Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist at NFT Consult: (Deadline 14 April 2025)

Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist at NFT Consult: (Deadline 14 April 2025)

TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR A U-SWAP MONITORING AND EVALUATION SPECIALIST

I. BACKGROUND

The Urbanization and Rural Settlement Sector-Wide Approach (U-SWAp) Secretariat was established in 2015 with aim to strengthen sector coordination and performance by increasing coherence and complementarity of interventions in support of the national urbanisation agenda.

In line with that, the Sector Working Groups (SWGs) are established as technical working forums that facilitate cross-sector discussions between the government and partners. From SWGs the Thematic Working Groups (TWGs) are formed. The TWGs are specific smaller technical groups by themes to enhance synergies and thematic interventions for a successful implementation of the sector strategy.

Currently, the SWG for Urbanisation and Rural Settlement sector (U&R) is composed of over 60 active members stemming from the development partners (DPs), stakeholders from International and National NGOs, representatives from Private Sector, Civil Society, Academia and Sector Media Network, local governments (CoK and Districts), and central government (Ministries and affiliated agencies), whose mandates are directly or indirectly related to urbanisation and rural settlement development.

MININFRA, as a Government institution responsible for urbanization and human settlement development, is the Chair of the Urbanisation SWG and host of the Urbanization and Rural Settlement SWAp Secretariat which is the coordination unit for the SWG. Currently U-SWAp consists of two full-time staff: the U-SWAp Coordinator and the Spatial Development Framework Operationalization (SDF) Specialist.

While the Urbanisation SWG platform is very active, the thematic working groups have not been active enough in the past years, therefore the need to revive them to better serve their purpose encouraging members to synergize and step up efforts for deeper analysis of specific technical matters and recommend remedial measures and solutions.

The SWG meetings (of October 2023 and June 2024) stressed the need to revive the TWGs to enhance technical coordination of interventions among the growing number of partners in the urbanisation sector. In line with reviving the Thematic Working Groups, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) through its Urbanisation Program for Rwanda has committed to support strengthening the U-SWAp Secretariat with an additional local position: a Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Specialist.

II. U-SWAp SECRETARIAT OBJECTIVES

2.1 Main objective

Ensure effective coordination and integration of Urbanization and Human Settlement Development Plans and Actions at National and Local Level towards achieving the sector strategic targets aligned to NST 2, Vision 2050, SDGs and other Regional/Continental goals.

2.2 Specific objectives

• Ensure efficient and effective functioning of Urbanization and Rural Settlement Sector Working Group;
• Ensure horizontal and vertical coordination of Urbanization and Rural Settlement Sector stakeholders and development partners efforts and actions;
• Support the operationalization and functioning of the sector’s Thematic Working Groups;
• Operationalize and coordinate Planning Coordination Meetings related to urbanisation and rural settlements sector at Regional and District level;
• Ensure efficient communication of urbanization and rural settlement sector projects and achievements;
• Ensure an effective flow of information among the urbanization & rural settlement SWG members and within the sector to avoid any duplication of efforts and instead foster complementarity;
• Act as a catalyst and an action accelerator to support efforts to scale up urbanisation and rural settlement operations for the national development objectives;
• Promote research in urbanization & rural settlement technical approaches, knowledge transfer and exchange of best practices, innovations and their replication where appropriate;
• Advocate for the role of planned urbanization and rural settlement in social & economic development and poverty reduction;
• Identify untapped opportunities and mobilise complementary resources to support existing actions and gaps in the sector.

III. U-SWAp M&E SPECIALIST JOB DESCRIPTION

3.1 Main duties and responsibilities shall include the following:

a. Monitoring & Evaluation (time allocation: 60%¹)

Support the monitoring and evaluation of the SWG programme for the U&R sector:

• Ensure that the U-SWAp Secretariat has useful, valid and reliable information on sector specific matters including the status of sector strategic indicators aligned to GoR goals, and performance of programmes and projects by sector development partners and stakeholders;
• Ensure adherence to monitoring and evaluation guidelines, frameworks and indicators for the SWG programme and assist in embedding M&E and accountability;
• Assist in establishment of Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) tools which enhance partnership between SWG members to collectively track progress on implementation of sector activities and achievements;
• Identify and monitor key indicators and targets for the Urbanisation Sector, taking into account specific reporting requirements by the Government institutions or development partners;
• Assist in establishing reporting structures and in institutionalising monitoring and evaluation mechanisms and procedures within the sector and between different institutions;
• Record and report progress on the sector strategic projects and objectives and ensure timely communication to the urbanisation directorate;
• Monitor implementation of key indicators highlighted in key government planning documents such as NDCs (Nationally Determined Contributions), USSP 2024-29 (Urbanisation and Rural Settlement Sector Strategic Plan), NST2 (2nd National Strategy for Transformation), Vision 2050 and other international treaties and conventions that Rwanda is a signatory such as SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals), NUA (New Urban Agenda), etc.;
• Assist in designing and conducting surveys to gather additional data and information where necessary;
• Prepare monitoring sessions and monitoring parameters for different urbanisation projects and initiatives in pipeline and those under implementation;
• Participate in planning and budgeting processes in U&R Sector;
• Assist in the development of technical capacities for monitoring, evaluation, learning and research, with special attention to the interests and concerns of sector stakeholders;
• Contribute to the elaboration of sector related policies, strategies and programs as well as preparation of new project proposals;
• Address any issues in relation to M&E as recommended by the Ministry.

b. Implementation of Thematic Working Groups (time allocation: 40%²)
Support effective implementation of Thematic Working Groups in the U&R sector:

• Act as Secretariat of the Housing Development TWG in close collaboration with its co-Chairs, including but not limited to keeping an updated list of members, preparing and sending out invitations, drafting the agenda and any relevant document for TWG meetings, organising and procuring logistical aspects of meetings, and taking meeting minutes;
• As needed, assist other TWG co-Chairs with the TWG secretariat work;
• In coordination with co-Chairs of the TWGs, enhance primary stakeholder ownership of the sector programmes/projects via TWG technical meetings and consultations, and use of participatory approaches in M&E;
• Coordinate the operations of the TWGs alongside the TWG co-Chairs and members, follow up on progress of actions, learning from innovations, analysing challenges and developing solutions, in order to share lessons and contribute to the development of best practices;
• Communicate widely across TWGs and externally on best practices developed through implementation and based on evidence.

3.2 Qualifications and Experience for the local M&E Specialist

• Appropriate qualification at a Master’s degree level, such as Social Sciences, Public Management, Urban Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Civil Engineering, Development Studies, Project Management or a relevant field;
• A background in Urban Planning and Development Programme is a distinct advantage;
• Proven experience of at least 6 years working with Partners (local and international), INGOs, NGOs, CBOs, Parastatal Organisations and other civil society groups;
• Proven understanding of the Rwandan Urbanisation and Human Settlement Sector context and experience working in different countries within the East African region would be an advantage;
• Experience in the design and use of monitoring and evaluation systems;
• Skills in the development of national policies and strategies;
• Ability to cooperate with various stakeholders and motivate information exchange;
• Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with senior representatives of DPs and to represent the sector at national or international level;
• Knowledge of the key tools used by Development Partner agencies, such as logical frameworks, results chains, theories of change, results-based management and financial administration systems;
• Strong analytical, interpersonal, communication and organisation skills;
• Experience in working or managing a consortium model of working;
• Excellent written and spoken English, and knowledge of Kinyarwanda and French languages will be an added advantage.

3.3 Supervision and Reporting

• The U-SWAp M&E Specialist will be working under the direct supervision of the U-SWAp Coordinator and DG Urbanisation, Human Settlement and Housing Development in MININFRA.
• The M&E Specialist produces quarterly reports of activities and an annual report corresponding to the end report as the contract is also signed on an annual basis, to be shared with MININFRA and SDC for approval.
• The M&E Specialist shall closely collaborate with the Urbanization, Human Settlement and Housing Development Directorate staff of MININFRA so that they all together deliver as a team as they are pursuing the same objectives.

Application Link

Deadline: 14th April 2024

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE AND APPLY