The FAO Sierra Leone Country Office is recruiting a National M&E Specialist to support the implementation of a three-year project on palm oil value chain development, aligned with the Feed Salone Strategy and funded under the EU’s NDICI Global Europe instrument. The initiative targets 43,000 farm families in four districts and focuses on sustainable agriculture, nutrition, employment, and cooperative development.

The specialist will lead the design and operationalization of a gender-sensitive Monitoring & Evaluation system, ensuring alignment with FAO objectives, donor expectations, gender equality and social inclusion (GESI), and Global Environmental Benefits (GEBs).

Job Responsibilities

M&E Framework Development and Capacity Building

• Lead design of the M&E Plan and tracking systems, including SMART indicators aligned with GESI and GEBs.

• Implement a data collection system with sex-disaggregated metrics.

• Conduct M&E capacity needs assessment and deliver training for project teams and partners.

• Coordinate with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (PEMSD) and ensure reporting aligns with Feed Salone objectives.

Data Collection, Validation, and Analysis

• Oversee timely baseline, midline and endline data collection.

• Use remote sensing/geospatial tools where appropriate.

• Monitor indicators related to land degradation, water, biodiversity, GESI and community engagement.

• Validate and enter data into M&E systems and coordinate with FAO for primary data rituals (e.g., surveys).

Reporting and Stakeholder Engagement

• Prepare regular internal and donor reports highlighting progress, challenges and lessons.

• Support adaptive management and continuous improvement through performance updates.

• Share M&E findings with stakeholders including government, communities and international partners.

Evaluation Support

• Facilitate data preparation and evidence gathering for mid-term and final evaluations.

• Compile monitoring results and ensure structured documentation for evaluators.

Job Requirements

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in economics, development, environmental science, social sciences or related field.

• Minimum 5 years of experience in M&E and project management, especially in multi-stakeholder programmes.

• National of Sierra Leone.

• Working knowledge (Level C) of English.

Core Competencies

• Results Focus

• Teamwork

• Communication

• Building Effective Relationships

• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Experience designing gender-sensitive M&E systems.

• Background in environmental/development projects.

• Experience with international donors (e.g., UN, EU).