National M&E Specialist

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation into 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’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.
The FAO Sierra Leone Country Office is responsible for leading FAO's response to country level priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development through the identification, planning and implementation of FAO's priority activities in the region. It ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programmes, identifies priority areas of action for the Organization in the region, and, in collaboration with Divisions, Sub-regional Offices and Centres at headquarters, develops, promotes and oversees FAO's strategic response to country priorities and the implementation of the Organization's strategies through programmes and projects across the region.
The Country Office supports the formulation and implementation of the Country Programmes and Projects, including Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs), and their contribution to the FAO Strategic Framework and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) at the country level and work with Subregional office for West Africa on corporate priorities such as the Strategic Framework and on the incorporation of regional priorities into the Organization's Programme of Work and Budget. The Country Office leads, formulates, implements, monitors and reports on the Organization's programmes and budget in the region and draws management attention to problems, deficiencies and risks.

FAO Sierra Leone has developed a project on Palm Oil value chain development for three years that is contributing to the developed action document aligned to the Feed Salone strategy titled Sustainable Food and Agricultural Value Chains Development in Sierra Leone (SFAVCDSL) to be Financed under the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI Global Europe). This action document is linked to relevant Multiannual Indicative Programme for the Republic of Sierra Leone 2021-2027 (MIP). The total funding for the plan is estimated to be Euro 34.7million million out of which Euro 11.2 million will be administered by the FAO for technical assistance to support oil palm value chains and nutrition in the country. This initiative is a joint effort of EU and FAO building on complementarities and synergies of the interventions by the two organizations.

It is estimated that at least 43000 farm families will benefit directly within the selected 4 districts of Port Loko, Bonthe, Pujehun and Kenema. The specific activities to be implemented by FAO will include: (i) dissemination of good agricultural practices; (ii)   adoption of improved farm practices for increased farm productivity; (iii)training  in post-harvest management and palm oil processing; (iv) household nutrition improvement; (iii) promotion of on and off-farm employment; (iv) formation of oil palm based cooperatives and (v) capacity development for monitoring and evaluation

Sierra Leone Country Office is looking for an experienced National M&E Specialist to support the implementation of this project. 
The position is in the FAO Sierra Leone Country Office, West Africa region.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Sierra Leone and directly report to the Chief Agronomist of the project and in close collaboration with the Head of Programme and other technical units.

Technical Focus

To lead the development and implementation of a comprehensive, gender-sensitive Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) system for the CAWLN Programme, ensuring alignment with programme objectives, donor requirements, transformational change principles, Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI), and Global Environmental Benefits (GEBs).

Tasks and responsibilities

M&E Framework Development and Operationalization:

•     Lead the design, development, and operationalization of comprehensive M&E Plan and M&E system including output level indicator tracking table for the project, ensuring alignment with transformational change, GESI (Gender Equality and Social Inclusion), and GEBs (Global Environmental Benefits) including the development of SMART indicators. 
•     Develop and implement a robust monitoring data-collection system, ensuring the integration of gender-sensitive approaches and sex-disaggregated data, in full alignment with the FAO and EU timelines.
•     Conduct an M&E capacity-needs assessment across the project operational areas, 
•     Design and deliver training for project staff and implementing partners on M&E protocols and tools, including GESI indicators,
•     Coordinate PEMSD of the MAFS covering all project components,
•     Ensure that the M&E framework supports adaptive management and incorporates feedback mechanisms for continuous project improvement,
•     Develop M&E tools for PEMSD and conduct training on the use and management to enhance Feed Salone reporting.

Data Collection, Analysis, and Validation:

•     Set up schedule of timely collection of monitoring data (with the focus on baselines, midlines and endlines) across target countries: within FAO and from the implementing partners,
•     Oversee the collection, analysis, and reporting of data related to project activities, including with the focus on core indicators, indicators from results frameworks and gender action plans, with strong focus on GESI, Nutrition and GEBs/EUDR,
•     Work with stakeholders including MoECC and MAFS ensure the use of appropriate data-collection tools and methodologies, including remote sensing and geospatial tools where relevant,
•     Conduct regular monitoring of key indicators related to land degradation, water quality, biodiversity, community engagement, waste management, GESI, and GEBs and present reports to the task force,
•     Work with FAO LTOs to coordinate any M&E rituals requiring primary data collection, with the engagement of external service providers, e.g. surveys, etc. 
•     Conduct validation and data entry of actual monitoring data into the M&E system

Reporting, Knowledge Management, and Stakeholder Engagement:

•       Support adaptive programme and project management by presenting the updates on the monitoring performance to the project task force on a regular basis.
•     Prepare regular project M&E reports for internal and donor use, ensuring clear documentation of progress, challenges, and lessons learned, with specific attention to GESI and GEBs.
•       Contribute to the Projects’ knowledge-management platform by developing and disseminating lessons learned, best practices, and key findings from M&E activities.
•       Ensure that M&E results are effectively communicated to stakeholders, including local communities, government bodies, regional institutions, international partners, and donors to inform decision-making and adaptive management.

Evaluation

•     Facilitate the preparation of monitoring data and means of verification for the mid-term review and terminal evaluation processes
•       Support the mid-term review and terminal evaluation by preparing and organizing all relevant monitoring data and means of verification. 
•        Support gathering indicator data, compiling supporting evidence from partners, ensuring documentation is complete and accessible, and providing evaluators with a clear and well-structured evidence package.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements  

•     Advanced university degree in economics, international development, environmental science, water resources management, social sciences, or a related field.
•     5 years of relevant experience in M&E and project management, preferably in large-scale, multi-stakeholder programmes.
•     Working knowledge (Level C) of English.  
•     National of Sierra Leone

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•     Specific experience with developing and implementing gender-sensitive M&E systems and M&E plans, particularly in the context of environmental or development projects.
•      Experience in working with international development agencies and/or donors (e.g., UN or EU) in the context of M&E.
 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION