Monitoring & Evaluation Specialist

Organizational Setting

FAO Bangladesh assists the Government to formulate policies, programmes and projects to address the root causes of hunger and malnutrition, develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and utilize environmental and natural resources in a sustainable way. The Monitoring & Evaluation Specialist position contributes to the development of an Monitoring and Evaluation Framework for the Country Programme, covering FAO’s field programmes and projects in the sectors of food security, agriculture, natural resource management, forestry and rural development.

Reporting Lines

The Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) Specialist is a SC 9 position under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in the Bangladesh and works in close consultation with the Assistant FAO Representative (Programme), the project Chief Technical Advisors (CTAs), National Project Coordinators and other members of the programme team. The M&E Specialist shall be working collaboratively with national, project-specific Monitoring and Evaluation consultants ensuring consistency of M&E strategies and tools across programmes and projects.

Technical Focus

The Consultant will work as part of a multi-disciplinary team on a day to-day basis with the overall aim of developing a comprehensive M&E Framework (inclusive of implementation strategies) for the overall Country Programme and its individual projects and programmes. The Consultant will be supported by M&E Specialist and Data Analysts from the Regional and HQ levels to customize the national M&E Strategy in line with agreed corporate frameworks.

Tasks and responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain a results-based comprehensive M&E Framework for the Country Progamme, inclusive of individual projects and programmes implemented by FAO Bangladesh.
• Lead the process of project evaluation: design and management of baseline and end-line surveys, mid-term reviews and final evaluations,
• Manage the partnership selection and management process; drafting/reviewing of TORs, participation in the selection of the consultants and enumerators, facilitation of management response, dissemination of findings, reporting on the implementation of the recommendations.
• Design and lead baseline surveys to assist project team in setting benchmark values for logical framework indicators and critical milestones for review of project work plans and performance,
• Design and establish well-functioning Grievance Monitoring and Address Mechanisms, including setting up a call-centre and establishing standard operating and oversight procedures,
• Assist the Programme Unit with project formulation in regards to the area of M&E – draft all M&E design sections, review processes for for beneficiary selection/identification,
• Review activities and logical framework matrices to set SMART indicators, review budgets to ensure M&E costs are fully integrated; Assist with developing the Theory of Change and Problem and Solution tree if and when needed.
• Provide capacity development for FAO Bangladesh staff and implementing partners on the tools and systems established, functions of M&E in quality assurance and strengthen a culture of open reflection, learning, and improvement.
• In coordination with technical and operational officers, develop M&E tools for data collection, analysis, reporting and information management, including timely provision of M&E data to Programme Unit for reporting, as well as the Communication Unit for donor outreach.
• Provide oversight and technical support to all National project-specific M&E consultants , specifically by assigning responsibilities, managing calendars/activity plans, designing of medium-term plans in line with the Country Programme goals and objectives.
• Establish a beneficiary tracking system to increase accountability in beneficiary selection, counting and registration protocols for the projects to ensure that beneficiaries are informed and involved in the project design, implementation and evaluation.
• Monitor project activities and progress towards achievement of results and provide feedback to FAO Management for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of project implementation by providing overview on Value For Money, Return On Investment, Cost Benefit Analysis and other indices.
• Undertake regular visits to the field to support implementation of the project/programme activities and to identify/recommend required adaptations and assist in coordinating across various field offices to ensure effective and consistent implementation of M&E activities.
• Working with programme/project teams, identify and formulate lessons learned from project evaluations, and design specific studies and monitoring to be integrated into broader knowledge management efforts to facilitate experience sharing and lessons learned exchange between the projects.
• Participate in inter-agency M&E coordination structures, including UN performance monitoring working groups as requested.
• Perform any other duties as may be assigned.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• • Advanced university degree in development studies, statistics, agriculture, economics or related fields;
  • Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in monitoring and evaluation in a humanitarian and/or development context
  • National of Bangladesh

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• • Knowledge of/familiarity with statistical packages and computer analytical tools is necessary.
  • Excellent organizational skills and ability to manage workloads under tight deadlines;
  • Strong understanding of project cycle management, including keen attention to detail and ability to follow tasks and ideas through to completion;
  • Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with a team and with people from diverse backgrounds;
  • Possess strong teamwork spirit, ability to work under minimum supervision, flexibility and good interpersonal skills.
  • Excellent communication, writing and presentation skills in English.
  • Familiarity with food security, agriculture and rural development indicators.
  • Excellent analytical and reporting skills.