Monitoring Evaluation Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Specialist

Organizational Setting

The main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by an FAO representative, is to assist governments to develop policies, programmes, and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to help develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner to ensure zero hunger in the country. FAO provides support in three priority areas: sustainable increase in production and productivity, agriculture-based economic growth, and increased resilience of livelihoods to threats and crisis. The current portfolio of projects in Nigeria includes activities related to agriculture (crop), livestock, Fisheries, Natural Resource management and Food Security Information Management and Analysis.

The incumbent will contribute to the country’s programme and portfolio as foreseen in the project he/she will be assigned to provide technical support.

The post is located and based in Calabar, Cross River State - Nigeria.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative (FAOR) and direct supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative (Programmes) (AFAOR-P) and in close collaboration with other team members and relevant FAO technical officers in the Sub-regional office for West Africa (SFW), Regional FAO Office for Africa (RAF) and Headquarters, the incumbent will undertake the following main tasks.

Technical Focus

Contribute to FAO Nigeria’s efforts in the technical implementation of a UK PACT funded project: focusing on Providing technical support in the area of Monitoring Evaluation and Accountability and Learning in line with the project interventions and the implementation of technical activities to achieve the project outcomes. The incumbent will be responsible for the below tasks;

Tasks and responsibilities

• Assist in the development of programme/project log frames, particularly in the areas of the results monitoring, objective hierarchy, indicators and monitoring mechanisms, tools, and procedures, and assist in the development of the activity work plans, • Develop the overall framework for Monitoring Evaluation Accountability and Learning (MEAL) of programme in line with the FAO Nigeria programme framework as defined in FAO Nigeria Programme Documents and project log frames; • In cooperation with other project team members, provide support to project coordinator in preparing project reports especially quarterly and bi-annual reports as well as other project reports as required; • With implementing partners, FAO Programme team and MEAL Specialist, set out the framework and procedures for the monitoring and evaluation of project activities. • Design the framework for the physical and process monitoring of project activities. • Support field staff and implementing partners in developing/review of data collection tools and reports. • Follow-up monitoring of project activities in Cross River State and assist in data collection and analysis. • Prepare consolidated progress reports on MEAL activities for project management to submit to MEAL Specialist, in accordance with approved reporting formats and timing. • Review monitoring reports; analyse them for impact evaluation and to identify the causes of potential bottlenecks in project implementation. • Organize (and provide) refresher training in M&E skills including Accountability to Affected population aspects to FAO implementing partners, local organizations and primary stakeholders. • Utilize the MEAL information system, updating the projects, activities, and indicators on a routine basis. • Undertake regular visits to the field to support implementation of MEAL and to identify where adaptations might be needed. • Guide the regular sharing of the outputs of M&E findings with project staff, implementing partners and primary stakeholders. • Perform other duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• A Bachelor's Degree in Natural Resources Management, Agricultural Economics, Economics or Statistics, Social Sciences, Development Studies, or other related fields. • At least 5 years of professional experience related to project MEAL, planning and implementation of M&E systems, M&E methods and approaches, data analysis, and knowledge of statistical data. • Working knowledge of English. • National of Nigeria.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Proven capacity to create good relationships with a diversity of stakeholders including government institutions, NGOs, private sector, research institutions and local communities, and conduct fieldwork; • Previous experience working on international donors’ projects highly preferable; • Systematic and efficient approach to work assignments, good judgment and analytical ability. Ability to manipulate large data sets, and Excellent attention to details. • Good contextual knowledge of local issues in Cross River State, community priorities, social and cultural constraints and realities. • Previous knowledge on information analysis and report writing is an advantage. • Excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills in English. • Ability to effectively use standard MS Office software, especially experience with Excel, MS Access, database and SPSS. • Experience in working with mobile phone/tablet enabled data collection platforms. • Working knowledge of English, fluency in Efik, Bekwarra, and Ejagham- both verbal and written is highly desirable • Good command of computer skills (MS Word, Excel, Power point, Internet); and • Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate – level B) of any of the Nigeria main languages (Hausa, Yoruba or Igbo, Pidgin).

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.