Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist
Organizational Context
The FAO country office in Zimbabwe, operating from Harare, supports the government's efforts to achieve food security, reduce hunger, and promote sustainable agricultural, fisheries, and forestry sectors. For 2022-2026, the office focuses on inclusive agrifood systems, climate resilience, and natural resource management. In partnership with UNDP and the Government of Zimbabwe, FAO is implementing the Zimbabwe Resilience Building Fund (ZRBF II) program, funded by the EU and Ireland, aiming to enhance resilience in vulnerable communities and improve food security and natural resource management.
Job Purpose
The Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist will be responsible for generating evidence of FAO's technical contributions and verifying results reported by implementing partners. This role involves designing and operationalizing a robust Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) tool to track progress against agreed resilience outcome and output indicators. Given the nature of FAO's technical support, the position will emphasize documenting and demonstrating tangible results, utilizing baseline data and outcome monitoring surveys to showcase impact and inform future programming.
Responsibilities
The Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist will design and implement M&E frameworks, including targets and indicators, to ensure quality programming. Responsibilities include generating evidence of FAO's technical contributions, verifying partner results, and facilitating the dissemination of significant change stories. The role requires designing and operationalizing M&E tools to track progress against resilience indicators, documenting tangible results based on baseline data and surveys, and consolidating quarterly and bi-annual project progress reports. The specialist will also update project data in FAO systems, participate in field missions, provide guidance to consultants and government officials, draft mission summaries, and contribute to high-quality project reports aligned with donor requirements. Additional duties as required.
Work Experience
Requires at least five years of progressively responsible experience in monitoring, learning and evidence generation, evaluation, research, technical assessment, and programme implementation. Experience in designing and implementing M&E frameworks, tools, and reporting is crucial. Familiarity with agricultural or development projects, particularly in resilience-building contexts, is beneficial.
Skills
Key skills include Results Focus, Teamwork, Communication, Building Effective Relationships, and Knowledge Sharing. Technical skills encompass conducting complex M&E, synthesizing evidence, preparing evaluation products, and supervising field activities. Experience with FAO tools and procedures is an asset. Strong analytical and writing skills are essential, as are good communication and advocacy abilities. Knowledge of local Zimbabwean languages and prior experience with UN or international organizations are advantageous.