Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning Specialist

Organizational Setting

FAO Sudan 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, Accountability and Learning Specialist (MEAL) contributes to the development and improvement of FAO’s field programmes and projects in the country through management of a comprehensive data and knowledge base..

Reporting Lines

The MEAL Specialist position is under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in the Sudan.

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 Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning strategy for the country office.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Develop and maintain a results-based comprehensive MEAL framework for the Country Progamme Framework encompassing all of the individual projects implemented by FAO Sudan.
• Lead the process of project evaluation: managing baseline and end-line surveys, mid-term reviews and final evaluations, including drafting/reviewing TORs, participate in the selection of the consultants and enumerators, facilitating management response, dissemination of findings, as well as reporting on the implementation of the recommendations.
• Design and lead baseline surveys to assist project teams in setting benchmark values for logical framework indicators and critical milestones, and developing practical project work plans,
• Design and establish well-functioning grievance mechanisms, including setting up a call-centre and establishing standard operating procedures and appointing members to the oversight committee
• Assist the Programme Unit with project formulation in regards to the area of MEAL– draft all MEAL sections, identify beneficiary selection criteria, review activities and logical framework matrices to set SMART indicators, review budgets to ensure MEAL 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 Sudan staff and implementing partners on the tools and systems established, functions of MEAL in quality assurance and strengthen a culture of open reflection, learning, and improvement.
• In coordination with technical and operational officers, develop MEAL tools for data collection, analysis, and reporting and information management, including timely provision of MEAL data to Programme Unit for reporting and to Communication Unit for donor outreach.
• Provide oversight to all MEAL activities, specifically related to the project, by assigning responsibilities, managing daily tasks, design medium-term plans and supporting the national M& E staff in their work.
• Establish a beneficiary accountability system and beneficiary counting and registration protocols for the projects to ensure that beneficiaries are informed and involved in the project implementation.
• 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, .
• Undertake regular visits to the field to support implementation of the project and to identify/recommend required adaptations and assist in coordinating across various field offices to ensure effective implementation of MEAL activities;
• Identify and formulate lessons learned from project evaluations, special studies and regularized monitoring to be integrated into broader knowledge management efforts. Facilitate the experience and lessons learned exchange between the projects.
• Participate in UN MEAL coordination structures, including other UN working groups as requested.
• Perform any other duties as may be assigned.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements
• Advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in development studies, statistics, agriculture, economics or related fields; Consultants with a bachelor's degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience.
• Minimum of 7 years of relevant experience in monitoring and evaluation in a humanitarian and/or development contexts with good analytical and reporting skills.
• Working knowledge (level C) of English

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 project management skills, 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;
• The incumbent must possess teamwork spirit, ability to work under minimum supervision, flexibility and good interpersonal skills.
• Excellent communication, writing and presentation skills in English and limited knowledge of a second official language of the Organization (French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Russian).
• Familiarity with food security and agriculture indicators.