Monitoring Specialist

Organizational Setting:

FAO Partnership and Liaison Office in Azerbaijan executes the GEF-funded project Conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity: Strengthening Azerbaijan’s system of protected areas through improved governance and management together with the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources (MENR). The project will contribute to strengthening the planning and management capacity of the system of Specially Protected Natural Areas (SPNAs) in Azerbaijan, with a strategic focus on delivering project support to: (i) enhancing the financial sustainability of SPNAs; (ii) building information management systems for SPNAs; and (iii) establishing and administering buffer zones with more sustainable resource use in areas directly adjacent to SPNAs. The project will further deliver targeted planning and operational support to two SPNAs – Shirvan and Hirkan National Parks (NPs) – and their designated adjacent sanitary zones.

A Project Management Unit (PMU) is being constituted to oversee the day-to-day implementation of the project. The core of this PMU will comprise an International Team Leader (ITL), National Team Leader (NTL) and two Technical Field Officers (TFOs) – one for Shirvan National Park and one for Hirkan NP (and their sanitary zones). The PMU will, in turn, contract a range of service providers and/or enter into management agreements with partnering institutions to implement different project activities.

Reporting Lines:

Mr.Bariz Mehdiyev, Assistant FAO Representative

Technical Focus:

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Azerbaijan, direct supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative, the project international and national team leader, the technical supervision of the project LTO, and in close collaboration with the project team and the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources (MENR) of Azerbaijan, the Monitoring Specialist will be responsible for developing the framework for monitoring project performance over the five-year term of the project and will undertake the following tasks and responsibilities:

Tasks and responsibilities:

• Review (using SMART criteria) the current set of project performance indicators, baselines, and targets documented in the Project Results Framework (PRF), the Environmental and Social Risks Management (ESRM) Plan and the GEF Core Indicators table of the FAO PRODOC and GEF CEO ER for the project. • Provide technical guidance to the project-contracted Gender Advisor in the iterative development of the gender-specific indicators, baselines, and targets for the project’s Gender Action Plan (GAP). • In close collaboration with the ITL and NTL, revise, update and finalize the full, consolidated set of project indicators, baselines, and targets for presentation to the Project Steering Committee for approval and adoption (please note that in some instances – such as the METT scores for Hirkan and Shirvan - this will also require the consultant to collect or collate the requisite information needed for some baselines that have not yet been quantified). • Develop a detailed monitoring framework to guide the ongoing collection of data that will be required to report on project progress in meeting the project targets for each indicator for the full project implementation phase (2022-2026). This framework will include inter alia the following information for each indicator: o A brief description of the indicator under each of the project performance reporting categories (PRF, ESRM, GAP and GEF Core Indicators). o A brief description of how the baseline for the indicator was determined. o A brief description of the time-bound targets for the indicator. o A description of the standardised approach/methodology that will be used to collect (or source) data and present the information required to enable reporting on progress towards meeting the indicator targets. o The frequency of collecting (or sourcing) the information required to enable reporting on progress towards meeting the indicator targets. o The responsibility/ies for collecting (or sourcing) the information required to enable reporting on progress towards meeting the indicator targets. • Host at least two short working sessions with selected SPBD staff, park management staff in Hirkan and Shirvan, PMU staff, selected service providers and project implementing partners to present the monitoring framework and its implications/requirements for project implementation.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements:

• University Degree, Diploma or Certificate in project administration or management (or similar) from an accredited institution, with a specialization in project monitoring. • At least 5 years’ experience in the monitoring and/or evaluation of donor-funded projects in Azerbaijan. • Fluent in Azerbaijani, with a working knowledge of English • Nationality of Azerbaijan or resident in the country with a regular work permit.

A FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical Focus:

• Demonstrable expertise in monitoring techniques and approaches in the natural resources, sustainable land management and/or agricultural and forestry sectors. • Demonstrable expertise in the development of SMART indicators, analytical ability and report writing skills. Familiarity with different participatory methods for monitoring and/or evaluation. • Knowledge of gender aspects is an asset. • Proven track record of drafting relevant materials (publication, reports, and related documentation). • Strong communication and presentation skills, and ability to liaise with various stakeholders, including government officials.