MEAL Specialist – Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability & Learning

About the role

The Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Specialist works closely with the various projects implemented by the FAO Representation, providing technical support for planning, monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning activities. Reporting directly to the FAO Representative, the specialist ensures effective programme implementation, evidence‑based decision‑making and continuous organisational learning.

Key responsibilities

• Guide the overall MEAL and gender‑responsive requirements of the Representation, enhancing logical frameworks and selecting appropriate indicators and tools.
• Develop and manage project Risk Management Matrices, incorporating gender‑responsive risk analysis and safeguarding measures.
• Support baseline assessments and gender analyses, using findings to inform indicator selection, targeting and monitoring.
• Ensure all data collection activities capture sex‑disaggregated and socially inclusive data for baseline, midline and endline assessments.
• Supervise beneficiary data collection through KoBoToolbox, gender‑responsive KAP surveys and grievance mechanisms, and lead post‑distribution monitoring.
• Facilitate gender‑sensitive focus group discussions, social protection assessments and cash‑transfer reporting.
• Document best practices, impact stories and lessons learned to support organisational learning.
• Organise quarterly field monitoring missions and contribute to the Country Annual Report.
• Maintain databases for project and corporate reporting, updating FAO MEAL systems such as FPMIS and PIRES.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree in Monitoring and Evaluation, Statistics, Management Information Systems, Economics, Data Science, Agriculture, Nutrition or related field.
• Minimum five years of experience in MEAL, data analysis, data visualization or information management, preferably in agriculture or disaster risk reduction.
• Working knowledge of English (C level) and national of Sierra Leone.
• Demonstrated ability to work with project logical frameworks and gender‑responsive M&E systems.
• FAO core competencies: results focus, teamwork, communication, relationship building, knowledge sharing and continuous improvement.

Required skills

• Statistical analysis and data interpretation.
• Use of KoboCollect/KoboToolbox for field data collection.
• Data visualization tools: Tableau and Power BI.
• Proficiency with MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Experience designing gender‑responsive performance monitoring systems.