Monitoring Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
The consultancy is being conducted under the auspices of the National Population Council (NPC) of Egypt, which is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the National Strategy for Population and Development. The NPC aims to address population issues through strategic planning and policy implementation, aligning with Egypt's Vision 2030 for sustainable development. The organization works closely with various stakeholders, including UNFPA, to ensure effective governance and resource allocation in population-related initiatives.

Job Overview:
The Monitoring Consultant will play a crucial role in providing independent monitoring and quality assurance for the Accelerated Plan (2025-2027) of the National Strategy for Population and Development. This position requires a comprehensive understanding of the strategic pillars outlined in the plan, which include reproductive rights, human capital investment, education, communication for development, and women's empowerment. The consultant will assess the quality of progress towards achieving the targets set by the NPC, identify challenges, and offer actionable recommendations to ensure the successful implementation of the plan. The consultant will work under the supervision of both the UNFPA Population and Development Analyst and the NPC Rapporteur, ensuring a collaborative approach to monitoring and evaluation.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Monitoring Consultant include:

• Monitoring Progress: Reviewing progress reports from the identified 'red zones', enhancing the monitoring framework, conducting site visits, and advising on resource utilization.
• Quality Assurance: Assessing the quality of interventions, identifying bottlenecks, and providing recommendations for improvement.
• Data Analysis and Reporting: Analyzing both quantitative and qualitative data, preparing monthly monitoring reports, and contributing to consolidated reports for stakeholders.
• Capacity Building and Governance: Supporting the monitoring capacities of local teams, assessing work distribution, participating in coordination meetings, and providing insights on decentralized approaches within the red zones. The consultant will also be responsible for delivering a comprehensive monitoring framework and tools, regular monitoring reports, and a final report summarizing the consultancy's findings and recommendations.

Required Qualifications:
The ideal candidate for the Monitoring Consultant position should possess the following qualifications:

• An advanced degree in public health, development studies, demography, social sciences, or a related field.
• A minimum of 7 years of experience in monitoring and evaluating development programs, particularly in population and development contexts.
• A strong understanding of both quantitative and qualitative monitoring and evaluation methodologies.
• Expertise in governance frameworks and best practices related to monitoring and evaluation.
• Excellent analytical, report writing, and communication skills.
• Prior experience working with government institutions and UN agencies is considered an asset, as is familiarity with the National Strategy for Population and Development.

Educational Background:
Candidates must have an advanced degree in a relevant field such as public health, development studies, demography, or social sciences. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of population dynamics and development strategies, which are critical to the role of Monitoring Consultant.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience in monitoring and evaluating development programs. This experience should ideally be in the field of population and development, demonstrating a strong capability in both quantitative and qualitative methodologies. Candidates should have a proven track record of working effectively in similar roles, particularly in contexts involving government and international organizations.

Languages:
Fluency in both English and Arabic is mandatory for this position. This bilingual requirement is crucial for effective communication with local stakeholders, as well as for the preparation of reports and documentation that may need to be presented in both languages. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset but is not required.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to last for four months, during which the consultant will conduct one field visit per week to the designated 'red zones'. The travel plan for these visits will need to be coordinated with both the NPC and UNFPA. The position is full-time, and the consultant will be expected to provide regular updates on progress, challenges, and recommendations throughout the consultancy period.