Regional Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Established in 1945, FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide, employing thousands of staff dedicated to improving agricultural productivity, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security, and nutrition. The organization collaborates with governments, NGOs, and other stakeholders to implement projects that enhance sustainable agricultural practices and improve the livelihoods of rural communities. The current project, Ecosystem-based Adaptation for Resilient Watersheds and Communities in Malawi (EbAM), is funded by the Green Climate Fund and aims to enhance climate resilience in vulnerable ecosystems and communities across Malawi.

Job Overview:
The Regional Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist will play a crucial role in overseeing the implementation of Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) systems at the regional level for the EbAM project. This position is vital for ensuring that the project meets its performance management and reporting requirements. The specialist will work closely with the FAO Representative in Malawi and the Chief Technical Advisor, collaborating with various stakeholders to ensure that M&E frameworks align with donor requirements and national systems. The role involves developing and refining M&E systems, establishing data collection and management protocols, and providing technical guidance to partners and field teams. The specialist will also be responsible for building the M&E capacity of regional partners and ensuring the documentation and dissemination of project results.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Regional Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist include:

• Supporting the development, refinement, and operationalization of the Project M&E Systems, including indicators, baselines, targets, and means of verification.
• Ensuring alignment of the project M&E framework with donor requirements, national MEL systems, and relevant regional frameworks.
• Leading the operationalization of the EBAM Project Monitoring and Evaluation System at the regional and district levels.
• Regularly updating the project M&E system, including data collection methodologies, roles and responsibilities, results framework, and quality assurance mechanisms.
• Establishing and overseeing systems for data collection, management, collation, storage, validation, and quality control at the regional level.
• Providing technical guidance to implementing partners on data collection tools and protocols.
• Supporting partners and field teams to ensure timely, accurate, and high-quality data.
• Overseeing the management, collation, and analysis of project data and supporting the generation of project reports.
• Building the M&E capacity of regional partners through training, mentoring, and technical backstopping. 1
• Providing regional-level technical guidance on M&E and data consistency. 1
• Supporting the documentation and dissemination of project results. 1
• Performing other related duties as required.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in Agricultural Economics, Statistics, Food Security, or a related subject. They should have at least 5 years of proven experience with results-based management, data collection methods, M&E systems development and implementation, and training in M&E. A working knowledge (level C) of English is mandatory, and candidates must be nationals of Malawi.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree in fields such as Agricultural Economics, Statistics, Food Security, or other relevant disciplines. The degree must be from an institution accredited or recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), which is maintained by the International Association of Universities (IAU) and UNESCO.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in the fields of results-based management, data collection methods, and M&E systems development and implementation. Candidates should have a strong background in agricultural, rural development, food security, or natural resource management sectors, as well as experience in training and capacity building in M&E.

Languages:
A working knowledge (level C) of English is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset, particularly if they are relevant to the regions where the project is implemented.

Additional Notes:
FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process. Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted. Candidates must be medically fit for appointment and meet any residency or visa requirements. The position is based in Malawi, and the appointment will be subject to security clearances. For additional employment opportunities, candidates can visit the FAO employment website.