Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Specialist

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 a mission 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 operates in over 130 countries and has a diverse workforce of more than 12,000 employees. The organization is committed to promoting sustainable agricultural practices and improving nutrition, while also addressing climate change and natural resource management.

Job Overview:
The MEAL Specialist position at FAO Angola is crucial for enhancing the effectiveness of the organization's programs aimed at sustainable agricultural transformation and food security. The role involves leading the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) systems across FAO Angola's portfolio. The incumbent will ensure that these systems align with FAO corporate standards, donor requirements, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This position is integral to fostering a culture of evidence-based decision-making and continuous learning within the organization, thereby contributing to the overall mission of FAO in Angola.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The MEAL Specialist will be responsible for a variety of tasks, including but not limited to: supporting project planning and ensuring the integration of MEAL requirements from the design phase; developing project results chains, log frames, and theories of change in collaboration with stakeholders; ensuring alignment of project results and indicators with the CPF results matrix; developing MEL plans and budgets; maintaining and updating project monitoring databases; training stakeholders on monitoring data and reporting requirements; collecting and analyzing data on project performance; supporting progress and final reporting with quality assured M&E data; designing surveys and assessments; producing knowledge products based on monitoring data; organizing learning events; compiling and escalating project performance issues; disseminating lessons learned; providing support for evaluations; and offering backstopping on effective use of monitoring and evaluation tools.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a postgraduate degree (or a bachelor's degree with relevant experience) in fields such as Monitoring and Evaluation, Statistics, Agricultural Economics, Development Studies, or related areas. Additionally, a minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in monitoring and evaluation is required, preferably within FAO or another UN agency. Candidates must be nationals of Angola and demonstrate core competencies such as results focus, teamwork, communication, and knowledge sharing. Technical skills in agriculture, food systems, and rural development are also essential.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a postgraduate degree in Monitoring and Evaluation, Statistics, Agricultural Economics, Development Studies, Social Sciences, Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, Rural Development, Public Administration, or a related field. A bachelor's degree may be acceptable if accompanied by relevant experience in the field.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in monitoring and evaluation, ideally within FAO, another UN agency, or an international development organization. Experience in Angola or Southern Africa is highly desirable, along with demonstrated experience in agriculture, food systems, forestry, fisheries, climate resilience, or rural development programs.

Languages:
Fluency in Portuguese is mandatory, as it is the official language of Angola. Proficiency in English or French would be considered an asset, as it may facilitate communication with international stakeholders and enhance the candidate's effectiveness in the role.

Additional Notes:
The FAO does not charge any fees during the recruitment process, and applications received after the closing date will not be accepted. Candidates must ensure that their educational qualifications are recognized by the World Higher Education Database (WHED). The appointment will be subject to medical fitness certification, accreditation, residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.