Job Opportunity for SDGCC Monitoring and Evaluation Lead at UNDP in Kohima

Background
 
UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.
 
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.
 
UNDP is the UN’s global development network, an organization advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience, and resources to help people build a better life. UNDP is on the ground in about 170 countries and territories, working with national counterparts on solutions to global and national development challenges.

In the programme countries, UNDP supports stabilization, state-building, governance and development priorities in partnership with the host governments, the United Nations system, the development partners and other partners to help the country to achieve sustainable development by eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions, accelerating structural transformations for sustainable development and building resilience to crises and shock.

UNDP has worked in India since 1951 in almost all areas of human development, from systems and institutional strengthening to inclusive growth and sustainable livelihoods, as well as sustainable energy, environment and resilience. UNDP’s programmes continue to fully integrate a global vision for catalytic change with India’s national priorities. With over 30 projects on the ground in almost every state, today UNDP India works to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by transforming traditional models to do development differently. In a rapidly changing global environment, the work of UNDP and the broader UN family aligns with the Government of India’s new national development vision, India 2030, and builds upon the Sustainable Development Goals. UNDP India’s country programme for 2018-2022 has three major focus areas:

• Inclusive growth
• Environment and energy
• Strengthening systems and institutions

These are supported by a framework of renewed partnerships and blended finance solutions, a pool of financial and technical resources for greater impact and scale, and South-South expertise.

You are invited to join a team of dedicated development professionals whose primary role is to support the India to achieve the 2030 Agenda. As part of the UNDP team your focus will be to work with multiple stakeholders to find the country specific solutions that lead to sustainable development and to ensure no one is left behind – and we reach those furthest behind first.

UNDP is looking for individuals who have the communication, analytical, planning and implementation capacities that can address links, choices and connections across many issues and sectors. We seek individuals who can apply global best practice to national contexts. We are looking for people who are enthusiastic, motivated, and committed to making a positive contribution to development in India.

Background and scope of portfolio

The UN General Assembly, and all its 193-member countries, in September 2015 adopted a global development vision entitled Transforming Our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This 2030 Agenda was designed as a plan of action for people, planet and prosperity. It lays out 17 new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 targets, to stimulate global action over the next 15 years on issues critical to humanity and the planet. India committed to these SDGs at the September 2015 UN Summit and the SDGs officially came into force on 1st January 2016. The Government of India has actively engaged in mainstreaming the SDGs in its work from early 2016.

NITI Aayog, the National Institution for Transforming India, has been entrusted with the responsibility of coordinating the efforts on SDGs with ministries and states, indicative of “whole of government” approach. NITI Aayog has prepared an Action Agenda (3 Years) and is preparing medium term perspective plan (7 years) and long term (15 years) goals for the country through a 15-year vision document for a period up to 2030, which will be co- terminus with Sustainable Development Goals. NITI Aayog has also developed the Output Outcome Monitoring Framework – OOMF. The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has prepared the draft National Indicator Framework (NIF) consisting of 306 indicators. Since 2018, NITI Aayog has been releasing the SDG India Index Reports every year. This report, in its all three editions has placed Nagaland in the category of “Performer”, with incremental progress in its SDG scores in the past three years.

Context:

The UNDP India Country Programme Document CPD (2018-2022) signed with the Government of India (GoI) aims at transformative change and development impact at scale. In line with this, UNDP has initiated active support to many state governments in mainstreaming SDG’s within their schemes and programmes as a part of an UN system- wide to SDG roll out for visioning and planning in India. UNDP has done some pioneering work on localizing SDGs in States like Uttarakhand, Haryana, Assam, Madhya Pradesh and North East. The focus of the agency is to support the States in Localisation & Integration and to provide technical capacity in the implementation framework for SDGs. In view of India’s commitment to the 2030 Agenda, the Economic and Statistical Organisation (ESO), Department of Planning has come up with vision document focusing on sectoral growth aligned with SDGs and is in the process of developing the State Indicator Framework . State level consultations are underway to align the global goals with the planning process of the State.

To implement the ambitious targets set for itself in SDG VISION 2030, Government of Nagaland has already started the process of integrating the SDGs into the planning and development process of the state and has set up and has partnered with UNDP to establish SDG Coordination Centre (SDGCC) under the Department of Planning. Since 2019 UNDP has a team of experts as part of the SDGCC and working closely with relevant government departments, technical agencies, UN agencies, civil society organization and academic institutions to provide the requisite impetus to the state government’s initiative in rolling out the SDGs. With the SDG Nagaland Vision Document launched recently along with the development of the SDG monitoring dashboard in progress the SDGCC is expected to enhance its monitoring and evaluation work to accelerate the progress of achievement of the global goals.

Duties and Responsibilities
 
The individual shall report to UNDP Regional Head, North East (NSPA 11 ). The Regional Head will closely monitor the progress of the individual at the State Level.
 
The SDGCC Monitoring and Evaluation Lead (henceforth, M&E Lead) is expected to work with the SDGCC team to set up a robust monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system to support the SDG 2030 VISION rollout in Nagaland as per MoSPI and UNDP guidelines and in alignment with the approved project document and key performance indicators. The M&E Lead has to plug the data gaps and provide support in ensuring informed decision making using big data analytics. S/hewill also be in charge of monitoring the progress and the development of the SDG monitoring dashboard and disseminating the same to all relevant stakeholders and government entities.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Under the overall supervision of the UNDP Regional Head (North East), NPSA 11 with day-to-day administrative to SDG Nodal Officer, Department of Planning, the incumbent will:

Assist in providing technical support to the SDGCC Project team and various departments in the government to design and operationalize an integrated monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system based on the SDG VISION 2030 document and in line with the SDG indicators approved by MoSPI, the State Indicator Framework (SIF) and the District Indicator Framework (DIF) of the state:

• Support in monitoring the progress and roll out of the SDG Monitoring dashboard
• Assist in developing a internal framework for SDG monitoring and data management system for collecting, validating and analyzing data on progress of SDGs
• Developing results monitoring frameworks, including establishing baselines and setting targets as per directions given by NITI Aayog
• Support capacity development of line departments for more responsive and accountable governance, through IT based tools.

Coordinate with various internal & external stakeholders for effective monitoring of progress against targets set in the SDG VISION 2030 DOCUMENT, the SIF and DIF:

• Responsible for coordinating with the various departments, SDG wise, to help them collect data and use the same for effective monitoring of progress on SDGs
• Coordination with agencies involved in the process, including Government of Nagaland, UN Agencies, NITI Aayog, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), and technical agencies and collaboration with UNDP CO.

Assist in generating reports for effective management and accountability:

• Identify qualitative and quantitative data sources and set up mechanisms for timely and quality data reporting as well as capturing lessons learnt
• Generate high quality monitoring reports using data analytics, at agreed intervals, including on specific themes that help review progress and programme strategy
• Ensure preparation and dissemination of knowledge products.

Assist in Capacity Building & Training of staff:

• Coordinate with District based Data Coordinators and Data Operators within the Government in establishing simple processes and capacity building for collecting quality data for management and accountability in line with SDG VISION 2030 Document
• Deliver M&E-related training to staff members and other nodal officers of the government
• Performing other duties within the purview of the programme and any related activities as assigned by the Regional Head, UNDP North East
• Any other work assigned by the supervisor.

Competencies

Core competencies: 

Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements
Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible
Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:

Business Management    

• Results Based Management: Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results
• Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
• Communication: Ability to communicate in a clear, concise, and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience

Business Development    

• Knowledge Generation: Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for content, or responsive to a stated need

Job Knowledge

Preparation and update of project information; Expertise in preparing annual plan and budgets; Sharing knowledge and information with district govt officers and other implementing partners; Demonstrate comprehensive understanding of information technology.

Ethics

Knowledge and understanding of the UN Staff Regulations and Rules and other policies relating to ethics and integrity

Required Skills and Experience
 
Education:

• A minimum of Bachelors degree or equivalent in Economics, Development economics, Statistics, Mathematics, Public administration, Public policy or related social science field.
• Master’s degree or equivalent in Economics, Development economics, Statistics, Mathematics, Public administration, Public policy or related social science field is desirable.

Experience:

• A minimum of 3 years of relevant experience with government at the national level or sub-national level with experience of setting up complex evidence-based M&E systems
• Demonstrated experience in leading a team or sub-offices as part of a larger organization or entity.
• Experience in data analytics for decision making.
• Prior work experience on SDGs preferred
• Experience in implementing large scale development or government programmes.
• Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting
• Ability to lead formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programmes and projects, mobilize resources
• Strong IT skills: experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, web-based management systems
• Ability to produce high quality reports and knowledge products
• In-depth knowledge on development issues
• Preferably knowledge of SDGs
• Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office
• Ability to work independently with limited instruction
• Ability to identify problems and to propose solutions
• Results-orientation and ability to develop strategic approaches
• Team player
• Good facilitation and communication skills
• Excellent writing and presentation skills
• Researches best practices and poses new, more effective ways of doing things
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
• Required Language(s): Fluency in written and oral English is a must.

Monthly remuneration between INR 83,320 to INR 1,12,482 will be offered depending on qualifications and experiences. The remuneration is excluding 8.33% pension amount paid over and above the salary.