🇸🇱 Job Vacancies @ UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) – 3 Positions

UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) is recruiting to fill the following positions:

1.) Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting Analyst
2.) Data Analyst
3.) Monitoring and Performance Specialist

See job details and how to apply below.

1.) Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting Analyst

Job Identification : 20523

Locations : Freetown, Sierra Leone

Posting Date : 09/06/2024, 10:56 AM

Apply Before : 09/21/2024, 03:59 AM

Job Schedule : Full time

Agency : UNDP

Grade : IPSA-9

Vacancy Type : International Personnel Service Agreement

Practice Area : Effectiveness

Bureau : Regional Bureau for Africa

Contract Duration : 1 Year

Education & Work Experience : Master's Degree - 2 year(s) experience OR Bachelor's Degree - 4 year(s) experience

Required Languages : English

Vacancy Timeline

2 Weeks

Job Description

Background

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind' approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustices of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and the planet. Learn more at undp.org or follow at @UNDP.

In light of the UNDP Programme, the requirements of the Programme and Operations Policies and Procedures and the Monitoring and Evaluation Strategy of the Country Programme Document (CPD) 2025- 2030, the UNDP Country Office has established a Monitoring and Evaluation System and has enhanced the culture of generating and utilizing evidence through the establishment of the Data Centre. The Data Centre will collect programmatic and socio-economic data to support evidence planning and management. UNDP Sierra Leone CPD for 2025-2030 will develop an M&E strategy to support the tracking of the country office performance and provide evidence for adaptive management.

UNDP Sierra Leone Country office adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage synergies across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, the MER Analyst is expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Deputy Resident Representative and overall supervision from the Head of the Programme Management Support Unit (PMSU), and in close coordination with the Programme staff, the MER Analyst provides support in the execution of services in the PMSU, supports the design, planning, and management of the program and projects by managing data and facilitating program implementation. The MER Analyst promotes a client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations.

The MER Analyst supports the staff of the Programme and Projects by working in close collaboration with the operations, program, M&E colleagues and project teams in the CO and UNDP Regional Bureaus and HQ staff for resolving complex program-related issues and information delivery.

The MER Analyst is responsible for supporting oversight, capacity building, and knowledge management to strengthen project quality assurance, risk management, and Social and Environmental Screening (SES) across the Country Office portfolio.

Scope of work

A. Implement and participate in the design of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, systems, and tools, and as applicable, conduct programme quality assurance in keeping with corporate policies:

•  Support project managers in designing the results-based management, monitoring and evaluation frameworks and plans in line with UNDP Programme and Operations Policies and Procedures (POPP) with appropriate tracking tools. Help in ensuring the application of UNDP social and environmental safeguards as applicable;
•  Serve as the Programme focal point for the provision of overall technical and policy advisory support on monitoring and evaluation (M&E) and results-based management (RBM) requirements and activities to the project and project manager, project team concerned with monitoring and evaluation, and consultants and/or members of evaluation teams;
•  Advocate the adherence to UN/UNDP policy positions on monitoring and evaluation, results-based management, and quality assurance, as applicable, and ensure their mainstreaming into all aspects of the project interventions. Provide guidance on the systematized, effective application of RBM, M&E and quality assurance tools throughout the full project cycle from the design to implementation, reporting and during the timely closure of projects;
•  Support the mapping of business processes and elaboration of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in programme and project oversight. Act as custodian for evaluation quality assurance checklist to ensure quality check from the TOR formulation to final evaluation report and timely implementation of the recommendations;
•  Provide input to project's annual planning processes that includes the Integrate Work Plan and Project Annual Business Plan; and participate in defining targets and indicators to ensure consistency with the approved project document and with UNDP POPPs;
•  Ensure gender equality, disability inclusion, and Leave No One Behind (LNOB) principles are an integral part of UNDP programmes and operations and that these considerations are fully mainstreamed into programming and reflected in programme/project design, monitoring, reporting and evaluations in line with the UNDP Gender Equality and Disability Inclusion Strategies, UNSDG Operational Guide for Country Teams on LNOB, and available regional guidance.

B. Ensure coordination and efficient support to monitoring, reporting, evaluation and results-based management of the Project:

•  Coordinate implementation and application of efficient and evidence-based results monitoring and, as applicable, quality assurance work for project implementation and delivery. Advise the project management team on delivery implementation challenges and provide support in resolving obstacles and bottlenecks;
•  Develop templates for project and work plan monitoring and quality assurance visits. Collect reliable and coherent data to assess project progress and results. Provide regular updates to the project team using latest M&E and IT tracking tools to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in the monitoring processes;
•  Ensure consistent maintenance and monitoring of relevant scorecards and quality assurance tools such as the Social and Environmental Safeguards. Provide support to the management and coordination of third-party monitoring and/or any other data collection interventions in the country office;
•  Analyze requirements and synthesize proposals for the planning, preparing, and managing project evaluations and other types of evaluations. Draft and revise Terms of Reference (TOR) for specific project monitoring and evaluation missions and/or desk evaluations/reviews. Participate in consultant and evaluation team selection and provide technical feedback on evaluation inception reports and draft evaluations and budget oversight. Draft and review management responses to the evaluations;
•  Consolidate evaluation findings, lessons learned, and recommendations to be disseminated in learning events and channeled into decision-making processes. Analyze and synthesize monitoring and evaluation reports and other data sources to assess the project's effectiveness and impact. Follow up on the project team's implementation of audit and evaluation recommendations;
•  Contribute to the establishment of statistics database and dashboards.

C. Support capacity building and facilitate knowledge building and sharing on monitoring, evaluation and results-based management project:

•  Organize learning, training, and capacity building activities on monitoring and evaluation, RBM, data collection and survey methods, gender mainstreaming with the project team. In close collaboration with relevant teams in the CO, contribute to development and delivery of training packages to strengthen partners' capacities in project monitoring and oversight;
•  Support the identification, synthesis, documentation, and dissemination of key lessons learned and good practices derived from monitoring and evaluation activities on what works, what does not work, revised theories of change to identify innovative ideas for their scaling or replication;
•  Provide sound contributions to local and global knowledge networks, communities of practice, and other knowledge management mechanisms. Proactively participate in UNDP regional and international fora on relevant thematic areas (including engaging in thematic discussions, contributing with analytical papers, etc.);
•  Contribute to the implementation of Evaluation Knowledge Management and Learning Strategy.

D. Reporting and Documentation:

•  Support the development of project annual reporting (PIR), Country Office annual report and review reports from Implementing Partners and any other relevant stakeholder;
•  Work closely with the project team to ensure that lessons learned from project evaluations are documented properly;
•  Develop and maintain accurate information in a project database, as well as accurate and timely electronic files on deliverables;
•  Undertake the quality control of project's implementing strategies and approaches.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement

The Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting Analyst under the general supervision of the DRR and collaborates closely with the Project Teams and the UNDP Sierra Leone country office, particularly the M&E team.

Competencies

CORE

Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline

Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements

Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback

Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible

Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident

Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships

Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Business Direction and Strategy:

•  System Thinking
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  •  Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.

Business Management:

•  Portfolio Management
  •  Ability to select, prioritize and control the organization's programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimizing return on investment.
•  Monitoring
  •  Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities and programme performance and results.
•  Evaluation
  •  Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks;
  •  Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.

Business Development:

•  Knowledge Generation
  •  Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need.

Partnership Management:

•  Relationship Management
  •  Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding.

2030 Agenda: Engagement & Effectiveness:

•  Effectiveness
  •  Programming principles & standards and development effectiveness principles.

Required Skills and Experience

Minimum education requirements:

•  Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Development/Development Studies, Economics, Statistics, Business Administration/Management, Public Administration, Social Policy/Sciences, International Relations, or related field is required; or
•  A first-level university degree (bachelor's degree) in the above-mentioned field in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Minimum years of relevant work experience:

•  Minimum 2 years (with master's degree) or 4 years (with bachelor's degree) of relevant experience in M&E, programme and/or team management working with quality assurance instruments, results-based management models, and multiple stakeholders is required.

Required skills:

•  Proven technical knowledge of the results-based management cycle and monitoring and evaluation is required;
•  Proven experience in designing monitoring and evaluation systems and designing development projects or integrated portfolios is required;
•  Proven ability to work with quantitative and qualitative data, and appropriately use qualitative data /information collection tools in innovative ways is required;
•  Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.), and web-based management systems, and up-to-date, advanced knowledge of data management tools and database packages.

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section:

•  Experience in designing, implementing and/or managing assessments and/or data collection exercises/processes is desired;
•  Experience conducting applied research projects and reporting on findings is desired.

Language Requirement

•  Fluency in English is required.

Disclaimer

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Non-discrimination

UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

Scam warning

The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.

APPLY

2.) Data Analyst

Job Identification : 20386

Locations : Freetown, Sierra Leone

Posting Date : 09/04/2024, 08:52 AM

Apply Before : 09/19/2024, 03:59 AM

Job Schedule : Full time

Agency : UNDP

Grade : IPSA-8

Vacancy Type : International Personnel Service Agreement

Practice Area : Management

Bureau : Office of Administrator

Contract Duration : 1 Year

Education & Work Experience : Master's Degree

Other Criteria : OR Bachelor's Degree - 2 year(s) experience

Required Languages : Fluency in English

Desired Languages : Working knowledge of another UN language

Vacancy Timeline

2 Weeks

Mobility required/no mobility

no mobility required

Job Description

Background

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind' approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

The UN Secretary-General established the UN SDG Action Campaign to inspire people and organizations from all backgrounds and every part of the world to take actions to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, while holding decision-makers to account for progress society-wide. The UN SDG Action Campaign is hosted and supported by UNDP and is based in Bonn (Germany) with a lean team that marshals rapid support for new initiatives as opportunities arise and provides partners with on-demand strategic creative services that inspire SDG action with an engaged community of activists and concerned individuals.

The UN SDG Action Campaign is working closely with cities and local governments to showcase how they are actively contributing to implement Agenda 2030, accelerating transformative action to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals for all, and everywhere. The UN SDG Action Campaign, together with the office of UNDP in the Sierra Leone are supporting the Freetown City Council to implement its development plan and showcase how it contributes to implement the Sustainable Development Goals.

Freetown has experienced a significant increase in population due to migration from rural areas, especially after the 11-year civil conflict. The impacts of climate change have further accelerated this growth. Over the past 25 years, the population of Freetown has more than doubled, and it now accommodates approximately 15% of the national population on less than 0.1% of the national landmass. The city is projected to gain another half a million residents over the next decade. Unfortunately, the Freetown City Council has historically lacked the necessary urban management tools to utilize urbanization for economic growth and improved service delivery. The consequences of rapid population growth without proper land use planning and building controls are devastating for the natural environment and the quality of life for residents.

In its 2019 -2023 development plan, the Freetown City Council aimed to address various challenges through Transform Freetown eleven priority sectors, including environmental management, revenue mobilization, education, and sanitation. Together, the Council, its residents, and a group of technical experts identified 19 targets and 37 initiatives to be implemented. A wide range of projects were initiated, including setting up waste management micro-enterprises, yearly flood mitigation interventions, establishing early learning centers for children of market women in two markets, and launching the Freetown Fashion Design and Creative Arts Network.

The Transform Freetown—Transforming Lives Plan (Transforming Lives, for short) is Freetown City Council's development plan for 2024 - 2028. It builds on the progress made during the previous five years of the Transform Freetown initiative. Transforming Lives aims to be inclusive and data-driven in addressing Freetown's challenges and creating job opportunities.

The plan focuses on four priority sectors:

•  Climate change
•  Heritage tourism
•  Digital economy
•  Human development

These priorities directly relate to the Sustainable Development Goals and align with the Government of Sierra Leone's Medium-term National Development Plan. In May 2024, the Freetown City Council engaged extensively with the community to identify the interventions that need prioritization. Approximately 4,800 residents from 48 wards representing various stakeholders, including youth, elderly, persons with disabilities, women, and religious leaders, were involved in the engagement process. Feedback from the communities emphasized the need for improvements in critical public service delivery, including water access, health facilities, education and skills development, and waste management.

The Data Analyst will conduct research and evaluation to support the implementation of the Transforming Lives Plan. The Data Analyst will have a high degree of independence to assess project impacts, make improvement recommendations and provide feedback for projects initiated or continued as part of Transforming Lives.

Duties and Responsibilities

•  Manage impact assessment dashboard. Develop Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and metrics related to program objectives;
•  Ensure data collection and analysis. Collect and organize data, and track progress in an impact assessment dashboard;
•  Establish evaluation methodologies. Apply appropriate evaluation methodologies, frameworks, and tools to assess program effectiveness and impact;
•  Ensure effective milestone reporting. Prepare regular milestone reports to communicate progress, achievements, and challenges of programs to various internal and external stakeholders;
•  Promote stakeholder collaboration. Collaborate with internal teams, external partners, and program participants to gather feedback and insights for evaluation purposes;
•  Contribute to knowledge management and information sharing;
•  The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement:

This position reports to the Advisor, cities and local governments, UN SDG Action Campaign, UNDP Executive Office. The Analyst will be based at the Freetown City Council, under the National Implementation Modality, and will directly support the Mayor of Freetown and the City´s Chief Administrator.

Competencies

Core

•  Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline.
•  Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements.
•  Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback.
•  Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible.
•  Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident.
•  Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships.
•  Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination.

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Nature, Climate and Energy:

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•  Climate Change Mitigation: sustainable Infrastructure.

Budget management:

•  Ability to support budgetary aspects of the work planning process, drawing and management of team budgets.

Strategic Thinking:

•  Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDP's objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, potential risks and opportunities, linking the vision to reality on the ground, and creating tangible solutions.
•  Ability to leverage learning from a variety of sources to anticipate and respond to future trends; to demonstrate foresight in order to model what future developments and possible ways forward look like for UNDP.

Evaluation:

•  Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks - Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.

Project management:

•  Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.

Risk management:

•  Ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks.

Communication:

•  Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience.
•  Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

•  Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) In Social Science, Public Policy, Global Affairs or a relevant discipline is required. Or
•  A first-level university degree (bachelor's degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

•  Applicants with a Master's degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field of study are not required to have professional work experience. Applicants with a Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) are required to have a minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional work experience in project development and project management;
•  At least 2 years of experience working with local and regional governments, preferably in Africa;
•  Proven experience in contributing to the development and testing of data collection instruments;
•  Experience in working as part of an interdisciplinary team to plan and conduct evaluations;
•  Demonstrated experience in organizing , summarizing and communicate information clearly and concisely;
•  Proficiency in conducting analyses using appropriate analytic tools and techniques for quantitative data (e.g., descriptive and inferential analysis in Stata) and/or qualitative data (using content analysis and thematic clustering);
•  Experience in quantitative data management (data organization, data cleaning) for research purposes;
•  Proficiency in at least one statistical and spatial software;
•  Aptitude for coding for data management, analysis, and visualization.

Required Language(s):

•  Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of another UN language is desired.

Disclaimer

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Non-discrimination

UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

Scam warning

The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.

APPLY

3.) Monitoring and Performance Specialist

Job Identification : 20397

Locations : Freetown, Sierra Leone

Posting Date : 09/04/2024, 05:30 AM

Apply Before : 09/19/2024, 03:59 AM

Job Schedule : Full time

Agency : UNDP

Grade : IPSA-10

Vacancy Type : International Personnel Service Agreement

Practice Area : Management

Bureau : Office of Administrator

Contract Duration : 1 Year

Education & Work Experience : Master's Degree - 5 year(s) experience OR Bachelor's Degree - 7 year(s) experience

Required Languages : English

Desired Languages : Working knowledge of another UN language

Vacancy Timeline

2 Weeks

Mobility required/no mobility

no mobility required

Job Description

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are core principles at United Nations Development Programme (UNDP): we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind' approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Office/Unit/Project Description

The UN Secretary-General established the UN SDG Action Campaign to inspire people and organizations from all backgrounds and every part of the world to take actions to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, while holding decision-makers to account for progress society-wide. The UN SDG Action Campaign is hosted and supported by UNDP and is based in Bonn (Germany) with a lean team that marshals rapid support for new initiatives as opportunities arise and provides partners with on-demand strategic creative services that inspire SDG action with an engaged community of activists and concerned individuals.

The UN SDG Action Campaign is working closely with cities and local governments to showcase how they are actively contributing to implement Agenda 2030, accelerating transformative action to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals for all, and everywhere. The UN SDG Action Campaign, together with the office of UNDP in the Sierra Leone are supporting the Freetown City Council to implement its development plan and showcase how it contributes to implement the Sustainable Development Goals.

Freetown has experienced a significant increase in population due to migration from rural areas, especially after the 11-year civil conflict. The impacts of climate change have further accelerated this growth. Over the past 25 years, the population of Freetown has more than doubled, and it now accommodates approximately 15% of the national population on less than 0.1% of the national landmass. The city is projected to gain another half a million residents over the next decade. Unfortunately, the Freetown City Council has historically lacked the necessary urban management tools to utilize urbanization for economic growth and improved service delivery. The consequences of rapid population growth without proper land use planning and building controls are devastating for the natural environment and the quality of life for residents.

In its 2019 -2023 development plan, the Freetown City Council aimed to address various challenges through Transform Freetown eleven priority sectors, including environmental management, revenue mobilization, education, and sanitation. Together, the Council, its residents, and a group of technical experts identified 19 targets and 37 initiatives to be implemented. A wide range of projects were initiated, including setting up waste management micro-enterprises, yearly flood mitigation interventions, establishing early learning centers for children of market women in two markets, and launching the Freetown Fashion Design and Creative Arts Network.

The Transform Freetown—Transforming Lives Plan (Transforming Lives, for short) is Freetown City Council's development plan for 2024 - 2028. It builds on the progress made during the previous five years of the Transform Freetown initiative. Transforming Lives aims to be inclusive and data-driven in addressing Freetown's challenges and creating job opportunities.

The plan focuses on four priority sectors:

•  Climate change
•  Heritage tourism
•  Digital economy
•  Human development

These priorities directly relate to the Sustainable Development Goals and align with the Government of Sierra Leone's Medium-term National Development Plan. In May 2024, the Freetown City Council engaged extensively with the community to identify the interventions that need prioritization. Approximately 4,800 residents from 48 wards representing various stakeholders, including youth, elderly, persons with disabilities, women, and religious leaders, were involved in the engagement process. Feedback from the communities emphasized the need for improvements in critical public service delivery, including water access, health facilities, education and skills development, and waste management.

The Monitoring & Performance Specialist will be responsible for performance improvement in the implementation of Transforming Lives Plan. S/he will will work closely with Freetown City Council staff and technical teams to use performance management practices and data analytics and make data-informed program and process improvements, to spend resources wisely and to ultimately deliver better services to the residents of Freetown. The work is focused on three areas: performance management, continuous improvement and data analytics.

Scope of Work:

•  Guide the development and implementation of Transforming Lives strategic and operational plans in alignment with agreed goals and priorities;
•  Work with city leadership and team to identify performance data;
•  Develop reporting and monitoring systems for regular organizational performance reviews;
•  Build internal capacity within departments, teams and projects for robust outcomes-based performance management and measurement activities;
•  Conduct deep dive diagnostics into performance issues to identify root cause, potential solutions and then work with stakeholders and technical teams to implement solutions;
•  Contribute to the development, planning, coordinating, distributing, and analyzing of employee and resident surveys;
•  Conduct performance management assessments evaluations; and assist managers with development and implementation of performance improvement action plans;
•  Work with the City´s departments and project teams to help them collect, understand, and use their data for managerial decision making to address issues and to drive improvements to the City's delivery of services;
•  The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement

This position reports to the Advisor, cities and local governments, UN SDG Action Campaign, UNDP Executive Office. The Specialist will be based at the Freetown City Council, under the International Implementation Modality, and will directly support the Mayor of Freetown and the City´s Chief Administrator.

Competencies

Core Competencies

Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact;

Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems;

Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences;

Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands

Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results;

Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration;

Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity.

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:

2030 Agenda: Planet

•  Nature, Climate and Energy
  •  Climate Change Mitigation: Sustainable Infrastructure.

Finance

•  Budget management
  • ​​​​​​​Ability to support budgetary aspects of the work planning process, drawing and management of team budgets.

Business Direction & Strategy

•  System Thinking
  •  Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.

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•  Effective Decision Making
  •  Ability to take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one's authorities, area of expertise and resources.
•  Project Management
  •  Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.
•  Risk management
  •  Ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks.
•  Communication
  •  Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience;
  •  Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.

Minimum Qualifications of the Successful IPSA

Minimum Education Requirements

•  Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Social Sciences, Public or Business Administration, Global Affairs, or a relevant discipline is required; Or
•  A first-level university degree (bachelor's degree) in the areas stated above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Minimum years of relevant work experience:

•  Minimum of 5 years (with Master's Degree) or 7 years (with Bachelor's Degree) of progressive work experience, in project development and project management is required.

Required skills:

•  At least 5 years of experience working with local and regional governments, preferably in Africa;
•  Proven experience in interrogating and interpreting performance data and analysis;
•  Proven experience in improving processes, systems, ways of working - proactively solving problems.

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the competencies section:

•  Experience in managing relationships with stakeholders on project outcomes, targets, KPI and timelines;
•  Demonstrated experience in working on results-orientated projects and have an understanding of working within the public sector;
•  Proved experience in translating complex technical or analytical information into user-friendly language;
•  Experience in corporate governance and risk management;
•  Experience in developing improvement strategies and designing control systems and processes for capacity building.

Required Language(s) (at working level):

•  Fluency in English is required.
•  Working knowledge of another UN language is desired.

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