Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEAL) Specialist

Organizational Setting

FAO supports governments and regional bodies to address their needs and priorities in achieving food security, reducing hunger and malnutrition, developing agricultural, fishery and forestry sectors, and ensuring the sustainable use of environmental and natural resources. The FAO Sub-regional Resilience Team for southern Africa (SFS-REOSA), based in Johannesburg, South Africa, leads FAO’s work to reduce vulnerability and risks of food and nutrition insecurity by strengthening the productive capacity and livelihoods of vulnerable groups in southern Africa. SFS-REOSA provides support to regional bodies, governments and FAO country offices in the design and implementation of emergency and resilience-building initiatives for the agriculture, food and nutrition security sector in southern Africa.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Sub-Regional Coordinator for Southern Africa and the direct supervision of the Resilience Team Leader, SFS-REOSA, and in close liaison with the SFS Technical Officers and the relevant units in RAF and headquarters, the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Specialist will lead the development and implementation of coherent, integrated and effective monitoring and evaluation of the SFS-REOSA programme and individual projects, and will provide MEAL support to country offices in the subregion. She/he will ensure adherence to the FAO corporate policies and operational guidelines for all outputs, paying particular focus to the delivery of the SFS-REOSA Programme

Technical Focus

Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning of FAO SFS Resilience Hub programme and projects.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Coordinate policy development, including the review and analysis of issues and trends, preparation of evaluations or other research activities and studies; • Contribute to programme development (including identification of new projects/programmes in the subregion) and project formulation processes in accordance with the relevant procedures and in conformity with relevant regional corporate priorities and the strategic framework; • Contribute to mobilization of resources required for subregional projects; • Ensure the provision of scheduled inputs, conducts consistent quality control and monitors timely execution, in line with project work plans; • Prepare and finalize delivery estimates, pipeline reviews and project related reports (progress and terminal reports); • Provide substantive backstopping to consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc., to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations; • Coordinate activities related to budget funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and prepares related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget). • Provide MEAL support to FAO country offices as required; • Leads the monitoring and evaluation work of SFS Resilience Hub; • Design, develop and maintains principles, concepts and methodologies for a results-based M-E Framework of the overall programme and individual projects in the portfolio of the SFS Resilience Hub • Design, develops and maintains tools and procedures (questionnaires, sampling methods, analytical templates) and integrates them with the results-based MEAL Frameworks of the SFS Resilience Hub • Provide technical inputs in the definition of logical frameworks, including substantive guidance in the selection of programmes and projects outcomes, outputs and indicators; • Design, develop and maintains supportive beneficiary accountability systems and protocols so as to ensure that beneficiaries are well informed and offered a platform to provide feedback; • Provide capacity development for FAO Country office staff and partners on the MEAL tools and systems, the function of MEAL in quality assurance and strengthens a culture of open reflection, learning and improvement; • Conduct field visits to support the implementation of projects by identifying challenges and proactively recommending remedial actions and adaptations as well as advocating for effective implementation of MEAL activities; • Ensure the systemic consideration of the lessons learned as opportunities for improvement in the planning and implementation of projects and programmes; • Presents findings of evaluations to key stakeholders and provides recommendations for improving programme delivery. • Perform other related duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in Agricultural Economics, Economics, Social Sciences or related field; • Seven years of relevant experience in agricultural development and/or project planning/formulation/ implementation; • Working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) for Consultants. • Working knowledge of English is sufficient for PSA.SBS.

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, particularly in field positions is desirable; • Extent and relevance of experience in programme/project development (including formulation and analysis) and management (implementation and monitoring); • Demonstrated understanding of the purpose and functions of the technical programme, operational guidelines and project/programme management procedures, preferably those adopted by the United Nations or FAO, which would be considered an asset; • Proficiency with project management methods is desirable; • Proficiency with SPSS, or other statistical packages is desirable.