Senior Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist

Job Summary:

Reporting Lines

The Senior Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative, the direct supervision of the Emergency and Rehabilitation Officer and the technical supervision of the Head of MEAL Team. 

Technical Focus 

Support the implementation of a robust Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) system for the overall FAO Programme in Afghanistan.  

Duties & Responsibilities:

Tasks and responsibilities

•   Assist the Head of MEAL Team in reviewing project documents in relation to the scope and requirements of M&E studies;

•   Support the Head of the MEAL Team in coordinating and supporting the work of the Regional MEAL Specialists working from FAO’s various sub-national / regional offices;

•   Support the establishment of a M&E system and plan, based on international best practices in M&E approaches for teach project guided by the Project Document and FAO Country Programme Framework;

•   Support the subsequent utilization of M&E information and reports for strategic and operational planning, prioritization, implementation of corrective measures, advocacy and accountability;

•   In collaboration with MEAL Team colleagues develop and maintain a M&E tracking tool for M&E related activities (i.e. baselines, rapid assessments, evaluations, lessons learned and recommendations, and follow-ups on recommendations) demonstrating compliance with FAO’s rules and procedures and those of the donor as necessary, and establish the needed procedures for conducting M&E, through development of different tools and techniques (standard charts, Tables, diagrams, process documentation, etc.) using innovative approaches for M&E;

•   Design the baseline survey and develop survey questionnaires with support and guidance from the Head of MEAL Team to conduct the baseline survey in collaboration with partners;

•   Draft a data collection strategy (including the teams involved in the data collection), supervise data collection, organization, recording and data management overall, and the proper documentation and filing of all M&E data, reports and tools to support the findings and figures;

•   Assist the Head of MEAL Team in planning, designing, preparing and conducting all types of training and orientation on M&E for all national staff and other FAO Afghanistan stakeholders;

•   Design and develop appropriate formats, questionnaires and methodologies for data collection and oversee the data collection process to maintain the accuracy of regular data collected on project impacts and outcomes including those from secondary sources;

•   Compile all project data in a timely and professional manner and oversee the data integration process in collaboration with MEAL Team colleagues, and under the technical guidance of the Head of MEAL Team;

•   Analyze regularly the collected data and produce results and summarize findings to assess the regular progress of projects and the overall FAO Afghanistan programme with guidance and support from Head of MEAL Team;

•   Take part in regular field visits and meet with various stakeholders to validate the data and ensure the quality of data on regular basis;

•   Support the Head of the MEAL Team along with the Accountability to Affected Populations and Learning Specialists in strengthening the accountability and learning within FAO Afghanistan programming;

•   Work closely with MEAL Team and Programming colleagues to identify strengths and weakness based on the overall FAO Afghanistan programme progress and draw lessons learned for better planning;

•   Work closely with the Communications, Outreach and Reporting Team for effective and timely project reporting, quarterly, biannually and annually as well as ad-hoc updates as may be needed for the resource partner;

•   Support the MEAL Team and Programming Team to analyze the qualitative and quantitative data, report on findings from monitoring activities, and share information with operations staff on progress;

•   Support and assist with the mid-term and final project evaluation missions and follow-up on the implementation of evaluation recommendations;

•   Contribute to the development of the final project reports;

•   Perform any other related duties as required. 

Job Requirement:

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•   Advanced degree (Master’s) or an university degree (Bachelor’s) in agriculture, agriculture economics, social sciences, international development, or related field is required. 

•   For advanced degree at least seven (7) years of professional experience in results-based management and monitoring and evaluation of humanitarian and/or development projects that combines emergency response, disaster risk reduction, project formulation and implementation with UN and I/NGOs; 

•   For university degree at least ten (10) years of professional experience in results-based management and monitoring and evaluation of humanitarian and/or development projects that combines emergency response, disaster risk reduction, project formulation and implementation with UN and I/NGOs.

•   Working knowledge (level C) of English and the local languages (Pashto and/or Dari); 

•   National of Afghanistan. 

FAO Core Competencies

•   Results Focus

•   Teamwork

•   Communication

•   Building Effective Relationships

•   Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

•   Proven experience in internationally-recognized best practices and approaches/methodologies of M&E, in the logical framework and other M&E tools, and in the development and use of M&E methods (qualitative, quantitative, participatory);

•   Experience in data collection, analysis and reporting related to food security and livelihoods;

•   Understanding of the purpose and functional of technical Programmes, operational guidelines and Programme/project management procedures, preferably those adopted by the United Nations and/or FAO; 

•   Ability to effectively coordinate a large, multi-stakeholder project with results-based management;

•   Ability to use a logical and structured approach to collate, archive and synthesis information;

•   Strong interpersonal and communication, reporting and presentation skills, analysis and interpretation of data, ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity;

•   Skills and experience in resource mobilization, agriculture and economic development and project management;

•   Previous work experience with the UN is considered a strong 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: Careers@fao.org
• 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. 
• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
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FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions. 

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