Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist

Organizational Setting

The main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by an FAO Representative (FAOR) , is to assist governments to develop policies, programmes, and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to help develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner. For the period 2022-2026, the FAO Office in Zimbabwe is supporting Government efforts through the Country Programme Framework (CPF) which is based on three pillars: (i) Promotion of inclusive and sustainable agrifood systems to address food security and nutrition. (ii) Building resilience to climate change, agricultural threats, and crisis; (iii) Sustainable management of natural resources and environmental protection.

The Zimbabwe Country office is partnering with UNDP and the Government of Zimbabwe to implement the Zimbabwe Resilience Building Fund (ZRBF II) program, with funding support from the European Union and the Government of Ireland. The goal of the program is to build resilience in vulnerable rural communities, ensure sustainable natural resources management for climate action, improve food and nutrition security, and lower the impact of natural disasters in at-risk communities in Zimbabwe. The program is reaching 450 000 people in the Mid Zambezi area (Binga, Kariba, Hurungwe, and Mbire) and the Southeast Lowveld (Chiredzi, Mwenezi, and Beitbridge) over a period of four years extending to December 2028. FAO is responsible for technical support to ZRBF II’s Outcome 2: Improved natural resources management, utilization, and environmental protection to promote sustainable food systems within functioning ecosystems for sustainable resilience to multiple shocks.

Reporting Lines

The Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Zimbabwe, and direct supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative-Programmes, in close collaboration with the, National Project Coordinator, with further reporting and guidance from the relevant FAO Lead Technical Officer of the project, Regional Office for Africa and technical divisions at HQ.

Technical Focus

Generate evidence of FAO’s technical contribution and support the verification of results reported by implementing partners. The incumbent will design and operationalize an M&E tool to track progress against agreed resilience outcome and output indicators. Given the qualitative nature of FAO’s technical support role, the position will focus on documenting and demonstrating tangible results, building on baseline data and outcome monitoring surveys.

Tasks and Responsibilities

•     Design and implement the M&E framework for the FAO`s programmes including targets and indicators for effective monitoring and evaluation which contributes to quality programming. 
•     Generate evidence of FAO’s technical contribution and support the verification of results reported by consortium partners which facilitating  the capturing and strategic dissemination of significant change and impact stories.
•     Design and operationalize an M&E tool to track progress against agreed resilience outcome and output indicators. 
•     Document and demonstrate tangible results, building on baseline data and outcome monitoring surveys.
•     Consolidate the quarterly and bi-annual project progress update reports.
•     Update data for the PAID system and update project milestones in FPMIS
•     Participate in large, complex field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties and drafting mission summaries, etc.
•     Contribute to the production of all required Project Progress reports in line with donor requirements and guidelines maintaining quality.
•     Perform any other related duties as may be required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•     Advanced university degree in monitoring and evaluation, agriculture, international development, humanitarian studies, sociology, statistics or related field.
•     At least five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in monitoring, learning and evidence generation, evaluation, research, technical assessment, and programme implementation
•     Working knowledge (level C) of English 
•     National of Zimbabwe

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical Skills

•     Extent and relevance of experience in conducting or contributing to complex thematic, programme, portfolio, or project monitoring and evaluations.
•     Ability to synthesize complex evidence and prepare clear, balanced and evidence-based evaluation products.
•     Knowledge of FAO and experience with FAO tools and procedures for project implementation, monitoring and reporting is an asset.
•     Ability to technically supervise, manage and support  field activities of the project.
•     Experience working across humanitarian, development and normative contexts. 
•     Good analytical and writing skills 
•     Good communication and advocacy skills
•     Knowledge of local languages spoken in Zimbabwe will be considered as an asset 
•     Previous working experience with UN or international organizations in similar positions will be an added advantage
 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION