Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Specialist

Position: Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Specialist (Full-Time)
Location: Addis Ababa
Duration: 60 months (2-year contract, renewable for another 2-3 years based on performance)
Reporting to: Project Coordinator

The Role:

Develop and lead a comprehensive M&E framework to track project impacts, ensure data integrity, and provide analytical insights for project evaluations. As a key member of the PMU, the M&E Specialist will oversee the project’s monitoring, reporting and evaluation in line with GEF requirements, as well as EFD policies and PENHA’s participatory approach.

Responsibilities:

Monitoring and Evaluation System Development and Implementation:

• Design and implement a comprehensive M&E framework aligned with GEF and UNEP guidelines and the approved project document.
• Establish data collection mechanisms and performance indicators to measure and document project impact.
• Develop tools and methodologies for data gathering, analysis, and reporting against the results framework indicators.
• Ensure regular monitoring of the Gender Action Plan (GAP) activities and targets, using the tools and methodologies developed by the Gender and Safeguards Specialist.
• Ensure regular monitoring of social and environmental safeguards risks and the implementation of the mitigation measures of the Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP), using the tools and methodologies developed by the Gender and Safeguards Specialist.
• Ensure the project Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) is operational and serve as the main focal point for grievance record keeping and management.
• Ensure timely and accurate data collection, validation, and analysis.
• Contribute to the independent results verification exercises.
• Contribute to the preparation of mid-term and final project evaluations.
• Contribute to the implementation of mid-term evaluations recommendations.
• Carry out quarterly field missions to project sites to assess progress of activities on the ground and collect relevant data to document progress against result framework indicators, the GAP and the ESMP as well as to monitor the implementation of the GRM at the local level.

Reporting and Documentation:

• Prepare periodic M&E reports, including progress updates, impact assessments, and recommendations.
• Provide input to the progress and annual progress reports, reports to the PSC and other ad-hoc reports.
• Ensure compliance with GEF, UNEP, PENHA and government reporting requirements.

Capacity Building and Stakeholder Engagement:

• Provide technical support and training to project staff and stakeholders on M&E best practices.
• Develop project briefs, document lessons learned and best practices, document stories from project beneficiaries and facilitate knowledge-sharing on lessons learned and best practices.
• Engage with stakeholders to ensure participatory M&E processes and feedback mechanism

Qualifications and Experience:

• Master’s degree in project management, economics, environment and Development studies, Environment, forest and, natural resource management, or a related field.
• At least 7 years of relevant experience in M&E, project management and coordination, preferably in forest, environment and natural resource management related projects.
• Experience with GEF-funded projects or other initiatives funded by international development is an advantage.
• Strong analytical skills and proficiency in data management
• Ability to produce high-quality reports and communicate findings effectively.
• Knowledge of Ethiopia’s forestry sector, related policies and sustainability challenges is desirable.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English; knowledge of local languages is an asset.
• GIS skills will be an added value.