National MEAL Specialist

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is implementing an EU-funded project “Inclusive, competitive and sustainable value chain development in agriculture, fisheries and forestry”, a 4-year, multi-sectoral, multidisciplinary develop- ment project that seeks to make agriculture, forestry and fisheries more productive and more sustainable; reduce rural poverty; and enable more inclusive and efficient agricultural and food systems.

The Project is implemented through 4 components focusing on (1) improving the policy environment; data, research and monitor- ing; and governance systems in fisheries and aquaculture sectors; (2) strengthening the enabling environment for the forestry sector to help secure the long-term sustainability of forest management and to improve evidence-based policymaking in the sector; and (3) strengthening select food value chains through improved access to finance, inputs and services to support integration of smallholder farmers into sustainable value chains, and (4) emergency response to the needs of the affected population. The Project is implemented in Zakarapattia Ivano-Frankivsk and Lviv Oblasts, subject to possible further geographic coverage in the course of implementation.

Component 3 is underpinned by two types of grants: Production Support Grants and Investment Support Grants, that will provide assistance to small farmers and value chain actors. The grants instruments are based on Standard Operational Procedures (SOPs), that outline the operational modalities, procedural aspects, and eligibility requirements for the grant scheme.

Reporting Lines

The National Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Specialist will operate under the overall supervision of the Head of the FAO Ukraine Country Office; the direct supervision of the Project Team Leader; and under the technical guidance of the International M&E Specialist.

Technical Focus:

The National MEAL Specialist will be responsible for design, coordination and implementation of a Monitoring and Evaluation (MEAL) framework for the project and specifically carry out the following tasks:

Tasks and responsibilities

• In close cooperation with the International MEAL officer, prepare project monitoring framework and plan corresponding with the project log frame and yearly work plans.
• Support the International MEAL officer in updating FAO Field Programme Management and Information System (FPMIS) and creating and updating project’s logical framework in OPSYS of the European Commission.
• Develop MEAL tools for the project. Establish and coordinate plans for collection and analysis of data. Ensure quality of data through data verification procedures, including routine data quality audits.
• Ensure up to date progress tracking of the project indicators as contained in the project log frame.
• Monitor and analyse project development and implementation; identify problems and issues to be addressed and proposes corrective actions.
• Coodrinate monitoring of the grants implemented by the beneficiaries, report on the progress against the milestones indicated in the grant contracts and contribute to the closing reports of the grant contracts.
• Ensure that grants’ monitoring dashboard is regularly updated; coordinate necessary software maintenance and troubleshooting with responsible IT officer or / and software provider.
• Supervise and ensure regular capacity building of the project MEAL team and partners. Train enumerators and /or project staff in data collection, validation, processing, analysis, interpretation and presentation / dissemination.
• Coordinate and, when necessary, participate in regular monitoring missions to obtain beneficiary feedback and prepare monitoring reports to ensure timely, equitable and transparent delivery of assistance to beneficiaries.
• In close collaboration with the Communication Specialist support preparation of success stories, lessons learned and the best MEAL practices for inclusion in internal and external communication products.
• Ensure that MEAL findings are effectively disseminated to all project partners to ensure lesson learning and fine-tuning of project implementation;
• Draft project’s monitoring reports highlighting the progress achieved, deviations tackled and responded or pending remedial actions, supported by field monitoring visits as necessary.
• Contribute to the yearly progress reports of the project.
• Any other tasks as necessary.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in Economics, Statistics, Rural Development, Social Sciences or related technical field;
• A minimum of two (2) years experience in M&E, MEAL or RBM.
• Professional proficiency in English (C level) is mandatory.
• National of Ukraine.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Relevant work experience in M&E or MEAL and Reporting applied to food security, agricultural and/or development programmes;
• Understanding of M&E tools and methodologies applied to agricultural interventions;
• Good knowledge of using and programming questionnaires in Open data kits (in particular Kobo toolbox);
• Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook);
• Ability to perform in multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary context;
• Knowledge of Kobo Toolbox would be an asset.
• Experience with the UN would be an asset.

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.