M&E and Quality Assurance Officer 283 views0 applications

Position Title : M&E and Quality Assurance Officer

Duty Station : IOM Somalia in Nairobi*, Kenya

Classification : Professional Staff, Grade UG

Type of Appointment : Special short-term ungraded, Six months with possibility of extension

Estimated Start Date : As soon as possible

Closing Date : 25 July 2019

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations, and as the leading UN agency in the field of migration, works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

Internal and external candidates will be considered for this vacancy. For the purposes of this vacancy, internal candidates are defined as staff members holding a regular, fixed-term or short-term graded or ungraded contract, including Junior Professional Officers (JPOs), staff on Special Leave Without Pay (SLWOP), and staff members on secondment/loan released by the Organization, unless otherwise specified in their contract. Staff members holding a regular, fixed-term or short-term graded contract will not retain their contract type if appointed to an ungraded position.

Context:

IOM’s Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) activities in Somalia started in

2012 by providing assistance with the development and publishing of the National Programme document. One of the major purposes of the National Programme is to “urgently handle the caseload of disengaged combatants”. The National Programme envisaged the establishment of four transition centres in Mogadishu, Baidoa, Belet Weyne and Kismayo, and IOM took on operational and programmatic management of centres in Baidoa and Kismayo.

IOM’s DDR Unit has since expanded its portfolio to include a number of activities ranging from skills building, rehabilitation, and reintegration support for ex-combatants and youth at-risk. Establishing and maintaining a robust monitoring and evaluation system is of paramount importance, as is the strategic implementation of solutions for any issues identified to ensure high-quality, adaptive programming that is delivered in an efficient, effective, and quantifiable manner.

Under the direct supervision of the Programme Coordinator DDR and in close coordination with the Programme Manager DDR and Project Officers, the successful candidate will design, oversee and implement all monitoring and evaluation activities across the programme. In addition, this position will ensure programme standards and best practice are identified, communicated to operational staff, and adhered to, through regular quality assurance of all aspects of programme implementation.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

Systems Development

1. Review information flows already established at programme and project levels, identify gaps and design a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation system that provides necessary programme data for reporting, learning, and quality assurance.
2. Continuous development of standardized M&E tools as needed at programme and project levels, including training relevant M&E and programme staff.
3. In line with programme demands and donor requirements stipulated in project agreements, conduct baselines, mid-term assessments, final evaluations, monthly monitoring activities, and other ad hoc M&E activities as needed.
4. Where necessary, assist in identifying, contracting, and managing external Third-Party Monitoring firms that are sub-contracted to implement monitoring and evaluation activities.
5. Design and organize regular M&E training sessions in order to: (a) Ensure appropriate use of data collection methods and tools; (b) Create greater awareness of reporting requirements; (c) Gather feedback regarding the effectiveness of these methods.
6. Ensure a system of regularly incoming programme information to facilitate quality assurance activities including identifying issues, proposing practical and evidence-based solutions.

M&E Development and Management

1. Regularly monitor and collect data of all DDR project in line with each project’s Framework and report results to DDR Programme Coordinator and Programme Manager.
2. Review M&E plans regularly and ensure their relevance to programme goals and objectives is up to date.
3. Remotely technical supervision of 3 M&E programme staff in 3 project locations (Mogadishu, Kismayo and Baidoa), including regular training exercises, daily/weekly check-ins, delegation of tasks and performance reviews.
4. Review all monitoring data, identify the causes of potential bottlenecks in project implementation and necessary corrective actions. As needed, undertake visits to the field in coordination with project management to support implementation of M&E activities and recommend where corrections might be required.
5. Document and draft reports on M&E results and trends, and activities on a geographic and thematic level.
6. Provide relevant M&E technical assistance and planning during the development of projects, including the development of programme and project indicators and targets, results matrices, methodologies and specialised tools.

Communication and Reporting

1. Draft M&E sections of donor and other types of reports as required, ensuring evidence-based programme information is presented to demonstrate achievements, lessons learned and future successful implementation.
2. Develop communication and information-sharing tools in coordination with programme staff and partners to facilitate visibility and programme awareness among stakeholders.
3. Assist in the dissemination of relevant information on programme and project activities.
4. Ensure proper information flow and sharing of key outputs and outcomes with different IOM departments.
5. Lead the drafting of DDR briefing notes and other programmatic documents that can be shared internally or externally with donors, media, and other stakeholders as necessary.

Quality Assurance

1. Facilitate internal programme discussions of monitoring data, lessons learned and quality assurance plans in a timely fashion. If necessary, create such discussion forums to ensure awareness and uptake.
2. Participate in the development of, training on and adherence to Standard Operating Procedures, identify bottlenecks or blockages and put forward recommendations.
3. Conduct regular check-ins with the M&E staff and partners to identify issues, collect feedback and recommend approaches and procedures changes as necessary in order to improve quality of overall programming.
4. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in Political or Social Sciences, Law and/or International Relations, Research or a related field from an accredited academic institution with two years of relevant professional experience; or

• University degree in the above fields with four years of relevant professional experience.

Experience

• Experience related to Somalia and/or the region an advantage;

• Prior experience designing and implementing an M&E system in hardship locations an advantage;

• Prior experience managing an online M&E database system an advantage;

• Prior experience in programme adaptation and strategic redirection based on results and/or assuring quality through the identification of issues and application of solutions.

• Superior research, analysis, and writing skills;

• Experience collaborating with high level government officials.

Languages

For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of Somali is an advantage.

1 Accredited Universities are the ones listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database

(https://whed.net/home.php).

Required Competencies:

Values – all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these three values:

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: respects and promotes individual and cultural differences; encourages diversity and inclusion wherever possible.

• Integrity and transparency: maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.

• Professionalism: demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.

Core Competencies – behavioural indicators

• Teamwork: develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.

• Delivering results: produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner; is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.

• Managing and sharing knowledge: continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.

• Accountability: takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own action and delegated work.

• Communication: encourages and contributes to clear and open communication; explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link. https://www.iom.int/sites/default/files/about-iom/iom_revised_competency_framework_external.pdf

Competencies will be assessed during a competency-based interview.

Other:

Internationally recruited professional staff are required to be mobile. For this staff category, candidates who are nationals of the duty station’s country cannot be considered eligible.

The appointment is subject to funding confirmation.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment or visa requirements and security clearances.

No late applications will be accepted.