Un Ponte Per (UPP) is an Italian NGO established in 1991. It started its activities as “Un ponte per Baghdad”, in the aftermath of the first Gulf war, with the aim of organizing solidarity initiatives in support of the Iraqi civilian population. In subsequent years, UPP missions expanded to include Serbia and other Middle Eastern and Mediterranean countries. The NGO aims at preventing armed conflicts, protecting human rights and supporting local civil society, especially in the Middle East, by promoting the nexus between its humanitarian, peacebuilding and development programs.

Since 2015, UPP has been one of the leading INGOs in the North East Syria (NES) response. Thanks to its close partnership with the Kurdish Red Crescent (KRC), UPP has been able to develop a comprehensive system of health services delivered in 26 facilities, including mobile units, hospitals, primary health care centers, and rural health posts. These function as the backbone of the basic healthcare system in the region, including an ambulances network managed by a centralized operational desk for emergency management and COVID-19 response.

Since 2017 UPP is also active in the Protection sector in NES, providing capacity building for local actors on Gender Based Violence (GBV) prevention and response, Child Protection (CP), Psycho-social Support (PSS) and protection mainstreaming in health programs. UPP developed a strong partnership with the Houses of Women, identified as key community stakeholders in GBV response, with the local youth organization DOZ and the Women Protection Department of the Arab National Association, setting up a wider outreach network with a particular focus on awareness and campaigning against early and forced marriage. UPP also co-chairs the NES PSEA Network.

Since 2019 the UPP NES Mission built an Early-Recovery sector component focusing on capacity-building for Local Authorities and civil society, supporting municipalities in NES to establish links with corresponding public bodies in Europe. The intervention pivots on peer-to-peer trainings on waste management (with a strong focus on medical waste disposal), water infrastructure, urban planning and civil defense. 2021 UPP has launched the WaSH and Livelihood sectors under the largest consortium in Syria.

The team is mostly based in North East Syria (NES) with frequent visits to the project locations and is supported by an office based in Dohuk (Kurdistan Region of Iraq – KRI).

For further information please refer to ou r website: www.unponteper.it/en/

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks. Un Ponte Per also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job a’plicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms his/her understanding of these recruitment procedures.

Duty Station: Amuda (travelling and overnight stays at other UPP bases or cross border locations might be required)

Responsibilities:

1.Ensure implementation of MEAL System, tools and procedures of the mission in line with the global UPP MEAL policies and priorities

• Facilitates updating of result-based MEAL system, guidelines, manuals, and monitoring frameworks for the NES mission.
• Provides technical support during project MEAL planning, including guidance on developing the Results Framework, Indicator Tracking Table (ITT), and methodologies and MEAL tools.
• Drafts and regularly updates MEAL workplans and data collection plans at the Country Programme.

2.Assist in leading the team in the monitoring, supervision and evaluations

• Design Baseline, midline, endline, continuous data collection tools using the Digital Data Gathering (DDG) software to measure indicators from the log frame as well as the quality of processes.
• Provides technical support in evaluations and other research activities, including engaging in ToR preparation, selection of consultants, and review of evaluation design and data collection methodology.
• Lead different surveys and assessments (baseline, mid-term and final evaluation) and ensure quality methodology and analysis as well as timely delivery.
• Support the team in analyzing data and providing quality delivery of the assessment reports (baseline, assessment, evaluation, etc.) conducted.
• Conduct monitoring missions at projects’ sites, identify bottlenecks and share the monitoring findings and feedbacks for improvement.
• Facilitate periodic projects review meetings.
• Facilitate coordination and collaboration with internal teams, including program managers, field staff, and technical experts, to ensure effective implementation of the MEAL system.
• Liaise with HQ MEAL Focal Point.
• Liaise with external partners, donors, and relevant stakeholders to coordinate MEAL activities, share information, and align methodologies and reporting requirements.
• Participate in coordination meetings, working groups, and other relevant forums to exchange knowledge, promote learning, and enhance coordination efforts.
• Foster partnerships and maintain effective communication channels to support the integration of MEAL into program planning and decision-making processes.

3.Reporting, Knowledge Management and learning

• Ensure the high-quality and timely submission of progress data/report from projects to donors and partners.
• Ensure unified database of program outputs is maintained. Implement electronic, mobile data collection systems in the MEAL processes.
• Shares lessons learnt and best practice as well as timely adjustment of M&E tools during programs implementation.

4.Building MEAL team capacities and maintain adequate MEAL structure.

• Review, and re-shape if needed, the MEAL department structure, maintaining an adequate division of roles.
• Identify training needs for the MEAL team, plan trainings in coordination with HR and implement them in accordance with MEAL strategy and operational priorities.
• Manage and provide effective supervision to the MEAL team, ensuring their adherence to internal and external MEAL requirements while consistently delivering high-quality information within established timelines. Facilitates recruitment of MEAL staff
• Implement regular staff evaluations and monitor career development.

5.Building and maintaining accountability mechanisms

• Provide technical support and guidance in the effective operation of accountability mechanisms, with a particular focus on promoting and raising awareness of the Community Feedback and Response Mechanism (CFRM) among project participants, beneficiaries, and stakeholders to ensure their easy access to the system.
• Oversee the process of receiving and managing complaints and feedback through established channels, ensuring that complaints are documented, handled confidentially, and addressed within the defined timeline.
• Ensure timely and transparent communication with complainants, providing regular updates on the status and progress of their complaints, and addressing any concerns or queries they may have.

Qualifications & Preferred Skills:

• Bachelor or Master’s degree in Statistics, health or social science with at least 3 years of experience in humanitarian and/or development organizations in designing, implementing and overseeing Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) related tasks.
• Expertise on result-based management, research techniques, different approaches of data collection, analysis and reporting.
• Experience on designing and conducting surveys.
• Proven working knowledge of English language.
• Good interpersonal, communications and facilitation skills.
• Skills of digital data gathering software and Information Management skills
• Technical expertise in evidence-based monitoring and evaluation approaches and practices both for accountability and learning processes.

Competencies

• Results orientation;
• Strategic thinking;
• Initiating action and change;
• Analytical skills, sound judgement;
• Flexible, proactive approach;
• Gender and cultural sensitivity;
• Handling sensitive data.
• Outstanding communication skills – written and spoken
• Strong interpersonal skills
• High ethical standards and ability to endorse principals of confidentiality
• Capacity to meet deadlines