With an objective to support on the implementation of federalism in Nepal, the Government of Nepal introduced a flagship programme of Provincial and Local Governance Support Programme (2019-2024). Following an initial period of delivery and agreement by GoN, Provinces, stakeholders, and Development Partners that Provincial and Local Governance Support Programme remained necessary and relevant, a decision was taken to extend Provincial and Local Governance Support Programme, with changes necessary to make the programme more effective, efficient, and responsive to the needs of Provincial Local Governments (PLG).

The Provincial and Local Governance Strengthening Programme (PLGSP) 2024-2029 is the national framework programme of the Government of Nepal (GoN) to build institutional, organizational, and individual capacity at all levels of government, with special focus on the provincial and local levels. It aims to attain functional, sustainable, inclusive, and accountable provincial and local governance. Following an initial period of delivery (2019-2023), and agreed by the GoN, Provinces, Development Partners, and other stakeholders, PLGSP will continue for the next five years, with necessary changes to make the programme more effective, efficient, and responsive to the emerging needs of PLGs in advancing federalism in Nepal.

An extensive stakeholder engagement, consultations and re-programming process was undertaken between July 2023 and June 2024 that resulting in a substantial revision in the PLGSP Programme Document (ProDoc). This reprogrammed ProDoc outlines how re-programmed PLGSP emphasizes building the capacity and capability of PLGs’ to deliver on the institutional and individual capacities for advancing federalism in Nepal over the next 5 years. The ProDoc has focused on three outcomes for Federal, Provincial and LG level impacts, each with three related outputs. Three outcomes include: Outcome 1: Federal level government institutions and inter-governmental mechanisms are fully functional in support of federal governance as per the Constitution; Outcome 2: Provincial governments have efficient, effective, inclusive, and accountable institutions and organizations; Outcome 3: Local governments have capacity for Good Governance and for delivering inclusive basic services to all people. Furthermore, there are 9 outputs against the outcome mentioned. Four cross-cutting thematic streams: (i) Inclusive federalism acts, regulations, policies, and strategies; (ii) Collaboration within and across federal institutions and governments, and civic engagement; (iii) Supportive systems and tools for PLG inclusive federalism capacity; (iv) capacity development and transformation (applied to all 3 levels) have also been defined and articulated well. The programme considers the broad principles and approaches including focus on federal devolution, transparency, and accountability, embedding transformative gender and diversity/inclusion agenda, human rights based and participatory approach, devolved, contextual and flexible programme design and implementation and adaptive programming. Further, unpacking structural barriers in political institutions, promoting ownership and trust in provincial and local government system and changing power dynamics in government institutions addressing intersectionality are the expected pathways for Gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) transformation in the programme. Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration (MoFAGA) is the executing agency of the GoN for PLGSP in collaboration with the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers Provincial and Local Governments.

UNDP as the partner of PLGSP and Technical Assistance (TA) provider, has been working with the MoFAGA on the implementation of PLGSP since its inception. The TA component of the programme has also been revised accordingly to facilitate the transformation in the behaviours of the authorities towards federalism for inclusive service delivery, it is fully aligned with revised PLGSP incorporating learnings from the earlier TA engagement. The intent of the revised TA is to leverage UNDP’s technical expertise and facilitation role to support positive transformations that enable implementation of federalism in Nepal, ultimately contributing to more inclusive and effective delivery of inclusive services by PLGs to their people especially for the most marginalized and women.

To this effect, TA will support PLGs for their institutional and organizational capacities. The TA support to federal government will help develop and implement necessary laws and policies to strengthen inter-governmental relationships thereby supporting cooperative federalism. To attain the sustainable achievement described above, TA has been categorized into Implementation Support TA (ISTA) and Transformational TA. ISTA focuses more on supporting the governments in the implementation of PLGs thereby building their institutional and individual capacities. Whereas Transformational TA focuses more on supporting behavioural transformation through research and analysis as well as providing high level expertise as needed. Overall, the TA staff (ISTA and Transformational TA) works together in close coordination with each other in overall guidance of respective government and UNDP Country Office.

Position Summary:

The position holder has a key role in strengthening capacity of the P/LGs in monitoring, learning and evaluation. The incumbent will support Office of the Chief Minister and Council of Ministers (OCMCM) and Provincial Research Training Academy (PRTA) to develop system and tools (M&E framework, progress tracking systems/software etc.) for PLGSP progress reporting and beyond. Furthermore, s/he will also be responsible to develop monitoring and evaluation framework to closely monitor the programme progress and impact at the community level.

The Monitoring, Learning & Evaluation Analyst will report to and work under the direct supervision of the Provincial Programme Coordination Analyst and under the guidance of the Provincial Programme Manager (PPM) and the Provincial Programme Director (PPD).

The position contributes primarily to outputs 4,5,6,7,8,9 of the programme.

Monitor the Programme implementation at provincial and local government level:

• Follow the implementation of the PLGSP programme at provincial and local government levels.
• Develop annual monitoring plan and ensure the effective accomplishment of the deliverables set in the results frameworks.
• Prepare progress reports in coordination with the Provincial Programme Manager.
• Update the Monitoring and Learning Framework of the programme and provide necessary support to the provincial and local implementation units.
• Organize joint visits of the Provincial and Local Governments and development partners. Monitor the risk, update the risk log of the programme and suggest mitigation measures.
• Serve as resource person in relation to programme scope and results including, outputs and their indicators.
• Periodically monitor the progress made in the joint financing arrangement of the programme and brief to the Provincial Programme Director (PPD) / Provincial Programme Manager (PPM), and development partners.

Provide oversight and strengthen coordination on all monitoring and learning activities:

• Oversee the M&E programme activities in accordance with the M&L plan and approved programme indicators.
• Oversee and be responsible for development of quality Performance Framework for the programme jointly with partners and M&L team.
• Provide overall guidance to the implementing partners/unit in the planning and programming process from monitoring point of view.
• Support in development and introduction of effective M&L tools, procedures and templates for partners work plans monitoring, including gathering, processing and analysis of data on performance (including outcome & impact level).
• Ensure development and implementation of recommendations on gathering, processing and analysis of data, considering innovative approaches and tools.
• Support to Design, coordinate and manage research activities and timely sharing of the findings with partners.
• Develop monitoring/site visits plans within the programme framework and conduct the visits in close coordination with the provincial and local government partners.

Ensure effective reporting and knowledge management of the planned results and support on capacity building of the partners:

• Coordinate and ensure quality of routine reporting of the programme progress according to reporting requirements as well as other applicable national procedures and requirements.
• Conduct quarterly analysis of the data on programme indicators’ realization, quality of services and summarize reports on programme realization for concrete periods of time.
• Provide advise Provincial Programme Support Unit (PPSU) management, on implementation challenges and provide support in resolving obstacles and bottlenecks.
• Develop training module/manual on monitoring, learning and knowledge management.
• Provide support to the PRTA in developing training and induction/orientation.

Ensure strengthening gender and social inclusion work through programme interventions:

• Provide advice and guidance on strengthening gender & social inclusion initiatives in the M&E programme plan and implementation process.
• Facilitate in designing tools and indicators to mapping GESI issues through M&E systems.
• Ensure the reports generate GESI desegregated data and information which can be accessed by the respective programme teams.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Business Management:

• Results-based Management: Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results.
• Partnerships Management: Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts, and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies.
• 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; Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media, and another appropriate channel.
• Working with Evidence and Data: Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions and supporting decision-making
• Monitoring: Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities and programme performance and results
• Evaluation: Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks; Ability to anticipate client’s upcoming needs and concerns.

2030 Agenda: People

• Gender: Gender Mainstreaming.

2030 Agenda: Peace

• Governance: Inclusion and Participation