Technical Assistant (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning – MEAL)

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations 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, make agriculture, forestry, and fisheries more productive and sustainable, reduce rural poverty, and enable inclusive and efficient agricultural and food systems. In Cambodia, FAO focuses on supporting the government in developing policies, programs, and projects to achieve food security and reduce hunger and malnutrition, while promoting sustainable use of environmental and natural resources and mitigating climate change impacts.

Job Overview:
The Technical Assistant (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning – MEAL) will play a crucial role in supporting the implementation of the PEARL project, which aims to enhance climate resilience among farmers and local communities in the Northern Tonle Sap Basin. This position involves working closely with the National Technical Specialist and International Technical Advisor for MEAL to provide capacity development support and implement the MEAL plan effectively. The Technical Assistant will assist in using standard tools and systems for data collection and analysis, thereby improving the operational and programmatic performance of the PEARL project. The role requires a proactive approach to providing ongoing technical support to project staff, government counterparts, and partners, ensuring high-quality data collection and reporting. The Technical Assistant will also be responsible for preparing and managing beneficiary data, ensuring accuracy and regular updates, and contributing to the overall monitoring and evaluation of project activities.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Technical Assistant (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning – MEAL) will have a variety of responsibilities, including:

• Preparing high-quality beneficiary data management, including registration, updates, and ensuring data accuracy by addressing duplicates and cleaning the data weekly.
• Supporting the provision of MEAL training and technical capacity support to the project team and operational partners, enhancing their skills in data collection, analysis, and reporting.
• Assisting in the development of tools and processes for effective data collection, aggregation, and analysis, including the use of Computer-Assisted Personal Interviews (CAPI) tools and digital knowledge management systems.
• Monitoring project activities and progress towards achieving outputs, ensuring alignment with the work plan and budget.
• Evaluating overall project progress and sustainability, preparing monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, and annual monitoring and evaluation reports for project and government counterparts.
• Collecting and consolidating quantitative and qualitative data for good practices and lessons learned for dissemination.
• Participating in annual project reviews, steering committee meetings, and planning workshops, assisting in report preparation.
• Conducting periodical field trips to project sites and assisting with other tasks as required to fulfill the above responsibilities.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must meet the following minimum requirements:

• A university degree in statistics, management, economics, agricultural development, or related fields.
• A minimum of three years of experience in designing and implementing data collection and reporting systems in development projects, preferably with national and international NGOs, UN agencies, or government agencies. Experience with UN projects is desirable.
• A working knowledge of English and fluency in Khmer.
• Candidates must be nationals of Cambodia. Additionally, candidates should demonstrate core competencies such as results focus, teamwork, communication, building effective relationships, and knowledge sharing.

Educational Background:
The position requires a university degree in a relevant field such as statistics, management, economics, agricultural development, or related disciplines. Candidates must have obtained their higher educational qualifications from institutions accredited or recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED).

Experience:
Candidates should possess at least three years of relevant experience in the field of monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning, specifically in designing and implementing data collection and reporting systems. Experience working with national and international NGOs, UN agencies, or government agencies is essential, with a preference for candidates who have experience in UN projects.

Languages:
Fluency in Khmer is mandatory, and a working knowledge of English is also required. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset but is not mandatory for this position.

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. Candidates must be medically fit for appointment and meet any residency or visa requirements. The position is likely to be full-time, and the appointment will be subject to security clearances.