National Monitoring System Expert

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.

In 2021, Sierra Leone published its initial National Adaptation Plan (NAP). The initial NAP includes a stocktake of adaptation priorities, vulnerabilities, and measures across seven (7) identified priority sectors, based purely on desk research and literature review. The initial NAP explicitly states the need to develop a full NAP, informed by context-specific national and sectoral climate information and evidence generated through detailed vulnerability assessments. To this end, FAO, in collaboration with EPA, launched a NAP readiness project in 2025. The NAP Readiness project is funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF). Titled: “Accelerating Action Towards Effective Climate Risk Management in Key Sectors in Sierra Leone,” the project is implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Sierra Leone, in close collaboration with EPA.  The project’s objective is to strengthen climate-risk management in key adaptation sectors in Sierra Leone. The project will conduct detailed vulnerability assessments and strengthen institutional collaboration on climate adaptation. It will also engage stakeholders from government institutions, NGOs, research institutions, local communities, the private sector, and other relevant groups at national and sub-national levels. The Project aims to tackle the gaps of weak capacities in National Adaptation Planning, lack of a comprehensive vulnerability Assessment in the initial NAP, lack of a comprehensive Climate Change Data centre and limited private sector involvement in climate action.

The project seeks to recruit an expert to provide technical support in setting up a system for monitoring and reporting on Adaptation action and finance, aligned with the MEL framework, to be included in the full NAP. Primarily, the target is to track how the NAP process is progressing and whether the planned phases/activities are being completed. Therefore, the expert is to support the set up a process-oriented monitoring system, measuring the quality and progress of NAP planning and implementation, while facilitating an adaptive adaptation planning approach. This monitoring system will be housed at the National Secretariat for Climate Change (NSCC) and managed by EPA staff.

Reporting Line

The expert will work under the direct supervision of the NAP National Project Coordinator in Sierra Leone and in close collaboration with the National Technical Project Specialist with support and backstopping from the Senior Technical Adviser (STA) and the LTO.

Technical Focus

To set up a monitoring system for monitoring and reporting Adaptation actions, planning processes and finance in alignment with the MEL framework to be included in the full NAP.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Develop a comprehensive, user-friendly monitoring system ready to be integrated into the NAP’s MEL framework, including data collection tools, indicators - mostly process indicators, and reporting formats;
• Develop and support a validated finance tracking framework to track climate adaptation finance, aligned with national and international standards;
• Develop well-defined, gender responsive process indicators tracking the progress of NAP development / adaptation planning processes, for instance (not exclusive to) measuring number of stakeholder consultations held; sectors engaged; technical studies validated and completed; ToRs finalized; NAP documents submitted for approval etc.
• Develop a webinar on monitoring systems and documentation of feedback and input collected during workshops and consultations,
• Develop a comprehensive training manual defining system purpose, data management, maintenance procedures, target users, and costs;
• Prepare and summarize outcomes of the online webinar and training workshops, including participation details and key takeaways;
• Develop a training and clear guidelines for the management, maintenance, and periodic review of the monitoring system;
• Report on training sessions conducted, including participant feedback and assessed capacity improvements;
• Prepare an overall report summarizing the development process, outputs delivered, stakeholder engagement, challenges, and recommendations for sustainability;
• Provide a functional prototype or pilot version of the monitoring system housed at the National Climate Change Secretariat at the EPA, ready for use.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Master’s degree in environmental science, economics, statistics, modelling, climate change, project management and any other related field
• At least 5 years’ experience in monitoring and reporting, finance tracking, and results-based MEAL systems
• Working knowledge of English (level C)
• National of Sierra Leone or resident of the country with a valid work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Knowledge of monitoring systems and finance tracking
• Strong analytical, strategic planning, and coordination skills.
• Excellent Communication and facilitation skills
• Ability to work with diverse stakeholders including government, civil society, and private sector.
• Fluency in English; knowledge of local languages is an asset.

Selection criteria

• Previous experience working on similar projects
• Proven knowledge of GCF procedures and MRV.
• Excellent analytical skills including the ability to critically analyze policies, conduct capacity assessments, and synthesize findings into comprehensive reports.
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION