Organization Mission

The UN Development Programme is the lead UN agency fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in more than 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet.

In the Pacific, UNDP provides regional and country support to ten countries (Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu) and regional support to five countries (Cook Islands, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, and Tokelau), together with a total population of 2.4 million.

UNDP is guided by a Sub-regional Programme Document for the Pacific Island Countries and Territories 2018-2022, which in turn contributes to the achievement of an overarching UN system-wide Pacific Strategy. The Programme is shaped to assist countries to advance the global 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda tailored to each country”s priorities, through focus on data, policy prioritization, participatory planning, and budgeting and monitoring – and with accelerated action to meet the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

UNDP seeks to target the most vulnerable i.e. people experiencing hardship, the marginalized living in remote rural areas, those who are vulnerable to climate and disaster risks, as well as women and youth excluded from socio-political and economic participation. UNDP adheres to an inclusive, pro-poor and human rights-based approaches that leverage cross-practice, multi-disciplinary expertise of UNDP.

Context

This role supports two portfolios implementing support to strengthening democratic participation, representation, inclusion and accountability.

The UNDP Pacific Office (PO) in Fiji, as part of its Effective Governance programme delivered across the region, supports the institutional building of 14 national legislative assemblies and a number of sub-national legislatures to fulfil their constitutional mandate of law making, oversight and representation. The UNDP PO is currently implementing four parliamentary development projects in the Pacific:

i. The Pacific Parliamentary Effectiveness Initiatives Project – Phase 3, 2024-2029
ii. Strengthening Legislatures’ Capacity in Pacific Island Countries Project – Phase 2, 2023-2026
iii. Fiji Parliament Support Project – Phase 3, 2022-2026

Through these projects, UNDP provides direct support to the Legislatures of Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Niue, Palau, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.

Key Responsibilities

– Lead on development, maintenance and periodic revision of portfolio/project Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) frameworks based on the respective project documents, to include:
o Results and indicators table
o Results monitoring tools
o Indicator metadata
o Periodic results reporting tools
– Ensure cross-cutting integration of gender-sensitivity throughout MEL frameworks, ensuring portfolio capacity to measure and demonstrate progress against the portfolio’s gender quality targets;
– Set up and maintain a database for the management of the indicator framework, and accessible online dashboard showing real-time activities and results. In collaboration with data providers, identify data sourcing methods and agree on all aspects of budget, frequency, reporting, etc.
– Collect and document baseline information and provide monitoring data to key project management processes.
– Lead the process of writing all project reports, support project staff in the drafting of project activity reports and undertake quality assurance of project activities.A. Development, maintenance and periodic revision of project MEL frameworks
– Produce the project M&E framework in accordance with the project’s MEL Plan.
– Guide and coordinate the review of the project results table including:
o Provide technical advice for the revision of performance indicators.
o Ensure realistic intermediate and end-of-project targets are defined.
o Identify sources of data, collection methods, who collects data, how often, cost of collection and who analyzes it.
– Ensure gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) is integrated in the MEL framework and in results reporting
– Identify the requirements for collecting baseline data, prepare terms of reference, support contracting of a baseline survey/ies, and monitor progress.
– Contribute to the development of Annual Work Plans, setting of annual targets and prepare a detailed MEL budget and calendar of MEL activities.B. Establishment and maintenance of MEL database and results dashboard
– Establish comprehensive portfolio-level database of activities, outputs, results and impact, and ensure it remains up-to-date and correctly utilised by portfolio team;
– Provide support and MEL mentoring to portfolio team members to ensure capacity to input data in a timely and accurate way;
– Lead development of and maintain an engaging, easy to use and real-time results dashboard that showcases project activity and supports identification of lessons, trends, opportunities for adapted programming and need for research/learning.C. Continuous data collection, quality assurance and project reporting
– Oversee and execute MEL activities as per the Annual Work Plan, with particular focus on results and impacts as well as on lesson learning.
– Prepare a quarterly results tracker with key activities, indicators, baseline and targets under four result areas to obtain quarterly progress towards attainment of the annual results
– Undertake regular visits to the field to support implementation of MEL and to identify where adaptations might be needed.
– Prepare draft TORs and evaluation questions for reviews and evaluations in accordance with UNDP guidance.
– Ensure that project’s results are well captured in the UNDP’s corporate platforms: Integrated Work Plan, ROAR, Annual Business Plan, Strategic Plan reporting etc.
– Draft all reports

Required Skills and Experience

Proven project management experience in the field of governance, democracy, e-governance, digital transformation
Proven professional experience in working with national institutions in the areas in the area of digitalization, e-governance, human rights and democracy
Proven programme management experience, preferably within UNDP or another UN agency, with sound knowledge and experience in all aspects of project cycle (design, implementation, monitoring & evaluation);
Experience in implementing projects in the Asia Pacific Region an asset.
Experience managing projects using UNDP’s systems an asset.
Experience of working with donor agencies is an asset.

• Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills;
• Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing;
• Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development;
• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel;
• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, among others), email, and internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment;
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines;
• Sound security awareness;
• Have affinity with or interest in inclusive democratic systems, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN system.

Core Competencies

• Accountability
• Adaptability and flexibility
• Creativity
• Judgement and decision-making
• Planning and organising
• Professionalism
• Self-management

Living Conditions

Fiji, one of the larger countries in the South Pacific region, has a relatively high level of human development and is one of the most developed economies in the region. Fiji became independent in 1970. Its multi-ethnic population, which numbers approximately 900,000, is growing slowly due to a moderately low level of fertility and a high level of emigration. The economy rests primarily on sugar production and tourism but is becoming more diverse, with manufacturing now an important sector of employment. The unit of currency is the Fiji dollar.

Fiji comprises approximately 330 islands, approximately a third of which are inhabited. Fiji covers about 1.3 million square kilometers of the South Pacific Ocean. The two major islands are Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. The capital city is Suva, which is located on the south-eastern side of the main island of Viti Levu. The population is made up of a mixture of native Melanesian and Polynesian islanders and a blend of Indian, European, Chinese, Rotuman, and Rabi islanders, making it a rich and vibrant mix of cultures, sights, sounds, and exotic island delicacies. English is spoken widely on the island, and it is the common language of communication, although the native indigenous Fijian language is spoken by many, as is the Hindi language.

Fiji enjoys a mild and stable climate most of the year, due to the large expanses of open water that surround its islands. The wet season extends from November to April, but rainfall occurs throughout the year. Tropical cyclones can blow up between November and April, although they are rarely dangerous. Fiji enjoys year-round tropical temperatures of between 25 and 29 degrees with generally high humidity, making it a perfect location for sun-lovers.

Suva, the capital of Fiji, has a population of approximately 141,000 and is a multiracial and multicultural city. Suva is the largest city in the whole of the region, but it remains easy-going and friendly. It has reasonably modern facilities, including two large hospitals, sporting facilities, restaurants, and supermarkets. Modest accommodation is readily available in Suva, but the availability of small apartments is limited. An open mind and flexibility come in handy when looking for housing in Suva. The public transport is quite good: local buses run every day of the week, and taxis are affordable. Public transport is also available for exploring and visiting other parts of the country, which provides plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities and tropical nature.