Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established in 1946, operates in over 190 countries and territories with a mission to save children's lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential. The organization is committed to promoting the rights of every child and offers diverse opportunities for professional and personal development. UNICEF is known for its passionate culture and attractive compensation and benefits package, aiming to build careers while serving children and communities globally.

Job Overview:
The Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist position is critical for ensuring that UNICEF Country Offices and the Regional Office in West and Central Africa (WCA) have timely, accurate, and disaggregated knowledge regarding the situation of children. This role involves understanding emerging issues and progress towards achieving development objectives for children, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and national development plans. The incumbent will work closely with various stakeholders to align regional work with UNICEF’s strategic priorities and deliver comprehensive monitoring efforts. The position requires the development of a well-prioritized monitoring plan that integrates various monitoring levels, ensuring that the monitoring work translates into actionable evidence for decision-making processes regarding UNICEF interventions and national programs.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist include developing a comprehensive monitoring plan that encompasses all monitoring levels, ensuring alignment with CO-level monitoring work, and updating the plan as necessary. The specialist will provide technical guidance to strengthen national monitoring systems across various sectors, lead efforts to enhance the capacity of the Regional Office and Country Offices for monitoring, and integrate monitoring work into a strategic framework aligned with UNICEF’s Global Monitoring Framework. Additionally, the role involves fostering cross-sectoral monitoring work, generating analytical products for advocacy and planning, and representing UNICEF in various monitoring platforms and initiatives. The specialist will also oversee the integration of advanced analytics and innovation into monitoring functions and ensure compliance with UNICEF standards related to data protection and quality.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in social sciences, statistics, development, or a related area. They should have a minimum of 8 years of professional experience in monitoring the situation of children, including data analysis and interpretation. A solid understanding of UNICEF sector programs, child rights indicators, and statistical programming languages such as STATA, SPSS, R, or Python is essential. Familiarity with innovative monitoring methods and tools, as well as experience in Africa or similar developing contexts, is highly desirable.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree in social sciences, statistics, development, or a related field. This educational foundation is crucial for understanding the complexities of child rights, data analysis, and the development landscape in which UNICEF operates.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 8 years of professional experience in monitoring and evaluation, particularly in contexts related to children. Candidates should have a strong background in data analysis, statistical inference methods, and familiarity with UNICEF’s sector programs and child-centered indicators. Experience in both development and humanitarian contexts is highly valued, as is a solid understanding of the challenges faced in Africa and similar regions.

Languages:
Fluency in both French and English is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset, particularly in the context of working in diverse regions and with various stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This position is likely to be full-time and may involve international recruitment. UNICEF emphasizes the importance of diversity and inclusion in its workforce and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, including women and individuals with disabilities. The organization offers a comprehensive benefits package, including paid parental leave and reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. Candidates should be aware that UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy regarding misconduct and is committed to safeguarding the rights of children.