Baseline Survey Specialist

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations has a broad mandate which covers multiple disciplines and sectors i.e. agricultural crops, livestock, forest management, fisheries, climate change, management of natural resources, legal and policy frameworks. It allows for the provision of a holistic and multi-sectorial support on climate change mitigation and adaptation in the fisheries, forestry and land-use sectors.

FAO has experience in supporting climate change adaptation (e.g. Mitigation of Climate Change in Agriculture (MICCA) programme; Adapting irrigation to climate change (AICCA) project), and in Climate smart agriculture (CSA). Additional information on FAO’s work on climate change is available here: http://www.fao.org/climate-change/en/. In the Gambia FAO assists the government to develop policies, programmes and projects to address agriculture, fisheries and forestry sectors and sustainable utilization of natural resources.

In line with the above mandate, and in response to needs of the country, FAO Gambia and The Gambia Government, the Ministry of Fisheries, Water Resources and National Assembly Matters received funding from the Global Climate Fund (GCF) through a project entitled “Climate Resilient Fishery Initiative for Livelihood Improvement in the Gambia” (PROREFISH Gambia). The project will increase the resilience and enhance livelihoods of 167,643 vulnerable Gambians dependent on the Fisheries Value Chain. 52.4% of the beneficiaries are women; they will be supported to adapt to the impact of climate change and improve their livelihoods through the adoption of climate resilient aquaculture, through climate proofing of small-scale fisheries infrastructure and through fisheries habitat restoration.

To effectively measure the project’s impact and results, baseline data is required for the project’s key indicators. This baseline assessment constitutes the basis for measuring the project’s performance over time. The survey is expected to identify concrete set of baseline indicators that could form the basis for monitoring the outcomes and outputs of the project. Collected baseline data will form the basis for measuring project achievements and outcomes (at the project objectives and intermediate result levels) based on the project log frame; particularly in the following thematic areas

Reporting Lines

FAO-Gambia will oversee the consultancy. The consultant/s will receive direct guidance from the FAOR with support from the Lead Technical Officer (LTO), the M&E Officer and the TAC members.

Technical Focus

• The consultant will be required to undertake the exercise within a period of 45 working days after the signing of the agreement with indicative timelines. • Participate in a briefing meeting with the Project Team and further consultation with Project Coordinator & M&E Officer • Develop baseline assessment tools appropriate for the project indicators • Develop Inception Report • Develop a brief fieldwork Implementation Plan • Collect and analyze available secondary and primary data in targeted project locations • Draft baseline report submitted to FAOR & Project Coordinator for comments • Incorporate comments and submit a final report to FAO

Tasks and responsibilities

The consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Project Coordinator, and the overall guidance of the M&E expert and the Technical Advisory Committee members to carry out the following tasks:

• Design standardized tools and finalize a methodology for collecting quantitative and qualitative data for the baseline assessment; • Translate the project’s Logical Framework into appropriate data required; • Collect and analyse available secondary data related to project objectives and results (outputs and outcomes) indicators; • Conduct primary data collection in targeted project locations; Banjul, West Coast Region (WCR), Lower River Region (LRR) and Central River Region-North (CRR-S); • Analyse and interpret the collected data and develop a comprehensive baseline report; • Develop recommendations for monitoring tools (e.g. follow-up surveys) to measure results and objectives adequately; and • Share key findings and insights with relevant staff, stakeholders and Technical Advisory Committee members through consultations, presentations and written reports.

Among others, the consultant/s is expected to use a mix of participatory, qualitative and quantitative methodologies/approaches.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Master’s degree or equivalent in Statistics, Economics, Social Sciences, Development Studies, Natural Resources Management (especially in Fisheries) with three (3) years of relevant professional experience • Or University degree in the above, with five (5) years of relevant professional experience • Working knowledge (level C) of English and limited knowledge (level B) of another FAO language (French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, or Russian). For PSA, working knowledge of one FAO language would suffice. Knowledge of three local languages (Mandinka, Fula & Wolof) is required. Working knowledge of another local language is an advantage.

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus • Teamwork • Communication • Building Effective Relationships • Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement