Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Coordinator

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the 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

Reporting Lines

The Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Coordinator is a SC- 9 position and will work under the overall guidance of the FAO Representative in Bangladesh and direct supervision of the Deputy FAO Representation in collaboration with the Assistant FAO Representative (Programme). The MEAL Coordinator shall be working collaboratively with national, project-specific Monitoring and Evaluation consultants ensuring consistency of M&E strategies and tools across programmes and projects.

Technical focus

The incumbent will work as part of a multi-disciplinary team on a day-to-day basis with the overall aim of developing and implementing of a comprehensive M&E Framework for the overall Country Programme. S/He will also coordinate FAO Bangladesh corporate reporting efforts, as required by UNCT, HCCT and HQs. The MEAL Coordinator will be supported by relevant experts from the Regional Office for Asia and Pacifique (RAP) and HQ to customize the national M&E Strategy in line with agreed corporate frameworks. 

Tasks and responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities of the incumbent will include, but not limited to the followings:
•    Develop and maintain a results-based comprehensive M&E Framework for the Country Progamme, inclusive of individual projects and programmes implemented by FAO Bangladesh. 
•    Support the representation for mapping and compiling of information required for reporting to the lead agencies/unit of the Strategic Priorities (SPs) of the UNSDCF, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), government bodies, country annual report, FAO corporate priority framework, Country Programme Framing (CPF) pillars, and other external and internal stakeholders in different frequencies. This will be achieved through close coordination with all M&E specialists and experts across various projects.
•    Provide agreed-upon information to the relevant agencies or units as identified from the mapping exercise at the required frequencies to ensure timely and accurate mandatory reporting 
•    Facilitate FAO’s engagement and strategic positioning in relevant evidence generation platforms including Needs Assessment Working Group, Food Security Cluster, Integrated Phase Classification (IPC), UN infos, etc. 
•    Coordinate the process of project evaluation: design and management of baseline and end-line surveys, mid-term reviews and final evaluations, 
•    Design and coordinate baseline surveys to assist project team in setting benchmark values for logical framework indicators and critical milestones for review of project work plans and performance,
•    Design and establish well-functioning Grievance Monitoring and Address Mechanisms, including setting up a call-centre and establishing standard operating and oversight procedures,
•    Assist the Programme Unit with project formulation in regard to the area of M&E – draft all M&E design sections, review processes for beneficiary selection/identification, logical framework and relevant indicators
•    Review activities and logical framework matrices to set SMART indicators, review budgets to ensure M&E costs are fully integrated; Assist with developing the Theory of Change and Problem and Solution tree if and when needed.
•    Provide capacity development for FAO Bangladesh staff and implementing partners on the tools and systems established, functions of M&E in quality assurance and strengthen a culture of open reflection, learning, and improvement.
•    In coordination with technical and operational officers, develop M&E tools for data collection, analysis, reporting and information management, including timely provision of M&E data to Programme Unit for reporting, as well as the Communication Unit for donor outreach.
•    Provide technical support to all National project-specific M&E consultants, specifically by assigning responsibilities, managing calendars/activity plans, designing of medium-term plans in line with the Country Programme goals and objectives. 
•    Establish a beneficiary tracking system to increase accountability in beneficiary selection, counting and registration protocols for the projects to ensure that beneficiaries are informed and involved in the project design, implementation and evaluation.  
•    Monitor project activities and progress towards achievement of results and provide feedback to FAO Management for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of project implementation by providing overview on Value for Money, Return On Investment, Cost Benefit Analysis and other indices.
•    Undertake regular visits to the field to support implementation of the project/programme activities and to identify/recommend required adaptations and assist in coordinating across various field offices to ensure effective and consistent implementation of M&E activities.
•    Represent FAO in relevant platforms related to M & E, data, UN infos, 
•    Working with programme/project teams, identify and formulate lessons learned from project evaluations, and design specific studies and monitoring to be integrated into broader knowledge management efforts to facilitate experience sharing and lessons learned exchange between the projects.
•    Participate in inter-agency M&E coordination structures, including UN performance monitoring working groups as requested.
•    Perform any other duties as may be assigned.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements  
  
•    Master’s degree in development studies, statistics, agriculture, economics or related fields
•    At least ten (10) or above years of relevant experience in monitoring and evaluation in a humanitarian and/or development context with good analytical and reporting skills.

•    Working knowledge of (level C) English
•    National of Bangladesh

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•    Knowledge of/familiarity with statistical packages (such as R, Stata, SPSS) and computer analytical tools is necessary.
•    Excellent organizational skills and ability to manage workloads under tight deadlines.
•    Strong project management skills, including keen attention to detail and ability to follow tasks and ideas through to completion;
•    Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with a team and with people from diverse backgrounds.
•    The incumbent must possess teamwork spirit, ability to work under minimum supervision, flexibility and good interpersonal skills.
•    Excellent communication, writing and presentation skills in English and limited knowledge of a second official language of the Organization (French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Russian).
•    Familiarity with food security and agriculture indicators.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION