Monitoring and Evaluation Assistant

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that works towards achieving food security, eliminating hunger, and promoting sustainable agriculture. The FAO Country Office (CO) in Bhutan supports the government and local communities in their efforts to enhance agricultural productivity, improve food systems, and conserve natural resources through appropriate technology and innovation. CO plays a crucial role in supporting the Royal Government of Bhutan implementing various projects and programs related to agriculture, livestock, fisheries, climate change, forestry, and rural development, with the aim of improving the livelihoods of rural communities and ensuring sustainable food production systems.

The portfolio of CO has expanded recently which demands additional support in Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) for impactful implementation and reporting. The M&E function is being led by the M&E Specialist, who oversees the proper functioning of the M&E framework of CO. The M&E Assistant will help to ensure systematic data collection and documentation, and contribute analytical inputs to reporting, programme improvement, and project development.

Reporting Lines

The M&E Assistant will work with the M&E Specialist under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Bhutan, and under the direct supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative.

Technical Focus

Support results-based monitoring and implementation of the Country Office framework by coordinating data collection, field verification, and maintaining accurate M&E systems. Contribute to analysis, reporting, evaluations, and evidence-based inputs for proposals and corporate requirements, while tracking project progress, delivery, and cross-cutting considerations such as gender, PSEA, climate resilience, and environmental issues.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Support the M&E Specialist in implementing the Country Office monitoring framework and in coordinating routine data collection across projects, including liaising with government counterparts and programme teams.

• Conduct field monitoring and verification visits as assigned, and document progress, challenges, and observations for review and follow up.

• Maintain and update consolidated M&E datasets, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and appropriate disaggregation, and assist in tracking project level risks and mitigation measures.

• Assist in cleaning, organizing, and compiling data and preparing preliminary analyses, summaries, charts, and visuals for CO monitoring reports and internal meetings.

• Support the documentation of lessons learned, good practices, and success stories and contribute to drafting knowledge sharing materials.

• Assist programme teams and the M&E Specialist in strengthening results frameworks, logical frameworks, and M&E components for new and ongoing projects.

• Support the coordination and preparation of baseline studies, mid term reviews, final evaluations, and other assessments, including compilation of background documents and data.

• Provide data and evidence inputs required for developing concept notes, proposals, and donor reports, including GEF/GCF submissions.

• Track pipeline and ongoing projects in relevant systems (e.g., FPMIS & iMIS) and follow up on pending actions to support timely implementation and delivery.

• Support consolidation of monthly delivery plans and assist in monitoring work plans, budgets, procurement milestones, and HR processes, flagging potential delays.

• Maintain organized digital and physical archives of M&E tools, datasets, reports, and field documentation.

• Consolidate project information periodically to support CO Annual Report contributions, CPF and UNSDCF reporting, UNINFO updates, PAID inputs, and SDG reporting requirements.

• Participate in PME and UN results groups as required, providing FAO inputs and coordination support under the guidance of the M&E Specialist.

• Perform any other duties assigned by the management.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in Agricultural Economics, Statistics, Development Studies, Social Sciences or related field

• Minimum three years of relevant professional experience in Monitoring and Evaluation, project management, or results-based management

• Working knowledge of English and fluency in Dzongkha

• National of Bhutan 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/Functional Skills

• Experience in data collection, analysis, and reporting in development programmes.

• Experience with international organizations, non-governmental or governmental organizations.

• Demonstrated experience in field monitoring, results tracking, and data collection.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Proficiency in digital data collection and data management tools.

• Ability to prepare clear and concise reports and visual materials.

• Strong interpersonal, communication, and teamwork skills.

• Ability to manage multiple tasks, meet deadlines, and work effectively in a multicultural environment.

• High level of integrity, professionalism, and attention to details.

• Proficiency in using at least one statistical software such as R, STATA, SPSS (etc.)

Selection Criteria

• Based on requirements, competencies and skills.