Kingdom of Lesotho
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SECURITY
SMALLHOLDER AGRICULTURE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT II
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST
(CONSULTING SERVICES- INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANTS SELECTION METHOD)
LOAN NO: P164486
CREDIT NO: IDA -63580 -LS
ASSIGNMENT TITLE: MONITORING AND EVALUATION OFFICER
REFERENCE NO: LS-MAFS-161805-CS-INDV
DURATION: : TWENTY-FOUR MONTHS
REPORTING TO : MONITORING AND EVALUATION SPECIALIST
BACKGROUND
The Government of Lesotho is implementing the Smallholder Agricultural Development Project (SADP) 2 with financial support from the World Bank, Government of Japan and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). The project covers ten districts – Maseru, Leribe, Botha-Bothe, Mokhotlong, Thaba-Tseka, Berea Mafeteng, Mohale’sHoek, Quthing and Qacha’sNek. SADP is coordinated by the Project Management unit (PMU) based in Maseru.
- Component 1. Promoting Climate Smart Agricultural Practices and Advisory Services. This component aims at strengthening the adaptive capacity of smallholder farmers to adjust and modify their production systems to minimize the potential future impacts from climate variability.
- Component 2. Improving Agricultural Commercialization and Nutrition. This component will build on Component 1 by addressing financial constraints in the agricultural sector so that the training and advisory services provided under Component 1 is complemented with much-needed financing to help the farming community undertake productive and profitable investments.
- Component 3. Project Management, Coordination and Monitoring and Evaluation It is responsible for: implementation and coordination, financial management and procurement, communication, visibility and awareness programs, environmental management and safeguards, and monitoring and evaluation.
- Component 4. Contingency Emergency Response Component (CERC). This is a zero allocation to partially cover emergency response via implementation of key activities by the appropriate agencies to respond to the emergency.
OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT
The main objective of this position is to support the PMU in reporting on SADP II implementation progress on a biannually basis (every 6 months) in accordance with Government of Lesotho and World Bank guidelines and procedures as stated in the Financing Agreement.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS
Reporting to the M&E Specialist, the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Officer, will be responsible for supporting the PMU in planning, coordinating, and executing the project’s M&E functions in line with the agreed M&E plan, ensuring adherence to quality and efficiency standards and shall:
- Be responsible for day-to-day tracking and reporting all SADP activities.
- Using the existing MIS system in place collect and consolidate data for all Project district.
- Assist in supervision of surveys, by providing information to the consultant(s) for carrying it out, ensure complimentary and utility of the information being assembled with the design of the M&E system and ensure that the results from the survey will provide the PMU with the necessary information to be able to assess the project’s performance and impact on the project on the target groups;
- Ensure regular data entry in the MIS system and avail it to PMU when needed.
- Produce reports and disseminate as required by PMU.
- Undertake regular visits in all project district for meeting beneficiaries to monitor and verify data collected and checking compliance with reporting requirements.
- Be actively involved in preparation of Annual Work plan and Budget (AWPB).
- Prepare monthly plans and submit for approval to Monitoring and Evaluation Manager.
- Assisting Monitoring and Evaluation Manager on any Monitoring and Evaluation functions from time to time when necessary.
- 2 Job Requirements:
2.1 Relevant Experience:
Minimum of 2-3 years work experience in a directly related field. Thorough familiarity with the principles and current approaches to MEAL using both quantitative and qualitative methods. Demonstrated MEAL field experience; skilled in collecting, manipulating, synthesizing and analyzing data. - 2.2 Academic and Professional
Degree in Statistics, Economics, and/or Demography. With Good Qualitative and quantitative research skills
2.3 Competencies:
a) Develops Constructive Relationships – Builds and maintains mutually beneficial relationships through solidarity Serves with Integrity –
b) Manifests CRS mission, values, and guiding principles to help improve the lives of the poor, vulnerable, and voiceless.
c) Models Stewardship: Makes responsible and efficient use of time, talent, money, assets, and natural resources to achieve plans and goals.
d) Promotes Learning: Builds the capacity of self, staff and partners to continue learning and innovating to better fulfill our mission
QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIRED EXPERIENCE
- Degree in statistics, Economics, Project management or related discipline
- 3-5 years’ work experience in monitoring and evaluation.
- Work experience in government or donor funded projects and other relevant institutions will be an added advantage.
- Experience with the logical framework approach to monitoring as well as quantitative, qualitative and participatory monitoring approaches.
SKILS/ABILITIES
- Be computer literate, especially in electronic spreadsheet, and other specialized accounting packages.
- Have a good working knowledge of analysing data.
- Havestrong communication skills.
- Be fluent in both English and national language.
- Ability to interact with multiple staff in the relevant stakeholders, PMU and donors, and respond in a timely manner to contribute to each partners attainment of the PDO.
- The successful candidate must be willing to work for extended periods without direct supervision, and travel to all ten (10) districts of Lesotho.
- Should have strong and proactive interpersonal communications skills, experience in team leadership and participatory management.
- Strong organizational skills and ability to work in a team-oriented, dynamic, and diverse environment.
- Proven track record in working effectively within multidisciplinary teams, recognizes the value of sharing ideas, knowledge, and information with others, and takes personal responsibility for doing so.
CLIENT ASSIGNMENT MANAGEMENT AND REPORTING ARRANGEMENTS
- The M & E Officer is subject to an annual performance review. The performance evaluation shall be based on the work program/ plan prepared at the beginning of each rated period.
- The Project Director – SADP II is responsible for the coordination of activities acceptance and approval of the reports.
- The M & E Officer candidate will be selected in accordance with the selection of Individual Consultants Method set out in the Procurement Regulations.
- The short-listed candidate will be requested to participate in personal interviews and submit the names and contact details of personal referees who can attest to their abilities.
- A pre-employment screening and background check will be done on all short-listed candidates.
- The successful candidate must understand the objectives and delivery mechanisms of the projects’ portfolio.
- He/she must be willing to work in a team, be flexible to emerging or changing conditions, and undertake initiative in his/her broad field of actions.
CONTRACT DURATION AND CONDITION
• Contract duration is two years, but renewable upon satisfactory performance of the incumbent and subject to business continuity and availability of funds. The assignment is planned to condescendence by May 2026.
FACILITIES TO BE PROVIDED BY THE CLIENT
The client shall render the officer with all such facilities as may be reasonably required to enable the officer to discharge his/her duties that is office space laptop/computer, landline telephone, and transport project-related duties.
The short-listed candidate will be requested to participate in personal interviews and submit the names and contact details of personal referees who can attest to their abilities. A pre-employment screening and background check will be done on all short-listed candidates. The successful candidate must understand the objectives and delivery mechanisms of the project’s portfolio. He/she must be willing to work in a team, be flexible to emerging or changing conditions, and undertake initiative in his/her broad field of action.
The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III paragraph 3.14 to 3.17 of THE WORLD BANK’S Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers, PROCUREMENT IN INVESTMENT PROJECT FINANCING Goods, Works, Non-Consulting and Consulting Services, Fourth Edition, November 2020, setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. A consultant will be selected in accordance with selection of Individual Consultants Method set out in Procurement Regulations.
SUBMISSION
Expressions of interestaccompanied by detailed CV must be delivered in a written form to the address below by email by 16:00hrs local time on 30thApril 2024 clearly marked ‘’ Expression of Interest for Monitoring and Evaluation Officer ”
To: Project Director SADP
Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security
Department of Livestock Services -Moshoeshoe 11
P.O. Box 24
Maseru 100 Lesotho.
Email: [email protected] copied to [email protected]
Only shortlisted candidates will be notified.