Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Specialist

Organizational Setting

FAO in collaboration with the government, UN-organizations and development partners began serving both the host communities and Rohingya population in building their livelihoods and skill development opportunities as well as ensuring environmental Integrity in Cox’s Bazar from October 2017.

Reporting Lines

The Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Specialist is a SC 8 position based in Cox’s bazar. He/she will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Bangladesh, with the direct supervision of the Senior Emergency and Rehabilitation Officer, the incumbent will work in strict collaboration with the International Program and Operations Specialist, the HQ MEAL, Knowledge Sharing Platform on Resilience (KORE) and Resilience Index Measurement and Analysis (RIMA) teams, and in close cooperation with the Program Managers and other staff.

Technical Focus

The Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Specialist will support the planning, implementation, monitoring, and impact evaluation phases of the Cox’s Bazar Program and the translation of the evidence generated into learning for improved programming. He/ She will roll out M&E Strategies across Cox’s Bazar while interacting with project stakeholders in the execution of the projects

Tasks and responsibilities

• Coordinate the MEAL Team and monitor their performance in the field and office. • Contribute to developing monthly and annual work plans that focus on the project goal, objectives and targeted results. • Assist in developing and formulating a comprehensive MEAL plan with defined indicators and a reporting schedule aligned with project and programme requirements; • Conduct quantitative and qualitative assessments and support the baseline and programme performance studies focusing on RIMA tools and ensure data quality, capture intended changes (outcomes) and figure out processes that have been effective and/or non-effective with the underlying causes; • Work closely with the partners’ staff responsible for project management and monitoring data collection, analysis, and contribute to timely updating of the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) database; • Review Letter of Agreement and ensure coherence with Project documents Logical Frameworks and the alignment of reporting schedules and requirements; • Make frequent field visits to conduct household-level interviews, agricultural inputs distribution monitoring, post distribution monitoring, beneficiary contact monitoring, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews; and verify whether the field data/reports match with the Management Information Systems (MIS) database and activities in the field; • Maintenance as well as securing beneficiary registration database. • Develop / review projects’ log frames, SMART indicators and targets, project implementation plan, monitoring and evaluation plans, data collection methodology and relevant tools for monitoring and reporting of programme activities and results; • Provide support to MIS and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Specialists on outcome-based result measurement surveys and in developing GIS maps to measure and visualize productivity, income, profitability, food security and resilience; • Identify innovation and good practices in the communities and assist in extracting learning through intensive field context analysis and feeding information into learning agenda; • Draft sub-district-wise quarterly and annual process monitoring reports (as required) for the management identifying problems, causes of potential bottlenecks in implementation and providing specific recommendations based on observed challenges and opportunities; • Work closely with the MIS and GIS Specialists to provide necessary inputs on database development, preparation of GIS maps, data transfer/uploading from remote devices (tablets) to the project server as well as provide support to the partners’ staff in operating the database system; • Liaise with project management and provide recommendations to Senior Emergency and Rehabilitation Officer to enhance efficacy and efficiency insofar as utilization of project/program resources designated to MEAL activities; • Develop Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) mechanisms and key messages and information, education, and communications materials for projects’ activities and training and ensure integration and mainstreaming of AAP and cross-cutting themes, such as gender equity and protection, in the MEAL designs; • Define the Impact Evaluation (IE) Framework with the programme staff and the RIMA team • Establish and operationalize community-level feedback mechanisms that receive, process and respond to feedback in alignment with FAO policies and procedures. • In coordination with the programme team, organize and facilitate training courses on the quality assurance, results-based monitoring systems, and AAP issues for skill development and capacity building of the partners’ staff in meeting the organizational standard and donor’s compliance; • Provide coaching/mentoring support in data literacy and other technical areas (e.g., data analysis, data collection) to Programme staff; • Build upon FAO experiences within and beyond the Programme, to improve consistency, quality and practicality of monitoring and evaluation strategies and tools; • Perform other related duties as assigned by the Management.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Master's degree required in development economics, agribusiness, international development, development studies, statistics, business administration or related discipline with expertise in research methods is desired. • Minimum 4-5 years’ of relevant experience in Monitoring related program implementation, Data Management and Project Cycle Management • National of Bangladesh • Working knowledge (level C) of English and Bengali

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Relevant work experience in MEAL applied to natural resource management, food security, agricultural, emergency and resilience development programmes; • Excellent knowledge of MEAL tools and methodologies applied in natural resource management, food security, resilience and agricultural interventions; • Working knowledge of advanced statistics with ability to use statistical software packages (e.g. SPSS, STATA, R Studio etc.); • Good knowledge of using and programming questionnaires in Open data kits (e.g. Kobo toolbox, ODK etc.); • Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Outlook); • Experience in UN Agencies Programming is preferred. • Ability to perform in multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary context; • Excellent verbal and written communication skills required; • Ability to work independently and with minimum supervision;

Selection Criteria

• Experience in complex/protracted emergencies would be an asset; • Experience in conflict sensitive and peacebuilding programmes would be an asset; • Field experience in implementing MEAL activities and strategies required;

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
• Incomplete applications will not be considered. If you need help please contact: [email protected]
• Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/
• For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.