Principal Director, Performance Monitoring and Evaluation (GMG/SEG 6)

JOB OVERVIEW:

Under the general direction of the Deputy Financial Secretary (PEX) the Principal Director Performance Based Monitoring and Evaluation is responsible for the establishment and maintenance of a results-based monitoring and evaluation system that supports the medium term results based budgeting process within the Central Government and the public investment management system (PIMS) within the specified public sector (SPS), through the systematic (a) monitoring and evaluation of program and project activities, outputs, and outcomes; (b) collection and reporting of physical and financial performance data to inform budgetary decision-making; and (c) monitoring and evaluation of MDAs M&E systems, mechanisms and processes used in the collection, processing and validation of data and their presentation to users; 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Technical Responsibilities 

• Supports the DFS PEX in advancing the integration of performance information within medium term results-based budgeting to facilitate evidenced based decision-making through the provision of quality performance data. 
• Collaborates with MDAs in implementing effective mechanisms for monitoring programmes and projects. 
• Directs the Branch in the provision of technical advice on data use, interpretation and analysis to assess project results, improve project quality, identify trends, and inform future decision-making processes; 
• Oversees the development of Results Based M&E standards, systems and processes and the conduct of quality audits and research to support continuous improvement and harmonization of the budgetary M&E system; 
• Collaborates with MDAs and other central agencies in undertaking ongoing systematic Spending Reviews aimed at scrutinizing and assessing targeted areas of the Central Government Expenditure Budget. 
• Collaborates with MDAs and other central agencies in to strengthen the Budgetary M&E function across relevant entities within the specified public sector. 
• Leads the Branch in conducting training and building capacity in MDAs to enable institutionalization of performance monitoring and evaluation as a budgeting tool and ensure that departments and agencies understand its role in results-based budgeting; 
• Collaborates with other central agencies in instituting M&E knowledge management processes within the central government through institutional learning processes, the convening of communities of practice and other 
• organizational learning practices and tracking best practices in monitoring and evaluation; 
• Directs analysis of M&E findings, best practices and lessons learned and the dissemination of same to national, regional and international stakeholders. 
• Supports the Cabinet Office and the Planning Institute in the promotion of a positive M&E culture in Central Government; 
• Collaborates with other central agencies on prioritizing and selecting programmes and projects and allocating Government expenditure, consistent with the National Development Agenda and in line with the medium-term fiscal management strategy. 
• Supports MDAs in elaborating, piloting and validating quantitative and qualitative monitoring tools as well as designing the corresponding data collection procedures; 
• Leads efforts in reviewing existing evaluation approaches and ensure that rigorous and impact-oriented evaluation design are utilised by MDAs;
• Facilitates the collection, consolidation, validation and interpretation of data obtained through monitoring and evaluation and ensures that useful and timely information is generating for the benefit of stakeholders;
• Provides a forum for the review and discussion of M&E findings, decisions and follow-up with MDAs senior management; 
• Fosters collaboration and consultation with key stakeholders involved in the monitoring of central government operations and public investment projects, such as the Cabinet Office, the Planning Institute of Jamaica and the Auditor General; 
• Leads the actions/processes required for measuring government activities, tracking performance indicators across sectors and over time, evaluating programs; providing useful feed-backs on the intermediate outcomes and outputs of projects and programmes, detecting implementation difficulties, and in case of deviations from the originally envisaged objectives, identifying remedial actions; 
• Ensures the production of reliable, high quality data to support decisions on policy, programs/projects and the allocation of scarce resources through the tracking, measuring and reporting on actual financial and operational performance of the public investment projects under implementation within the specified public sector and the recurrent programmes of MDAs against their corporate plans and budgets; 
• Represents the Ministry/Department/Agency on various committees and at meetings, conferences, workshops and other fora as required on matters related to monitoring and evaluation; 
• Directs/participates in the training of MDAs staff in M&E best practices and ensures compliance with established policies and procedures;
• Collaborates with other central agencies in ensuring that all evaluation studies needed to gain timely and relevant insights into emerging areas of concern are undertaken and that the data is shared with relevant stakeholders;
• Collaborates with other central agencies on initiatives that foster a joint learning process that identifies how M&E analysis could be improved further to achieve greater impact; 
• Keeps abreast of legal requirements and government reporting regulations and advising the DFS on requirements for the enactment of appropriate legislation/regulations in the area of Monitoring and Evaluation; 
• Establishes mechanisms for communicating with project management and other appropriate stakeholders regarding the actions that are recommended to tackle the specific or systemic weaknesses project implementation identified in monitoring; 
• Facilitates stakeholder workshops and consultations to identify weaknesses, and risks, to identify opportunities for improvement;
• Provide leadership for the strategic integration of the PIMIS and Public Investment Map across the Public Sector. 
• Lead the preparation of the Comprehensive PSIP Report presented to parliament during the tabling of the National Budget as required by the FAA Act 

Management and Human Resource Responsibilities 

• Plans, organises and directs the work associated with the function and resources of the Branch including the development of the corporate, operational and individual work plans, and annual budget to reflect the Branch’s strategic priority areas; 
• Undertakes HRMD-related duties including selection, performance management, training and discipline for the Branch’s staff in accordance with the Ministry’s policies and procedures. 
• Develops and manages the performance of direct report(s), including transferring skills, motivating staff, setting performance targets, monitoring performance, providing feedback and arranging for training; 
• Conducts periodic reviews and final annual assessment of direct report(s) in accordance with respective work plans, of supervisees, based on agreed performance assessment criteria and prepares performance reports; 
• Convenes regular staff meetings and ad hoc meetings as necessary to discuss job scheduling and any other issues/problems that affect the Branch’s operations so as to provide solutions to achieve the objectives; 
• Ensures that there are sufficient and appropriate physical resources to undertake the operations efficiently and effectively; 
• Maintains effective working relations with external and internal stakeholders and customers, thus ensuring that the PEX Division provides a consistently high level of engagement.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES:

• Strong knowledge and understanding of the principles and techniques of monitoring and evaluation. 
• Knowledge of data collection methods, statistical analysis, and the use of software to track and analyse data; 
• Knowledge of Financial Administration and Audit (FAA) Act, Executive;
• Sound appreciation of risks identification and strategies 
• Excellent critical reasoning, quantitative and qualitative analysis skills
• Strong negotiating and persuasive presentation skills 
• Experience in cultivating strategic alliances across government;
• Ability to plan, organize, direct and co-ordinate the work of professional and other support staff engaged in monitoring and evaluation activities.
• Leadership – Possess good leadership skills. 
• Planning and Organizing – Excellent planning and organization skills.
• Problem Solving & Analysis - Logical problem solving and analytical skills.
• Communication - Possess excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Initiative & Judgment - Ability to exercise initiative and sound judgment.
• Integrity/Ethics - Possess and exercise high integrity and ethical standards
• Interpersonal Skills - Possess excellent interpersonal skills.
• Quality of Output - Deliver output of a consistently high quality.
• People Management – Possess excellent people management skills.
• Teamwork - Be a team player. 

QUALIFICATION & EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s degree in Economics, Business Administration, Social Science Public Sector Management (Preferably with M&E) or equivalent qualification from recognized tertiary institution; 
• Five (5) years’ experience at the senior management level in the Public Sector; 
• At least 5 years’ experience in Monitoring and Evaluation; 
• Certification or Training in Monitoring and Evaluation 

SPECIAL CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THE JOB:

• Working conditions with numerous critical deadlines. 
• May sometimes be required to work long hours and on weekends and public holidays; 
• Regular visits to sites and site meetings with various project personnel.

Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.