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MEL Officer Global Thematic Centres
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BACKGROUND
The Institutional Performance, Monitoring and Evaluation Unit (IPME) is a team situated in the Corporate Services under the Deputy Director-General. The unit's purpose is to support IUCN's strategy and programme execution at all levels. As such, it drives greater accountability, performance, assurance and overall organisational effectiveness.
As the organisation's centre of expertise and excellence on programme, portfolio and project management, strategic planning and implementation, performance management, assurance, and risk management, the unit leads on these functions from establishing normative and operational frameworks to ensuring their optimal implementation. The unit is therefore the custodian of many IUCN policies, normative/operational frameworks and guidelines. It is responsible for ensuring their relevance to institutional needs through continuous monitoring, improvements and change management. It ensures that owned policies and frameworks are appropriately implemented by monitoring their respective level of compliance, making continuous improvements, and providing direct support and capacity building to relevant IUCN staff.
The unit takes a holistic approach by addressing staff skills, mindsets, and behaviours alongside processes, methodologies and tools through the use of business analysis, solution development and monitoring and evaluation. Through the development of performance and assurance management capability, the unit assists IUCN in achieving greater impact.
As the organisation's centre of expertise and excellence on programme, portfolio and project management, strategic planning and implementation, performance management, assurance, and risk management, the unit leads on these functions from establishing normative and operational frameworks to ensuring their optimal implementation. The unit is therefore the custodian of many IUCN policies, normative/operational frameworks and guidelines. It is responsible for ensuring their relevance to institutional needs through continuous monitoring, improvements and change management. It ensures that owned policies and frameworks are appropriately implemented by monitoring their respective level of compliance, making continuous improvements, and providing direct support and capacity building to relevant IUCN staff.
The unit takes a holistic approach by addressing staff skills, mindsets, and behaviours alongside processes, methodologies and tools through the use of business analysis, solution development and monitoring and evaluation. Through the development of performance and assurance management capability, the unit assists IUCN in achieving greater impact.
JOB DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND:
The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) is a membership Union composed of both government and civil society organisations. IUCN’s mission is to influence, encourage and assist societies throughout the world to conserve the integrity and diversity of nature, and to ensure that any use of natural resources is equitable and ecologically sustainable. With over 75 years of experience, it harnesses the experience, resources and reach of its more than 1,400 Member organisations and the input of more than 15,000 experts. IUCN is the global authority on the status of the natural world and the measures needed to safeguard it. The IUCN Secretariat has offices located all around the world and is headquartered in Gland, Switzerland.
Every four years, the IUCN membership adopts a quadrennial Programme that guides the work of the Union, especially that of the IUCN Secretariat. The Secretariat implements the IUCN Programme through a growing portfolio of over 400 projects across the world that are designed to respond to country, donor, and IUCN priorities.
IUCN’s Global Thematic Centres implement projects designed, led and co-implemented with IUCN’s Regional Offices, Commissions and Members. This position supports projects with identified MEL needs at all stages of the project life cycle (design, implementation and closure) and may include support for monitoring indicators of biodiversity and socio-economic conditions, as well as monitoring implementation of risk management and environmental and social safeguards.
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES
This position leads the design and implementation of the following IUCN standards for Performance and Accountability within projects in which IUCN is the executing agency/entity:
• The design and implementation of planning, monitoring and evaluation approaches and instruments at proposal stage and in accordance with IUCN’s requirements (e.g., situation analysis, risk analysis, theory of change (ToC), logical framework, indicator selection, performance measurement framework, monitoring evaluation and learning plan, baselines, surveys, etc.).
• The implementation of monitoring, evaluation and learning activities, in coordination with the project team.
• Input and analysis to aspects of project reporting to donors, namely against project results framework and indicators. Project donor reporting is the responsibility of the Project Manager.
• Input to the project(s) contributions to institutional reporting against IUCN indicators. Institutional reporting is the responsibility of the Country Office / Programme Manager.
• The facilitation of adaptive management and learning throughout the project(s) based on monitoring and evaluation data and findings.
• The facilitation of risk analysis processes on a quarterly basis, based on the project´s risk register defined for the project.
• Support the project manager to monitor and update the project´s data and status in the IUCN Project Portal.
• Input to the finalisation and closure of projects according to IUCN requirements.
• The management of required independent project evaluations, including contribution to ToRs development, review of evaluation deliverables, facilitation of preparation of management response, and overall support on evaluation management when required.
Working under the direct supervision of the MEL Coordinator, with technical guidance from the Regional Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Coordinator (Regional MEL Coordinator), the Project MEAL Officer is responsible for the design and implementation of planning, monitoring, evaluation, and learning processes that ensure adequate measure of the project’s/projects’ performance against donor and IUCN performance standards. This includes developing, managing, and implementing the project’s planning, monitoring, and evaluation components, contributing to the development of respective workplans and budgets to ensure sufficient resourcing for performance and accountability related activities, and facilitating learning processes with the project team(s).
The MEL Officer is also responsible for the management and implementation of the project performance management and accountability efforts, coordinating the activities and inputs of project team members including with partners and IUCN Members. She/he/they will ensure quality assurance and alignment with institutional policies, practices, standards, and systems, including the Project Guidelines and Standards (PGS), the Project Appraisal and Approval System (PAAS), and other donor specific contractual requirements.
She/he also supports the Project Managers in ensuring that project risk management and environmental and social safeguards under the IUCN Enterprise Risk Management Policy and the IUCN Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS) are embedded in the design of the interventions and effectively implemented.
As a subject matter expert on performance, planning, monitoring, evaluation, and learning, she/he/they provides technical support and capacity development to project managers and project team members.
SPECIFIC DUTIES
Design and planning
1.Through technical expertise and operational guidance, support the Project Managers on designing and planning, leading on the theory of change, results framework, and monitoring and evaluation plan.
2.Ensure alignment of the intervention results and indicators with IUCN strategic goals and priorities (global, regional, national, and thematic) and with the principles laid out in the One Programme Charter.
3.Lead the design and development of monitoring tools, including quantitative and qualitative indicators, and MEAL processes.
4.Provide input on the level of effort and resources required to support all planned performance and accountability activities.
5.Support the formulation of baseline measures and targets during proposal writing, project inception, and throughout project implementation.
Implementation, monitoring and reporting
6.Manage and coordinate the conduct of performance and accountability activities in a timely and efficient manner.
7.Support the implementation of monitoring tools and processes to ensure that activities are on-track and contributing to the achievement of stated performance objectives, results, the IUCN Programme, and contractual obligations.
8.Ensure that the performance measurement framework enables accurate and effective quantitative and qualitative measurement of progress and delivery of the project, through the development of baseline measurements, time bound milestones and targets, and clear indicators for measuring progress and results.
9.Coordinate across the members of the project team(s) to collect, analyse, and synthesize data and information to monitor and assess performance to support reporting and decision making. This can include coordinating with partners and IUCN Members.
10.Provide technical advisory, operational guidance and capacity building to the project team(s) and project manager(s) on performance and accountability to support implementation and adaptive management, including on appropriate monitoring and data collection methods and tools.
11.Advocate for and facilitate the proactive use of performance and results information in decision-making and adaptive management across the project through the preparation of technical inputs from monitoring data and as a subject-matter expert on performance dashboards.
12.Prepare technical inputs and/or contribute to drafting reports, and other evidence-based communications on progress internally and to the donor, by coordinating, controlling quality and synthesizing monitoring and reporting data.
13.Identify and contribute to mitigation of risks, supporting the Project Manager(s) in the development of risk management tools and ensure project risk register is regularly monitored and updated.
14.Support the project manager(s) to maintain accurate project data in the IUCN Programme and Project Portal.
15.Support the Project Manager(s) in meeting IUCN requirements for formal project finalisation and closure (standards for documenting outcomes and lessons learned).
Evaluation and learning
16.Manage independent evaluations of the project in coordination with the Regional or Centre MEL Coordinator (who plays an assurance role): draft evaluation ToRs, provide technical inputs, provide quality assurance on evaluation deliverables, contribute to facilitation or drafting of management responses and ensure projects comply with the IUCN Evaluation Policy requirements for evaluation at midterm and end of the project.
17.Support and provide inputs to supervision missions, including providing analyses or reports of progress against indicators. May be occasionally requested to participate in supervision missions of other projects.
18.Advocate for and facilitate the proactive use of monitoring and evaluation information to support data-driven project management at all stages of the project cycle (promoting adaptive management and learning).
19.Promote project, programme and institutional learning through the design and facilitation of internal evaluative work, learning events or other mechanisms that capture, synthesize and share lessons and best-practices.
20.Contribute to communications with information stemming from the monitoring, evaluation and learning system.
Other duties
21.Build capacity of project team staff, partners and Members on MEL through ongoing training and coaching.
22.Share lessons, provide advice, raise issues, and identify current or emerging risks to the implementation of the policies and controls – with both direct and functional line managers.
23.Carry out other relevant tasks assigned by, and mutually agreed with, the direct and functional line managers.
The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) is a membership Union composed of both government and civil society organisations. IUCN’s mission is to influence, encourage and assist societies throughout the world to conserve the integrity and diversity of nature, and to ensure that any use of natural resources is equitable and ecologically sustainable. With over 75 years of experience, it harnesses the experience, resources and reach of its more than 1,400 Member organisations and the input of more than 15,000 experts. IUCN is the global authority on the status of the natural world and the measures needed to safeguard it. The IUCN Secretariat has offices located all around the world and is headquartered in Gland, Switzerland.
Every four years, the IUCN membership adopts a quadrennial Programme that guides the work of the Union, especially that of the IUCN Secretariat. The Secretariat implements the IUCN Programme through a growing portfolio of over 400 projects across the world that are designed to respond to country, donor, and IUCN priorities.
IUCN’s Global Thematic Centres implement projects designed, led and co-implemented with IUCN’s Regional Offices, Commissions and Members. This position supports projects with identified MEL needs at all stages of the project life cycle (design, implementation and closure) and may include support for monitoring indicators of biodiversity and socio-economic conditions, as well as monitoring implementation of risk management and environmental and social safeguards.
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES
This position leads the design and implementation of the following IUCN standards for Performance and Accountability within projects in which IUCN is the executing agency/entity:
• The design and implementation of planning, monitoring and evaluation approaches and instruments at proposal stage and in accordance with IUCN’s requirements (e.g., situation analysis, risk analysis, theory of change (ToC), logical framework, indicator selection, performance measurement framework, monitoring evaluation and learning plan, baselines, surveys, etc.).
• The implementation of monitoring, evaluation and learning activities, in coordination with the project team.
• Input and analysis to aspects of project reporting to donors, namely against project results framework and indicators. Project donor reporting is the responsibility of the Project Manager.
• Input to the project(s) contributions to institutional reporting against IUCN indicators. Institutional reporting is the responsibility of the Country Office / Programme Manager.
• The facilitation of adaptive management and learning throughout the project(s) based on monitoring and evaluation data and findings.
• The facilitation of risk analysis processes on a quarterly basis, based on the project´s risk register defined for the project.
• Support the project manager to monitor and update the project´s data and status in the IUCN Project Portal.
• Input to the finalisation and closure of projects according to IUCN requirements.
• The management of required independent project evaluations, including contribution to ToRs development, review of evaluation deliverables, facilitation of preparation of management response, and overall support on evaluation management when required.
Working under the direct supervision of the MEL Coordinator, with technical guidance from the Regional Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Coordinator (Regional MEL Coordinator), the Project MEAL Officer is responsible for the design and implementation of planning, monitoring, evaluation, and learning processes that ensure adequate measure of the project’s/projects’ performance against donor and IUCN performance standards. This includes developing, managing, and implementing the project’s planning, monitoring, and evaluation components, contributing to the development of respective workplans and budgets to ensure sufficient resourcing for performance and accountability related activities, and facilitating learning processes with the project team(s).
The MEL Officer is also responsible for the management and implementation of the project performance management and accountability efforts, coordinating the activities and inputs of project team members including with partners and IUCN Members. She/he/they will ensure quality assurance and alignment with institutional policies, practices, standards, and systems, including the Project Guidelines and Standards (PGS), the Project Appraisal and Approval System (PAAS), and other donor specific contractual requirements.
She/he also supports the Project Managers in ensuring that project risk management and environmental and social safeguards under the IUCN Enterprise Risk Management Policy and the IUCN Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS) are embedded in the design of the interventions and effectively implemented.
As a subject matter expert on performance, planning, monitoring, evaluation, and learning, she/he/they provides technical support and capacity development to project managers and project team members.
SPECIFIC DUTIES
Design and planning
1.Through technical expertise and operational guidance, support the Project Managers on designing and planning, leading on the theory of change, results framework, and monitoring and evaluation plan.
2.Ensure alignment of the intervention results and indicators with IUCN strategic goals and priorities (global, regional, national, and thematic) and with the principles laid out in the One Programme Charter.
3.Lead the design and development of monitoring tools, including quantitative and qualitative indicators, and MEAL processes.
4.Provide input on the level of effort and resources required to support all planned performance and accountability activities.
5.Support the formulation of baseline measures and targets during proposal writing, project inception, and throughout project implementation.
Implementation, monitoring and reporting
6.Manage and coordinate the conduct of performance and accountability activities in a timely and efficient manner.
7.Support the implementation of monitoring tools and processes to ensure that activities are on-track and contributing to the achievement of stated performance objectives, results, the IUCN Programme, and contractual obligations.
8.Ensure that the performance measurement framework enables accurate and effective quantitative and qualitative measurement of progress and delivery of the project, through the development of baseline measurements, time bound milestones and targets, and clear indicators for measuring progress and results.
9.Coordinate across the members of the project team(s) to collect, analyse, and synthesize data and information to monitor and assess performance to support reporting and decision making. This can include coordinating with partners and IUCN Members.
10.Provide technical advisory, operational guidance and capacity building to the project team(s) and project manager(s) on performance and accountability to support implementation and adaptive management, including on appropriate monitoring and data collection methods and tools.
11.Advocate for and facilitate the proactive use of performance and results information in decision-making and adaptive management across the project through the preparation of technical inputs from monitoring data and as a subject-matter expert on performance dashboards.
12.Prepare technical inputs and/or contribute to drafting reports, and other evidence-based communications on progress internally and to the donor, by coordinating, controlling quality and synthesizing monitoring and reporting data.
13.Identify and contribute to mitigation of risks, supporting the Project Manager(s) in the development of risk management tools and ensure project risk register is regularly monitored and updated.
14.Support the project manager(s) to maintain accurate project data in the IUCN Programme and Project Portal.
15.Support the Project Manager(s) in meeting IUCN requirements for formal project finalisation and closure (standards for documenting outcomes and lessons learned).
Evaluation and learning
16.Manage independent evaluations of the project in coordination with the Regional or Centre MEL Coordinator (who plays an assurance role): draft evaluation ToRs, provide technical inputs, provide quality assurance on evaluation deliverables, contribute to facilitation or drafting of management responses and ensure projects comply with the IUCN Evaluation Policy requirements for evaluation at midterm and end of the project.
17.Support and provide inputs to supervision missions, including providing analyses or reports of progress against indicators. May be occasionally requested to participate in supervision missions of other projects.
18.Advocate for and facilitate the proactive use of monitoring and evaluation information to support data-driven project management at all stages of the project cycle (promoting adaptive management and learning).
19.Promote project, programme and institutional learning through the design and facilitation of internal evaluative work, learning events or other mechanisms that capture, synthesize and share lessons and best-practices.
20.Contribute to communications with information stemming from the monitoring, evaluation and learning system.
Other duties
21.Build capacity of project team staff, partners and Members on MEL through ongoing training and coaching.
22.Share lessons, provide advice, raise issues, and identify current or emerging risks to the implementation of the policies and controls – with both direct and functional line managers.
23.Carry out other relevant tasks assigned by, and mutually agreed with, the direct and functional line managers.
REQUIREMENTS
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• • Demonstrated proficiency in the fields of performance and accountability, results measurement methods and management in conservation, development, or other relevant sectors. • Demonstrated experience designing, implementing, and managing complex monitoring and evaluation for multi-country, multi-partner or multi-sector projects in conservation, development, or other relevant sectors in the region. • At least 5 years of experience in monitoring, evaluation and learning for international projects or programmes or portfolios in the conservation or development sector. • Substantial experience in [main country/countries of operation of the project in which the incumbent will coordinate activities]. • Knowledge of the application of environmental and social safeguards, working experience in this area is a plus. • Experience with GEF or GCF projects is an asset. • Bachelor’s degree or higher in environmental studies, biodiversity conservation, natural resource management, planning, management or social sciences, economics, public policy, business administration, or a related subject matter. • Excellent organisation and communication skills with broad international experience and a proven ability to engage across levels of an organisation and across geographies. • Group facilitation skills and experience with application of monitoring and evaluation methodologies. • Excellent ability to collate, analyse and synthesize information to deliver clear reports to facilitate management decision-making. • Proficiency in data management and analysis, with strong statistical skills is a plus. • Proficiency with data management and/or project management software and tools (e.g., Smartsheet, Kobo toolbox, PowerBI, SQL, and other related tools) is highly desirable. • Experience with institutional knowledge management and learning is an asset. • Capacity to work collaboratively within a diverse and multi-cultural team. • Excellent writing skills (in English) to deliver clear and concise reports. • Fluency in English is a requirement and working proficiency in French and/or Spanish is desirable. |
SALARY
The gross annual salary for this position is between CHF 100'355 and CHF 125'444, subject to deductions for social security contributions and second-pillar pension, and before tax. While this is an indicative amount effective as of the current date, changes may occur as per IUCN's compensation practices without prior notice. The same applies to other organisations hosted by IUCN.
APPLICATIONS
Applicants are requested to apply online through the HR Management System, by opening the vacancy announcement and pressing the "Apply" button.
Applicants will be asked to create an account and submit their profile information. Applications will not be accepted after the closing date. The vacancy closes at midnight, Swiss time (GMT+1 / GMT+2 during Daylight Saving Time, DST). Please note that only selected applicants will be personally contacted for interviews.
Other job opportunities are published in the IUCN website: https://www.iucn.org/involved/jobs/
About IUCN
IUCN is a membership Union uniquely composed of both government and civil society organisations. It provides public, private and non-governmental organisations with the knowledge and tools that enable human progress, economic development and nature conservation to take place together.
Created in 1948, IUCN is now the world’s largest and most diverse environmental network, harnessing the knowledge, resources and reach of more than 1,400 Member organisations and around 16,000 experts. It is a leading provider of conservation data, assessments and analysis. Its broad membership enables IUCN to fill the role of incubator and trusted repository of best practices, tools and international standards.
IUCN provides a neutral space in which diverse stakeholders including governments, NGOs, scientists, businesses, local communities, indigenous peoples organisations and others can work together to forge and implement solutions to environmental challenges and achieve sustainable development.
Working with many partners and supporters, IUCN implements a large and diverse portfolio of conservation projects worldwide. Combining the latest science with the traditional knowledge of local communities, these projects work to reverse habitat loss, restore ecosystems and improve people’s well-being.
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