National Impact Assessment Specialist

Organizational Context

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), through the Forest and Farm Facility (FFF), is implementing a programme in Ghana (2018–2026) to strengthen Forest and Farm Producer Organizations (FFPOs). This initiative, part of a global partnership, aims to enhance climate-resilient landscapes, sustainable livelihoods, and inclusive rural development. FFF supports various organizations through grants and agreements, focusing on institutional capacity, governance, market access, financial inclusion, and sustainable natural resource management. The programme aligns with national development priorities and contributes to SDGs, including poverty reduction, gender equality, and climate action.

Job Purpose

The National Impact Assessment Specialist will conduct a high-quality, independent, and evidence-based impact assessment of the FFF programme in Ghana. The assessment will focus on institutional strengthening of producer organizations, inclusive value chain development, financial inclusion, climate resilience, sustainable land use, and social inclusion. Utilizing FAO evaluation standards, OECD DAC criteria, and mixed-methods approaches, the specialist will ensure credible, participatory, and results-oriented findings. The role involves evaluating the programme's contributions to FFPO strengthening, livelihood improvements, climate resilience enhancement, and policy/governance influence, while documenting lessons learned and providing recommendations for future programming.

Responsibilities

Conduct a comprehensive desk review of programme documentation, M&E systems, and financial data using critical thinking and analytical skills. Develop a robust inception report adhering to FAO evaluation standards. Design innovative data collection tools and frameworks using mixed-method approaches. Lead field data collection with a strong emphasis on inclusive stakeholder engagement, ensuring participation of women, youth, and marginalized groups. Facilitate Key Informant Interviews and Focus Group Discussions, demonstrating strong communication and interpersonal skills. Build effective working relationships with partners, reflecting FAO's teamwork and collaboration competencies. Conduct quantitative and qualitative analysis using evidence-based, results-focused approaches. Assess programme performance against OECD DAC criteria with sound judgment and professional integrity. Generate case studies and synthesize complex information into clear, actionable insights. Prepare high-quality draft and final reports, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and accountability. Identify lessons learned, best practices, and strategic recommendations for continuous improvement. Present findings to diverse audiences and facilitate validation workshops for transparency and stakeholder ownership. Deliver all outputs within agreed timelines, demonstrating strong planning, organization, and results orientation, ensuring compliance with FAO standards.

Work Experience

Requires at least 5 years of relevant experience in programme evaluation or impact assessment. An Advanced University degree or University degree in forestry, natural resource management, rural development, business/enterprise development, cooperative studies, or a related field is necessary, or equivalent experience. Proficiency in English is mandatory, and the candidate must be a national of Ghana.

Skills

Proficiency in MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and project management software is required. Demonstrated expertise in mixed-methods data collection and analysis is essential. Proven experience in impact assessment, cooperative/producer organization development, SME formalization, and/or social enterprise models is highly valued. Strong knowledge of natural resource governance, value chains, and policy processes, with experience working with FFPOs or similar rural organizations, is necessary. Familiarity with gender-responsive programming and inclusive development approaches is important. Excellent analytical, interviewing, synthesis, and facilitation skills are crucial for communicating complex information clearly. Strong report writing skills and a track record of timely delivery are expected. Proficiency in statistical software for data analysis (e.g., R, STATA, SPSS) is considered relevant. Prior experience with FAO or UN agencies, and with the government or relevant institutions in Ghana, is advantageous.

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