Technical Specialist (Monitoring, Evaluation and Knowledge Management) – SB-4

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind. The main aim of the FAO Representation in Cambodia is to assist the government to develop policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to help develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner.

The Community Action for Sustainable Forests (CASFor) is a four-year project co-funded by the Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation (SDC) that promotes the sustainable management of local forest resources while strengthening resilience and improving livelihoods of forest-dependent communities. At the same time, the initiative aims to contribute to national commitments and global action on climate change mitigation and biodiversity protection. The goal of CASFor is to strengthen the capacity of Community Forestry and Community Protected Areas and improve the livelihoods of community members while actively contributing to climate action and biodiversity conservation and sustainable management of forest resources.

Reporting Lines

The Technical Specialist (Monitoring, Evaluation and Knowledge Management) reports directly to the Technical Advisor (Forestry) and works under the oversight of Programme Advisor (Forest, Land and Water), the Lead Technical Officer (LTO) and the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Cambodia and in close collaboration with government counterparts and implementing partners. The incumbent will carry out the tasks listed below.

Technical Focus

Lead the development and implementation of Monitoring, Evaluation and Knowledge Management (M&E-KM) system and conduct data collection and analysis to improve and enhance operational and programmatic performance of the CASFor project. Support the development of analytical tools and reports to inform management and contribute to reducing and mitigating implementation risks by providing updated and real time performance analysis and knowledge-sharing for the project.

Tasks and responsibilities

The Technical Specialist (Monitoring, Evaluation and Knowledge Management) will contribute to the following work areas:
M&E-KM Tools, Methods and Systems Development
•    Develop plan, tools and systems for the “Monitoring and Evaluation and Knowledge Management (M&E)” framework of the CASFor project, including a guidance document that interprets each indicator in the CASFor logframe and outlines an appropriate methodology for monitoring and collecting data on each indicator;
•    Develop a knowledge management (KM) system integrated with the M&E framework including a stocktaking database and knowledge products of good practices and lessons learned for wider dissemination;
•    Support the development of tools and processes to support more effective collection, storage, aggregating and analysis of project information to support enhanced M&E-KM activities under the project including digital tools and systems;

Capacity Building on M&E-KM
•    Provide guidance to the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) and consortium partners on project implementation arrangements, interpretation of indicators, and planned activities on M&E and KM;
•    Lead the implementation of the M&E-KM plan and build capacity of CASFor staff, consortium partners and government counterparts on data collection, analysis and reporting;
•    Conduct capacity assessment and assist project personnel in applying M&E and KM tools to their own areas of work (value chains, capacity building, sustainable finance, etc);

Primary Data Collection – Baseline Data & Impact
•    Lead the review and update of the project baseline, including organization of household surveys;
•    Coordinate the data collection, assessments, beneficiary feedback and impact surveys;
•    Support the planning, design and preparation of the project mid-term review and end-term evaluation, and knowledge communication products, in close collaboration with SDC, the FAO team, and the consortium partners;

Reporting
•    Contribute to the regular update of the Result Data Management tool used by SDC for progress reports;
•    Provide inputs, data and consolidated information, for semi-annual and annual and other reports in compliance with FAO and SDC’s requirements;
•    Assist the FAO Representation, Operations Specialist and LTO to monitor all project activities and progress towards achieving the project output and related contributions to the Forest, Land and Water Thematic Area;
•    Monitor and evaluate overall progress and the sustainability of the project results and prepare monthly, quarterly, semi-annual and annual M&E reports for project and government counterparts, respectively;
•    Prepare periodic project knowledge dissemination and communication products to ensure dissemination of knowledge obtained through data collection, assessments, beneficiary feedback and impact surveys;
•    Assist the project staff in preparing relevant project progress reports;

General Project Management
•    Systematically collect data and monitor project activities to make sure that the activities are being implemented within the work plan and budget;
•    Suggest strategies to the Project Implementation Unit (PIU), the project taskforce and the Implementing Partners for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the project by identifying bottlenecks in completing project activities and developing plans to minimize or eliminate such bottlenecks;
•    Participate in annual project reviews, project steering committee meetings, and planning workshops and assist the PIU management, the FAO Representative, LTO, in preparing relevant reports;
•    Conduct periodical monitoring-oriented field trips to the project sites;
•    Perform any other tasks as required in order to deliver the expected outputs.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements    

•    University degree in Statistics, Management, Economics, Agricultural Development or related fields
•    At least five years of experience in designing and implementation of ME-KM systems in development projects
•    Working knowledge (Level C) of Khmer and English is mandatory
•    National of Cambodia

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills 

•    Demonstrated developmental work experience in programme planning, undertaking assessments, studies, surveys using quantitative and qualitative methods, reporting and knowledge management
•    Experience with database development and management and statistical methods and analysis
•    Extent and relevance of experience with standard statistical software such as R, Stata, SPSS, or equivalent
•    Excellent writing and analytical skills
•    Excellent experience in developing knowledge products including lessons learned documents
•    Demonstrated ability to work independently, handle multiple tasks, work under pressure, and deliver assignments on time
•    Leading, engaging, empowering and an excellent team player
•    Work experience in the project target provinces (desirable)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION