Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Specialist at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO-UN)

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO-UN) - An intergovernmental organization, FAO has 194 Member Nations, two associate members and one member organization, the European Union. Its employees come from various cultural backgrounds and are experts in the multiple fields of activity FAO engages in. FAO’s staff capacity allows it to support improved governance inter alia, generate, develop and adapt existing tools and guidelines and provide targeted governance support as a resource to country and regional level FAO offices. Headquartered in Rome, Italy, FAO is present in over 130 countries.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Specialist

Vacancy Announcement: 2301191
Location: Abuja
Organizational Unit: FRNIR
Job Type: Non-staff opportunities
Type of Requisition: Consultant
Duration: 6 months, with possible extension

Organizational Setting

• The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.
• In Nigeria, FAO’s portfolio of programmes (individual projects, normative work and corporate initiatives) are organised in three dimensions: development oriented programme (CO) emergency and resilience programme (NE) and animal health support (ECTAD).
• These programmes are guided by the Country Programming Framework (CPF), a medium-term plan which defines the priority areas for FAO's development cooperation with Government of Nigeria (GoN) and forms FAO's input to the United Nations Sustainable Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), a strategic programme framework at the country level that describes the collective response of the UN system to national SDG targets
• The preparation of current CPF 2023 – 2027 was underpinned by a comprehensive evaluation of the previous CPF 2018 – 2022. Specifically, the evaluation strongly recommended a programmatic approach to FAO’s work, to ensure sustainability of results and maximize relevance and impact at a scale.
• It is against this background the CPF 2023 – 2027 plans to strengthen results-based principles including setting a clear set of measurable outcome and output indicators. The CPF implementation is foreseen to put in place an effective and efficient M&E system to monitor and report on the progress and achievement of CPF implementation at both output and outcome levels.
• For the emergency projects where a range of agriculture-based livelihoods assistance is provided, a harmonized set of indicators would be used for systematic data collection to monitor programme impact on food and nutrition security and resilience of the conflict-affected populations.

Reporting Lines:

• The incumbent will work under the overall supervision and guidance of the FAO Representative in Nigeria, the direct supervision of Assistant FAO Representative (Programme) and the Head of FAO Nigeria Sub Office for the North East, working closely with other technical officers at the country office and decentralized FAO offices.

Technical Focus

• The (MEAL) specialist will lead the development of a coherent M&E system and lead its implementation, including the preparation of work plans, field data collection activities, data analysis, report preparation and presentation according to the format and requirements of FAO stakeholders (resource partners, government, and the UN system) and for FAO’s internal use in a timely manner.

Tasks and Responsibilities

• In collaboration with other colleagues, develop appropriate MEAL framework for the programme portfolio;
• Provide technical leadership from FAO side on all matters of MEAL of FAO Programme;
• Conduct assessments to establish needs and project baselines as to guide all project preparation activities;
• From the data collected, support the establishment of baselines for all indicators in view to monitor activities and outputs progress;
• Collect feedback from the field and partners for project implementation adjustments;
• Develop standardized methods, tools and formats in consultation with specific project task force to ensure real time monitoring, including light short-term impact assessments methodology to support strategic decision making and ensure accountability;
• Assist the programme teams with data collection, tabulation, analysis and general MEAL management that contribute to ensure regular and timely information flow to inform programme implementation;
• Monitor progress and status of planned programme activities against work plans (annual and quarterly), result frameworks (Logframes) and identify activities requiring follow up;  
• Provide capacity development support (trainings, workshops and other forms of support) to programme staff and FAO project implementing partners on all aspects of MEAL to ensure compliance with MEAL guidelines and standard operating procedure are followed in all aspects of project cycle management;
• Compile progress information and reports regular progress statements (quarterly, and annual progress reports such as country annual reports, UN join annual report, and project terminal reports) including activities undertaken, distribution of inputs, list of beneficiaries, challenges encountered and recommendations for FAO and its partners;
• Contribute to resource mobilization efforts of Country Office including participation in development of project concept notes and proposals;
• Support interagency coordination including participation in and contribution to coordination of the Food Security Sector, UN M&E theme groups etc.;
• Participate in the Cadre Harmonise food security analysis processes through participation by taking the lead in the FAO data collection and analysis;
• Support the programme team leads in compiling and providing data and information for evidence-based reporting, knowledge sharing and resource mobilization;
• Support the partnership with state government line MDAs (Ministries, Departments and Agencies) and other non- governmental partners including UN Agencies, INGO, NNGO, etc to reinforce synergies between key stakeholders to ensure coordinated and effective implementation of activities;  
• Participate in emergency response and resilience planning including interagency platforms;
• Perform any other related duties as required.

Minimum Requirements
Candidates will be assessed against the following:

• University Degree in Rural Development, Agribusiness, Agriculture, Livestock, Social Sciences, or other relevant disciplines majoring in MEAL.
• At least 1 year for category C, 5 years for category B, 12 years for COF category A/ 15 years for PSA category A of relevant experience in MEAL and in humanitarian and agricultural/rural development sectors including work experience with national and international NGOs, UN agencies, governments and donors (At least seven years for Masters holders and five years for PhD holders)  
• Working knowledge (level C) of English and limited knowledge (level B) of one of the official FAO languages (Spanish, French, Chinese, Arabic, or Russian) for COF. For PSA, working knowledge of English.

FAO Core Competencies:

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

Technical / Functional Skills:

• Knowledge of and experience in project cycle management and well versed in local frame works
• Excellent written and spoken communication skills, proficiency in English
• Knowledge of Hausa, Kanuri and other local languages is an added advantage
• Experience and competences in working with women and youth groups will be an added advantage
• Experience in food security analysis through IPC/CH is an added advantage.
• Excellent organizational skills and besides MEAL, a good foundation in programme and project formulation, planning, implementation and management
• Demonstrated ability to analyse problems, make appropriate recommendations, effective decisions, including in emergency settings
• Competent in the use of MS- including statistical packages

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply

Application Deadline 10th May, 2023.

Additional Information

• FAO does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, processing)
• Please note that FAO will only consider academic credentials or degrees obtained from an educational institution recognized in the IAU/UNESCO list
• 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 more information, visit the FAO employment website
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.

Note

• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
•  We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date