Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Specialist

Support monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning activities for agricultural programming.

This opening expired 1 year ago. Do not try to apply for this job.

FAO - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Open positions at FAO
Logo of FAO

Application deadline 1 year ago: Monday 16 Jun 2025 at 21:59 UTC

Open application form

Overview

Support monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning activities for agricultural programming.

You have:

  • Master’s degree in development studies, statistics, agriculture, economics, or related fields
  • Five years of relevant experience in monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning
  • Working knowledge of English
  • Working knowledge of the official language of the country, Arabic
  • National of Sudan

Organizational Setting

The main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by an FAO representative, is to assist governments in developing policies, programmes, and projects to achieve food security and reduce hunger and malnutrition, while also helping develop the agricultural, fisheries, and forestry sectors and using their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner to ensure zero hunger in the country. FAO provides support in three priority areas: sustainable increases in production and productivity, agriculture-based economic growth, and increased resilience of livelihoods to threats and crises. .

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Sudan, with the direct supervision of the International Monitoring and Evaluation Consultant, the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Specialist will work in close collaboration with the FAO Sector Coordinators, Program/Project Managers, Field Coordinators, and other staff.

Technical Focus

The MEAL Specialist will support the country progamme by ensuring the planning and implementation of timely monitoring activities, data analysis and reporting on process, outcomes and impact indicators, and ensure timely sharing of information with programming and operational counterparts for adaptive management.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Contribute to project and programme design to ensure planning and budgeting of MEAL activities • Support the development of coherent logical frameworks and MEAL plans with a view to alignment across the country programme • Support beneficiary registration, verification and validation and ensure data handling in alignment with FAO’ data protection policy. • Support primary data collection, including survey design, coding (ODK/KOBO), data quality oversight, cleaning, analysis and reporting for baseline, post-distribution, pre-/post-harvest, and endline reporting – where relevant in collaboration with third party entities. • Collaborate with project managers to ensure/undertake regular updates in the Project Activity Information Database (PAID), 5W matrix, and other relevant databases. • Establish regular information flows related to MEAL activities from implementing partners and FAO field offices to the FAO country office MEAL team through standardized reporting templates. • Support strengthening Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) mechanisms for the project activities, and a programme-wide complaints and feedback mechanism that is accessible to target communities, including referral pathways and documentation of actions taken. • Conduct regular field visits to assess the timeliness and quality of implementation of project activities. • Provide implementing partners with technical support related to MEAL, and, in coordination with the programme team, organize and facilitate MEAL-related training courses to enhance their capacity. • Contribute to donor and organizational reporting. • Support overseeing M&E-related contracts, including third-party monitoring entities, to ensure timely and quality delivery on tasks. • Other duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Master’s degree in development studies, statistics, agriculture, economics, or related fields • Five years of relevant experience in monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning. • Working knowledge of English. • Working knowledge of the official language of the country, Arabic. • National of Sudan

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, experience in humanitarian and complex contexts is an asset; • Excellent command of R,STATA or SPSS, basic knowledge of other statistical software packages; • Knowledge of key food security and agricultural livelihood indicators; • Extent of experience in developing and implementing integrated MEAL frameworks and strategies; • Experience in capacity development for MEAL; • Ability to plan and work with limited supervision to meet objectives.

Selection Criteria

• Prior experience in the UN or International Organization would be an advantage. • Ability to work within a team of professional staff from diverse technical and cultural backgrounds. • Teamwork spirit, ability to work under minimum supervision, flexibility. • Strong command of English and Arabic, with demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in both. • Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools, particularly Excel, Word, Power Point, and Outlook. • Ability to work effectively in emergency situations and meet tight deadlines.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

  • FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
  • 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.

Potential interview questions

Can you describe a successful monitoring and evaluation initiative you have led? This question assesses your practical experience and fluency in MEAL concepts. Reflect on a specific project, highlighting your role and the outcomes achieved.
How do you ensure data integrity and quality in your work? The interviewer wants to understand your approach to maintaining high standards in data management. Pro members can see the explanation.
Describe a time when you had to adapt your work plan due to unforeseen challenges. What was your approach? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
What strategies do you employ to engage stakeholders in the monitoring and evaluation process? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Can you give an example of how your MEAL work has directly influenced program decisions? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
How do you prioritize multiple MEAL tasks within tight deadlines? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
What are the main elements you consider when designing a MEAL framework? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
How do you ensure effective communication of MEAL results to non-technical stakeholders? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Added 1 year ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: fao.org