National Monitoring and Evaluation 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 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. The organization also works to ensure that countries can achieve their Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to food and agriculture.

Job Overview:
The National Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist will play a crucial role in supporting the implementation of the 'Technical Support to Sustainable and Resilient Investment towards Agriculture Sector Transformation Program of Bangladesh' (ATP) project. This position is vital for tracking and documenting project progress, monitoring and evaluating the performance of Letters of Agreement (LoAs) and contracts, and ensuring comprehensive reporting to all stakeholders involved, including the FAO, the Gates Foundation, and the Government of Bangladesh. The specialist will be responsible for generating and submitting progress reports, assisting in the evaluation of LoA implementation, and producing analytical reports on performance. The role requires a strong focus on aligning outputs with reporting requirements and supporting the completion and phase-out of the project. The specialist will also assist in developing tools for assessing the socio-economic and natural resource base of the farming community, contributing to the overall objectives of the Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the National Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist include: generating and submitting all required progress reports in accordance with FAO, the Gates Foundation, and the Government of Bangladesh timelines; assisting in monitoring and evaluating the implementation of Letters of Agreement (LoAs) with partner institutions such as BARC, DAE, and BADC; producing periodic analytical reports on LoA performance and identifying implementation bottlenecks; assisting in designing and implementing tools for assessing the impact of regional investment plans and technology adoption; coordinating data collection and validation related to socio-economic profiling and natural resource diagnostics; ensuring timely and consistent data sharing and responses to information requests; preparing project completion reports and impact assessments; documenting lessons learned, success stories, and case studies; and performing any other related tasks as required.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced degree in Public Policy, Development Studies, Economics, or a related field. They should have a minimum of 9 years of experience in the monitoring and evaluation of development projects. A working knowledge of English (level C) and Bengali is essential, and candidates must be nationals of Bangladesh or residents of the country with a valid work permit. Familiarity with FAO/donor M&E procedures, data collection software, and quantitative and qualitative analysis tools is also required. Experience in agriculture, innovation systems, or investment planning is preferred, along with strong analytical writing and communication skills, a command of M&E design and impact evaluation, and experience with mobile/online data collection platforms.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced degree in fields such as Public Policy, Development Studies, Economics, or any other related discipline. This advanced education is essential to equip the candidate with the necessary theoretical and practical knowledge to effectively monitor and evaluate development projects.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 9 years of relevant experience in the monitoring and evaluation of development projects. This experience should include a strong understanding of M&E design, indicators, and impact evaluation, as well as familiarity with investment tracking systems and agro-economic performance metrics. Prior work experience with FAO, other UN agencies, or international development organizations will be considered an advantage, as it demonstrates the candidate's ability to navigate complex project environments and collaborate with various stakeholders.

Languages:
The mandatory languages for this position are English (level C) and Bengali. Proficiency in these languages is crucial for effective communication and reporting within the project and with stakeholders. Additional language skills may be considered an asset but are not explicitly required for this role.

Additional Notes:
This position is classified as a SC 9 role, indicating a seniority level that requires significant expertise and experience. The contract duration is anticipated to align with the 28-month execution period of the ATP project. The role is full-time, and candidates should be prepared to engage with various stakeholders, including government institutions and private sector partners, to ensure the successful implementation of the project. Compensation and benefits will be aligned with FAO standards and the specific terms of the contract.