Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Officer – GEF Small Grants Programme

Host entity: UNDP

Volunteer type: National

Areas of expertise: Community development, Energy, Economics, poverty reduction, livelihoods

Application deadline: 12/10/2026

Mission and objectives

UNDP works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to achieve the eradication of poverty, and the reduction of inequalities and exclusion. We help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities and build resilience in order to sustain development results.

The UNDP Multi-Country Office (MCO) based in Samoa, which covers Cook Islands, Niue, Samoa and Tokelau, implements the UNDP Subregional Programme Document for the Pacific Island Countries and Territories (2018-22), which is aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and country priorities as reflected in national development plans. In close partnership with the four Governments, UNDP works in collaboration with donors, the private sector, civil society organizations and local communities, academia, media and regional organizations to provide global knowledge and integrated development solutions to development challenges. UNDP promotes a whole-of-society approach to deliver on the ambition of the 2030 Agenda, with greater involvement of civil society actors, emphasis on empowering women, youth and vulnerable groups, and centered on the principle of leaving no one behind.

Assignment context

The UNDP Multi-Country Office (MCO), based in Apia, Samoa, serves the Governments and people of the Cook Islands, Niue, Samoa and Tokelau. A significant share of the Samoa MCO portfolio focuses on environment, climate change and resilience, including programmes financed by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Government of Australia. The GEF Small Grants Programme (GEF SGP) provides direct grants to non-governmental, civil society and community-based organizations to support locally led action that contributes to global environmental benefits, sustainable livelihoods and community resilience. The SGP portfolio also includes the Samoa CARES project, funded by the Government of Australia. The UN Volunteer will be part of the SGP Coordination Team and will work closely with the SGP National Coordinator, the UNDP team, National Steering Committee, grantees, government counterparts and other development and community partners.

Task description

Monitoring, Evaluation and Results Management
• Maintain and periodically update the GEF SGP portfolio-level M&E framework, results framework, indicator tracking tools and monitoring plan, ensuring alignment with approved project documents, GEF requirements and relevant UNDP results-based management and quality assurance requirements.
• Support the SGP National Coordinator in monitoring grant implementation against agreed results, indicators, milestones, workplans and targets, identifying delays, implementation challenges, risks and opportunities for corrective action.
• Review and quality-assure grantee monitoring and progress reports, supporting grantees to improve the completeness, consistency and reliability of reported results and supporting evidence.
• Establish and maintain practical data collection and verification tools for grants, including appropriate quantitative and qualitative methods, with data disaggregated where relevant by sex, age, disability and other dimensions required by the programme.
• Support baseline, outcome monitoring, spot checks, field verification and other monitoring exercises; participate in field missions to document progress, validate reported results and identify implementation issues.
• Compile, clean, analyze and interpret portfolio data and generate concise evidence-based analysis for programme management and reporting.
• Support the preparation of annual and periodic monitoring and reporting requirements, including GEF/SGP reporting, UNDP corporate reporting, surveys, reviews and other reports as required.
• Support preparation for and follow-up to mid-term reviews, terminal evaluations and other evaluation exercises, including data compilation, document review, stakeholder coordination and follow-up of recommendations.
• Develop and maintain an organized and accessible digital M&E/data repository for the SGP portfolio, ensuring appropriate version control, documentation and data quality.

Learning, Knowledge Management and Adaptive Management
• Identify, document and communicate lessons learned, promising practices, challenges and examples of change emerging from community-based projects.
• Support periodic learning and reflection sessions with the SGP team, grantees and relevant stakeholders to review progress, identify what is working or not working, and inform adaptive management.
• Develop concise analytical products such as learning briefs, results snapshots, case studies, success stories and data visualizations, in collaboration with the SGP team and MCO Communications Team.
• Contribute relevant, validated programme information to SGP and UNDP databases, websites and knowledge products, in accordance with applicable data, visibility and branding requirements.
• Facilitate the flow of M&E information between grantees, the SGP Coordination Team, National Steering Committee and relevant UNDP/MCO colleagues, while ensuring that information is accurate and fit for purpose.

Capacity Support to Grantees and Partners
• Provide practical guidance and coaching to grantees and implementing partners on results frameworks, indicators, data collection, evidence, reporting and learning.
• Support the development and dissemination of user-friendly M&E templates, guidance notes and tools appropriate to the capacity and operating context of community-based organizations.
• Promote participatory, inclusive and gender-responsive approaches to monitoring and learning, ensuring that community perspectives and experiences inform assessment of results.
• Contribute to workshops, training sessions and stakeholder dialogues on M&E, results-based management, learning and related programme requirements.

Skills and experience

• Minimum three (3) years of relevant professional experience in monitoring, evaluation, results-based management, programme/project management, research or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated experience developing or implementing M&E frameworks, results frameworks, indicators, monitoring plans and data collection or reporting systems.
• Practical experience collecting, cleaning, analysing and interpreting quantitative and qualitative data and translating findings into clear recommendations for programme management.
• Experience working with multiple stakeholders, preferably including government, NGOs, CSOs, community-based organizations and/or development partners.
• Experience in environmental or climate-related initiatives, community-based development, biodiversity conservation or sustainable livelihoods is an advantage.
• Experience supporting or strengthening the M&E and reporting capacity of partners or implementing organizations, including through coaching, guidance, tools or training would be an asset
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain M&E concepts clearly to stakeholders with different levels of technical capacity.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines and work independently.
• Proficiency in standard office and data-management software, including Microsoft Excel and other tools used for data analysis and visualization.

Competencies and values

• Accountability
• Planning and Organising
• Professionalism
• Adaptability and Flexibility
• Communication and Teamwork
• Results Orientation
• Self-Management
• Commitment to Inclusion, Gender Equality, Disability Inclusion and Volunteerism

Living conditions

Apia is the capital and main administrative and commercial centre of Samoa, with regular domestic and international air connections, established banking, communications, health and other essential services. The duty station is office-based in the UNDP Samoa MCO, with travel to project locations in Samoa, Niue and Tokelau as required. The assignment requires cultural awareness, flexibility and a willingness to work collaboratively with government, community organizations and other local partners. Living and working conditions are generally comfortable, while travel to outer-island and community locations may require flexibility and adaptation to local conditions. Applicable UNV benefits and allowances are governed by the UNV Conditions of Service.

Full eligibility requirements, conditions of service and application instructions are available on the official UNV platform.