Job Identification : 13567

Locations : Freetown, Sierra Leone

Posting Date : 09/08/2023, 02:33 PM

Apply Before : 09/24/2023, 03:59 AM

Job Schedule : Full time

Agency : UNCDF

Grade : NPSA-10

Vacancy Type : National Personnel Service Agreement

Practice Area : Effectiveness

Bureau : Regional Bureau for Africa

Contract Duration : 1 Year with Possibility for extension

Education & Work Experience : Master’s Degree – 5 year(s) experience OR Bachelor’s Degree – 7 year(s) experience

Required Languages : English

Desired Languages : Any Local Languages

Vacancy Timeline

2 Weeks

Job Description

Background

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) is the United Nations’ flagship catalytic financing entity for the world’s 46 Least Developed Countries (LDCs). With its unique capital mandate and focus on the LDCs, UNCDF works to invest and catalyze capital to support these countries in achieving ​the sustainable growth and inclusiveness envisioned by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Doha Programme of Action for the least developed countries, 2022–2031.

UNCDF builds partnerships with other UN organizations, as well as private and public sector actors, to achieve greater impact in development; specifically, by unlocking additional resources and strengthening financing mechanisms and systems contributing to transformation pathways, focusing on such development themes as green economy, digitalization, urbanization, inclusive economies, gender equality and women’s economic empowerment.

A hybrid development finance institution and development agency, UNCDF uses a combination of capital instruments (deployment, financial & business advisory and catalyzation) and development instruments (technical assistance, capacity development, policy advice, advocacy, thought leadership, and market analysis and scoping) which are applied across five priority areas (inclusive digital economies, local transformative finance, women’s economic empowerment, climate, energy & biodiversity finance, and sustainable food systems finance).

The incumbent will promote UNDP’s mandate as a gender-responsive organization with zero tolerance to discriminatory and abusive behavior, including sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse.

UNCDFs digital interventions in Sierra Leone

Digital financial service was introduced in Sierra Leone in 2010, however its large-scale outreach was demonstrated at the height of the Ebola crisis in 2014-2015 to pay Ebola Response Workers (ERWs). UNCDF is focused on creating an inclusive environment for inception and scale up of digital financial services. It has been doing this through support to the Bank of Sierra Leone, digital financial service providers, banks, and other stakeholders in the country to develop the eco-system.

Organizational Context

UNCDF is in the process of implementing the Salon Access to Finance programme in Sierra Leone funded by the EU with the overall objective of contributing to sustainable and inclusive economic development and job creation in the agricultural sector. As part of the EU funded Jobs and Growth programme, “Salone Access to Finance” will promote financial inclusion, access to finance and risk management for agri-businesses. The component will specifically contribute to the two specific objectives: 1). Improved investment climate and business environment and 2). Agro MSMEs show improved performance and expansion.

The UNCDF programme is designed around 4 pillars: 1. Investment

2. Insurance

3. Digital; and

4. Business environment

These will be complemented by a set of activities on Research and Knowledge sharing which cut across the different workstreams. The four mutually reinforcing pillars aim at enhancing access to financial services and diversifying risks across agricultural value chains. The program aims at boosting food and nutrition security, jobs, and wealth creation. The program will target specifically youth, women, and people with disabilities. The innovative design approach combines technical and financial assistance for MSMEs in the form of grants from UNCDF and loans obtained from local financial institutions together with technical assistance provided to financial services providers to handle a sector they are less familiar with. This approach comes with the development of a digital platform to facilitate the delivery of services, reporting and credit scoring of MSMEs active in the agricultural sector.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Results Measurement Specialist is responsible for day-to-day management of the project Communication and Knowledge Specifically, the following tasks will be accomplished: 1. Coordinate implementation of results-based management frameworks:

•  Developing and implementing results measurement frameworks and learning strategies for UNCDF activities related to the Jobs and Growth program in Sierra Leone. Use insights to support overall program development and inform the UNCDF digital strategy and research agenda;
•  Designing, coordinating, and supporting quantitative and qualitative research in the field of impact investment and financial inclusion. Survey design and sampling, coordinate launch of surveys and qualitative interviews in close collaboration with survey companies;
•  Conducting data analysis to identify program priorities, inform market engagements and capture UNCDF results and impact;
•  Coordination and knowledge dissemination to private sector (e.g. financial service providers (FSPs), telcos, SMEs) and public sector stakeholders (e.g. Central Bank, Ministries, departments and agencies and regulators) in data analytics, usage and monitoring;
•  Support donor reporting and content development for knowledge products including focus notes, presentations, blogs, infographics, and policy notes.

2. Effective implementation of the joint programmes, including planning, monitoring, and reporting:

•  The results measurement frameworks, learning strategies and relevant tools are developed, validated and implemented;
•  Research and analysis on (digital) financial inclusion, agriculture finance and other relevant topics is coordinated and implemented, and findings are shared with relevant stakeholders;
•  Content for knowledge products is produced, including focus notes, presentations, blogs, infographics, and policy notes;
•  UNCDF portfolio partner data is collected, analyzed and recommendations are formulated;
•  Primary and secondary data sources are identified and used to identify program priorities, inform market engagements and capture UNCDF results and impact;
•  UNCDF results and impact are measured, consolidated and packaged for donor reporting and dissemination;
•  Learnings from UNCDF activities are captured and shared internally and externally;
•  Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the program implementation.

3. Responsible of reporting and meeting different programme’s reporting requirement at different stakeholder’s levels:

•  Provide the Project Manager with timely, efficient, effective, and relevant progress reports;
•  Report monthly, quarterly, semi Annually and annual on all activities to the Project Manager;
•  Prepare quarterly Reports on all components, following donor’s guidelines and agreed formats;
•  Closely coordinate with the Project team members to collect their quarterly progress reports on the Project implementation and development. Develop Monitoring and Evaluation reports on the project’s interventions in line with the identified objectives and aimed results.

4. Keep liaison with different stakeholders and Programme Team to ensure the design and implementation of the Result Measurement is made in collaboration with all relevant actors:

•  Provide feedback to the Project Manager on project strategies and activities. Give sound recommendations to management for better implementation, so as to achieve expected results, indicators and objectives;
•  Clarify Result Measurement responsibilities of different project personnel, and assist the program team with Result Measurement tools and in supporting them in their use;
•  Effective participation in annual project reviews and planning activities, and assist in preparing relevant reports. Provide top quality Result Measurement advisory services to the Partners, and other stakeholders, including coaching partners to forward better utilization of methodology and tools;
•  Undertake regular visits to the field to support implementation of M&E and to identify where adaptations might be needed. Contribute to knowledge management, dissemination, and building in close coordination with UNDP and local partner’s staff.

Institutional Arrangement

The Result Management Specialist will join the IDE team in Sierra Leone, based in Freetown, and will contribute to the effective delivery of the activities by the practice, reporting to the IDE Country Lead while working in close collaboration with the KM and Communications Lead, and as part of the regional IDE communications team.

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.

Cross functional & technical competencies

Business Management

•  Result-based management: Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results.

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 client’s 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.

Business direction and strategy

•  Effective decision making: Ability to take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one’s authority, area of expertise and resources.

Digital and innovation

•  Digital inclusion: Knowledge of how digital inclusion works, opportunities and challenges for governments and society.

Business Management

•  Risk Management: Ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

•  Master’s degree in Economics, Finance, Public/Business Administration, Social Sciences, Technology and/or related field.
•  Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field with additional 2 years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the Master’s degree.

Experience:

•  Minimum 5 years (with a Master’s) degree or 7 years (with a Bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience with sound knowledge and understanding of UN Programmes and project management modalities;
•  Experience in Analysis and Result Measurement methods in the development context, project monitoring and evaluation implementation of RM systems, particularly systems based on participatory approaches and training in RM development and implementation.

Required skills:

•  Proven experience in coordinating and supporting Result Based Measurement (RBM) including annual work-planning and reporting exercises;
•  Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel etc.) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages;
•  Experience in development and/or use of monitoring tools and methodologies, design of evaluation is required.
•  Able to work effectively in a team and in an international environment;
•  Excellent interpersonal skills with an ability to communicate and engage with project stakeholders;
•  Proactive approach to meeting deadlines and delivering results with limited supervision.

Desired skills:

•  Solid experience in implementation and coordination of interventions at the sub – national level;
•  Experience in use of SPSS Stata, R Studio, Power BI, Tableau, Nvivo and similar packages is an advantage;
•  Experience in the implementation of community – based interventions is an asset;
•  Solid experience in developing results frameworks and Theory of Change, and M&E plans for development projects;
•  Demonstrated knowledge of Business Processes.

Language:

•  Excellent knowledge of the English (fluency in both spoken and written).
•  Fluency in any local languages.

Disclaimer

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: 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.

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