National Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Specialist

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) advances the 2030 Agenda through its Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation toward more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems. This effort promotes better production, improved nutrition, a healthier environment, and enhanced livelihoods, ensuring no one is left behind.

The Subregional Office for the Pacific Islands (SAP) is responsible for developing, promoting, overseeing, and implementing strategies and projects that drive the transformation of food, agriculture, and rural development. It also fosters and maintains relationships with subregional institutions.

The Subregional Office is a subsidiary of the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP).

GCP/SAP/011/EC - Sustainable transformation of domestic agrifood systems in Fiji, Samoa, and Solomon Islands.
The combined effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing global disruptions in supply chains due to the war in Ukraine have significantly delayed many countries' progresses toward achieving their Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Countries like Fiji, Samoa, and the Solomon Islands have been severely impacted by what is now termed the "5F crisis"—Food, Feed, Fuel, Fertilizer, and Finance. These interconnected issues have resulted in widespread inflation, disproportionately affecting the more vulnerable populations in these countries. The sharp rise in food prices has led to increased reliance on cheaper, unhealthy food options, further weakening public health and threatening domestic agrifood systems.
In response to these challenges, the European Union Delegation (EUD) funded the STODAS project through the 10th European Development Fund. The project's primary objective is to bolster domestic food production, reduce import dependency, and enhance self-reliance to achieve sustainable food and nutrition security in the region.
FAO is seeking to recruit a Samoan national as National M&E Specialist to support the project implementation and reporting.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall guidance of the FAO Subregional Coordinator for the Pacific and the dual supervision of the Technical Adviser (TA), STODAS and the International Programme Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist the National M&E Specialist will support the monitoring, evaluation, and learning functions of the project in three project countries while being based in Samoa. Working closely with the International M&E Specialist and teams in Fiji and Solomon Islands, the Specialist will support in delivery and ensure accurate reporting, systematic data management, and compliance with both FAO and EU reporting obligations.

Technical Focus

Support the development and implementation of robust M&E systems to track project performance, ensure data quality, and facilitate results-based reporting. Oversee LoA monitoring, field missions, and evaluations; prepare data-driven summaries for communication and donor reporting, including updates to FAO systems (FPMIS, PIRES) and EU compliance. Strengthen stakeholder capacity in M&E across the three-country project.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Support the development and operationalization of the project’s M&E framework and tools in line with FAO and donor (EU) requirements.
• Ensure that indicators and formats are aligned with project logframes and FAO corporate standards.
• Collect and analyze data for project performance indicators, ensuring disaggregation by gender, location, and other relevant variables.
• Prepare and submit high-quality M&E updates and reports.
• Monitor LoA implementation milestones and deliverables, flag issues, and support corrective actions.
• Plan and support regular field monitoring visits; document findings and lessons.
• Develop mission reports and follow-up action trackers.
• Assist in the planning and coordination of midline, and endline surveys, as well as FAO-led or third-party evaluations.
• Draft summary content for communication products (e.g., success stories, visual materials, infographics).
• Support the preparation of inputs for newsletters, presentations, and donor briefs.
• Maintain a secure, accessible repository of M&E documentation, data, and reports.
• Support to build M&E capacity among project staff, project stakeholders and LoA partners through training and ongoing support.
• Regularly update FAO’s corporate systems including FPMIS (Field Programme Management Information System) and PIRES.
• Support preparation of inputs required for reporting to the European Union, including results-based narrative and financial summaries, in coordination with the International M&E Specialist and TA.
• Willing to perform other related duties as required.

FAO Standards and guidelines\:

• Liaison with OCC will be maintained, either directly or through an agreed focal point/coordinator, to ensure compliance with OCC standards, aligned messaging, and appropriate review and clearance processes.
• All communication materials will follow FAO clearance processes and comply with FAO standards, including\:
FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31\: https\://www.fao.org/strategic-framework/en
FAO social media policy and guidelines\: https\://www.fao.org/2/socialmedia
Social Media Branding Guidelines\: https\://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb5044en
FAOSTYLE https\://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb8081en
FAO terminology http\://www.fao.org/faoterm
FAO Names of Countries https\://www.fao.org/nocs/en   
Story guidelines, Story template, UN map standards, FAO logo policy and related branding guidelines (available to staff).
• Further guidance regarding FAO communications, policies and procedures can be found through the FAO intranet, OCC section.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in Monitoring and Evaluation, Social Sciences, Development Studies, Agriculture, or related field
• Minimum of 3 years of relevant M&E experience, preferably with donor-funded and agriculture-related projects
• Working knowledge (level C) of English
• National of Samoa

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Knowledge of M&E frameworks, indicators, and results-based management.
• Experience in data collection, analysis, and beneficiary tracking.
• Skilled in writing concise technical and results reports.
• Ability to coordinate field monitoring and partner reviews.
• Experience in documenting results for communication products.
• Competence in training stakeholders on M&E tools.
• Proficient in MS Office and basic data analysis tools.
• Strong organizational and multitasking abilities.
• Effective in cross-cultural, multi-country project settings.

Selection Criteria

• Strong analytical, reporting, and data management skills.
• Experience with FAO and EU reporting requirements is desirable.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively across countries and institutions.
• Experience working in Samoa or Pacific Islands preferred.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION