Organizational Setting 

For more than four decades, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has been working with the Government of the Philippines, civil society, community-based organizations and the private sector to address challenges in the agriculture, fisheries and forestry sector. Joint efforts have included increasing sustainability in agricultural production, promoting value-adding practices, improving post-harvest management, enhancing productivity and increasing the resilience of agriculture-based livelihoods to natural disasters, climatic hazards and armed conflict.

FAO is implementing a UN Joint Project, funded by European Union on Farmers-Fisherfolks` Advancement and Integration to Resilient Value Chains in BARMM (FAIR-VALUE).

The project is a collaboration between the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and International Trade Centre (ITC), with support and guidance from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR) and the Ministry of Trade, Investment, and Tourism (MTIT).

Reporting Lines

The Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Specialist reports to the Assistant FAO Representative for Programme in coordination with Project Coordinator (FAIR-VALUE) and other project specialists of the FAIR-VALUE Project.

Technical Focus

The Monitoring and Evaluation Action and Learning (MEAL) Specialist will be an essential member of the project team responsible for implementing the FAIR-VALUE Project aimed at improving the local agricultural/sea-aqua production in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), with a primary focus on agri-fishery communities and smallholder clusters in the island provinces of Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi (BaSulTa).

Tasks and responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the FAO Representative, direct supervision of the Project Coordinator, and coordination with the Head of Mindanao Sub-Office, the MEAL Specialist, shall perform the following tasks:

•    Develop a comprehensive MEAL strategy/reporting framework and plan for the FAIR-VALUE Project.
•    Contribute to the development of the project analytical plan and tools including but not limited to the design and implementation of baseline, mid and endline studies.
•    Ensure timely collection of data on project activities and outcomes, and analysis of this data to assess and report on the project’s progress, results, learnings, and impacts.
•    Regularly report on the project’s progress to the project team and other stakeholders.
•    Ensure that all M&E activities comply with the donor’s and FAO requirements.
•    Provide support in the collection and review of relevant value chain studies done in Mindanao/Bangsamoro Autonomous Region.
•    Provide training and coaching for project field staff on MEAL
•    Analyze training needs assessment reports and findings conducted in coordination with respective FAIR-VALUE specialists.
•    Take technical lead in identifying appropriate project interventions to implement the agri-enterprise/agribusiness component of the project and determine the specific training modules and inputs required for implementing the appropriate interventions;
•    Support the development of activity designs, training modules for all capacity building activities related to marketing and agribusiness in coordination with respective FAIR-VALUE specialists;
•    Serve as resource person and/or help in facilitating various agri-enterprise development trainings and assist in the enhancement of existing business plans/enterprises;
•    Coordinate with relevant government agencies including, among others the Department of Agriculture (DA), Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR) –Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, (BARMM), Ministry of Trade, Investment and Tourism (MTIT), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), local government units and other key counterparts, to ensure coherent designing of programmes and interventions by all actors;
•    Coordinate the planning and implementation of midterm and final evaluations of the project.
•    Perform routine spot checks and field visits to assess the project’s progress and identify any potential risks or issues. These activities should be guided by the project’s risk management plan, which outlines the key risks and mitigation measures for the project;
•    Prepare and submit an end-of-assignment report according to FAO’s guidelines; and
•    Carry out any other relevant duties within his/her technical competence as may be requested by FAO.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    University degree in Statistics, Economics, Development Economics, Agriculture Economics, Agricultural Sciences, Social Sciences, and other related fields
•    At least five (5) years of relevant experience in monitoring, evaluation accountability and learning, data analysis, data visualization, and/or information management specially in the field of Agri-enterprise development
•    Working knowledge of English
•    National of the Philippines

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•    General knowledge and skills in the use of KoboCollect, Tableau, Power BI and other office software’s, such as MS Office (Word, Excel, Power Point).
•    Familiarity with FAO operational procedures is an advantage.
•    Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Tagalog
•    Ability to communicate in a Mindanaoan dialect is an advantage.

Selection Criteria

•    Able to be based in Zamboanga City and/or conduct missions to the project sites in Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi provinces.
•    Knowledge in key agri-enterprise development indicators
•    Ability to plan and work with limited supervision to meet objectives

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION