The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN’s global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. We are on the ground in 170 countries and territories, working with governments and people on their own solutions to global and national development challenges to help empower lives and build resilient nations.

UNDP has an important role in supporting health outcomes by supporting countries to address the social, cultural and economic determinants of HIV and health, in partnership with UN entities and other organizations. This is done through UNDP’s core work in reducing inequalities and social exclusion that drive HIV and poor health, promoting effective and inclusive governance for health, and building resilient and sustainable systems for health. UNDP also contributes through its coordinating and convening role in bringing together multiple partners and resources at national and local levels.

As a trusted, long-term partner of The Global Fund (GF), UNDP’s value proposition lies in providing an integrated package of development solutions to strengthen institutions to deliver health services. Through its contributions as interim Principal Recipient (PR) and provider of technical assistance in over 53 countries since 2003, UNDP’s provision of integrated policy, implementation and capacity development support to countries has yielded significant health and development results in challenging operating environments. Proactive risk management and investing in sustainability are the cornerstones of UNDP’s portfolio management approach and providing technical assistance to national counterparts during all phases of implementation, strengthening legislation, policies and regulatory frameworks, and building capacities across key functional areas, including financial management, health information systems, procurement and supply chain management.

In Sudan, UNDP is the interim Principal Recipient (PR) for the HIV, TB and C19RM  grants and is also implementing Cost Sharing Agreement (CSA) to support the Fedela Ministry of Health (FMOH) in the implementation of specific activities under Malaria grants.  The UNDP-GF partnership under the 2024-2026 allocation aims to contribute towards the achievement of the vision, goals and strategic responses, including targets of the Sudan National HIV and TB Strategic Plans.  For effective implementation of the Global Fund resources, UNDP Sudan has established a Program Management Unit (PMU), which under the overall guidance of the UNDP senior management is responsible for the day-to-day overall programme management, risk management, policy guidance, financial accountability, procurement of goods, including health products and services, strengthening of the national pharmaceutical and laboratory supply chain systems, and monitoring and evaluation systems. The GF grant is implemented in accordance with UNDP rules, policies and procedures, the grant confirmation, corporate agreements with the GF and in close coordination with the Federal Ministry of Health, Sub-Receipients, national stakeholders, technical partners and UN entities, the Global Fund (Local Fund Agent, (LFA)) the Global Fund Country Team and Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM).

In order to provide strategic planning, programmatic and operational management, and oversight to the GF portfolio to achieve the defined programme goals, targets and effective delivery and quality services, a dedicated Project Management Unit (PMU) has been established.

Under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the Global Fund Programme Manager and working in close coordination with all functional team of the UNDP PMU, the Programme Monitoring and Evaluation Associate will support on the overall monitoring, evaluation and reporting. This will be done in accordance with full compliance with UNDP rules, policies and procedures, establishment of targets and monitoring of achievement of results in line with the terms of the Grant Agreement, corporate agreements with the Global Fund, and Sub-Receipient ( SR) agreement between UNDP and respective SRs and the Global Fund policies.

The Programme Monitoring and Evaluation Associate will promote a collaborative, client-oriented approach, ensuring integration across functional areas within the PMU and support to the integration of capacity building and health system strengthening activities.

Institutional Arrangement

Working under overall supervision of the Programme Manager,  the Programme Monitoring and Evaluation Associate  promotes a collaborative, client-focused, quality and results-oriented approach across grant sub-recipients and stakeholders. The Programme Monitoring and Evaluation Associate spends about 70% of weekly working hours working in close collaboration with the assigned programme/projects focal persons at SRs ,providing hand-on technical support in reinforcing the functioning of M&E systems and capacity transfer in actual implementation of M&E work plans, and proactively addressing bottlenecks which could delay speedy implementation of SR work plans and budgets to ensure proper accountability for programmatic results. In delivering these important functions, the Programme Monitoring and Evaluation Associate  works in close partnerships with Programme, PSM Team,  and finance and admin staff at SRs and within the UNDP-PMU and the colleagues within the Health for Development Portfolio, and other UN partners..

Working under the supervion of Head of Programme and M&E, the  Monitoring and Evaluation Associate shall be respondible for the following:

Ensures effective management of the monitoring and evaluation policies and strategies for the Programme, focusing on achieving the following results: 

• Serve as front-line focal person to the Programme Manager to reinforcing  full compliance with UNDP rules, policies and procedures, establishment of targets and monitoring of achievement of results in line with the terms of the Grant Agreement, corporate agreements with the Global Fund, and Sub-Receipient ( SR) agreement between UNDP and respective SRs and the Global Fund policies.
• Participate in and contribute to the finalization of Programme Monitoring and Evaluation Frameworks in coordination with national and technical partners.
• Lead the elaboration and implementation of grants Monitoring and Evaluation Plans, and Annual work plans for implementation of core M&E functions
• Update as necessary the Performance Framework and the Monitoring and Evaluation plan, in consultation with the FMOH, SRs and main stakeholders.
• Provide technical support in the development of monitoring and evaluation tools and processes required to ensure robust, comptete, quality, and timely periodic reporting on the performance of grants.
• Develop M&E systems and tools, and training materials for trainings of the e Sub-recipients (SR) and other key stakeholders for data collection, analysis, reporting and data/information use.
• Provide technical guidance for the implementation of the Monitoring and Evaluation plan, through trainings and other on-site support.
• Monitor the implementation of the programme activities, review the progress on a monthly and quarterly basis; address the issues raised, and develop timely remedial actions ensuring any disparity between planned and actual outputs.
• Assist in the identification of potential implementation problems and bottlenecks and recommend appropriate timely, appropriate strategies to address them and to achieve better  results and larger public health impact and ensure that any disparities between planned and actual outputs, outcome and impact  are addressed.
• Prepare periodic progress  reports on the implementation of programmes and ensure quarterly, semi-annual and annual reports to key stakeholders, including the FMOH, the CCM and the GF.
• Support the Programme Manager in the programmatic variance analysis for the establishment of the semester and annual reporting; and
• Support the Programme Management in the annual reporting for UNDP (ROAR) UNAIDS, e.g. UBRAF and other UNDP corporate reporting.

Ensures effective management of the monitoring and evaluation processes, focusing on achieving the following results: 

• Ensure that programme monitoring arrangements comply with the agreements with the Global Fund and that the provisions of the agreement are fully observed.
• Ensure alignment of the programme activities/processes in accordance with the work plans, the Performance Framework targets and the timely identification of delays and generate appropriate and quality information for the decision-making process.
• Verify programmatic reports from the Sub-recipient(s) (SR) and provide timely feedback on implementation of the Programme activities and quality of reports submitted by the SRs.
• Map and assess the quality of existing official data sources, the methods of collecting them, and ensure that data quality standards are monitored and met and propose approaches to address identified gaps to ensure data quality.
• Prepare Terms of Reference for baseline, mid-term, and end-line surveys and evaluations including methodology preparation, sample selection and staff training if needed, and provide overall technical direction for the conduct of the surveys and evaluations or act as official counterpart with third parties and follows up on the recommendations;
• Identify innovative approaches and modalities to achieve Programme targets.
• Work closely with PMU units to monitor progress of programme including routine follow up of SRs’ performance frameworks and organize periodic joint grant performance review meetings.
• Support the FMOH and CDCD  in the roll out of implementation of DHIS2, and integration of DHIS2 with eLMIS
•   Prepare joint UNDP and SR  field visits to ensure the data collection methods follow good practices and periodically conduct on-site data verification to ensure quality and completeness of data reported at different levels of health system
• . Conduct regular joint monitoring field visits to ensure timely and quality implementation of programme vis-à-vis approved plans , with the involvement of national programmes, SRs, technical partners and participates in external supervision and evaluation missions of the LFA, GF, UNDP Audits and other mission and facilitating access to M&E data as required;
• Under the guidance of the Programme Managers upports the audit and investigation processes and follow up on timely implementation of recommendations.
• Ensure the optimal use of evaluation findings by providing guidance in preparation of timely management response to all mandatory evaluations and by developing a communication/dissemination plan.

Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the area of monitoring and evaluation, focusing on achieving the following results:

• Represent the programme and M&E in the areas assigned by the Programme Manager , making presentations at the national technical working groups, and in the stakeholders meeting, workshop and reviews..
• Identify, formulate, and systematize lessons learned and document best practices from evaluations and studies to be reflected into programme reports.
• Develop information and communication materials relating to the programme (briefs, press-releases, presentations etc.).
• Maintain cooperative relationship with all key stakeholders, Federal Ministry of Health, Sub-recipients, UN agencies, government agencies, NGOs, technical partners, and other organizations.
• Identifies and supports development of communications (print, video) highlighting key programme achievements, best practices, and lessons learnt and contributes to information sharing with the FMOH, SRs, CSOs, technical partners, the GF (LFA), CCM and UNDP Country Office.