About UN University (UNU)

The United Nations University (UNU) is an international community of scholars engaged in policy-oriented research, capacity development and dissemination of knowledge, furthering the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. UNU’s mission is to contribute, through research and capacity building, to efforts to resolve the pressing global problems that are the concern of the United Nations and its Member States.

For the past four decades, United Nations University (UNU) has been a go-to think tank for impartial research on human survival, conflict prevention, sustainable development and welfare. With more than 400 researchers in 12 countries, UNU’s work spans the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, generating policy-relevant knowledge to effect positive global change. UNU maintains more than 200 collaborations with UN agencies and leading universities and research institutions across the globe.

United Nations University World Institute for Development Economics Research (UNU-WIDER)

UNU-WIDER is one of 14 research and training Institutes that comprise the think tanks in the UNU system.

UNU-WIDER is a leading international development economics think tank. The Institute provides economic analysis and policy advice with the aim of promoting sustainable and equitable development for all. The Institute began operations in 1985 in Helsinki, Finland, as the first research centre of the United Nations University. Today, it is a unique blend of think tank, research institute, and UN agency — providing a range of services from policy advice to governments, as well as freely available original research. More information on UNU-WIDER and its current work programme are available at www.wider.unu.edu.

Responsibilities
The role of the Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL) Analyst contributes to i) UNU-WIDER’s monitoring, evaluation, and learning capabilities and ii) UNU-WIDER’s broader transformation to a more performance, results, and impact-driven organization. This role seeks to develop and refine UNU-WIDER’s Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Framework, support project teams to integrate MEL across their work, and further develop existing and new processes and tools to regularly report on and learn from UNU-WIDER’s results and impacts. Strategically, the role will help ensure that UNU-WIDER remains focused on impact, learning, and continuous improvement, while strengthening the systematisation of project management.

Working under the supervision of the Head of Partnership & Programme Unit, the Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL) Analyst will execute the following duties:
1. Provide substantive support to the strategic direction of UNU-WIDER

• Provide substantive support to the monitoring and further refinement of UNU-WIDER’s Theory of Change (ToC), in close collaboration with UNU-WIDER management, and the institutionalization of the ToC across the entire Institute.
• Lead on the development and further refinement of Results Frameworks and Key Performance Indicators in line with the ToC.
• Provide substantive input to large earmarked funded programme/project proposals, in particular on results frameworks, and Theory of Change approaches.

2. Provide substantive support to the institutionalization of monitoring, evaluation, and learning activities across UNU-WIDER

• Lead on the implementation of UNU-WIDER’s Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Strategy and its further development and refinement in collaboration with internal stakeholders.
• Keep abreast with latest developments and innovations around international best practices in research uptake and policy impact measurements with a focus on their application on UNU-WIDER’s work programme.
• Provide quality assurance on MEL activities, support the implementation of the MEL Strategy and promote consistency and effectiveness in MEL reporting across UNU-WIDER and all project teams.
• Provide expertise into the further development of MEL systems, tools, processes, and databases to facilitate harmonisation and consistency of quantitative MEL data and provide support in clarifying and improving workflows around these systems and databases.
• Advise the project teams in all stages of MEL and support them in implementing established and newly developed MEL processes, tools, and methodologies.
• Lead on after action reviews, consistently collecting feedback across UNU-WIDER’s activities, and other institutional learning opportunities.
• Develop training material and train internal stakeholders in the application and implementation of MEL methodologies and workflows.
• Supports institutional planning and development processes based on the priorities set by the UNU-WIDER management team.

3. Provide substantive support to institutional reporting around key metrics and impact

• Draft UNU-WIDER’s annual reports to its key stakeholders, including institutional funders and the Institute’s Advisory Board, and provide key institutional metrics and reporting to external parties, including UNU Headquarters.
• Work closely with the UNU-WIDER management team in identifying emerging outcomes/impact across UNU-WIDER’s programme portfolio.
• Provide methodological inputs and guidance to project teams on documenting and reporting of results and outcomes.
• Support the collection of research uptake evidence and outcome/impact stories stemming from UNU-WIDER activities and engagements and draft those outcome/impact stories in close collaboration with the project teams for internal and external audiences.
• Provide regular analysis and tracking of key institutional metrics to the UNU-WIDER management team and feed such information to various institutional reports.
• Collaborate with the Institute’s Knowledge Mobilization Unit (KMU) on the public presentation of key institutional metrics (e.g. dashboards, infographics) and outcome/impact stories.
• Identifies problems and issues to be addressed around key institutional metrics and recommends corrective actions to the Head of Partnerships & Programme Unit and UNU-WIDER management team more broadly where relevant.

4. Provide substantive support to systematisation of project management within UNU-WIDER and the development and utilization of related project management systems

• Support the refinement of UNU-WIDER project management systems by coordinating related initiatives among internal stakeholders with a view of systematizing project monitoring and impact tracking across the Institute’s projects.
• Support systematization of knowledge transfers and information sharing between different UNU-WIDER units and teams around project activities with a view of strengthening institutional planning.

5. Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor

Key performance indicators

• Quality and timely support provided to the development and further refinement of the Theory of Change.
• MEL Strategy and its methodologies further institutionalized and applied coherently across all UNU-WIDER projects.
• Quality and timely input provided to institutional reporting around key performance indicators and outcome stories.
• Quality inputs and support provided to new project proposals.
• Quality inputs and support to the systematisation of project management.
• Effective collaboration and communication with key stakeholders and ability to influence people and processes to achieve results.

Competencies

Values:

• Inclusion — take action to create an environment of dignity and respect for all, regardless of age, culture, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, geography, grade, language, nationality, racial identity, religion, sex, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, social origin or any other aspect of identity.
• Integrity — act ethically, demonstrating the standards of conduct of the United Nations and taking prompt action in case of witnessing unprofessional or unethical behaviour, or any other breach of UN standards.
• Humility — demonstrate self-awareness and willingness to learn from others.
• Humanity — act according to the purposes of the United Nations: peace, dignity and equality on a healthy planet.

Behaviours:

• Connect and collaborate — build positive relationships with others to advance the work of the United Nations and work coherently as One UN.
• Analyse and plan — seek out and use data from a wide range of sources to understand problems, inform decision-making, propose evidence-based solutions and plan action.
• Deliver results with positive impact — hold oneself and others accountable for delivering results and making a positive difference to the people and causes that the United Nations serves.
• Learn and develop — pursue own learning and development and contribute to the learning and development of others.
• Adapt and innovate — demonstrate flexibility, agility and the ability to think and act in novel ways.

1) Education and certification

• Master’s degree in international development, economics, social sciences, data sciences or a related field.

2) Required skills and experience

• Experience in management of data (retrieving, cleaning, and analyzing as well as experience with results reporting (compiling, coordination, and quality assuring) is desirable.
• Working experience in Monitoring and Evaluation in the interface of research, capacity development, and policy engagement and around research uptake more generally is a strong asset.
• Experience with the United Nations system or similar international organization and with relevant policies, guidelines and procedures is an asset.
• Excellent drafting skills.
• Excellent team player with strong leadership and interpersonal skills and ability to work in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

3) Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English is required
• Knowledge of another UN official working language is an asset.

Remuneration

The successful candidate will be employed under an international PSA contract. UNU offers an attractive compensation package including an annual net salary of EUR 58,300.66, commensurate with the experience and qualifications of the candidate. Benefits include 30 days annual leave and a health insurance scheme.

UNU-WIDER will cover the cost of travel of the individual to the duty station, as well as their return to their home upon completion of their services.

UNU is not liable for any taxes that may be levied on the remuneration you receive under this contract. Payment of any such taxes remains the sole responsibility of PSA holders.

Duration of contract

The duration of the initial contract is 1 year. This is a Personnel Service Agreement (PSA) contract with UNU, with the possibility for renewal subject to requirements and satisfactory work performance. The combined duration on a PSA contract with UNU may not exceed six (6) years.

The mandatory age of retirement for PSA holders is 65 years.

Expected start date

As soon as possible

How to Apply

To apply to UNU, you will not need an account. Instead, we ask that you:

• Apply via the apply link;
• fill out the UNU P11 Form (please avoid using similar forms provided by other United Nations organisations);
• provide a motivation statement (in the P11 form); and
• answer a few questions that are tailored to the position.

You may wish to refer to the UN Values and Behaviours Framework for more information.

Application Deadline

11 August 2024

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by a competency-based interview, background checks and references.

Special notice

PSA holders do no hold international civil servant status nor are they considered a “staff member” as defined in the UN Staff Rules and Regulations.

UNU is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities to apply and become part of the organization. Applications from developing countries, and from women are strongly encouraged. Eligible internal applicants are also encouraged to apply.

UNU has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNU, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination.
If you have supervisory function you need to have awareness on gender related issues

Information about UNU rosters

UNU 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 UNU at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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