Job Description

2601962

Monitoring Evaluation Accountability Learning (MEAL) Specialist

Job Posting

: 18/Sep/2026

Closure Date

: 02/Oct/2026, 9:59:00 PM

Organizational Unit: FAIND - FAO Representation in India

Job Type

: Non-staff opportunities

Type of Requisition: NPP (National Project Personnel)

Grade Level: N/A

Primary Location

: India-New Delhi

Duration: 12 months (renewable)

Post Number: N/A

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal deviceFAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and cultureQualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to applyEveryone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's valuesFAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination　　All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checksAll applications will be treated with the strictest confidentialityFAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations. Organizational SettingThe 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.FAO is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO's goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 Members (194 countries and the European Union), FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide.The Global Environment Facility (GEF) has approved the Government of India's GEF-7 project “Promotion of Sustainable Food Systems in India through Transforming Rice-Wheat Systems in Punjab, Haryana, Odisha and Chhattisgarh” (GCP/IND/184/GFF), part of the GEF-7 Food Systems, Land Use and Restoration (FOLUR) Impact Programme. The project objective is to promote sustainable, integrated landscapes and efficient food value and supply chains at scale in rice- and wheat-based food systems in India. It works across two contrasting agro-ecological contexts: the intensive rice-wheat systems of the Indo-Gangetic Plain in Punjab and Haryana, and the biodiversity-rich, forested rice-growing landscapes of Chhattisgarh and Odisha.The project is organized around four components: (1) integration of cross-sector sustainability provisions into food systems and planning frameworks, (2) enhanced capacities for climate-smart food production practices and responsibly sourced commodity value chains, (3) landscape management and restoration to sustain food systems and deliver global environmental benefits, and (4) knowledge management to guide policies and maximize impacts. The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW) is the Project Executing Entity/Operational Partner, and the project is implemented through a National Project Management Unit (NPMU) at the national level and State Project Management Units (SPMUs) in each of the four target states, under the oversight of the National and State Project Steering Committees.The position is located in the FAO Country Office in India, within the project's NPMU.

Reporting LinesUnder the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in India, the direct technical guidance of the National Technical Coordinator, and in coordination with the FAO Lead Technical Officer (LTO), .

Technical FocusThe M&E Specialist will perform qualitative and quantitative analysis of data collected by the NPMU, SPMUs and Operational Partners to report on project results. Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) of agriculture and food systems, and natural resource management projects.

Tasks and responsibilitiesThe incumbent will undertake the following duties:

• Based on the project's Results Framework and Theory of Change, develop and refine SMART indicators to track regular progress at output, outcome and objective levels, and define other monitoring and evaluation requirements at national and state levels of project implementation.
• Lead preparation of a detailed, fully budgeted Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Plan for the project, defining data collection methods, frequency, responsibilities for data collection/analysis and means of verification for each indicator.
• Coordinate with MIS unit to identify and use appropriate indicators that capture the progress of the project in different states.
• Perform qualitative and quantitative analysis of data collected by the project team to report project results, including inputs to the annual Project Implementation Report (PIR), Narrative Progress Reports (NPRs) and Technical Reports.
• Coordinate the tracking, updating and reporting of GEF-7 Core Indicators, Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) indicators and Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) indicators, at project mid-term and closure, in line with FOLUR Impact Programme requirements.
• Review and discuss assessment, evaluation and monitoring results with FAO, the National Technical Coordinator, MoA&FW and state-level Operational Partners (SPMUs) and recommend corrective/adaptive management action.
• Support training of NPMU, SPMU and District Project Implementation Unit (DPIU) staff and partners on the project's Results Framework, M&E system and reporting requirements.
• Develop methodologies and protocols for project M&E, and support the Operational Partner in defining methodologies, timelines and quality assurance for the project's monitoring framework.
• Provide technical support for the design and Terms of Reference of impact evaluations, thematic studies and process-monitoring studies, work with third-party agencies/consultants engaged to oversee periodic evaluations, and review study reports and provide comments.
• Prepare the technical design document for the project's mid-term review (MTR) and terminal evaluation (TE), in coordination with the National Technical Coordinator (NTC), Budget Holder (BH) and Lead Technical Officer (LTO).
• Elaborate, and support the periodic review and updating of, the project's Results Framework and Theory of Change, making recommendations to adapt these to project needs and to fill missing baseline information.
• Coordinate with the MEAL and Communications Expert(s) at SPMU level and with the project MIS to ensure consistent, harmonized data collection, reporting and knowledge management across the four target states.
• Support Operational Partners in preparing State and National Annual Work Plans and Budgets (AWP/B) that are clearly linked to Results Framework indicators.
• Participate in team meetings, briefings and Project Steering Committee meetings to present M&E findings and conceptualize/propose approaches for assessing project impact and process indicators, both quantitative and qualitative.
• Contribute to addressing cross-cutting issues such as gender, Indigenous Peoples' engagement and knowledge/communication planning, including ensuring gender-disaggregated data collection within the M&E system.
• Provide M&E related advice and support to other thematic units in the project NPMU

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWINGMinimum Requirements• Master’s degree in agriculture, Economics, Statistics, Rural Development, Development Studies, Environmental Sciences, or a related field.

• At least 8 years of progressively responsible professional experience in monitoring and evaluation and/or results-based management of natural resource management, agriculture, rural development, climate change, sustainable food systems or related development projects.
• Working knowledge (Level C) of English
• National of India or resident of the country with a valid work permit.

FAO Core Competencies• Results Focus

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

Technical skills and competencies• Knowledge and demonstrated experience in project cycle management and results-based MEAL, including Results Frameworks/logframes, Theories of Change, indicator development, target setting and results monitoring.

• Demonstrated knowledge of monitoring and evaluation methodologies and tools, including quantitative and qualitative data collection, data analysis, outcome monitoring, participatory approaches and data quality assurance.
• Familiarity with GEF monitoring and evaluation requirements, including GEF Core Indicators and Project Implementation Report (PIR) requirements.
• Experience in developing and operationalizing M&E/MEAL plans, indicator protocols, data collection tools relating to Community Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) and agriculture/food systems, means of verification and data quality assurance mechanisms for development projects.
• Ability to analyse and interpret monitoring data and translate evidence into practical recommendations for adaptive management, project performance improvement and learning.
• Experience working with or in international non-governmental organizations and donor organizations (UN agencies, World Bank, IFAD, Asian Development Bank, etc.) implementing participatory projects.
• Good data management, analytical, visualization and report-writing skills, with the ability to present results clearly to technical teams, government counterparts and senior management.
• Familiarity with the agro-ecological and socio-economic context of Punjab, Haryana, Odisha and/or Chhattisgarh is an asset.

Selection criteria• Full proficiency in English and Hindi is desirable, working knowledge of Punjabi, Odia or other languages spoken in the target states is an asset.

• Experience working with government agencies and multilateral/donor-funded development projects will be an advantage. ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONFAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)Applications received after the closing date will not be acceptedPlease note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/ For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/ Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances. FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions. HOW TO APPLY• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/. These qualifications should be in alignment with the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) mappings.
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance: https://fao.service-now.com/cspFAO IS A NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENT