China: Chief Planning Monitoring & Evaluation, P-4, Beijing, China

Purpose of the Position

Under the supervision of the Representative, and working in close cooperation with the Deputy Representative, responsible for coordinating the formulation, planning, design, and implementation of the integrated monitoring, evaluation and research plan of the country programme, in collaboration with the sectoral programme chiefs and the communication officer.

Key Expected Results

Country Programme PME: Support/guide the Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (PME) functions and processes of the Country Programme, working in close cooperation with the Deputy Representative, including, but not limited to: the Mid Term Review and its follow up processes; the situation analysis and its processes; Strategy Papers and CPAP/CPD processes; annual reviews and annual reporting processes; and Integrated M & E Plan (IMEP) development & implementation. Organize related training and liaise with counterparts to this end.

Monitoring the funding, performance and results-based implementation of the country programme. Lead PME section in: monitoring of programme implementation and programme performance & results; monitoring of funding; monitoring and management of all PBAs; strengthening of donor relations (including donor report tracking & providing quality assurance inputs to programme sections). Together with the Deputy Representative, support the Representative in resource mobilization and donor relations, especially in preparing donor proposals as needed; providing data and preparing donor, VIP and programme briefs as needed.

Evaluation. Provide leadership in the evaluation function: provide quality assurance and technical inputs as needed to all Programme and Communication Sections. Working closely with these sections, help develop study, research and evaluation protocol as needed for evaluations and studies, including technical advice on methodologies and approaches (e.g. sample surveys, sentinel sites, PRAs, Focus Group Discussions, etc). Manage/design necessary training to this end and liaise with counterparts as needed.

Situation monitoring and knowledge management: Responsible for leading the Situation Analysis and the development/management of an updated UNICEF-China knowledge base (accessible to all Office staff) on the situation of children and women in China (including international comparisons). Ensure availability of up-to-date information/data (including data maps) on the situation of children and child rights for the Representative’s and the Office’s use in external relations, fundraising, advocacy with government and in programming. Through technical inputs and production of data, support the Communication Section and Programme sections in developing and producing knowledge and evidence-based publications on children. Manage/design necessary training to this end and liaise with counterparts as needed.

Emergency coordination and management: UNICEF-China cannot afford to have a separate emergency officer. Therefore, the PME Chief, in close consultation with the Deputy Rep, has to coordinate the planning, funding and management of UNICEF-China’s support to emergency interventions. Act as emergency focal point in the office and liaise with MofCom to this end, working closely with all programme & communication sections. (When the emergency is huge, as with the Sichuan earthquake, TFTs will be employed). Provide back up support as needed to the Representative in the UN Disaster Management Team.

Capacity building: Lead the Office team in strengthening government (cross-sectoral) information systems; work closely with the National Bureau of Statistics to this end. Work with partners to strengthen national capacity in evaluation. Manage/design training for government statistical, data and evaluation staff.

Management and supervision: Effectively manage and supervise the PME Section’s workplan activities and projects, including those with counterparts. Help build capacity of supervisees. Identify training needs in IMEP and within the UNICEF Office for the purpose of capacity building in monitoring and evaluation. Carry out other administrative and management duties as part of the Country Office Senior Management team. Liaise as needed with the Regional Planning Officer, the Regional M&E adviser and the Evaluation Office at UNICEF Headquarters.

Qualifications of Successful Candidates Advanced University degree in Business Administration, with specialization in Human Resources Management, Social Sciences or Psychology.

Eight years of relevant work experience at the national and international levels in programme planning, monitoring and evaluation.

Experience of country programming processes required.

Skills and experience in both quantitative and qualitative research and evaluation also required.

Technical knowledge/expertise in demography, statistics, and data management.

Professional technical knowledge/expertise in methodology of M&E, including theories, standards and models, quantitative/qualitative/mixed methods, validity/reliability testing of data, data analysis and interpretation, and statistical inference methods.

Professional technical knowledge/expertise in Activity Monitoring & Evaluation, Evaluation Design, data analysis, and reporting.

Gender equality and diversity awareness

Fluency in English and another UN language.

Knowledge of Mandarin and/or Chinese an asset.

Competencies of Successful Candidate

Has highest-level communication skills, including engaging and informative formal public speaking. Creates and encourages a climate of team-working and collaboration in a multi-cultural environment.

Consistently achieves high-level results, managing and delivering projects on-time and on-budget.

Has high-level leadership and supervisory skills; provides others with a clear direction; motivates and empowers others; recruits staff of a high caliber; provides staff with development opportunities and coaching.

Sets, develops and revises organizational strategy and develops clear visions of the organization’s future potential.

Analyzes and integrates diverse and complex quantitative and qualitative data from a wide range of sources.

Quickly builds rapport with individuals and groups. Actively nurtures good relationships with people across all organizational levels and boundaries, and with government leaders and stakeholders.

Demonstrates, applies and shares expert technical knowledge across the organization.

Remains alert for changing conditions and develops and oversees large-scale change initiatives to incorporate them.