Job Description Project Evaluation Specialist

Primary Location

: Home-Based

Organizational Setting

The Office of Evaluation (OED) of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is conducting a country-level project evaluation in Morocco based around the disposal of obsolete pesticides including Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), the projects seek to implement integrated pest and pesticide management in Morocco. OED is seeking qualified independent consultants to form the evaluation team.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall responsibility of the Director, OED, and the close technical and methodological guidance of the Evaluation Manager and Evaluation Supervisor, the evaluation specialists will contribute to the evaluation for their respective areas of specialization. They report to the Evaluation Manager.

Technical Focus

Building on past and ongoing pesticide management related efforts, this project aims to eliminate existing obsolete pesticides, including Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and associated wastes as well as to remediate contaminated sites. The project also aims to strengthen the capacity for sound pesticides management at the national level to prevent future accumulation.
The project evaluation manager will recruit a team composed of at least two evaluation specialists, preferably home-based in Morocco. It is expected that the team will travel within (or to) Morocco, to visit various locations in which the project implemented activities. The overall team will be qualified in the following areas:
• Evaluation, preferably of GEF financed projects, with proven skills and experience in monitoring-evaluation and/or auditing of projects and processes, and in environmental and social safeguards.
• Pest and pesticides management (elimination of stockpiles; pesticide alternatives), with experience in management and support for the management of pests and pesticides in agro-industries and farms and confirmed experience in research and development alternative and sustainable agricultural systems.
• Capacity building at both national level (policy evaluation, regulatory framework) and at local, community level (management of empty packaging having held pesticides), preferably expert Agronomists, Socio-economists, Environmentalists, or jurists by training with experience and/or proven capacities in analysis/evaluation of the strengthening of both individual and organizational capacities and of the enabling environment for the sustainable management of agriculture and environmental protection in Morocco.

Tasks and responsibilities

The FAO Office of Evaluation (OED) will guide this evaluation. The evaluation team is responsible for the following:
• Work in close collaboration with the OED Evaluation Manager responsible for this evaluation.
• Conduct the evaluation and applying the methodology elaborated in the evaluation Terms of Reference together with the project team and GEF liaison officers.
• Responsible for all deliverables detailed in the TOR.
• Participate in briefing and debriefing meetings, discussions, field visits with the evaluation team and contributing to the evaluation with written inputs.
• Ensure appropriate paperwork for travel to or within Morocco (beneficiary country) as part of this assignment.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in (for COF.REG) / University degree (only for PSA.SBS) chemistry, agro-economics, economics, policy analysis, development studies, or another related field
• A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in evaluation, preferably of agricultural project and/or programs
• Working knowledge of French, which is the language through which the evaluation assessments and reports are expected; limited knowledge of one of the other FAO official languages (English, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Russian) for COF.REG are required; in the case of PSA.SBS, a working knowledge of French might be sufficient. Working knowledge or Arabic is desired.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Extent and relevance of experience in project evaluation, previous experience evaluating GEF financed projects preferred.
• Extent and relevance of experience working towards improving pesticide management.
• Work experience in Morocco a plus; strong knowledge of the Moroccan context is highly desired.

In addition to a cover letter/ letter of motivation, attaching a resume/ CV to the application is highly encouraged.

FAO does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, processing) Please note that FAO will only consider academic credentials or degrees obtained from an educational institution recognized in the IAU/UNESCO list 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 For more information, visit the Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.

HOW TO APPLY

• To apply, visit the recruitment website at 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
• 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:
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