Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist

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.
FAO is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO's goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 Members (194 countries and the European Union), FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide.
FAO Country Offices, working under overall corporate guidance and in line with the Strategic Framework, offer policy advice and support to countries in the mandated areas of FAO, facilitated through partnerships, resources and an active country programme to provide technical assistance, develop capacities and deliver core services while fully observing international standards of accountability to establish leadership and strengthen impact at the country level.
The offices deliver on the programmatic priorities of each country as agreed in their respective Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs) aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and ensure effective and efficient operations with adequate human and financial resources.

Specifically, FAO Country Offices:
• advocate, inform and support policies and investments in the areas of FAO’s mandate;
• provide technical assistance and deliver core services;
• assist and catalyse partnership and resource mobilization activities to support agrifood systems transformation;
• position FAO as the specialized/authoritative technical agency in food and agriculture and agrifood systems transformation; and
• ensure risk-smart and accountable operations and management.

The project “Food and Nutrition Security Enhancement – Phase II (FANSEP II)” is being implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in partnership with the Government of Nepal. Building on the achievements of the first phase, FANSEP II aims to strengthen integrated forest and agriculture management to improve food and nutrition security, enhance ecosystem services, promote climate-resilient livelihoods, and support sustainable land use practices at the landscape level. The project is implemented in selected provinces and local levels of Nepal, with a strong focus on community-based approaches, institutional capacity development, and alignment with national priorities related to forestry, agriculture, climate change adaptation, and sustainable development.
FAO provides overall technical leadership and implementation support to the FANSEP II project, working closely with relevant government counterparts at federal, provincial, and local levels. The project supports planning, coordination, and delivery of technical interventions, capacity development of stakeholders, and monitoring of results to ensure effective and timely implementation. FANSEP II promotes cross-sectoral collaboration between forestry, agriculture, nutrition, and environment sectors, contributing to resilient landscapes and improved livelihoods of target communities.

Reporting Lines

The Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Specialist will carry out their duties under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative, operational supervision of AFAOR (programme) and AFAOR (Admin) and the direct supervision of Team Leader and technical supervision of the FAO designated Lead Technical Officer (LTO), and in close coordination with the Government of Nepal’s designated technical officer for M & E.

Technical Focus

The Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Specialist will have the responsibility of supporting planning, implementation and management of activities related to project monitoring, evaluation, reporting and Knowledge Management. M & E specialist will provide support in designing and establishing appropriate M&E system for FANSEP II project, updating results‐based monitoring and evaluation strategy and plan of action for timely monitoring, and reporting of project outcome and outputs.
The position focuses on leading the results‑based and participatory monitoring and evaluation system of FANSEP II, including results framework updates, indicator tracking, impact assessment, and operationalization of project databases and MIS. It ensures timely, high‑quality reporting, evidence generation, and feedback for adaptive project management, while providing technical supervision to M&E staff and strengthening monitoring, reporting, and learning systems in line with Government and donor requirements.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Review and update the results‐based monitoring and evaluation strategy and plan of action for project interventions, including the definition of targets and identification of appropriate performance indicators at outcome and output levels.
• Implement the Project’s participatory M&E system, which should focus on the monitoring of food and nutrition security in collaboration with project counterparts.
• Assist PMU in the operationalization of database for monitoring and reporting of indicators of FANSEP II result framework and annual work plan; and report to the GoN and the donor on stipulated time frame.
• Assist PMU for the upgrade, strengthening and operationalization of the project management information system.
• Update the Project Results Framework and provide consolidated M&E information to PMU to feed into the project progress reports and technical papers.
• Prepare budget of field technicians (crop, livestock, and nutrition) in the Project Rural Municipalities.
• Conduct review of performance evaluation of field technicians (crop, livestock, and nutrition) and provide feedback to Team Leader and FAO.
• Assess the impact of project interventions on agricultural production, food and nutrition security, household income at the household and community levels.
• Provide training to members of PMU and PCU, counterpart agencies and implementing partners on the Project’s approach and methodology to participatory monitoring and reporting, including the collection of meaningful data at the field level.
• Guide the Cluster-based M&E Specialists and field staff in data and information collection, editing, verification, monitoring, evaluation and reporting and ensure technical backstopping support as required.
• Improve and operationalize the reporting channels of the established monitoring and evaluation system, in order to link key stakeholders for necessary feedback and allow management decisions to be taken for corrective measures to be implemented.
• Assist in making the user-friendly information system for monitoring and evaluation.
• Design surveys and process monitoring mechanism to document progress of the project implementation.
• Prepare and submit periodic and technical reports in coordination with center technical experts and cluster M and E Specialists ensuring quality standards and timeliness in accordance with the provisions of the TA agreement.
• Submit a work plan and prepare periodic progress reports, (trimester, six monthly and annual) and donor reports as per the prescribed format.
• Collect, compile and document project reports, end-of assignment reports, project completion report, success stories and best practices of the project.
• Liaise and maintain partnerships with the World Bank and other agencies on behalf of FAO.
• Undertake other M& E related tasks as assigned by PMU in close coordination with TA Team Leader.
• Undertake any other work as assigned by the TA Team Leader.

In close collaboration with Office of Communications (OCC) branches and appropriate Communication focal points, the incumbent will:
• Collect, compile and prepare field stories and help disseminate to stakeholders and media.

FAO Standards and guidelines:
Liaison with OCC will be maintained, either directly or through an agreed focal point/coordinator, to ensure compliance with OCC standards, aligned messaging, and appropriate review and clearance processes.
All communication materials will follow FAO clearance processes and comply with FAO standards, including:
FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31: https://www.fao.org/strategic-framework/en
FAO social media policy and guidelines: https://www.fao.org/2/socialmedia
Social Media Branding Guidelines: https://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb5044en
FAOSTYLE(https://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb8081en
FAO terminology http://www.fao.org/faoterm
FAO Names of Countries https://www.fao.org/nocs/en
Story guidelines, Story template, UN map standards, FAO logo policy and related branding guidelines (available to staff).

Further guidance regarding FAO communications, policies and procedures can be found through the FAO intranet, OCC section.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Master’s Degree in agriculture, economics, statistics, business, or any related field with a sound background in Agriculture and Food Security or Rural Development
• At least 7 years of relevant experience in the design and establishment of monitoring and evaluation system in the field of agriculture, livestock, food, and nutrition security programs with knowledge for the design of indicators, database system and reporting.
• Working knowledge of English and Nepali language.
• National of Nepal

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Monitoring & Evaluation Systems
• Project and Programme Analysis
• Data Management, Analysis, Reporting and Documentation
• Quality assurance (QA)/Quality Control Mechanism
• Ability to develop indicators and Results Framework
• Impact evaluation and Assessment
• Knowledge Management & Learning
• Coordination and Cooperation for project management

Selection Criteria

• Excellent computer skills (MS Word, Excel, database analysis and power point) and knowledge and experience of report writing and technical document preparation.
• Experience of designing and implementing M&E system, baseline survey, impact survey, qualitative assessment survey of the projects will be added advantages.
• Training on M&E, results-based management and report writing is highly preferred.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with ability to work and deliver results.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION