Reports to: Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Specialist

Location: At any of ICARDA’s duty stations

Main Purpose of the position

To coordinate the implementation of a robust M&E framework, ensuring effective data collection, analysis, and reporting.

About the C4RPWC program

The Consortium for Red Palm Weevil Control (C4RPWC) Program is a three-year international and multi-institutional effort to combat the Red Palm Weevil (RPW), a devastating pest that threatens palm cultivation globally. Led by ICARDA, the program aims to develop, test, adapt, and pilot innovative, sustainable science-based and environmentally friendly solutions to manage and contain RPW infestations. With the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as a focal point, the program will develop and establish scalable strategies that can extend to other low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) affected by this invasive pest. Other organizations in the consortium include the International Centre for Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), and the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA).

About ICARDA

The International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) is a treaty-based international non-profit research organization supported by CGIAR.
ICARDA’s mission is to reduce poverty, enhance food, water, and nutritional security, as well as environmental health in the face of global challenges including climate change. We do this through innovative science, strategic partnerships, linking research to development, and capacity development that take into account gender equality and the role of youth in transforming the dry areas. ICARDA works in partnership with governments, universities, civil society, national agricultural research organizations, other CGIAR Research Centers, and the private sector. With its temporary Headquarters in Beirut, Lebanon, ICARDA operates in regional and country offices across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. For more information: www.icarda.org.

Main responsibilities

Partnerships & Capacity Development

• Support project activity monitoring by recording the project on the web-based MEL platform (HTTP://mel.cgiar.org) and continuously appraise the status of deliverables including through routine field visits and interactions with project staff and stakeholders.
• Track the progress of the project based on a set of performance indicators.
• Conduct or manage project evaluation processes at baseline and end of project.
• Participate in the relevant project research studies through the development of data collection tools and program or provide technical backstopping for their programming in mobile data collection platforms such as ODK, ONA, CSPro, KOBOToolbox, etc.
• Support the project in the development and review of Plans of Work and Budget and periodic reporting processes.
• Implement project pause-and-reflect activities to identify, document and share/ disseminate lessons learned, and utilise them for adaptive management.
• Develop and maintain simulation and foresight models suitable to estimate higher-level results of the C4RPWC and associated innovations.
• Participate and make input to the MEL community of practice of the project.
• Undertake other tasks relevant for the efficient and effective running of the monitoring, evaluation and learning function of the RPW project, and ICARDA as a whole, as may be assigned by the MEL Specialist.

Data Management

• Support the Data Management Plan (DMP) implementation, coordinating with the MEL team DM specialist.
• Support research scientists to manage data across the project and data life cycles, in compliance with data management guidelines.
• Curate reported datasets in accordance with institutional requirements and best practices.

Requirements

Education, qualifications, and experience

• Master’s degree in Monitoring and Evaluation, Agricultural Economics, Agriculture (with a focus on Integrated Pest Management) or related disciplines.
• At least 2 years of work experience in a monitoring and evaluation role with an organization in the agrifood systems research and development sector.
• Previous experience coordinating or conducting field studies for purposes collecting monitoring and evaluation data.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Arabic.
• Ability to engage with project stakeholders in a clear and professional way.
• Strong computer skills, including in using MS Office, and familiarity with web-based platforms.
• Experience working in the Middle East or North Africa.
• Professional level of attention to detail, accuracy of work & ability to multitask and manage deadlines.
• Ability to work in interdisciplinary & multicultural teams.
• Work or research experience in integrated pest management (IPM).
• Experience managing data of a research and development project with multiple partner institutions.

Benefits

Terms of appointment, salary and benefits

This position may be offered under national or international recruitment terms, depending on the qualifications and the location of the selected candidate. ICARDA offers an attractive compensation package including a competitive salary, medical insurance, 30 days of annual leave, five months’ maternity leave, 15 days’ paternity leave. The successful candidate will be offered an initial contract of 2.5 years, renewable subject to satisfactory performance. The first year of appointment will be probationary period.

ICARDA accepts applications only in English which is the organization’s official communication language. Applications in other languages will not be considered.

Only shortlisted applications will be contacted.