National M&E and GIS Specialist – Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

Job Description

Duration: 12 months with possibility of extension

Post Number: N/A

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device

• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO’s values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality

Organizational Setting

FAO, in cooperation with the Government of Malawi and other relevant partners are incepting the project on Ecosystem-based Adaptation for Resilient Watersheds and Communities in Malawi (EbAM). The project aims at building climate resilience in vulnerable watersheds and communities through increasing climate resilience of watershed ecosystems, stabilizing productivity and farmers’ incomes and enhancing enabling environment. Total cost of the project is estimated at USD 53.2 million, which will be co-financed by the Green Climate Fund (GCF), FAO and the Government of Malawi. The project will be implemented in 11 targeted districts in different regions in Malawi over a period of 6 years. Around 575,000 vulnerable people in rural communities will benefit from project interventions and more than 83,000 heIPOres of land will be restored through application of Ecosystem-based Adaptation approach.

Reporting Lines

The National M&E and GIS Specialist will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative (FAOR) in Malawi, the direct supervision of the International Project Officer of EbAM project, and the technical guidance of the International M&E Officer; and work closely with the EbAM National Project Coordinator (NPC), other project team members and implementing partners.

Technical Focus

The National M&E and GIS Specialist will work on design and implementation of a monitoring, evaluation, reporting and learning (MEAL) framework for the EbAM Project, with GIS-based information system.

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Develop the MEAL framework and associated implementation manual, and facilitate their implementation for monitoring, evaluating and reporting: (a) technical/physical completion rate; (b) financial delivery rate; (c) achievement of targets of indicators in project results framework; and (d) compliance with the project schedule.
•    Collect and analyze quantitative data and qualitative information systematically, identify good practices, promote learning, measure progress and impacts, make suggestions for improvement, and inform in a timely manner for evidence-based decision-making.
•    Within the framework of the signed agreements and the documentation approved by the donor and FAO, propose improvements in the project’s indicator system, to optimize and contribute to the measurement of the impact/internal and external evaluations, as well as the co-benefits of the interventions.
•    Support the establishment and proper functioning of upstream (government, donors) and downstream (beneficiaries) reporting mechanisms, including all relevant project stakeholders.
•    Support the generation of timely and relevant information for meetings with the EbAM project team, the FAO Country Office, the Project Steering Committee, and the Project Technical Committee and relevant stakeholders.
•    Prepare and update, on a regular basis and in collaboration with the different specialists of the project coordination and implementation units, implementation progress and financial reports.
•    Generate key information that feeds national statistics on food and agriculture, integrated watershed management, vegetation or forest cover, and those linked to the SDGs monitored under FAO coordination and linked to the goals of the Project.
•    Provide technical support to the project’s field monitoring team and participate in relevant field monitoring and evaluation activities as required.
•    Survey, systematize and analyze good practices and make key recommendations to ensure sustainability, lessons learned, and ideas for future interventions.
•    Provide technical advice and services to the EbAM project team members and the FAO Country Office in the areas of database, GIS and information management system.
•    Support monitoring of execution of the contracts and agreements signed with project implementing partners.
•    Support preparation and implementation of EbAM internal and external evaluations and audits and assist implementation of relevant recommendations and lessons learned.
•    Follow-up with the outcomes from the technical missions of the International Monitoring and Evaluation Officer.
•    Carry out any other tasks assigned by the IPO.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    Advanced university degree in M&E, Spatial Analysis, Statistics, Agriculture Economics or any related fields.
•    At least 5 years of relevant experience in monitoring, evaluation and spatial analysis.
•    Working knowledge (level C) of English and Chichewa is mandatory
•    National of Malawi

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills 

•    Extent and relevance of experience in working on senior-level positions in project M&E.
•    Experience in preparing and implementing complex M&E systems for climate change related projects.
•    Knowledge and experience in GIS technologies and GIS-based data and information management, especially geo-spatial skills in areas of agriculture, watershed and nature resources management and climate change.
•    Extent and relevance of experience in establishing and maintaining partnerships with government institutions, UN agencies, NGOs and donors.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
• Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/ 
• For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
•  Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.

 FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions. 

HOW TO APPLY

• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
•  We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance: https://fao.service-now.com/csp

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