Organization: UN Children’s Fund
Country: Panama
Closing date: 06 Feb 2017
BACKGROUND
WHO Director-General, Dr. Margaret Chan, announced on 1 February 2016 a Public Health Emergency of International Concern regarding the increase in neurological disorders and neonatal malformations. This comes after an Emergency Committee convened under the International Health Regulations (IHR) agreed that a link between Zika infection during pregnancy and microcephaly, though not yet scientifically proven, is strongly suspected and constitutes an «extraordinary event» and a public health threat to other parts of the world.
Between 1 January 2007 and 3 March 2016, a total of 52 countries and territories have reported autochthonous (local) transmission or indication of transmission of Zika virus (41 since 1 January 2015).
To contribute towards the response to this emergency, UNICEF in Latin America and the Caribbean region has developed and is implementing a regional ZIKV response plan. The goal of the UNICEF LAC regional ZIKV response is to enhance UNICEF’s contribution to the control of the spread of ZIKV and the mitigation of its impact on children and their families, in particular the most disadvantaged communities, in the Latin America and the Caribbean Region. UNICEF is working in support to nationally led efforts, and in close collaboration with PAHO/WHO as UN leader in the response, and other relevant stakeholders, with a focus on its comparative advantage and mandate, to:
Prevent transmission of ZIKV through:
Personal protection (in particular for pregnant women, Pregnant and Lactating Women (PLW) and adolescent girls of childbearing age) through community engagement and Communication for Development (C4D) activities that will support behaviour adaptation to prevent the spread of the virus.
Vector control (reducing breeding sites/vector density) and C4D activities through national capacity development of government institutions and NGO partners
Provide care and support to families affected by ZIKV, including multi-disciplinary management of microcephaly and other potential malformations/conditions that are currently known and unknown as to the causes.
To monitor and manage the evaluation of the ZIKV LAC response plan (LACRO + Country Offices) it is required to:
Through existing monitoring framework, provide information on progress towards achieving results for improved decision making and programing;
Assess efficiency and effectiveness of programme response;
Ensure systematic reporting on results.
Improve accountability on delivering results for ZIKA affected populations.
Report systematic results of the Zika Response in LAC.
To meet these requirements effectively, the UNICEF LACRO intends to hire services of a Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist with experience in M&E of public health and development programmes, with an emphasis on outbreak responses and other health emergencies.
PURPOSE
Under the supervision of the Regional M&E Specialist, with the guidance of the LACRO ZIKA Regional Adviser and the ZIKV Team Coordinator; the Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist (performance monitoring & reporting) shall ensure systematic monitoring, quality reporting of results through i) performance monitoring of the ZIKV response at the regional and country office level, and ii) an evaluation of the regional ZIKV response strategy/plan..
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS
Support the adaptation of ZIKV Response Framework (for Regional Office and for Country Offices) including guidelines to integrate mainstreaming of the Response in Regular Programmes.
Ensure that RO results are measured and followed according to the performance monitoring plan of the ZIKV response.
Ensure data is collected regularly to report results on a regular basis according to the monitoring framework of the Regional Zika Strategy.
Management of the ZIKV response management evaluation, including the elaboration of the TOR and follow up the evaluation to ensure quality standards. Ensure there is a steering committee and results are discussed within UNICEF and other stakeholders previous publication. At the end of the evaluation process, ensure the dissemination of results and finalize the management response at the regional level.
Knowledge management of results within LACRO, COs and other stakeholders. This include the systematization of lessons learned based on evidence.
Support the implementation and dissemination of KAP studies, systematizations, and other evidence generating activities)
Capacity building in Monitoring and Evaluation in ZIKV Context.Capacity building on ZIKV Response M&E provided in LACRO and UNICEF Country Offices.
Support the mainstreaming and integration of ZIKV Response in UNICEF Regular Programs.
KEY END-RESULTS
END PRODUCTS (e.g. report, article, documents, etc.):
Deliverables
A monitoring and evaluation system updated in RO and COs (Framework, indicators, tools and MoV) and country office ZIKA focal points and partners with capacities and tools for performance monitoring and reporting on results. A monthly dashboard of the main activities and results implementing as part of the Zika Response Strategy in RO and Cos.
Support elaboration of monthly situation report.
A monitoring and evaluation toolkit for ZIKV Response in RO and COs with a pilot validation of the tools.
Periodic reports on results on ZIKA response for UNICEF, donors, Situation Reports, partners and governments prepared with an emphasis in Outcomes and Outputs.
Zika database from LACRO and COs results established and updated in a monthly basis.
Epidemiological Situation updated monthly.
A systematization of the LACRO Zika Response with the main lessons learned and best practices of the response.
TORs of ZIKV response management evaluation and technical review of inception report and draft evaluation report. Preparation of the management response associated to the evaluation with specific actions to be implemented by the Regional Office.
Review of KAP studies, Evidence generation managed at regional and country level
Final review of the Evaluation of ZIKV Response Plan in countries and region.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES
Education:
Advanced university degree in social sciences, public health, business administration, statistics, planning, or other related fields.
Work Experience:
5-8 years or more of relevant professional work experience in design and monitoring and evaluation of development programmes.
Familiarity with emergency responses (public health emergency experience an asset)
Familiarity with C4D strategies in health.
Planning and managing international teams.
Experience managing or conducting evaluations.
Experience working with United Nations.
Experience working in development countries in Spanish-speaking contexts.
Languages:
Fluency in English and Spanish. Fluency in Portuguese and/or French an asset.
Technical Knowledge:
Professional technical knowledge/expertise in demography, statistics, and data management.
Professional technical knowledge/expertise in methodology of Monitoring and Evaluation, including theories, standards and models, quantitative/qualitative/mixed methods, validity/reliability testing of data, data analysis and interpretation, and statistical inference methods.
Strong knowledge/expertise on evaluation methodologies. Experience applying the DAC standards and UNEG norms.
Experience with monitoring and evaluation of behavioural change interventions (C4D) an asset.
Emerging international good practice in monitoring and innovation.
Other skills and Attributes:
Capacity to work in stressful conditions.
Willingness to travel extensively through the LAC-region (over 50%).
Flexibility and adaptability to shifting conditions and work demands.
Capacity to communicate effectively, work collaboratively with RO & CO colleagues and partners.
High level of Integrity and commitment to UNICEF’s mission and professional values.
Analytical and conceptual ability, negotiating, communication and advocacy skills.
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organization.
How to apply:
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organization. To apply, click on the following link http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/?job=502632
