Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life, leaving no one behind.

FAO is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO's goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 Members (194 countries and the European Union), FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide.

FAO Country Offices, working under overall corporate guidance and in line with the Strategic Framework, offer policy advice and support to countries in the mandated areas of FAO, facilitated through partnerships, resources and an active country programme to provide technical assistance, develop capacities and deliver core services while fully observing international standards of accountability to establish leadership and strengthen impact at the country level.

The offices deliver on the programmatic priorities of each country as agreed in their respective Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs) aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and ensure effective and efficient operations with adequate human and financial resources.

Specifically, FAO Country Offices:

(i)    advocate, inform and support policies and investments in the areas of FAO’s mandate;
(i)    provide technical assistance and deliver core services; 
(iii)          assist and catalyse partnership and resource mobilization activities to support agrifood systems transformation; 
(iv)     position FAO as the specialized/authoritative technical agency in food and agriculture and agrifood systems   transformation; and 
(v)           ensure risk-smart and accountable operations and management.  

FAO is one of the lead Implementing Agencies of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), with a portfolio of almost 150 active projects funded by the facility, in all regions. All GEF-funded full-size projects must undergo a mid-term review (MTR) under the GEF evaluation policy. The FAO Guide for planning and conducting mid-term reviews provides corporate guidance on planning, formulating, and conducting MTRs for projects and programmes implemented by FAO that have received grant financing from the GEF Trust Fund.

The GEF-funded project “Enhancing biodiversity, maintaining ecosystem flows, enhancing carbon stocks through sustainable land management, and the restoration of degraded forestlands (FSP)” is being implemented by the FAO Office Philippines and executed via the Operational Partner Implementation Modality (OPIM) with the  Department of Environment and Natural Resources through the Forest Management Bureau. This project seeks to provide multiple, integrated environmental, social, and economic benefits through cost-effective and sustainable restoration of degraded forests and landscapes.  

The project is at the mid-point of its planned implementation duration and is now required to conduct MTR.

Reporting Lines

The MTR Team Leader  will report to the FAO GEF Coordination Unit Monitoring and Reporting Officer in coordination with the FAO MTR Manager.

Technical Focus

The MTR Team Leader will be responsible for coordinating the MTR consulting team’s contribution to the project’s MTR and ensuring that the final MTR report is prepared.

Tasks and responsibilities

•     Review relevant background documentation made available by the designated MTR manager and project team, including the project document, the project’s logframe, progress and final reports, workshop and technical reports, among others as listed in the MTR terms of reference; 
•     Review and complement (expand as appropriate) the methodology described in the MTR terms of reference, prepare data-collection tools, including questionnaires, checklists and interview protocols as appropriate;
•     Coordinate preparation, drafting and finalization of the MTR inception report, including an MTR matrix, theory of change and stakeholder table, and participate in the finalization of the team’s work programme;
•     Lead and coordinate the collection of primary data by the MTR team through interviews and meetings (face-to-face or virtual) with relevant FAO officers in headquarters and/or Project Coordination Unit, among other things, and during country visits with key stakeholders including the government, FAO Representatives, external partners, project teams, international organizations, the private sector, civil society, academia, research institutes and ultimate beneficiaries, as appropriate, as described in the MTR terms of reference;
•     By working with National MTR Consultants, coordinate the collection of primary data by the MTR team during country visits and relevant secondary data, according to the methodology presented in the MTR terms of reference and detailed in the inception report; 
•     Lead the analysis and discussion of evidence collected within the MTR team to identify key findings and preliminary conclusions that respond to the MTR’s issues and questions, and formulate preliminary recommendations in line with the findings and conclusions;
•     Ensure that all the findings are sufficiently triangulated and validated;
•     Present the preliminary MTR findings to key stakeholders, as required; 
•     Lead, coordinate and prepare all deliverables planned in the MTR terms of reference, according to specifications provided in the terms of reference and detailed in the FAO–GEF MTR Guide and annexes;
•     Coordinate the participation and contribution of team members in all deliverables, as required;
•     Lead the preparation of the first and second drafts of the MTR report, integrate comments received, as appropriate, from the Budget Holder, FAO-GEF Coordination Unit, other FAO and government agency staff, and other relevant stakeholders, as appropriate;
•     Lead the finalization of the MTR report and coordinate the inputs of other members of the MTR team into the final version, as needed.
•     The consultant may also be requested to perform other on-demand duties to the GEF Coordination Unit relating to project design, implementation and reporting, as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements    

•     An advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO  in evaluation, forestry, natural-resource management or a related field. Consultants with bachelor's degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience.
•     Ten years of relevant experience in supporting, designing, planning and/or conducting development evaluations
•     Working knowledge (level C) of English

FAO Core Competencies

•     Results Focus
•     Teamwork
•     Communication
•     Building Effective Relationships
•     Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

•     Experience in conducting evaluations of agriculture related and natural-resource management projects/programs
•     Knowledge of FAO and GEF work/procedures, or other UN agencies, would be an asset.
•     A demonstration of the following competencies – results driven, teamwork, communications, relationship-building, and knowledge management