Impact Measurement, Verification and Learning Specialist (IPSA-10) UNCDF Na at UNDP

Nairobi, , Kenya -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

03 Jun, 26

Salary

0.0

Posted On

05 Mar, 26

Experience

5 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Impact Measurement, Verification, Learning Systems, Data Collection, Reporting, Evaluation, Accountability, Framework Development, Capacity Development, Quality Assurance, Data Systems Design, Digital Platforms, Knowledge Management, Training Facilitation, Strategic Thinking, Systems Thinking

Industry

International Affairs

Description

Background General Assembly Resolution 2186 (XXI) decided to “bring into operations the United Nations Capital Development Fund as an organ of the General Assembly which shall function as an autonomous organization of the United Nations. The UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) assists developing countries, especially least developing countries, in the development of their economies by supplementing existing sources of capital assistance by means of grants, loans, and guarantees. UNCDFs vision is to help mobilize and catalyze an increase of capital flows for SDG impactful investments to Member States to address the most pressing development challenges facing vulnerable communities in these countries and thereby contribute to sustainable economic growth and equitable prosperity. UNCDF utilizes its unique capability in the UN system to deploy grants, loans and guarantees to crowd-in finance for the scaling of development impact. UNCDF focuses on where the needs are greatest, a deliberate focus and capability rooted in UNCDF’s unique investment mandate to support the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the realization of the Doha Programme of Action for the least developed countries, 2022–2031. As per its Strategic Framework, UNCDF works to deploy its functions as a hybrid development organization and development finance institution. UNCDF responds to Member States requests for assistance by providing targeted technical and financial advisory services on investments for development outcomes, designing bespoke financial structuring solutions, undertaking financial derisking of investments, and enhancing investment readiness of SDG aligned projects in partnership with private sector, UNOs, International and Local Finance Institutions, Development Finance Institutions as well as Foundations and Philanthropy, among others. UNCDF works to develop local financial systems, new markets and mobilize and crowd in capital from public and private sources. UNCDF is driven by a partnership mindset which enables it to deploy its different capital capabilities in highly tailored and responsive ways in order to mobilize investments flows from other sources, in particular from the private sector. By structuring transactions which are highly impactful but also recognize the need for multiplying the impact of its own capital, UNCDF seeks to position itself as a preferred partner for different stakeholders. UNCDF’s work is focused on three priority areas, including: * SME Finance * Sub-National Finance * Digital Finance UNCDF’s organizational set up includes an Investment and Implementation Division (IID), Investment and Finance Oversight Division (IFOD), Operations and Oversight Division (OOD) and a Directorate of the Executive Office. UNCDF staff and personnel are located in regional hubs based in Dakar (Senegal), Nairobi (Kenya) and Bangkok (Thailand) with sub-regional presence in a number of locations in the Caribbean and Pacific Regions. UNCDF is led by an Executive Secretary based out of New York, USA. Pursuant to General Assembly resolution 2321(XXII, para 1.a), the Administrator of the UNDP performs the function of the Managing Director of UNCDF. UNCDF is overseen by an Executive Board comprised of UN Member States. Impact Measurement Verification and Learning (IMVL) Background Creation of the IMVL unit underscores UNCDF’s commitment to delivering verifiable impact and transparent reporting to its partners through: * Clear evidence of impact and systems to ensure learning; * Robust monitoring and evaluation practices and verifiable results; * Strategic communications and the ability to communicate the catalytic effect of UNCDF’s work. With the IMVL unit in place, UNCDF is better equipped to validate and learn from results across the UNCDF portfolio, serving as a lynchpin for credibly assessing impact under the new UNCDF Strategic Framework 2026-2029. As part of the Directorate, the Impact Measurement Verification and Learning (IMVL) unit supports the Executive Secretary and all Divisions to strengthen UNCDF's impact credibility, verified results, evaluation function, and institutional learning. Duties and Responsibilities The Impact Measurement Verification and Learning Specialist will help lead the Impact Measurement Verification and Learning (IMVL) Unit at UNCDF, with a focus on strengthening the organization’s measurement, evaluation, and learning systems. The role covers the development and implementation of robust frameworks for impact verification, data collection, and reporting, as well as the facilitation of organizational learning and accountability. The Specialist will ensure that UNCDF’s results and impact assessments are credible, transparent, and aligned with the organization’s strategic objectives, supporting both internal decision-making and external communications. 1. Ensure delivery of strategic impact measurement, verification and learning services * Support the management of IMVL contract holders and day to day functions of the team, including ensuring IMVL workflow is on track, milestones are met, and progress is reported to the Executive Secretary. * Provide strategic direction and capacity development support to IMVL Team members and quality assurance for the Unit’s delivery. * Verify and benchmark UNCDF project level impacts based on UNCDF Project Management Support Unit (PMSU) quality assured project level indicators and monitored results via remote means or site visits. * Coordinate field-level independent third-party validation of data, results and impact and verification of results from UNCDF projects. * Consolidate evidence to strengthen organizational learning and accountability to the Executive Board. 2. Ensure Data Systems, Standards and Tools * Establish and periodically update (in coordination with PMSU) a repository of impact indicators for UNCDF front office teams to consider as they design and plan new projects and investments. * Design the field data collection systems (digital platform with AI capability) that will replace excel based formats at the country and regional level for results and impact reporting, in coordination with the UNCDF Digital and PMSU teams, and others as relevant. * Define and review UNCDF standards for procedures to collect field data, review the measurement and evaluation plans of programmes and projects that are used to report on impacts. * Provide quality assurance for guidance notes, templates, and toolkits to standardize data collection and impact reporting. 3. Ensure effective Evaluation and Learning in Africa and LAC regions * Guide and support the management of project and program-level evaluations in Africa and LAC regions. * Oversee the Unit’s evaluation function to ensure evaluations are on track and evaluation results are used to guide management decisions and business planning. * Reviews evaluation plans, mid-term and final evaluation findings to inform organization-wide learning. * Institutionalize learning loops and work with Strategic Intelligence and Foresight to demonstrate impacts and learning to donors and partners. * Guide and support impact learning and dissemination within UNCDF in Africa and LAC in coordination with the UNCDF Directorate (Strategic Engagement and Strategic Communications). * Facilitate internal cross-regional knowledge exchanges, such as After-Action Reviews, workshops and reflection sessions to strengthen UNCDF organizational learning and IMVL system for continuous improvement. * Based on lessons learnt on impacts and results, advise and guide the Front office and PMSU on optimal indicators to use that will enable UNCDF to effectively report on its Strategic Framework. * Support the consolidation of evidence to strengthen corporate results validation and learning feedback, organizational learning and accountability to the Executive Board. * Engage in Project Appraisal Committee Reviews and Investment Committee meetings to ensure that impact reporting requirements are adequately designed into programmes/projects and transactions seeking approval for implementation. * Undertake regular spot checks including via stakeholder engagement on programmes/projects and transactions under implementation to determine whether impact achievement is on track, and if not, suggest with PMSU to the UNCDF Front Office, remedial actions. * Produce regular Field Notes of Impacts (at least 5 per year) and/or other learning products based on the results from the UNCDF portfolio of transactions, working closely with the Front and Middle Office and 4. Facilitate Knowledge Management and Capacity Building * Coordinate learning and evidence integration into PMSU and Strategic Intelligence and Foresight functions. * Develop and present, in coordination with PMSU, joint training modules and webinars to instruct UNCDF staff on the use of project and investment impact indicators. * Lead the facilitation of training workshops and webinars to ensure UNCDF personnel are equipped to work with IMVL systems and use IMVL tools, as per UNCDF standards. The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization. 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: Business Development and Strategy: Strategic Thinking * Develop effective strategies and prioritised plans in line with UNDP’s mission and objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, opportunities and potential risks; link the general vision to reality on the ground to create tangible targeted solutions; learn from a variety of sources to anticipate and effectively respond to both current and future trends; demonstrate foresight. Business Direction and Strategy: Systems 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. Business Direction and Strategy: Effective Decision Making * Take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one's authority, area of expertise and resources and take into consideration potential wider implications. Business Management: Monitoring and Evaluation * Ability to systematically monitor results of strategies, programmes, and activities with a view to make sure that they are being implemented effectively; Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback and reporting on the consistency or discrepancy between planned activities and programme management and results. * Ability to make independent judgment of the management and results of strategies, programmes and activities based on set criteria and benchmark, keeping in mind the needs and concerns of client, current and upcoming. * Knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, concepts, methodologies, systems, processes, and tools. Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks. Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns. Data: Data Analysis * Ability to extract, analyse and visualize data to form meaningful insights and aid effective business decision making. Business Development: Knowledge Generation * Ability to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need. Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches. Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations. Digital: Collective Intelligence Design * Ability to design, lead or manage processes that help a collective to become smarter together by bringing together diverse groups of people, data, and technology. * Ability to define and articulate why and how collective intelligence can add value to development programming (understanding problems; finding solutions; decision making and mobilizing action; monitoring progress in realtime, learning and adapting) Being able to integrate different types of data (real- time, ‘groundtruth’ and novel data) to unlock fresh insights. Understand guidelines and principles around data privacy, ethics and protection. Increase diversity of inputs – and look beyond the 'usual suspects', ability to navigate and manage a variety of actors, appreciate the diversity in perspectives, opinions, expertise. * Ability to facilitate platforms or sessions where people can contribute by providing their views and ideas independently and freely. Being people-centred: ensure people understand and can determine how their data is used. Feed back inputs and insights to empower people, don't extract data. Required Skills and Experience Min. Academic Education: * An Advanced University Degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in International Affairs and Development, Public Policy, Economics, or related fields 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. Min. years of relevant work experience: * Minimum of 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in monitoring and evaluation, project and programme management or impact measurement, preferably in international development. Required skills: * Experience drafting procedures, guidance, and training materials. * Experience with milestone tracking, reporting, and data analysis and collection. * Experience conducting after-action reviews on organization-wide policy or process changes. * Experience facilitating training workshops on the use of metrics and indicators to measure performance and impact. * Proven track record of similar assignments with international organizations. * Experience with developing Impact Measurement and Management frameworks. * Experience working with diverse teams and stakeholders. * Proven track record of strong writing, research, and coordination skills. * Experience working with external stakeholders, including US government and other government partners. Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section: * Experience of working with non-governmental partners. * Experience working with UN agencies or international development institutions. * Experience conducting after-action reviews on organization-wide policy or process changes. * Experience with milestone tracking and facilitating training workshops. Required Language(s): * Fluency in English is required. * Working knowledge of another UN language is desired. Equal opportunity As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all. Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. Right to select multiple candidates 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. Scam alert UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.

Responsibilities

The Specialist will help lead the Impact Measurement Verification and Learning (IMVL) Unit, focusing on strengthening measurement, evaluation, and learning systems through developing and implementing robust verification frameworks, data collection, and reporting processes. This role ensures UNCDF's impact assessments are credible and aligned with strategic objectives to support internal decision-making and external communications.