Programme Specialist (Monitoring & Evaluation) at FAO

The main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by an FAO Representative, 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.

Under the 11th European Development Fund (EDF), FAO in Zambia will be partnering with the European Union, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT) to implement a program on Sustainable Intensification of Smallholder Farming Systems in Zambia (SIFAZ). The project will focus on building demonstrable synergies between research and promotion of appropriate sustainable agriculture intensification practices.

Reporting Lines

The Program Specialist (Monitoring and Evaluation) works under the overall guidance of the FAO Representative in Zambia and directly reports to the Chief Technical Advisor (CTA). The incumbent will work in close collaboration with implementing partners from Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and relevant FAO technical units in headquarters and in Zambia

Technical Focus

The incumbent will play a pivotal role in development and implementation of the monitoring and evaluation strategy for the European Union Funded Sustainable Intensification of Smallholder Farming Systems in Zambia (SIFAZ) project implemented by FAO Zambia.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Contributes to the design and implementation of a monitoring and evaluating system of the project. This includes ensuring up to date progress tracking of the project indicators as contained in the project log frame;
• Directly responsible for designing and implementing methodologies and tools for data collection and analysis (household surveys, community and key informants interviews, focus group discussions, etc);
• Directly responsible for development of work plans for external and internal assessments, monitoring and evaluation exercises;
• Ensures completeness and regular update of FAO Monitoring and Evaluation tools (Quality Assurance section of FPMIS) for the project;
• Identifies monitoring and evaluation capacity building needs for government and other stakeholders of the project at provincial and district levels;
• Provides training and supervision of M&E staff such as enumerators, data processors, analysts, etc. and ensures data quality control at provincial, district and camp levels involved in monitoring and evaluation;
• Leads preparation of regular/periodic implementation progress reports, development of information products to support decision making during project progress review exercise and contribute to preparation of advocacy material under the project;
• Liaises and provides guidance to the project data analyst to ensure timely data analysis and reporting of results;
• Liaises and maintains relationships with the project M&E Focal Point in MoA and ensures consistence with other ongoing and related interventions in MoA
• Ensures that M&E findings are effectively disseminated to all staff and all relevant stakeholders to ensure fine-tuning of project implementation;
• Ensures knowledge sharing and capacity development for colleagues and other stakeholders (government and other institutions contracted under the project) at provincial, district and agricultural camp levels involved in monitoring and evaluation of the activities of the project;
• Contributes to periodic reports on the progress of the project. This includes participation and contribution to the project knowledge management activities
• Undertakes any other duties as may be assigned by management from time to time

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements   

• Advanced university degree agricultural economics, development studies, agriculture or any other related field
• At least 5 years’ experience in working with/or in government departments, national and international NGOs and other UN agencies in Zambia
• National of Zambia
• Working knowledge of English

FAO Core Competencies

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

Selection Criteria

Candidates will be assessed against the following:

• Extent and relevance of experience in communication and writing skills in English and any local languages
• Extent and relevance of experience working with national and local governments, donors, NGOs, academic and research institutions, including the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), is considered a strong asset
• Demonstrated and very good skills in info-graphics, publishing software, and editing. Knowledge and experience with photography, video, etc. will be an added advantage
• Good interpersonal relationships and a strong personality; self-starter.

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