M&E Planning International Consultant

Background

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security.

UN Women’s China Office in Beijing supports and carries out work on (i) enhancing women's economic empowerment; (ii) ending violence against women; and (iii) innovative work to address gender issues in China. In addition to the above, UN Women also actively participates and contributes to various UN inter-agency processes and collaborates with UN organizations around specific programme areas.

UN Women China Office is seeking a exprienced consultant to support the senior management in Monitor and Evluation, strategic planning, and UN Coordination. The Consultant will work closely with the Head of Office and UN Women China Team.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Office, the Consultant is responsible for the following tasks:

1. Provide technical support to the Head of Office in strategic planning for the UN Women China office

Provide technical support on the formulation of concept notes for UN Women's intervention areas;
Develop country programming processes and products, including the annual workplan, strategic note, and programme/ project documents, the implementation of UNSDCF and other UN system joint programming documents.
Follow up on required action/outstanding issues and report on outcome/ result. Alert the Head of Office/ CO on critical issues to be addressed.
Liaison with RO planning and M&E specialists to ensure alignment to the corporate standards related to planning, monitoring and evaluation.
Prepare briefing notes, and any other strategic notes or documents for the UN Women Head of Office

2. Provide technical support to the Head of Office on inter-agency coordination

Participate in and provide support to joint inter-agency UN planning processes and similar exercises.
Prepare briefing materials for the office on issues to be discussed in the UN and other events and meetings.
Provide technical support to UNCT in monitoring and reporting and prepare analytical and regular progress reports on UN Women’s programme experiences.
Leading drafting and finalization of reporting requirements to the UNCT in consultation and collaboration with UN Women programme team as needed
Provide substantive support and representation at conferences and meetings, joint programme development, joint advocacy, and research in collaboration with the Country Representative as required.
Support UNCT-SWAP assessment and follow-up

3. Provide guidance and technical support in incorporating monitoring and reporting into programme formulation and overall management of tracking, monitoring, and reporting on results

Provide technical support and quality assurance of programme documents through review of results frameworks (aligned to SMART indicators), M&E plans and establishment of M&E mechanism in the programme design phase working closely with the programme teams.
Manage the development of monitoring indicators, monitoring calendars, and field monitoring plans and quality assurance processes; ensure use of relevant evaluation findings, conclusions and recommendations are incorporated to programme formulation.
Coordinate and finalize annual work plan monitoring, reviews, and reporting.
Provide technical and hands-on support to programme teams in developing Monitoring Frameworks (PMFs) including targets and indicators as well as Baseline Surveys.
Draft and finalize UN Women annual report as well as other corporate reporting requirements as per set deadlines/timelines
Ensure the availability (including collecting and maintaining) of data for related reporting requirements, mid-term reviews, and final evaluations.

4. Facilitate knowledge management and capacity development related to planning, Monitoring, evaluation, and reporting

Manage the development and dissemination of good practices and lessons learned; ensure incorporation into programme planning.
Undertake capacity development of UN Women China team, particularly for strengthening results-based planning and M&E of programmes and projects.
Promote the awareness and understanding of the shared responsibility of Monitoring & Reporting among all staff members through communication, training, learning and hands-on technical assistance.
Quality assurance of China office’s inputs and reporting requirements to UNCT and corporately (i.e., annual report, quarterly report, etc.)
Establish and manage database of office’s knowledge products, planning and programme management tools and resources

Deliverables and Timelines

Deliverables

Tasks

Timelines

Monthly progress report on the tasks an responsibilities defined in the scope of work in the ToR.

Quality technical support provided to Head of Office in strategic planning, inter-agency coordiniation, incorporating monitoring and reporting into programme formulation and overall management of tracking, monitoring, and reporting on results; and facilitate knowledge management and capacity development related to planning, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting. The specific tasks include:

Coordinate and finalize annual work plan monitoring, reviews, and reporting.
Follow up on required action/outstanding issues and report on outcome/ result. Alert the Head of Office/ CO on critical issues to be addressed.
Liaison with RO planning and M&E specialists to ensure alignment to the corporate standards related to planning, monitoring and evaluation.
Support biannual work planning process including review of M&E, compliance to RBM, quality assurance and drafting
Support UNCT-SWAP assessment including interagency coordination, follow-up, writing report and validation

30 Nov 2021

Monthly progress report on the tasks an responsibilities defined in the scope of work in the ToR.

Quality technical support provided to Head of Office in strategic planning, inter-agency coordiniation, incorporating monitoring and reporting into programme formulation and overall management of tracking, monitoring, and reporting on results; and facilitate knowledge management and capacity development related to planning, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting. The specific tasks include:

Coordinate and finalize annual work plan monitoring, reviews, and reporting (continued task).
Provide technical and hands-on support to programme teams in developing Monitoring Frameworks (PMFs) including targets and indicators as well as Baseline Surveys.
Draft and finalize UN Women annual report as well as other corporate reporting requirements as per set deadlines/timelines
Support UNCT-SWAP assessment including interagency coordination, follow-up, writing report and validation
Input into UN Women’s annual newsletter including collating information and coordinating with teams when needed

31 Dec 2021

Monthly progress report on the tasks an responsibilities defined in the scope of work in the ToR.

Quality technical support provided to Head of Office in strategic planning, inter-agency coordiniation, incorporating monitoring and reporting into programme formulation and overall management of tracking, monitoring, and reporting on results; and facilitate knowledge management and capacity development related to planning, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting. The specific tasks include:

Draft and finalize UN Women annual report as well as other corporate reporting requirements as per set deadlines/timelines (continued task)

Provide technical support to UNCT in monitoring and reporting and prepare analytical and regular progress reports on UN Women’s programme experiences.
Finalize UNCT-SWAP report in close coordination with RCO
Leading drafting and finalization of reporting requirements to the UNCT in consultation and collaboration with UN Women programme team as needed
Quality assurance of China office’s inputs and reporting requirements to UNCT and corporately (i.e., annual report, quarterly report, etc.)
Input into UN Women’s annual newsletter including collating information and coordinating with teams when needed

31 Jan 2022

Monthly progress report on the tasks an responsibilities defined in the scope of work in the ToR.

Quality technical support provided to Head of Office in strategic planning, inter-agency coordiniation, incorporating monitoring and reporting into programme formulation and overall management of tracking, monitoring, and reporting on results; and facilitate knowledge management and capacity development related to planning, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting. The specific tasks include:

Prepare briefing notes, and any other strategic notes or documents for the UN Women Head of Office
Provide technical support and quality assurance of programme documents through review of results frameworks (aligned to SMART indicators), M&E plans and establishment of M&E mechanism in the programme design phase working closely with the programme teams.
Manage the development of monitoring indicators, monitoring calendars, and field monitoring plans and quality assurance processes; ensure use of relevant evaluation findings, conclusions and recommendations are incorporated to programme formulation.
Input into UN Women’s annual newsletter including collating information and coordinating with teams when needed

28 Feb 2022

Monthly progress report on the tasks an responsibilities defined in the scope of work in the ToR.

Quality technical support provided to Head of Office in strategic planning, inter-agency coordiniation, incorporating monitoring and reporting into programme formulation and overall management of tracking, monitoring, and reporting on results; and facilitate knowledge management and capacity development related to planning, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting. The specific tasks include:

Manage the development and dissemination of good practices and lessons learned; ensure incorporation into programme planning.
Undertake capacity development of UN Women China team, particularly for strengthening results-based planning and M&E of programmes and projects.
Promote the awareness and understanding of the shared responsibility of Monitoring & Reporting among all staff members through communication, training, learning and hands-on technical assistance.
Establish and manage database of office’s knowledge products, planning and programme management tools and resources

31 March 2022

Competencies

Core Values:

Respect for Diversity
Integrity
Professionalism

Core Competencies:

Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues
Accountability
Effective Communication
Inclusive Collaboration

Functional Competencies:

Proficiency in computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.);
Ability to work independently under tight deadline

Required Skills and Experience

Experience and required qualifications

Minimum educational requirement: Master’s degree in in the field of international development, gender studies, social science, public policy, or other related area.
At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience working on strategic programme planning processes, multi-sector/partner coordination, and results-based planning and management.
Demonstrated experience in monitoring and reporting of programmes including development of M&E mechanisms (indicators, targets) of programmes;
Experience working in gender equality and women’s rights at the international level is an asset;
Experience in development of annual reports and document is highly desirable
Experience working within the UN system, Agencies, Funds or Programs is preferred
Candidate based in Beijing and/or China, available to visit UN Women office (when needed) is preferred as many of the deliverables are time-sensitive and require engaging with UN Women and members of UN country Team in China.
Fluency in English is required.