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. Use of AI by candidates Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection 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. Data Privacy Please click here to view UNDP Data Privacy Statement #LI-DNI