National MEAL Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations is a specialized agency that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Established in 1945, FAO has over 194 member countries and works in more than 130 countries worldwide. The organization aims to achieve security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. FAO's mission is to help eliminate hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition, promote sustainable agriculture, and manage natural resources sustainably. The FAO Representation in Georgia focuses on assisting the government in developing policies and programs to improve food security and reduce hunger and malnutrition, while also enhancing the agricultural, fisheries, and forestry sectors.

Job Overview:
The National MEAL Specialist position is integral to the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) team within the European Neighbourhood Programme for Agriculture and Rural Development (ENPARD) IV. The role involves supporting the implementation of the MEAL framework, which includes conducting assessments of outputs and outcomes, managing an online database in ZOHO, developing dashboards, and preparing reports for various stakeholders including donors and the FAO Corporate reporting system. The specialist will work closely with the International MEAL Specialist and will be responsible for ensuring that monitoring and evaluation activities are conducted effectively and that data is collected, analyzed, and reported accurately. This position requires a proactive approach to problem-solving and a commitment to improving the quality of data and reporting processes.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The National MEAL Specialist will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities including: assisting the International MEAL Specialist in all MEAL activities; developing and managing a database in ZOHO, which includes creating data collection forms, reports, and dashboards; supporting the planning and execution of monitoring missions, including beneficiary verification and post-distribution monitoring; preparing monitoring reports to ensure timely and equitable delivery of assistance; developing MEAL tools for data collection and analysis; conducting training for enumerators and project staff on data collection and analysis; supporting data verification and quality assessments; ensuring regular updates of monitoring data in the ZOHO platform; assisting in the preparation of quarterly, six-monthly, and annual reports; supporting the planning and conducting of outcome assessments; and performing any other tasks assigned by the supervisor.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree in agricultural science, agricultural economics, food science, statistics, or related fields. Additionally, they should have at least one year of relevant experience in monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning. A working knowledge of both English and Georgian is essential, and candidates must be nationals of Georgia. The role requires strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.

Educational Background:
The educational requirement for this position is a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as agricultural science, agricultural economics, food science, statistics, or a related discipline. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of agricultural and food security issues, as well as the methodologies used in monitoring and evaluation.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of one year of relevant experience in monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning. This experience should ideally include practical knowledge of data collection, analysis, and reporting processes, as well as familiarity with monitoring systems and tools.

Languages:
The mandatory languages for this position are English and Georgian. Proficiency in both languages is necessary for effective communication and reporting. Additional language skills may be considered an asset but are not required.

Additional Notes:
The FAO does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, or processing. Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted. It is important to note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from institutions accredited or recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED). The appointment will be subject to certification of medical fitness, accreditation, residency or visa requirements, and security clearances. For further employment opportunities, candidates can visit the FAO employment website.