International Evaluation Specialist

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 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

Organizational Setting

FAO mandate in Georgia is to support national efforts to promote food security and sustainable development of agricultural sector. FAO priorities in Georgia reflect the objectives and priorities of the Government set in the strategy papers related to agricultural development. In essence FAO assists the Government in creating and implementing an institutional, legal and regulatory environment. At the same time, FAO supports individuals working in agriculture – farmers, cooperatives, companies etc. by providing technical and financial assistance.

Reporting Lines

The International Evaluation Specialist shall report to operate under the overall guidance and responsibility of the FAO Representative in Georgia; direct supervision of the Regional Decentralized Evaluation Manager in REU.

Technical Focus

Support in conducting a final evaluation of the project FAO Support to the Georgian agricultural sector under the ENPARD III program.
The overall objectives of the final evaluation are:
• Assess the strategic relevance of the project’s interventions in responding to the needs of Georgia in agricultural sector;
• Assess the project’s contributions to results and outcomes in areas identified in the project;
• Identify lessons learnt as well as enabling and limiting factors for results;
• Assess the progress of the project towards its objectives;
The evaluation will examine the three areas:

area 1. Capacity development of the MEPA
area 2. Grant support to farmers/agricultural companies
area 3. Technical support to the farmers

The evaluation will also cover the following crosscutting issues: gender, climate smart agriculture, governance.

Tasks and responsibilities

The evaluation specialists will carry out specific tasks in accordance with the evaluation’s Terms of Reference, including:

• Finalization of evaluation ToR and evaluation tools
• Draft evaluation report
• Analyse the progress achieved by the project in accordance to the project Logical Framework Matrix and approaches used to address the project's results chain;
• Assess the delivery and development challenges faced by the project and the project beneficiaries and stakeholders, which are directly impacting the achievement of outcomes and outputs;
• Assess the potential for sustainability of the and provide recommendations ensuring sustainability of the activities and improved delivery;
• The assignment would preferably entail travel to Georgia in order meet with relevant stakeholders and collect data through individual interviews and groups discussions;
• Meet with relevant decision makers in the MEPA, review the progress done in terms of supporting development and implementation of the Agriculture and Rural Development Strategies and extension strategy; provide recommendations for improvement;
• Review the procedures and guidelines for grant application & approval and provide recommendations for improvement;
• Evaluate the progress of providing extension support to farmers and capacitating extensionists;
• Document lessons learned, promising practices, success stories and remaining challenges to be addressed;

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in sustainable agriculture, agricultural and bio systems, plant science or related field
• Minimum ten years of experience in project implementation and/or evaluation and/or research on subjects relevant to the ToR is required.
• Working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of another FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish).

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Extent and relevance of experience in designing, planning, leading, and conducting development and humanitarian evaluations
• Knowledge of technical work in areas such as food security, nutrition, rural development, agriculture, livestock, fisheries and forestry, climate change adaptation and mitigation, etc.
• Proven knowledge/experience on the theme under evaluation.
• Experience in evaluation of EU funded projects is required.
• Experience in policy elaboration on agricultural development is required.
• Experience in evaluation or implementation of matching grant schemes for individuals is required.
• Knowledge of Georgian context and experience of working in Georgia will be an asset.

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