National Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Specialist

Organizational Setting

More than a decade into the conflict, the humanitarian crisis in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe (BAY) states in Northeast Nigeria remains one of the most severe in the world today with the third highest number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Africa surpassed only by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Somalia. To date, nearly 2.2 million persons remain displaced across the BAY states with women and children making up 81 percent of the overall crisis-affected population and 87 percent of the new displacements. The ongoing conflict has generated interconnected vulnerabilities that negatively affect availability of and access to food, agriculture inputs, finance, farming land, extension services, markets as well as agricultural and alternative livelihood options. The situation remains critical, as many cannot meet their food needs, especially in areas where large-scale displacements have taken place. The impact of the conflict is compounded further by climate variability that negatively affects production systems resulting in poor agricultural productivity with direct negative impacts on livelihoods and food security. The Food and Agriculture of the United Nations is among the fore front humanitarian and development actors supporting the needs of the people affected by the crisis. The ongoing return process and improving access to land for agricultural in the northeast of Nigeria is providing an opportunity for increased smallholder engagement in agricultural livelihoods activities and therefore more resilience building assistance to support the communities to improve their livelihoods, food security and nutrition.

Therefore, FAO is seeking motivated National Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning expert to support efforts to save and improve the livelihoods of the conflict-affected populations.

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Nigeria, and immediate supervision of the Head of FAO Nigeria sub office for the North East and, the Emergency and Resilience Programme Coordinator, and in collaboration with other technical experts, the incumbent will support the effective and timely delivery of the FAO Emergency and Resilience Programme in in Northeast and other parts of Nigeria when necessary.

Reporting Lines

The National Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning expert to the FAO Representative (FAOR) under direct supervision of the Head of FAO Sub Office for Northeast Nigeria and in close collaboration with the Emergency and Resilience Programme Coordinator.

Technical Focus

Support and strengthen the monitoring, evaluation and learning aspects to ensure effective delivery of the FAO Nigeria programme.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Assist the FAO Maiduguri sub office to develop programme/project log frames, particularly in the areas of the results monitoring, objective hierarchy, indicators and monitoring mechanisms, tools, and procedures, and assist in the development of the activity work plans,
• Develop the overall framework for M&E of programme in line with the FAO Nigeria programme framework as defined in FAO Nigeria rain and dry seasons Programme Documents and project log frames.
• With implementing patterns, FAO Programme team and M&E Specialist, set out the framework and procedures for the monitoring and evaluation of project activities.
• Design the framework for the physical and process monitoring of project activities.
• Guide field staff and implementing partners in preparing their data collection and reports.
• Follow-up on Monitoring activities in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states and assist in collect and analysis of data for the field.
• Prepare consolidated progress reports on M&E findings for project management to submit to M&E Specialist, in accordance with approved reporting formats and timing.
• Review monitoring reports analyse them for impact evaluation and to identify the causes of potential bottlenecks in project implementation.
• Organize (and provide) refresher training in M&E skills to FAO implementing partners, including Accountability to Affected population aspects to implementing partners staff, local organizations and primary stakeholders.
• Utilize the M&E information system, updating the projects, activities, and indicators on a routine basis.
• Undertake regular visits to the field to support implementation of M&E and to identify where adaptations might be needed.
• Guide the regular sharing of the outputs of M&E findings with project staff, implementing partners and primary stakeholders.
• Perform other related duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree in Agricultural Economics or Statistics, Social Sciences, Development studies, or other related field.
• At least 5 years of professional experience related to Project M&E, planning and implementation of M&E systems, M&E methods and approaches data analysis, and knowledge of statistical data.
• Working knowledge of English.
• National of Nigeria.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Systematic and efficient approach to work assignments, good judgment and analytical ability. Ability to manipulate large data sets, and Excellent attention to details.
• Good contextual knowledge of local issues in NE Nigeria, community priorities and social and cultural constraints and realities.
• Previous knowledge on information analysis and report writing an advantage.
• Ability to effectively use standard MS Office software, especially experience with Excel, MS Access and database.
• Experience in working with mobile phone enabled data collection platforms.Excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills in English.
• Working knowledge of Kanuri and Hausa- both verbal and written highly desirable.
• Excellent command of written and spoken English
• Excellent communication, writing and presentation skills.
• Readiness to carry out visits to project sites and duty travel as required.
• Flexibility and adaptability to work in emergency situations with tight deadlines.
• Excellent team-building and cross-cultural skills.
• Good computer skills and proficiency in English language is required.
• Ability to work efficiently and accurately.
• Communication skills to maintain good working relationships with people from different nationality and cultural background.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION