Monitoring And Evaluation Officer (MEAL)

Organizational Setting

The FAO Project Office in Ukraine (FAOUA) is responsible for leading FAO's response to the national priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development through the identification, planning and implementation of FAO's priority activities related to the impact of the war, as well as medium- and long-term effects for Ukraine under the overall guidance of the Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (REU) and in close collaboration with respective units in headquarters.

The FAO Project Office in Ukraine was created in 2014 with the increasing portfolio in Ukraine and formally established in November 2022 as an agreement between FAO and the Government of Ukraine. FAO's work in emergencies focuses on reducing people's vulnerability to hazards before, during and after disasters through risk assessment, risk reduction, preparedness, coordination, emergency response and rehabilitation.

The incumbent will be responsible for the development and day-to-day management of FAO's programming in areas related with rehabilitation of agriculture lands contaminated by Unexploded Ordnances (UXO) and Explosive Remnants of War (ERW) in Ukraine. FAO Ukraine is among the larger FAO Offices in the region with around 100 national and international staff across five offices in Ukraine with locations in Kyiv, Lviv, Dnipro, Kharkiv and Odesa.

The position is located in the FAO Project Office in Kyiv, Ukraine.

Reporting LinesThe Monitoring and Evaluation Officer (MEAL) reports to the Head of Programme in FAO Ukraine and works closely with the Emergency Response Manager (ERM), Head of Operations, Planning and Assessment sections.

Technical Focus

Leadership of the monitoring and evaluation function as well as results-based delivery of projects and programmes.

Key Results

Contribution to the effective and efficient management and coordination of operational support of programme and project activities.

Key Functions

• Monitors the progress of both pipeline and ongoing projects at regional level and prepares relevant reports and briefs according to pre-established formats.
• Identifies projects/programmes facing problems and draws them to the attention of responsible officers/units concerned and follows up with budget holders on projects/programmes.
• Contributes to programme development and project formulation processes in accordance with the relevant procedures and in conformity with relevant FAO priorities and Strategic Framework.
• Cooperates with the funding liaison units and other units in the mobilization of resources required for technical assistance projects.
• Ensures close oversight of project appraisal and approval processes in line with the revised Project Cycle guidelines and undertakes necessary follow-up actions with relevant units.
• Provides support to the budget holders in ensuring the provision of scheduled inputs including experts, consultants, equipment, fellowships, training and sub-contracts and technical backstopping and monitors their timely execution, in line with project work plans.
• Monitors timely action relating to preparation of delivery estimates, pipeline reviews and preparation of project related reports (progress and terminal reports).
• Participates in the analysis of technical and operational backstopping requirements for the field programme in collaboration with the respective budget holders.
• Acts as focal point, oversees and coordinates the collection and storage of information and documents.
• Provides guidance and advice to project budget holders on procedural issues relating to project operations.
• Monitors the completion of field projects and follows up with budget holders to ensure the timely submission of terminal reports and operational and financial closure of projects.

Specific Functions

• Designs, implements, and oversees Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) frameworks for the Country Office, programmes and operations to ensure effective and efficient management and implementation of FAO portfolio projects. This includes driving development results planning, monitoring, evaluation and reporting in line with corporate requirements.
• Supervises day-to-day business activities related to MEAL for all FAO projects, including supervision of national and international NSHR (non-staff human resources) M&E (Monitoring and Evaluation) team in FAO Ukraine.
• Provides advice and guidance to programme and project teams to ensure familiarity with FAO corporate M&E policies, systems and tools. Shares relevant information to aid easy understanding and implementation.
• Contributes to project concept notes and proposals, leading the design of corporate-aligned logical/results frameworks.
• Manages feedback and complaint mechanisms, working closely with the FAOUA compliance team.
• Develops Terms of Reference (ToRs) for project evaluations and impact assessments as well as support coordination functions of the evaluation process.
• Liaises with partners on M&E-related issues and provides technical support for evaluation plans and reports.
• Coordinates data collection and monitoring activities for Corporate Outcome and Output monitoring in collaboration with the Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (REU) and relevant teams at headquarters.
• Acts as the focal point for the Project Activity Information Database (PAID) and Data Protection, ensuring regular updates and reporting.
• Participates in the UN Transitional Framework (UNTF) and UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) M&E Working Group.
• Develops and conducts M&E capacity-building training with a focus on results-based management for FAO staff, government and implementing partners.
• Performs any other duties requested by the FAO Representative.

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CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in agricultural economics, economics, social sciences or related field.
• Five years of relevant experience in agricultural development and/or project planning/formulation/ implementation.
• Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of another official FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

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, particularly in field positions, is desirable.
• Extent and relevance of experience in programme/project development (including formulation and analysis) and management (implementation and monitoring).
• Demonstrated understanding of the purpose and functions of the technical programme, operational guidelines and project/programme management procedures, preferably those adopted by the United Nations or FAO, is considered an asset.