Economist (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning) (Nationals only) FAO

Background

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Our goal is to achieve food security for all and make sure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to live active, healthy lives. With 195 members - 194 countries and the European Union, FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide to promote better production, better nutrition and better environment for a better life.

The FAO Coordination Office for the West Bank and Gaza Strip Programme implements the Country Programming Framework for Palestine to enhance the wellbeing of Palestinian people by making the agrifood system more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable in alignment with national policies and strategies and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSCDF). 

The Economist will coordinate office activities and supervise personnel engaged in Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) activities, including economic analysis, planning and monitoring for results. He/she will also deliver analytical and technical support on economic and financial issues related to the formulation, implementation and evaluation of investment policies, strategies, programs and projects in the areas of FAO mandate. 

Duties and Responsibilities: 

Strategic planning and support to FAO management on economic analysis and MEAL frameworks 

• Coordinates office activities and supervises personnel involved in MEAL activities, and economic analysis, planning and monitoring for results;
• Chairs FAO's Local Procurement Committee to review the appropriateness of procurement actions and obtaining best value for money;
• Plans, monitors and reports for results ensuring alignment of projects to FAO’s Country Programme Framework (CPF) and Global Strategic Framework consistently with the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), Humanitarian Programme Cycle (HPC), national plans and strategies, and Agenda 2030, ensuring that FAO corporate requirements (baselines, milestones, and target indicators) are streamlined within programme components;
• Contributes to the delivery of technical assistance in planning, monitoring and evaluation of programmes and policies including the National Agriculture Sector Strategy, the Sustainable Development Goals, the UNSDCF and other relevant programmatic framework of FAO, Government and UN/humanitarian systems.

Design and oversight of assessments, surveys, and evaluations

• Plans, designs and ensures timely implementation of baseline and endline surveys, post-distribution monitoring, quantitative and qualitative analyses achievements, as well as programme and project reviews and evaluations. This includes preparation of ToRs and facilitation of external reviews and evaluations;
• Reviews existing tools, define methodologies, develop work plans and supervise implementation of external and internal assessments, monitoring and evaluation exercises for projects, policies and the overall FAO program, including data collection exercises (surveys, community and key informants’ interviews, focus group discussions, etc.) and reports writing;
• Carries out, participates in or provides technical advice for economic assessments, surveys, studies and analytical reports.

Capacity building, supervision, and quality assurance of MEAL activities

• Provides training and supervision of enumerators; and reviews quality control of data collection activities involved in monitoring, evaluation, ensuring accountability to affected population and learning from programs and project implementation;
• Identifies, monitors and evaluates capacity building among government and other partner institutions.

Reporting, analysis, and strategic dissemination of MEAL results, and strengthening accountability and Grievance mechanisms

• Contribute to drafting regular/periodic project implementation progress reports, developing information products and advocacy material;
• Provides timely and relevant information to the office management on the reach, outcomes and longer-term impacts of FAO's interventions, including analytics and visualizations (in the form of dashboards and other forms);
• Ensures that MEAL findings are effectively disseminated to all relevant stakeholders -including relevant Focal Points in related Ministries and other governmental institutions- to ensure fine-tuning of projects’ implementation and design;
• Organizes and maintains records of beneficiaries for monitoring, evaluation and reporting purposes.
• Maintains updated and aligned with FAO’s and UN wide approaches the office operating procedures to ensure Accountability to Affected Population (AAP), including Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), and ensures timely and effective implementation of these procedures, including the operationalization of a Grievance Redressal Procedures tailored to the evolution of FAO field activities and consistent with corporate rules and procedures.

Perform other duties within your functional profile as assigned and deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the office. Report to FAO Jerusalem Office as and when required. 

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: Supervise SB3/Peg1 and 2 International Consultants.

Competencies

Core

Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact. 

Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems. 

Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences.

Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands.

Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results.

Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration.

Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity.

People Management 

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site. 

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies 

Business Direction & Strategy - Strategic Thinking

Develop effective strategies and prioritised plans in line with UNDP’s mission and objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, opportunities and potential risks; link the general vision to reality on the ground to create tangible targeted solutions; learn from a variety of sources to anticipate and effectively respond to both current and future.

Business Direction & Strategy - System Thinking

Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.

Business Management - Communication 

Communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience. Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.

Business Management - Working with Evidence and Data 

Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions and supporting decision-making. 

Business Management - Monitoring & Evaluation 

Ability to systematically monitor results of strategies, programmes, and activities with a view to make sure that they are being implemented effectively; Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback and reporting on the consistency or discrepancy between planned activities and programme management and results.

Ability to make independent judgment of the management and results of strategies, programmes and activities based on set criteria and benchmark, keeping in mind the needs and concerns of client, current and upcoming.

Knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, concepts, methodologies, systems, processes, and tools. Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks. Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.

Business Strategy & Direction - Effective Decision Making

Take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one's authority, area of expertise and resources and take into consideration potential wider implications.

2030 Agenda: Engagement and Effectiveness - Strategic Policy Engagement 

Economic Forecasting

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in economics, or a closely related field.

Experience:

• A minimum of five (5) years (with Master’s degree) or seven (7) years (with Bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in managing Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning, including economic analysis, planning, and monitoring for results in food security, resilience, and vulnerability is required.
• At least three years of relevant experience with UN agencies or international organizations is required.
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) Internet and office technology equipment is required.
• Excellent knowledge and understanding of Results-Based Planning relating to multi-sectoral programmes including food security and nutrition, livelihoods, women’s empowerment and gender equality is required.
• Experience in providing capacity building, technical guidance and mentoring is required.
• Extensive experience in conducting baseline and endline surveys is desired.
• Working experience in ensuring compliance with Accountability to Affected Population (AAP), Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), and managing Grievance Redressal Systems is desired.
• Experience in strategic visioning with strong technical and highly developed analytical capabilities is desired.
• Policy, advisory and advocacy experience is desired.
• UN experience in conducting baseline and endline surveys, AAP and PSEA is desired.

Language Requirements 

• Proficiency in Arabic and English is required – both written and oral.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Probation

For all new UNDP fixed term appointments (FTA), including for staff members being transferred or seconded to UNDP under the Inter-Organization Agreement concerning Transfer, Secondment or Loan of Staff, on an appointment of more than one year, continuation of the appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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