Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning, Accountability and Reporting (MELR) Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women, established in July 2010, is dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. It was created as part of the UN reform agenda to consolidate resources and mandates for greater impact. UN Women merges the work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system focused on gender equality and women's empowerment. The organization operates globally, with a mission to eliminate discrimination against women and girls, empower women, and achieve equality between women and men. UN Women South Sudan specifically supports the government in implementing commitments to international frameworks on gender equality and women's human rights, focusing on various strategic initiatives through the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2023–2026 and the UN Women South Sudan Strategic Note 2023–202

• The organization collaborates with a wide range of stakeholders, including government entities, civil society, and development partners, to promote gender equality and women's empowerment in South Sudan.

Job Overview:
The Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning, Accountability and Reporting (MELR) Specialist will lead the design, planning, and implementation of robust monitoring, evaluation, and reporting systems for the South Sudan Women’s Social and Economic Empowerment Project (SSWSEEP). This role is crucial for ensuring evidence-based decision-making and accountability by generating timely, high-quality data and communicating results to stakeholders. The MELR Specialist will work closely with the Country Office M&E team and collaborate with program and operations teams, as well as the SSWSEEP Project Management Unit (PMU) at the Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare (MGCSW). The position requires a strong focus on developing a comprehensive MELR framework that captures the complexity of women's empowerment across various dimensions, facilitating stakeholder engagement, and ensuring alignment with national and international frameworks.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The MELR Specialist will be responsible for a wide range of duties, including leading the development of a comprehensive MELR framework, facilitating multi-stakeholder engagement, conducting framework validation, ensuring vertical coherence with existing frameworks, integrating corporate standards, developing transformative indicators, and establishing outcome harvesting mechanisms. The role also involves designing SMART+ indicators, creating indicator reference sheets, developing comprehensive disaggregation requirements, assessing technology landscapes, and establishing data governance protocols. The Specialist will conduct systematic field visits, engage beneficiaries in monitoring activities, analyze monitoring data, and support evidence-based adjustments to project strategies. Additionally, the MELR Specialist will contribute to reporting strategies, develop interactive dashboards, and create multilingual materials to communicate results effectively.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong knowledge of program formulation and implementation, Results-Based Management, monitoring and evaluation, evaluation design, data collection and analysis, and reporting. They should have the ability to synthesize program performance data and produce analytical reports, along with strong analytical and report writing skills. Familiarity with UN program management systems is also essential. The role requires a commitment to gender issues and the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders.

Educational Background:
A master’s degree (or equivalent) in Political or Social Science, Economics, International Development Studies, or Gender/Women's Studies is required. A first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. A project/programme management certification (such as PMP®, PRINCE2®, or MSP®) would be an added advantage.

Experience:
At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience at the national or international level in monitoring and reporting of development projects/programmes is required. Experience within the United Nations systems is desirable, along with field experience. Proficiency in using computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and experience in handling web-based management systems are also required. Familiarity with modern web-based Enterprise Resource Planning Systems, preferably Oracle Cloud, is desirable.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language, such as Arabic, is desirable.

Additional Notes:
The position is full-time and involves working closely with various stakeholders, including government entities and civil society organizations. UN Women is committed to diversity and inclusion, ensuring that recruitment and employment practices are free from discrimination. Selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks, including verification of academic credentials and employment history. The organization has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct incompatible with its aims and objectives, including sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment, and discrimination.