Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEAL) Specialist

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through 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: 
•    advocate, inform and support policies and investments in the areas of FAO’s mandate.
•    provide technical assistance and deliver core services. 
•    assist and catalyse partnership and resource mobilization activities to support agrifood systems transformation. 
•    position FAO as the specialized/authoritative technical agency in food and agriculture and agrifood systems transformation; and 
•    ensure risk-smart and accountable operations and management.   

The position is located in the FAO Country Office in Kenya

The grade of the position is SC-8.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall guidance of the FAO Representative in Kenya, the direct supervision of the Project Coordinator and the technical supervision of the Head of MEL.

Technical Focus

The MEAL Specialist(s) will be responsible for generating and disseminating quality evidence on results achieved through the Green Climate Fund (GCF) project, to support adaptive programming, accountability and learning.

Tasks and responsibilities

Design and planning:

•    Design and implement a comprehensive MEAL system, including a detailed MEAL plan, data collection tools, and reporting templates, aligned with the GCF's Results Management Framework and core indicators.
•    Establish clear data collection protocols, quality control procedures, and data security measures.
•    Develop and implement a robust system for tracking project progress against GCF indicators, including GHG emission reductions, adaptation benefits, and co-benefits.

Data Collection and Analysis:

•    Lead the design and implementation of data collection strategies, including surveys, focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and participatory methods, to gather both quantitative and qualitative data. 
•    Develop and refine data collection tools, ensuring they are aligned with project indicators, culturally appropriate, and sensitive to gender and social inclusion considerations.
•    Oversee the collection of high-quality data, ensuring adherence to ethical guidelines and data security protocols.
•    Analyze quantitative data using appropriate statistical methods and software to track progress against project targets and identify trends.
•    Analyze qualitative data using thematic analysis, content analysis, or other relevant techniques to gain a deeper understanding of project impacts and challenges.
•    Synthesize quantitative and qualitative findings to provide a comprehensive assessment of project performance and inform decision-making.
•    Generate learning, promote good practices, measure indicators of progress and impact, make suggestions for improvement, and inform in a timely manner for evidence-based decision-making.
•    Prepare high-quality progress reports, technical reports, and other documentation required by the GCF and FAO, ensuring timely submission.
•    Contribute to knowledge sharing and dissemination activities, including the development of case studies, lessons learned documents, and presentations.

Stakeholder Engagement:

•    Establish and ensure the functioning of upstream (government, donors) and downstream (grantees) reporting mechanisms, including all relevant project stakeholders.
•    Ensure the generation of timely and relevant information for meetings with the General Coordination, the Project Work Team, the Steering Committee, and the Technical Committee of the Project. 

Evaluation Support:

•    Under the guidance of the Head of MEL, serve as the primary point of contact for both external and internal evaluation teams, providing them with access to project documentation, data, and key stakeholders.
•    Collaborate with the evaluation teams to develop evaluation methodologies, data collection instruments, and sampling strategies that are appropriate for the project context and aligned with GCF requirements.
•    Coordinate and facilitate evaluation activities, including site visits, interviews, focus group discussions, and data analysis workshops.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements    

•    Advanced university degree in a Project Management, Statistics, Development Studies, Economics, Climate Change or related field
•    Minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience in setting up and operationalizing monitoring and evaluation systems, especially in food security and livelihoods projects in the NGO and/or International Organization or UN.
•    Working knowledge (level C) of English and Kiswahili
•    National of Kenya 

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills 

•    Coordinate and provide technical guidance to database, GIS, or other relevant specialists to ensure effective integration and generation of project information from the central database of the project.
•    Support in monitoring the execution of the contracts and agreements signed within the framework of the project.
•    Demonstrated experience in data analysis using software such as Excel and other statistical package such as STATA or R, data visualization tools, and database management software. 
•    Familiarity with data collection tools such as kobotoolbox and familiar with the Graphic Information Systems (GIS)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION