UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet. UNDP has been working in Afghanistan for more than 50 years on climate change and resilience, gender, governance, health, livelihoods, and rule of law. Under the broader framework of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and in close coordination with other UN agencies, UNDP is supporting Afghan people’s aspiration for peace, prosperity, and sustainability. UNDP is currently implementing its flagship crisis response programme, ABADEI (Area Based Approach to Development Emergency Initiatives), as part of the ongoing UN-led response to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe and the breakdown of Afghanistan’s economy following the August 2021 shift in power.

As a trusted, long-term partner of The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (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. Within the HIV, Health and Development Group, Bureau of Programme and Policy Support, Global Policy Network the Global Fund – Health Implementation Support Team (GF/HIST) is a dedicated team providing support to UNDP Country Offices implementing health and development programmes. 

In Afghanistan, UNDP is the interim Principal Recipient  for the three diseases, HIV, TB and malaria and health system strengthening (the ‘Grant’). The country has also accessed additional GF resources for the COVID-19 response (C19RM), which is consolidated with the Grant and is being implemented by UNDP Afghanistan. For effective implementation of the Global Fund portfolio, UNDP Afghanistan has established a Program Management Unit (PMU), which 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.

The Monitoring and Evaluation Officer (M&E Analyst) will provide overall technical leadership for the M&E approach and strategy for the project. Under direct supervision of the Deputy Programme Manager, the M&E Specialist will provide M&E expertise in the development and implementation of the M&E strategy, build capacities of staff and local partners and ensure that data quality standards are monitored, met and reported in a timely manner. The M&E Specialist will undertake monitoring and evaluation of the Global Fund grant. S/he will lead in identifying M&E technical needs of SRs and make appropriate recommendations, and follow up on these with the support of the M&E team. The M&E Specialist will promote a collaborative, client-oriented approach, ensuring integration across functional areas within the PMU, policy integration in coordination with the Country Office, Regional Bureaus, other UNDP business units, GF/HIST and support to the integration of capacity and health system strengthening activities in the area of monitoring and evaluation. 

 

The M&E Specialist for the Global Fund grant reports to the Deputy Programme Manager. 

Ensure the implementation of monitoring and evaluation policies and strategies, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Lead the finalization of the monitoring and evaluation framework of the Global Fund project and ensure its implementation in compliance with UNDP rules, policies and procedures and corporate agreement with the Global Fund;
• Ensure the update of the performance framework of the Global Fund grant in coordination with the national programmes and technical partners;
• Develop monitoring and evaluation tools and processes for the Global Fund grant;
• Review and if necessary, revise the SR reporting system to UNDP, for processing data in accordance with agreed procedures and producing the necessary information;
• Ensure regular monitoring of programmatic activities carried out in the field through the supervision provided by the Sub-recipients (SRs) and by UNDP;
• Provide technical support to SRs to strengthen their monitoring and evaluation systems;
• Coordinate with the SRs to ensure the finalization and updating of the Monitoring and Evaluation plan of the National Strategic Plan;
• Develops and maintains an organizational structure to ensure UNDP is resourced to deliver its commitments, leads on the recruitment of monitoring and evaluation staff, contractors, service providers, fostering diversity, equity and inclusion and builds the technical, management and leadership capacity of staff for promotion of organizational excellence; 
• Strengthen systems and tools, and training materials to train staff of the implementing partner;
• Conduct an assessment of the M&E capacity of SRs, and develop and lead the implementation of a capacity development plan;
• Provide technical advice for the implementation of the M&E plan, through training and other types of support;
• Facilitate the review of progress on a quarterly basis and ensure resolution of bottlenecks through corrective actions;
• Ensure that any disparity between expected and actual results is addressed in coordination with the Project Coordinator;
• Identify potential implementation difficulties and bottlenecks and recommend appropriate strategies to address them;
• Manage and lead the monitoring and evaluation process of the Global Fund grant;
• Prepare quarterly and annual updates of the project’s programmatic progress;
• Coordinate the compilation of data and report to the Project Coordinator;  
• Ensure detailed documentation of progress and results (report of each activity, study, etc.) and ensure reporting to the Global Fund every 6 months or as required (results, data quality, explanations of performance, and proposals for strengthening (if the results are underperforming); and 
• Coordinate the progress update process and ensure that all LFA queries are addressed in a timely manner.

Ensure effective management of the monitoring and evaluation process, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Ensure that project monitoring processes comply with the Global Fund grant agreement; 
• Support activities to strengthen the national health information system, and support cross-cutting data validation and analysis activities;
• Set up and ensure the management of a project database;
• Identify the strengths and weaknesses, and make consequent proposals for improving the management of the project databases (collection, quality control, processing, archiving and dissemination);
• Review the programmatic reports of the SRs, provide comments on the implementation of their activities and on the quality of the reports presented by the SRs;
• Ensure the implementation of project activities in accordance with work plans, with timely identification of delays and possible solutions to them;
• Participate and contribute to the coordination and harmonization of interventions in the field (mapping);
• Participate in external supervision and evaluation missions of the Global Fund and other agencies by facilitating access to M&E data, as required;
• Coordinate monitoring and evaluation activities in relation to ANPASH, NTP, MVDP and other  SRs;
• Ensure the quarterly programming of Global Fund activities by the PMU and SRs; and 
• Follow up on the implementation of recommendations from assessments / spot checks and audits and under the direction of the Project Coordinator contribute to the preparation of the OAI and SR audits, meetings with auditors and the timely implementation of follow-up recommendations. 

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

• Identify and formulate lessons learned and document best practices of evaluations and studies to be incorporated into project reports;
• Collaborate and coordinate with other UN agencies, government agencies, NGOs and other organizations on monitoring and evaluation issues;
• Document and disseminate the experience acquired in the country in partnership with national and provincial programs;
• Ensure the implementation of training in M&E and on the health information system and / or capacity building of the SR staff and implementing partners involved in the implementation. implementation of the Global Fund grant;
• Maintain cooperative relationships with all key stakeholders, including sub-recipients; policy makers and partners / donors. Participate in meetings with stakeholders as requested by Project Coordinator;
• Participate in external supervision and evaluation missions of the Global Fund and other agencies by facilitating access to M&E data as needed; and 
• Actively participates in UNDP and other relevant external networks to promote the programmes and UNDP’s health and development work (e.g., conferences, community of practice, Yammer) and represents UNDP in relevant technical meetings, working groups at country, regional and global level and gathers lessons learnt to apply to the programmes.

Ensures facilitation of capacity building and transition planning focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Engages with the SRs, national partners, UN entities, technical partners to strengthen national systems and health institutions, across functional area of monitoring and evaluation, and implementation of a training plan/curriculum for the SRs’ and PMU staff on financial and accounting staff;
• Support capacity assessment of monitoring and evaluation (M&E) functions of the SRs and propose capacity development plans to strengthen M&E; 
• Collaborate and coordinates with national partners, UN agencies, government agencies, NGOs, technical partners and other organizations on monitoring and evaluation good practices;
• Coordinates with the PMU unit heads on the engagement with national partners and oversees the development of capacity development and transition strategies to support national entities to implement and assume the PR role, ensuring access to appropriate tools and resources; 
• Maintain proactive partnerships with all key stakeholders, policy makers and donor partners; and 
• Support capacity development of national M&E systems to facilitate the transition of the PR role to the national counterparts.

Any other tasks or duties requested by the Deputy Programme Manager.

Core competencies: 

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning
• Adapt with Agility:  LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making 

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:

Business Direction and Strategy    

• Negotiation and Influence: Ability to reach an understanding, persuade others, resolve points of difference, gain advantage in the outcome of dialogue, negotiate mutually acceptable solutions through compromise and create ‘win-win’ situation

Business Development

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

Business Management    

• Project Management: Ability to plan, organise, prioritise and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goal
• 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

Partnership    

• Relationship Management: Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding

Digital & Innovation

• Innovation capacity building: Ability to define and create the conditions for trying out new ways of working or introducing new problem solving approaches to an organisation. Ability to develop, manage and evaluate a learning curriculum that raises awareness, builds confidence, strengthens innovation capabilities around a certain method, tool or technique; or helps develop an innovation mindset. Ability to create the authorising environment (mandate, incentives) to embed and spread new ways of working. In-depth knowledge of one or more innovation methods, broad knowledge of innovation processes and innovation management. Ability to align a learning and development strategy with broader innovation strategy.

HIV, Health and Development

• Access to treatment and quality services: Knowledge of access to treatment and quality services, policy and principles and strategic and/or practical situations for communicable and non-communicable diseases

 

Education:

• Master’s Degree in Public Health, Business Administration, Public Administration, or relevant field.
• A Bachelor’s degree Public Health, Business Administration, Public Administration or relevant field with additional two years of experience is required.

Experience:

• With Master’s degree (2) years and with Bachelor’s degree (4) years of relevant experience in the area of managing  health   programmes.
• Excellent analytical aptitude, communication, writing and presentation skills.
• Demonstrates track record of good working experience with national stakeholders and partners.  
• Demonstrates ability to function at both policy advisory and project implementation levels.
• Experience in monitoring and evaluation of  health programmes is an asset
• Knowledge of Global Fund’s rules, policies and procedures and reporting to the Global Fund.
• Previous UN or UNDP work experience is an asset.
• Demonstrated experience of donor reporting is an asset.
• Demonstrated understanding of National Strategic Plans for HIV and related international policies and institutionalization issues is desirable.

Required Languages:

• Proficiency in English is required – both written and verbal communication.
• Fluency in local language of duty station Dari and/or Pashto is required.

Travel:

• The M&E Specialist is required to make travels to the provinces for the purpose of supervision, monitoring and evaluation of the Global Fund programme. 

• Any travel associated with performing the functions of the M&E Specialist shall be payable by UNDP as per applicable Policy.