Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Specialist

MoET will oversee grain imports in Lebanon and is the implementing agency of the Project. MoET will coordinate with the Ministry of Finance (MoF) and Bank du Libnan (BDL) on fiduciary aspects. While no project implementation unit will be established, project implementation will rely on a designated project task team, consisting of MoET staff with clearly assigned roles.  External consultants will be hired to complement MoET staff in key areas such as fiduciary and strengthen capacity.

Framework Agreements between MoET and selected local importers (Eligible Importers) will be put in place to state the roles and responsibilities of each party, lay out the technical and contractual requirements for wheat import purchases, and set the rules for pricing and payments.

II. Assignment objectives:

MoET is considering the appointment of a Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Specialist, with expertise in strategic planning and implementation of projects with various stakeholders under a tight deadline.

III. Duties and responsibilities:

The M&E Specialist will provide technical leadership and support in three major areas:

• Long-term strategic plans and implementation with a view toward M&E requirements
• Monitoring and evaluation progress against stated results for country M&E plans, and
• Analysis of Work Plan implementation and objectives, including activities linking planning with regular progress reviews and resource allocations.

IV. Specific Tasks to be Undertaken:

• In coordination with stakeholders, draft/prepare M&E plans and associated M&E templates
• Identify possibilities for joint evaluations and monitoring
• Provide technical support to regional M&E Unit and sector initiatives
• In coordination with Information Officer, collate and provide analysis of data and information, producing substantive analytical and informative reports
• Follow-up and analyze WB Reform processes and implications
• Prepare briefs/papers as necessary
• Develop accurate, realistic and measurable baselines, indicators and targets at the sector level
• Develop M&E mechanisms at sector level, as well as relevant field-friendly tools, modes and systems for data collection, and subsequent analysis
• Create, implement and provide training on necessary monitoring and evaluation templates and databases
• Install sound monitoring and evaluation systems to ensure proper implementation of sector interventions
• Guide the documentation processes for the best practices and lessons learnt based on program approaches pertinent to implementation of sector interventions
• Assist in establishing baselines, design of database of socio-economic data for planning, implementation and follow up of sector development plans and strategies
• Coordinate with Sector Leaders, and relevant stakeholders to ensure required monitoring tools are employed properly and utilized regularly
• Liaise with Heads of Agencies (HoA) and other relevant stakeholders to ensure realistic inputs into annual plan and target setting exercises, and on implementation of coordinated monitoring and evaluation systems
• Facilitate inter-sectoral planning and integration of cross-cutting issues into Work Plan progress, and provide advice on enhancing the strategic vision of the annual process and working documents
• Provide ongoing support on new monitoring and evaluation methodologies, providing training to M&E Unit staff, and facilitating learning sessions for other stakeholders
• Provide mentoring as needed to colleagues (e.g. on baseline/indicator/target/results concepts)

V. Corporate competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the WB’s values and ethical standards
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of the UN
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability

VI. Functional competencies:

• Demonstrated experience working with results frameworks and performance monitoring
• Demonstrated experience in working with global, regional and country partners and other agencies, experts and host country staff in planning of monitoring activities
• Statistical skills for analyzing data and ensuring program design has statistical rigor
• Ability to organize and lead project-wide activities
• Willingness to learn from and consult with colleagues for inputs and information sharing
• In-depth knowledge of humanitarian and recovery/development issues
• Ability to advocate and provide advice
• Demonstrated experience in negotiating technical priorities and developing tools to define and focus on priority outcomes
• Knowledge and understanding of Lebanon situation and its complexity is preferred but not an absolute requirement

VII. Management and leadership:

• Ability to lead implementation of new systems (monitoring and evaluation area), and affect attitudinal change
• Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback
• Proactive approach to work, good follow-up and follow-through

VIII. Required skills and experience:

• A minimum of a Master’s Degree in a development-related field, i.e. International Relations, Statistics, Economics, Finance, Social Sciences or Public Administration.
• A minimum of 7 years directly applicable experience, of which at least 5 is at the international level, in providing management advisory services, hands-on experience in design of monitoring and evaluation tools at the systemic level in development contexts.
• Knowledge of and experience in planning.
• Proven experience with statistical applications and data analysis; familiarity with both qualitative and quantitative information analysis tools.
• Experience working within WB system, or significant experience working in collaboration with WB and/or UN entities.
• Excellent interpersonal, consensus building and negotiating skills essential.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation concepts, with the ability to explain them with clarify; knowledge of WB corporate frameworks an asset.
• Strong knowledge of the Lebanon situation: the political, cultural and socio-economic context, and their historical precedents that continue to affect the present situation, preferred but not required.
• Fluency in both written and spoken English and Arabic are required.