Nepal: Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist for Nex Project

Jul 8, 2014 | UNCDF

United Nation Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) is the UN’s capital investment agency for the world’s 49 least developed countries. It creates new opportunities for poor people and their communities by increasing access to microfinance and investment capital. UNCDF focuses on Africa and the poorest countries of Asia, with a special commitment to countries emerging from conflict or crisis. It provides seed capital – grants and loans – and technical support to help financial service providers reach more poor households and small businesses through inclusive finance approach, and local governments finance the capital investments that will improve poor peoples’ lives. 

In Nepal, UNCDF has recently signed an agreement with Government of Denmark where UNCDF will implement an Access to Finance (A2F) component of UNATTI programme. A2F will be implemented through National Implementation Modality (NIM), the Nepal Rastra Bank’s, Microfinance Promotion and Supervision Department will be the implementing partner.

Access to Finance and UNATTI: This programme has been designed to enhance and improve agricultural sector in Nepal. The Government of Denmark along with the Government of Nepal is supporting the Inclusive Growth Programme in Nepal (UNNATI). The objective of UNNATI is “Promotion of sustainable inclusive growth that reduces poverty and raises living standards.” Within the context of UNATTI, the purpose of the Access to finance (A2F) project is to support financial service providers to more effectively serve the agricultural value chain actors with appropriate financial products thereby enabling smallholder farmers and MSMEs to invest into their value chain activities leading to the sustained improvement in competitiveness of selected value chains.  The A2F project interventions will have a national impact with a specific focus given to the Eastern Development Region of Nepal, under the umbrella of UNATTI, specifically in the seven districts of Mechi and Koshi corridor - Ilam, Paanchthar, Terhathum, Bhojpur, Dhankuta, Taplejung and Sankhwasabha.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist will report to the Team Leader –Value Chain Finance and will be responsible for coordination of all M&E activities under A2F.

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Establish M&E systems for A2F component as described in the project document and inception report.
  • Responsible baselines and impact studies;
  • Prepare M&E reports for presentation to the Project Executive Board (PEB) and other stakeholders as required.
  • Liaise closely with the Monitoring and Result Management consultant recruited by Embassy of Denmark in Nepal at the programme level;
  • The M&E specialist will participate in training courses arranged by UNCDF and at the programme level.
  • Lead the development of and oversee the review of project level M&E plan and associated work plans for each component/activity (as reflected in the results framework);
  • Develop Term of References (TORs) for M&E tasks to be carried out for consulting firms (e.g. the design of surveys, mid-term and final evaluation, etc. using a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods;
  • Be responsible for sourcing data and information for specific M&E needs directly from other agencies, particularly for indicators not requiring a survey;
  • Support technical work such as reviewing M&E methods, carrying out training needs, designing M&E tools and advising M&E technical assistance;
  • Oversee and participate in evaluations and assessments;
  • Ensure quality control of M&E outputs (e.g. surveys etc.)  by contributing substantively to the design, field testing of the monitoring methodology, review, supervise design and implementation of the survey, participatory data collection methods and protocols, data verification techniques, and other technical evaluation and analytical tasks conducted under this contract;
  • Closely cooperate and coordinate with team members and consultants for the design, quality, development and completion of all assessments, analytical reports, case studies & success stories;
  • Develop and maintain an M&E database for the A2F component;
  • Ensuring training of project team to foster capacity building on M&E knowledge;
  • Monitor project progress through field visit, offer feedback and keep regular communication with related field and central level team members at Nepal Rastra Bank and UNCDF;
  • Attend, participate and provide necessary inputs for preparation of and during project meeting, workshops and trainings;
  • Accomplish others tasks related for preparing, monitoring, evaluation and Management Information Systems (MIS) as per the need of project assigned by the Team Leader.

Competencies

Knowledge Management and Learning

  • Have excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Nepali;
  • Shares knowledge and experience and contributes to knowledge management and dissemination. 

Development and Operational Effectiveness

  • Ability to implement communications and publications strategies;
  • Excellent networking with a demonstrated ability to build and maintain professional relationships Communicates sensitively and effectively across different constituencies;
  • Demonstrates excellent ability to write and communicate orally with accuracy and professionalism;
  • Good knowledge of current development issues particularly those pertinent to UNCDF Financial inclusion Practice Areas;
  • Ability to conceptualize issues, analyze data and strong competence in all Microsoft office applications including data analysis software and web based management systems;
  • Have a strong analytical report writing skills and be an excellent communicator.

Management and Leadership

  • Well-developed interpersonal skills, including the ability to mobilize teams during surveys and research.
  • Focuses on impact and result for the client.
  • Leads teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skills.
  • Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.
  • Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors.
  • Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

  • Masters in development, finance, economics, international relations or related fields.

Experience

  • At least 7 years of experience in monitoring and evaluation of access to finance programs;
  • Have a strong research background, and strong familiarity with research methods, and will have experience with impact assessment and evaluation research;
  • Have experience in monitoring and evaluation of donor funded programs with demonstrable experience with result chain logic measurement and Donor Committee for Enterprise Development (DCED) standards;
  • Have had a strong record in monitoring and evaluation;
  • Familiarity and prior work experience in monitoring and evaluation work areas with development agencies will be an advantage.

Language and Computer skills

  • Fluent in written and spoken English and Nepali language.

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.


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