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Project Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist
Better Than Cash
Papua New Guinea
Posted on Mar 14, 2026
Tiered Approach
In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:
- Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
- Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
- Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
- Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates
Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.
Background
The United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) for Papua New Guinea (2024–2028) provides the overarching strategic framework guiding the collective support of the United Nations system to national development priorities. Its overall goal is to support Papua New Guinea in achieving inclusive, peaceful, resilient, and sustainable development, leaving no one behind. The UNSDCF is structured around five interlinked outcomes: (1) Equality for Women and Girls; (2) Governance, Peace and Social Cohesion; (3) Inclusive Human Development; (4) Sustainable Economic Transformation; and (5) Environment and Climate Change. The Framework emphasizes integrated, people-centred, and area-based approaches, with strong attention to conflict prevention, resilience-building, gender equality, and partnerships across humanitarian, development, and peace actors.
Within this context, the Highlands Joint Programme Phase 2 (HJP II) addresses the root causes of conflict, fragility, and underdevelopment in the Highlands region of Papua New Guinea (PNG), an area affected by inter-tribal violence, displacement, and socio-economic vulnerabilities. Building on lessons learned from Phase 1, HJP II adopts an integrated, area-based humanitarian–development–peace nexus approach to empower communities, strengthen governance, promote peace and social cohesion, and enhance resilience to climate and disaster risks.
With a focus on the provinces of Hela, Southern Highlands, Enga, and Western Highlands, the programme aligns closely with PNG’s national development priorities and the UNSDCF, contributing primarily to Outcome 2 (Governance, Peace and Social Cohesion) and Outcome 4 (Sustainable Economic Transformation), while also supporting Outcome 1 (Equality for Women and Girls), Outcome 3 (Inclusive Human Development), and Outcome 5 (Environment and Climate Change). HJP II further contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).
The second phase of the programme (2025–2027) deepens peace and development efforts in Hela and Southern Highlands while expanding into Enga, a conflict epicentre, and Western Highlands, a major host province for internally displaced persons. It is structured around four core outcomes: (i) Community Empowerment and Inclusive Development; (ii) Peacebuilding and Social Cohesion; (iii) Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management; and (iv) Strategic Coordination and Knowledge Building
Duties and Responsibilities
The Project Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist will work under the direct supervision of the Joint programme Coordinator .The incumbent will be based within the HJP II secretariat working closely with the secretariat team and the PUNOs.
The objective of this TOR is to engage a Specialist with expertise in Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting (MEL). To support the new Highlands Joint Programme, UNDP is seeking a Planning, Monitoring and Reporting Officer to be primarily responsible for supporting planning, monitoring and reporting processes of the joint programme. In coordination with the focal points of the Participating UN Organizations (PUNOs) and relevant stakeholders at both national and provincial levels, s/he coordinates programme level planning processes and implementation of the results-monitoring system to ensure that information is systematically collected and analyzed. S/he ensures that all reports under the Programme are prepared in a timely manner and in accordance with the UNSDG and donor guidance for submission to donors.
UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across
interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.
Duties and Responsibilities
Programme Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting
- Support the Programme Coordinator and Programme Management Team in finalizing and operationalizing Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) tools for the Highlands Joint Programme Phase II, including the M&E Plan, results framework, indicators, and reporting templates.
- Coordinate and oversee systematic data collection and monitoring processes across the programme, including quantitative and qualitative data management, baseline and end-line surveys (to be designed and implemented), feedback mechanisms, and routine monitoring tools.
- Ensure timely preparation and submission of quarterly, annual, and ad hoc programme progress reports in line with UNSDG standards and donor reporting requirements, including reporting to the Programme Steering Committee and relevant oversight bodies.
Performance Monitoring and Results Tracking
- Organize and facilitate regular (monthly) M&E coordination meetings for HJP II, ensuring timely updates of the programme’s M&E framework and performance tracking tools.
- Prepare consolidated monthly, quarterly, and annual performance reports for the Programme Coordinator, and/or the HJP II Steering Committee.
- Maintain and regularly update annual performance measurement tools and dashboards to support evidence-based reporting and adaptive programme management.
Knowledge Management, Learning and Adaptive Programming
- Collect, analyse, and synthesize qualitative and quantitative data to support informed decision-making by the HJP II Technical Committees and Programme Management Team.
- Contribute to the development of knowledge products, lessons learned, and good practices to strengthen programme effectiveness, efficiency, and learning.
- Support Participating UN Organizations (PUNOs) focal points in the design, organization, and implementation of HJP II learning, knowledge-sharing, and networking events.
- Promote the integration of learning and evidence into programme planning, review, and adjustment processes.
Coordination with PUNOs and Provincial Governments (Area-Based Approach)
- Establish and maintain close coordination with Monitoring and Reporting focal points of Participating UN Organizations (PUNOs) to ensure coherence, complementarity, and alignment of monitoring and reporting practices across agencies.
- Work closely with Provincial Governments, District Administrations, and relevant local stakeholders in Hela, Southern Highlands, Enga, and Western Highlands to support the implementation of area-based planning, monitoring, and reporting processes.
- Support the consolidation and monitoring of provincial-level annual action plans, ensuring alignment with provincial development plans and the Highlands Joint Programme results framework.
- Facilitate the use of monitoring evidence to strengthen provincial ownership, accountability, and coordination among government counterparts and programme partners.
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 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 Development
- Knowledge facilitation. Ability to animate individuals and groups, internally and externally, and to design and facilitate activities, to share and exchange knowledge, information and ideas. Knowledge of tools and approaches to stimulate active participation, contribution, and exchange.
Business Management
- Partnership Management. Build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies
General (across the functions)
- Event planning and execution. Ability to plan, manage and execute of public and private events to ensure that they support and amplify individual communications and advocacy initiatives, as well as UNDP's overall brand and mandate
- Public Relations. Ability to build and maintain an overall positive public image for the organisation, its mandate and its brand, while ensuring that individual campaigns and other communications and advocacy initiatives are supported in reaching the public
Partnership management
- CSO Engagement. Knowledge and understanding of CSOs and the ability to engage with CSOs
- 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
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Development Studies, International Relations, Political Science, Management, Economics or related discipline is required. OR
- A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Experience:
- Minimum of five (5) years (with master’s degree) or seven (7) years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant professional experience in monitoring and interpreting data for reporting and performing an M&E role either in an (i) NGO or (ii) international organization (compulsory).
Required skills and competencies
- Microsoft Office, Windows-based applications, integrated web-based management systems, spreadsheets and databases
- Experience in UN or international organization.
Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section:
- Experience in project cycle management in the public or private sector or international organizations.
- Professional working experience on internationally funded projects
- Professional experience working with a range of different stakeholders like senior government officials, civil society and donors to support the programme
- Experience in high-level planning and organizing events or meeting in a challenging environment.
Required Language(s) (at working level):
- Fluency in English and Tok Pisin is required.
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.
Duties and Responsibilities