Project and Monitoring & Evaluation Analyst

Consistent with its mandate to prioritize the acquisition, adoption, innovation, and application of science and technology for development and its pursuit of competence, excellence and service innovation as provided in both the Organic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and the Revised Transition Plan 2019-2022 for the Bangsamoro Transition Authority, the Bangsamoro Government, through the Ministry of the Interior and Local Government (MILG), forged a partnership with UNDP in the Philippines that seeks to apply, where possible, the strategic framework and principles of the UNDP-supported Access to Information (a2i) project of the Government of Bangladesh to the specific social, cultural and economic contexts of BARMM.

This project titled “Localizing e-Governance for Accelerated Provision of Services (LeAPS)” builds on the a2i experience towards the transformation in local governance in BARMM by significantly accelerating connectivity in communities and opening up governance by enabling citizens to capitalize on the benefits of connectivity, such as through improved access to services and information, community enterprise development, assisted rural e-commerce, and skills development. The LeAPS project is a way to overcome the dependencies on archaic, paper-based and manual processes within and among the local government units (LGUs). This project will also maximize the use of MILG’s limited manpower and resources to deliver and monitor frontline services effectively and efficiently.

The overarching outcome of the LeAPS project is to ensure that “the most marginalized, vulnerable and at-risk people and groups benefit from inclusive and quality services and live in a supportive environment wherein their nutrition, food security, and health are ensured/protected”, its outputs are targeted as follows: a) efficient e-services in select LGUs and Ministries of BARMM managed and optimized; b) LGUs effectively and efficiently use disaggregated data for development and resilience planning, programming, budgeting and governance; c) enabling program environment established; and  d) program managed efficiently with sustainability measures.

The full-blown phase of the LeAPS project is set to commence this year to a total of 12 LGUs and 11 Ministries in BARMM. 

UNDP is looking for a Project and M&E Analyst for the LeAPS Project who will form part of the LeAPs Project Management Team based in Cotabato City.

Overall direction and guidance shall be provided by the UNDP Team Leader for Institutions and Partnerships while day-to-day supervision shall be performed by the LeAPS Project Manager with oversight from the Programme Analyst. The LeAPS Project and M&E Analyst shall also report to UNDP RBM Analyst for corporate monitoring, reporting, evaluation and learning requirements.

Under the overall supervision of the Project Manager, and working closely with the rest of the Project Management Team with oversight from the Institutions and Partnerships Programme Team, the Project and M&E Analyst will:

1. Support the effective and efficient implementation and monitoring of the project workplan to achieve the project results:
   1. Substantially contribute to the development of multi-year and annual work plans with budgets;
   2. Ensure quality of delivery of inputs provided by the responsible parties and vendors and communicate findings to Project Manager;
   3. Maintains timetables for the Project Board and the LeAPS Core Team meetings and provides support to organizing and holding the meetings, including the preparation and dissemination of information and follow-up.
2. Ensure effective implementation of monitoring and evaluation policies and strategies:
   1. Together with the Project Manager, work closely with the Results and Quality Team and Finance Team of the UNDP Philippines Country Office to ensure all corporate reportorial requirements are met on a timely basis at the highest quality;
   2. Track key project indicators of the LeAPS project in line with the project M&E Plan and Results Framework, following UNDP policies, guidelines and tools.
   3. Establish an effective system of assessing the validity of monitoring and evaluation through a review of activities/installations, completed monitoring forms/database, and a review of aggregate level statistics reported.
   4. Identify implementation difficulties, and operational and strategic issues and recommending appropriate solutions or course of action;
   5. Regularly update the project risk log, including mitigation and management measures
   6. Set collaboration and coordination with other UNDP Philippines projects, UN agencies, government agencies, NGOs, and other organizations on monitoring and evaluation issues; and,
   7. Participate in monitoring and evaluation community while remaining abreast of latest development and professional norms, standards, tools and methodologies.
3. Support to LeAPS Project Manager on a day-to-day basis:
   1. Provide support to the Project Manager in reviewing the project’s financial reports from the LeAPS Project Assistant;
   2. Provide an oversight to the maintenance of the internal expenditures control system, which ensures that vouchers processed are matched and completed, transactions are correctly recorded and posted in Atlas;
   3. Assist in preparing the procurement and recruitment plan
   4. Draft terms of references (TORs), technical specifications, and/or programs of work, and collaborate with the UNDP Operations Teams in undertaking the procurement and contract management of the project consultants and suppliers;
   5. Prepare other project requirements, such as the activity designs, briefing notes, talking points, one-pages, slide decks, among others Provide technical support in organizing Project Board and Core Group Meetings and other relevant meetings of the project.
4. Ensure development of high-quality knowledge products, and wide dissemination of results and findings achieving the following results:
   1. Liaise closely with the UNDP Communications Team, LeAPS Communications and Advocacy Officer, and MILG counterparts to plan launches, events and other activities designed to bring attention to the results and findings of the project;
   2. Background research on thematic areas related to the Project and drafting of relevant project briefs ;
   3. Lead in the preparation of formal reports to partner agencies, stakeholders and as part of UNDP corporate requirements;
   4. Contribute to the project’s visibility in UNDP’s social media accounts and website through articles, blogs amd other social media content
5. Provide additional support the Project Management Team and the Programme Team on the request of the Project Manager and Programme Team Analyst.

• At least three (3) years of relevant work experience in project development and management, monitoring and evaluation; policy and systems reforms; business process; information and knowledge management; and/or implementing a development project related to local e-governance and/or public sector digital transformation.
• Demonstrated experience in capacity in project financial management, including preparation of project delivery or progress reports, financial reports, and project monitoring reports, among others.

Desired additional skills and competencies:

• Knowledge on basic information and communications technology (ICT), Microsoft Office (especially Excel), and finance management system used by UNDP would be an asset
• Previous working experience in the UN system is an advantage.

Min. Academic Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in business development, public administration, finance, economics, information management, or related area.
• A first-level university degree in combination with three (3) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Min. years of relevant work experience

• At least six (6) years of progressively responsible administrative or project experience is required at the national or international level.

Required Language(s) (at working level)

• Proficiency in spoken and written English and Filipino.
• Proficiency in spoken and written local dialects is preferred.

Professional Certificates & Others

• Project management and/or M&E professional certification will be advantageous
• Resident of BARMM or Mindanao is highly preferred

Travel

• The Project and M&E Analyst is expected to travel in various areas in Mindanao and BARMM, as required.