Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist

Position: Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist

Duty Station: Lebanon- Al Shouf Cedar Society -Park House

Executing Agency: Al Shouf Cedar Society (ACS)

Duration:12 months, renewable subject to performance and funding

Overview: To address pressing environmental and climate resilience challenges in the Upper Litani Basin and the Shouf-West Beqaa-Mount Hermon corridor, the following two complementary projects have been designed and will be implemented over a four-year period:

• The Restoring Ecosystem Connectivity for Biodiversity and Sustainable Livelihoods in the Litani Watershed Project (ECONNECT), financed by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented by the International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD), with the aim of restoring ecological connectivity and improving ecosystem services for sustainable livelihoods in the Upper Litani Basin through mosaic-landscape restoration and sustainable agriculture and aquaculture.
• The Climate Change Resilience and Ecosystem Connectivity (CC-REC) Project, financed by the Adaptation Fund (AF) and implemented by (IFAD), with the aim of restoring climate-smart landscapes and supporting resilient livelihoods in the Shouf-West Beqaa-Mount Hermon corridor through the adoption of nature-based solutions

The recruited project team will be part of ACS, which is the Executing Entity of both projects. The Executing Entity will be responsible for the day-to-day management and execution of project activities, including operational oversight of implementation, timely reporting, overall administration, fiduciary responsibilities, procurement, and monitoring and evaluation.

Purpose of the Assignment
To ensure the systematic monitoring, evaluation, and reporting of project performance, results, and impacts, in line with IFAD’s Results-Based Management (RBM) framework, to support evidence-based decision-making and accountability.

Role Description:
Oversees project monitoring and evaluation activities, including data collection, analysis, and reporting. Ensures compliance with IFAD results-based management and supports evidence-based decision-making.

Specific duties:

• Develop, operationalize, and maintain the project M&E framework, including indicators, baselines, targets, and data collection tools.
• Ensure alignment of the M&E system with the Project Design Report (PDR), logical framework, and IFAD RBM requirements.
• Ensure appropriate attribution and reporting of results, indicators, and lessons learned separately for CC-REC and ECONNECT, while leveraging synergies through a joint M&E system.
• Establish data quality assurance mechanisms.

• Coordinate and oversee collection of quantitative and qualitative data at output, outcome, and impact levels.
• Analyze project data and generate evidence on progress, results, and challenges.
• Support learning, adaptive management, and knowledge sharing within the project.

• Prepare and/or contribute to periodic project progress reports (quarterly, semi-annual, and annual) with a focus on results and indicators.
• Provide M&E inputs for IFAD supervision missions, reviews, evaluations, and audits.
• Ensure timely and accurate reporting of cross-cutting themes, including gender, youth, climate change, and sustainability.

• Build capacity of project staff, partners, and grant beneficiaries on M&E concepts, tools, and reporting requirements.
• Provide technical guidance on results-based reporting and data collection methodologies.

• Support baseline, mid-term, and end-of-project evaluations.
• Coordinate surveys, assessments, and studies as required by IFAD or the Executing Entity.
• Follow up on evaluation recommendations and lessons learned.

Qualifications and relevant experiences required:

• University degree in Monitoring and Evaluation, Statistics, Economics, Development Studies, Social Sciences, or a related field.
• Advanced degree is an asset.
• Computer literacy, including knowledge of MS office applications in specific Microsoft Excel and formulas, basic software applications and familiarity with the internet and email communications.
• Minimum 5–7 years of relevant experience in M&E for development projects.
• Demonstrated experience with donor-funded or UN-supported projects, preferably IFAD-funded.
• Strong analytical and data management skills
• Experience with results-based management frameworks
• Excellent drafting and reporting skills
• Ability to work with diverse stakeholders and multidisciplinary teams

Reporting Lines
The M&E reports directly to Project Manager and supports IFAD supervision and reporting requirements in coordination with the Project Manager

Working Conditions

The assignment is part-time, with a 50% level of effort on each project, to be agreed with the Project Manager and Executing Entity.

Duration of Assignment

The assignment will be for a period of 12 months, renewable based on satisfactory performance and project requirements, with a start date no later than March 2026.

Performance Evaluation
Performance will be evaluated annually based on achievement of agreed targets, quality of management, compliance with IFAD standards, and overall project performance.