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International Technical Mid Term Review (MTR) Specialist

Home Based - May require travel

  • Organization: FAO - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
  • Location: Home Based - May require travel
  • Grade: Consultancy - Consultant - Contractors Agreement
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Monitoring and Evaluation
    • SEC
  • Closing Date: Closed

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device

  • 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 member nations, 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 our values. FAO has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and FAO, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, and discrimination
  • All selected candidates, therefore, will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
  • All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
  • The incumbent may be re-assigned to different activities and/or duty stations depending on the evolving needs of the Organization

Organizational Setting:

The GEF-funded and FAO-implemented project “Lifecycle Management of Pesticides and Disposal of POPs Pesticides in Central Asian countries and Turkey” (GCP/SEC/011/GFF) is implemented in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkey and aims to reduce POPs release from obsolete pesticide stockpiles and contaminated sites of the recipient countries and strengthen the capacity for the sound management of pesticides. The project has four components, specific objectives of each are to;

  • safely destroy up to 900 tonnes of POPs and obsolete pesticides and remediate a pesticide-contaminated site (Component 1). This includes updating national inventories of obsolete pesticides (OP); developing national management strategies of obsolete pesticides, empty pesticide containers and contaminated soils; safeguarding and disposing of obsolete pesticides, including an assessment of national disposal options; assessing and managing contaminated sites; introducing national systems to manage empty pesticide containers; and undertaking risk communication in communities at risk by pesticides wastes;
  • strengthen the institutional and regulatory framework for managing pesticides through their life cycle (Component 2). This includes a review of the legal framework for pesticides management; strengthening pesticide registration systems; acquire gender-disaggregated data on pesticide spraying practices and Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) use; and promote improved spraying practices;
  • increase the successful uptake of alternatives to chemical pesticides on key crops (Component 3). This includes an assessment of climate change on the prevalence of pests and diseases; strengthening pest and disease monitoring; and implement Integrated Pest Management (IPM) field trials to quantify the benefits of improved agricultural practices including reduced use of Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs); and
  • Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) and communication activities (Component 4) to create the necessary conditions for beneficiary knowledge and participation in project activities.

Reporting Lines:

Under the overall supervision and guidance of the project’s budget holder (BH)/ MTR Manager (RM) and the FAO-GEF Coordination Unit (FAO GEF CU), and in day to day supervision and guidance of the MTR Team Leader, International Technical MTR Consultant will be support the MTR Team Leader in conduction of the evaluation.

Technical Focus:

He/she will be responsible for coordinating the MTR under Component 1 and has ultimate responsibility for ensuring the delivery of the relevant parts of the MTR report. Her/his mandate is derived from and must fully comply with the overall terms of reference of the MTR. She/he will report to the MTR Team Leader.

Tasks and responsibilities:

  • Review relevant background documentation made available by Budget Holder, designated MTR manager (RM) and project team, including the project document, the tracking tool, the project’s LogFrame, progress and final reports, PIRs, workshop and technical reports, among others as listed in the MTR terms of reference;
  • Review and complement as needed the methodology described in the Terms of Reference, contribute to the preparation of data-collection tools, including questionnaires, checklists and interview protocols as appropriate;
  • Support preparation, drafting and finalization of the MTR inception report, including an MTR matrix, develop a theory of change (TOC) and stakeholder table, and participate in the finalization of the team’s work programme;
  • Lead, participate and coordinate the collection of primary data by the MTR team through interviews and meetings (these will be virtual in case COVID-19 restrictions persist) with BH, Project LTO, FLO and other relevant FAO officers, as well as project team in project countries and at FAO SEC, among other things, and with key stakeholders including the government, GEF OFPs, FAO Representatives in the recipient countries, external partners, project technical teams, international organizations, the private sector, civil society, academia, research institutes, and ultimate beneficiaries, as appropriate, as described in the terms of reference of the MTR;
  • Support the collection of primary data by the MTR team members and relevant secondary data, according to the methodology presented in the MTR terms of reference and detailed in the inception report;
  • Support the analysis and discussion of evidence collected within the MTR team to identify key findings and preliminary conclusions that respond to the MTR’s issues and questions, and formulate preliminary recommendations in line with the findings and conclusions;
  • Ensure that all the findings are sufficiently triangulated and validated;
  • Support presenting the preliminary MTR findings to the BH, LTO, FAO GEF MTR focal point and key stakeholders, as required;
  • Prepare all deliverables planned in the MTR terms of reference, according to specifications provided in the terms of reference and detailed in the FAO–GEF MTR Guide and annexes;
  • Coordinate the participation and contribution of team members in all deliverables, as required;
  • Support the preparation of the first and second drafts of the MTR report, integrate comments received, as appropriate, from the BH, FAO GEF CU, other FAO and government agency staff, and other relevant stakeholders, as appropriate;
  • Support the finalization of the MTR report, the comments matrix and coordinate the inputs of other members of the MTR team into the final version, as needed;
  • Prepare a draft two-page summary of key findings, lessons, recommendations and messages from the MTR report, to be reviewed by the RM and PMU. The summary will be disseminated to the wider public for general information on the project’s results and performance to date.

In terms of reporting, or if information, advice or guidance is required from FAO by the consultant, he/she should address requests to the BH/RM, LTO and the FAO GEF CU focal point.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

  • A university degree in chemistry, environmental sciences, international development or other relevant chemicals area is required and an advanced degree in the same areas is desirable
  • Minimum of 10 years of relevant experience and sound understanding on management of hazardous wastes including POPs preferred;
  • Working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of one of the other FAO language, preferably Russian for COF.REG. Working knowledge of English for PSA.SBS.

FAO Core Competencies

  • Results Focus
  • Teamwork
  • Communication
  • Building Effective Relationships

Technical/Functional Skills

  • Knowledge of International Waste Conventions including Technical Guidelines is mandatory
  • Thorough understanding of GEF programming;

Additional Selection Criteria

Experience in Central Asia region is an asset.

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency

This vacancy is now closed.
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