Evaluation Consultants (Team leader and team member for the final evaluation of the second phase of the “Monitoring and Analysing Food and Agricultural Policies” Programme)

The Office of Evaluation (OED) of the United Nations of Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is launching an independent evaluation of the second phase of the “Monitoring and Analysing Food and Agricultural Policies” Programme (MAFAP).

MAFAP was launched in 2009 with the objective of supporting governments to identify and assess options for reforming food and agricultural policies. In its first phase (2009-2014), MAFAP collaborated with government institutions and research organizations to conduct policy and public expenditure analysis of various agricultural value chains. In its second phase (2015-2021), MAFAP is building on these partnerships and evidences to support policy reforms. Specific activities include\:

• Collect, assemble and use relevant data in support of the food and agricultural sector, e.g. prices, market access costs and public expenditure.
• Consolidate and strengthen national policy monitoring systems to measure policy effects and identify current policy ‘problems’ that affect the competitiveness of agricultural producers.
• Articulate policy options and assess respective ex-post and ex-ante analysis to support suitable government reforms.
• Engage national stakeholders and development partners in policy dialogue, as part of a more inclusive policy reform process.

MAFAP is an umbrella programme funded by multiple donors, i.e. Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Government of Germany, and the United States Agency for International Development. Its second phase is being implemented in 15 countries located in Southern Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa.

The evaluation will take place between August 2020 and May 2021. Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, it will be divided into two parts\: i) remote data collection and presentation of preliminary results (August – November 2020); and ii) country case studies and presentation of final results (January – May 2021). OED is looking for qualified evaluators to compose the evaluation team.

The consultants will work under the direct supervision of the Evaluation Manager and under the overall responsibility of the Director of the Office of Evaluation (OED).

Technical Focus

OED is seeking an evaluation team leader and an evaluation team member with a collective knowledge and expertise in the following fields\:

• Institutional governance
• Policymaking processes and policy dialogue
• Food and agriculture policies
• Agricultural commodities
• Policy modelling
• Policy impact evaluation using experimental and semi-experimental methodologies
• Agricultural public expenditure and price incentive analysis

• Review relevant documentation made available by OED, MAFAP Team and relevant stakeholders;
• Prepare a brief inception report to i) refine the methodology proposed in the evaluation Terms of Reference, and ii) present a detailed work plan;
• Carry out interviews, meetings and workshops for data collection (remote or in-person) with FAO staff and relevant stakeholders at global, regional and country levels;
• Conduct online surveys with national stakeholders as appropriate;
• Conduct a thorough data analysis to draw conclusions and support evidence-based recommendations;
• Prepare an intermediate evaluation report according to specifications provided by OED;
• Prepare the evaluation draft report according to specifications provided by OED;
• Finalize the report by integrating comments received from OED and key stakeholders;
• Deliver presentations to OED and key stakeholders during debriefing sessions as required.

The team leader will lead the evaluation process, including data collection, analysis, and report writing. S/he will bear overall responsibility for implementing the evaluation methodology and delivering the evaluation products. S/he will also coordinate the work of the team member, i.e. delegate tasks, assign responsibilities and manage the quality of the deliverables. Her/his mandate derives from, and must fully comply with, the overall Terms of Reference for the evaluation. Selected candidates will receive individual Terms of Reference specifying their roles.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in public policy, agriculture economics, political science and/or any other applied social science discipline.
• A minimum of 10 years of professional experience at international level in policy-related evaluations and/or research, especially in policy influence; i.e. policy advice, advocacy and/or lobbying.
• Working knowledge of English and at least limited knowledge of French (for Consultants). Working knowledge of English in the case of PSA.SBS.

• Advanced university degree in agricultural economics or related discipline.
• A minimum of 10 years of experience in agricultural commodities, agricultural public expenditure, price incentives, policy impact evaluation or related area.
• Working knowledge of English and at least limited knowledge of French (for Consultants). Working knowledge of English in the case of PSA.SBS.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Previous experience in conducting or participating in evaluations of large programmes;
• Excellent research kills, e,g, data collection and analysis, critical thinking, report writing;
• Experience and knowledge of institutional governance and institutional capacity development;
• Good understanding of policies for food and agriculture;
• Ability to work in a team;
• Fair facilitation skills;