Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Officer - NOA (DC)

Introduction

This position is detached to the Regional Office for Africa (RO-Africa), located in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, by the Skills and Employability Branch. RO-Africa has overall political and management responsibility for the operations of the ILO's network of country offices and Decent Work Technical Support Teams (DWTs) in the African Region, providing strategic guidance and support to the promotion of ILO's principles and policies. Through the ILO Global Skills Programme, the Skills and Employability Branch supports the establishment and the improvements of skills development systems that deliver market relevant training to ALL, in line with the ILO Strategy on skills and Lifelong learning 2030. The Global Skills Programme provides coordinated and enhanced support to ILO constituents in view of (a) developing and implementing market relevant skills and lifelong learning ecosystems and (b) implementing innovative and scalable solutions to skill, reskill and upskill people of all ages.

As a team member, the incumbent provides professional services for the efficient, effective and client-oriented delivery and administration of a range of programming activities under the Global Skills Programme, particularly on monitoring and evaluation, the deployment of ILO Service Tracker, learning and communication. Work is governed by established rules, regulations, policies, procedures and guidelines and includes the use of the enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. The incumbent applies and promotes the principles of results-based management (RBM). Day-to-day work requires minimum supervision. Detailed instructions and guidance are provided for special assignments or the handling of unusual or complex matters.

Reporting lines:

The incumbent will work under the supervision of the Senior Regional Skills Specialist in Abidjan, in close collaboration with the Programme and Operations Officer. Internal contacts are with staff and managers in field offices, project locations and headquarters to maintain effective working relationships, exchange information and obtain assistance on monitoring, evaluation and learning matters for the improvement of services. External contacts are primarily with counterparts in government, employers’ and workers’ organizations, United Nations (UN) agencies and other international organizations and donors to discuss best practices and latest development exchange information and obtain assistance on monitoring, evaluation and learning matters. On communication-related tasks, the incumbent will work with the SKILLS communication officer in headquarters and the Communications Specialist in RO-Africa.
 

Description of Duties

1. Provide substantial professional services in the improvement, delivery and promotion of ILO Service Tracker across the Global Skills Programme. Assess and anticipate operational requirements and develop a workplan for ILO Service Tracker implementation. 

2. Undertake and support monitoring and evaluation activities in the framework of the Global Skills Programme.

3. Oversee the work of and provide guidance to staff in the implementation of the ILO Service Tracker. Conduct online training and coaching in the implementation of the ILO Service Tracker and provide briefings and induction to new staff where required. Keep abreast of changes to applicable standards and best practices. Identify and share knowledge and provide guidance to staff on using of knowledge to improve programming. This applies in particular to guidance to staff on the best approach to apply the service tracker in a given country, taking into account the legal environment, and the equipment infrastructure.

4. Manage and update monitoring tools and ILO Service Tracker database, including monitoring progress toward targets and suggesting corrective and/or remedial action. Monitor the efficiency and effectiveness of work methods and processes and make recommendations for improvements in the monitoring system. Liaise closely with staff and managers to ensure effective and smooth service design and delivery, including by managing the users’ accounts of the ILO Service Tracker, recommending improvements on interrelated processes. 

5. Manage the financial operations related to the Service Tracker and prepare financial reports for management.

6. Prepare analytical reports to contribute to programme/project monitoring and provide inputs to reports and other communications. This applies in particular to the development of analytical reports, based on data generated by the Service Tracker.

7. Support the establishment of communities of practice among staff to ensure knowledge sharing and learning around contemporary skills topics and other relevant operational issues, in close collaboration with the Programme and Operations officer and the skills specialists in the region.

8. Facilitate the development of baseline studies and use ILO Service Tracker, among other, as data collection tools, including surveys; ensure regular follow-up of monitoring exercises, including data collection, data quality assessments and oversight, and monitoring progress on indicators; and coordinate with relevant technical specialist the verification/validation of data.

9.Produce analytical reports with findings, recommendations and lessons learnt of the Programme, including developing learning products based on the monitoring results.

10.Support the communication of programme results through social media, the ILO website and other multimedia channels by preparing content for posts and other communication products. 

11.Follow up on internal and external audit recommendations and draft responses to audit inquiries and observations for consideration of supervisor 

12. Perform other relevant duties as assigned.

Required qualifications

Education

First level university degree in economics, public policies, development studies or a relevant field.

Experience

Minimum of two years of professional work experience in programme and/or project planning, monitoring, implementation and evaluation activities, administrative or operational areas. Experience in working with multiple modules of an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system would be an asset.

Technical requirements and Competencies

Technical requirements: 
•    Good knowledge of monitoring and evaluation principles and concepts.
•    God knowledge of Results Based Management (RBM)
•    Good knowledge of PC software (including word processor and spreadsheet and presentation software) such as Microsoft Office. 
•    Knowledge of communication principles and concepts. 
•    Knowledge of project management and the (business) project cycle. 
•    Knowledge of the office’s financial rules and regulations. 
•    Knowledge of UN Common System policies in the area of administration and operations. 
•    Knowledge of the substantive nature of Organization’s work programmes and activities. 
•    Knowledge of methods and techniques for designing and assessing quality and efficiency of process execution.

Competencies:
•    Ability to interpret and work within applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures. 
•    Ability to adapt quickly to new software and systems. 
•    Skills to analyse, process and present data. 
•    Good drafting skills and ability to prepare analytical reports on a range of operational areas. 
•    Ability to oversee the work of and provide guidance to staff. 
•    Good interpersonal skills, with ability to communicate clearly and effectively.
•    A high degree of discretion with sense of responsibility in dealing with confidential matters. 
•    Ability to manage competing priorities. 
•    Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.
 

Languages

Excellent command of an official working language (English or French) of the Organization. Working knowledge of another official language of the Organization (English or French).