Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Specialist

Organizational Setting

FAO Afghanistan is investing across all 34 provinces of Afghanistan in resilience reinforcing actions that focus on protecting agriculture livelihoods and local ecosystems, boosting local production of nutritious foods and cash-incomes, and safeguarding critical agriculture sectoral development gains achieved over the past couple of decades through revitalizing rural markets and economy. In particular, FAO provides a combination of humanitarian and basic needs/non-humanitarian assistance to female and male farmers and herders across Afghanistan in the agriculture, livestock, irrigation and natural resources sub-sectors through its projects and programs, as described in the 2024 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (HNRP) and the United Nations Strategic Framework for Afghanistan (UNSFA) 2023-2027, specifically under UNSFA Priority 2 Economic Opportunities and Resilient Livelihoods.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall guidance of the FAO Representative and/or Deputy FAO Representative in Afghanistan, and the direct supervision of the Senior Emergency and Rehabilitation Officer (Head of the Monitoring, Analysis and Strategic Communication Unit), the incumbent will work as the Team Lead.

Technical Focus

The Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Specialist will be responsible for the design, coordination and implementation of the Monitoring and Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) programme of the FAO Afghanistan programme. S/he will provide leadership and oversight for FAO Afghanistan’s monitoring, evaluation, and accountability systems. The incumbent will ensure the systematic collection, analysis, and dissemination of data across the country programme, with particular emphasis on compliance with donor requirements, accountability to affected populations, and adaptive programme management.

Tasks and responsibilities

•     Lead the development and implementation of a country-wide MEAL framework and strategy, ensuring harmonized methodologies and tools across all projects.
•     Ensure compliance with donor requirements for monitoring, reporting and accountability, producing high-quality data for donor reporting and audits.
•     Oversee routine monitoring and data collection systems (field monitoring, third-party monitoring, remote sensing and digital tools), ensuring quality, consistency and credibility.
•     Lead the institutionalization of Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) mechanisms, including feedback and complaints channels.
•     Produce regular dashboards, monitoring briefs and outcome reports to inform programme management and adaptive decision-making.
•     Ensure systematic linkages between project monitoring data and corporate reporting systems (including FAO OER frameworks).
•     Manage and mentor the MEAL team, building staff capacity in monitoring, evaluation and digital data collection.
•     Coordinate with the Learning Specialist to facilitate learning initiatives through after-action reviews, monitoring reflections and adaptive management processes.
•     Represent FAO in inter-agency monitoring and accountability fora at country level.
•     Supervise the team of national affiliate workforce in the country.
•     Participate in selection processes as may be required.
•     Any other tasks that may be assigned by the supervisor.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•     Advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in in Economics, Statistics, Rural Development, Social Sciences or closely related technical field. Consultants with bachelor`s degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience
•     Minimum of 7 years of relevant experience in coordinating and implementing MEAL activities related to food security and/or agriculture programmes. 
Working knowledge (level C) of English.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•     Work experience in more than one location or area of work;
•     Relevant work experience in MEAL applied to food security and/or agricultural programmes;
•     Excellent knowledge of MEAL tools and methodologies applied in food security, resilience and agricultural interventions;
•     Working knowledge of advanced statistics with ability to use statistical software packages (i.e. SPSS and R);
•     Good knowledge of using and programming questionnaires in Open data kits (in particular Kobo toolbox);
•     Experience in team management and training/capacity-building;
•     Experience in the implementation of beneficiary complaint and feedback mechanisms is highly desirable;
•     Able to work under pressure and adapt to an evolving and complex humanitarian context and within multidisciplinary and different cultural background teams;
•     Knowledge of humanitarian response in the context of Afghanistan is considered a strong asset;
•     Previous working experience with UN and/or international organizations will be considered a strong asset.

Selection criteria:

•     Knowledge of a second FAO language will be an asset.