Monitoring And Evaluation Specialist - AHAI

2025-10-31

Individual Consultant

8.Delivery & Performance Monitoring

The Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) consultant will be the focal point person on all issues related to monitoring and evaluation of the AFFM projects and activities as approved in the annual Work Programs and project portfolio, providing technical guidance and advice to Project Task Managers on appropriate results management frameworks and MEL approaches for all AFFM interventions.
The position has the following work objectives:
• To provide a lead role in the design, measurement, management, analysis and packaging of results data and development impacts on AFFM interventions for reporting and knowledge management. The function will require collaboration with the AFFM task managers, projects and program implementing partners as well as other departments in the Bank. The position is imperative in ensuring that MEL protocols, templates, processes, policies, systems and databases are in place, functioning properly in the work of the AFFM.
• Maintain linkage for the AFFM and the Bank with global development partners and MEL platforms to demonstrate the AFFM and the Bank’s contribution to development data and results achievements to track the continent’s development progress towards targeted sustainable development goals relating to AFFM.

MEL Coordination and Collaboration:
• Coordinate M&E tasks and functions for the AFFM, ensuring results reporting across projects and programs follows appropriate and laid down procedures and practices for data standardization and quality.
• Support the the preparation and appraisal of new projects, defining and reviewing results frameworks, tracking implementation of activities during implementation, measure results and provide feedback to management for reporting and decision making.
• Support AFFM staff with project cycle activities in implementation of M & E systems assessments at the national and regional level. This includes development of results frameworks, coordinating and reviewing data collection for key indicators, lead in planning and supervision of activity implementation.
• In collaboration with Project Task Managers, define action plans to improve project quality and monitor programme implementation, analyse programme portfolio structure and trends and proposed measures for ensuring project quality at entry and advise the AFFM Coordinator accordingly.
• Cooperate with other Bank Departments on issues related to results measurements, evaluation and knowledge management- ADOA, BDEV, SNDR, SNOQ, ECMR, ECST, among others.
• Collaborate with internal and external entities to plan and conduct evaluations and other sector studies for AFFM, ensuring application of appropriate methodologies, credibility of analysis, and utilization of findings for effective decision making on upscaling, resource allocation, and systematic organizational learning.
• Provide management reports on program implementation progress flagging key issues for management attention and actions for improved performance and results.
Project Portfolio Management and Coordination
• Coordinate the AFFM project portfolio performance, collecting data and progress updates from Project Task Managers for tracking implementation progress and reporting.
• Manage the quality of the AFFM project portfolio through development of portfolio management tools that monitor the performance of all AFFM projects.
• Analyze project portfolio structure and trends and report to AFFM Coordinator.
• Liaise with Project Task Managers to ensure the good performance of AFFM project portfolio in line with required benchmarks and plans on disbursement, project supervision, tracking and close out activities.
• Draw up project portfolio performance improvement action plans in collaboration with Project Task Managers for non-performing or poor performing projects, drawing management’s attention to important decisions required to improve the portfolio performance.
• Provide regular AFFM portfolio performance reports for management.
Systems Development, Compliance, Quality Control and Reporting:
• Design projects specific monitoring and evaluation tools and advise the AFFM on proper MEL systems.
• Coordinate data supply into Bank’s results reporting systems and follow-up with relevant teams for consistent entries to measure progress, outcomes and development impact of the Bank’s interventions on water and sanitation.
• Oversee and manage MEL database, reporting, ensuring regular updates as well as accurate generation of information. Ensure availability of AFFM data on the Bank’s Collaboration space.
• Develop key MEL guidance and lend appropriate mentoring and coaching to promote compliance and uptake in the Department.
• Provide quality control for all aspects of MEL and results measurements on AFFM results metrics included in the AFFM and the Bank’s Result Measurement Framework.
• Oversee the assemblage, analysis, organization and sharing of results of the AFFM with the Bank’s Feed Africa team and participate in preparation of knowledge products to better tell the Bank’s story.
• Participate in contribute to the drafting of AFFM mid-year, annual and other corporate reports.
More details are included in the REOI attached below, kindly pay attention to it.

EXPECTED OUTPUTS AND DELIVERABLES

1. Overall AFFM monitoring and evaluation mechanism (MEL plan, system, tools, templates, etc)
2. AFFM key performance indicators dashboard and tracker system
3. Projects’ specific MEL plans and tools
4. Periodic reports (monthly/quarterly) on AFFM Projects and programs
5. MEL activities monthly reports
6. Various Reports: for specific tasks, project, back to office reports, etc.
7. AFFM periodic reports (semi-annual/annual progress reports)
8. Topical papers/briefing notes/ pitch decks, talking points, etc. as assigned by the Coordinator.
9. Any other documents in line with the assignment for the AFFM Management review/approval.

5. REQUIRED SKILL, QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

a) The Consultant must hold at least a Masters’ degree (MSc.) in Social Sciences, economics, Statistics, Monitoring and Evaluation, or any other related discipline.
b) At least eight (10) years of experience in the position of MEL in a development organization, including an international NGOs, donor organization or a reputable organization/institution working in core areas of Agriculture.
c) Demonstrable sound knowledge of MEL methodologies and approaches in the global development arena particularly in the area of agriculture systems.
d) Knowledge of MEL systems and procedures, particularly in relation to donor requirements and reporting on agriculture .
e) Excellent analytical, problem solving and strategic thinking skills.
f) Good oral and communication skills, including writing and editing well researched documents and technical development reports. Ability to communicate to influence, motivate and change behavior, train and share knowledge by inspiring to create enthusiasm for right work approaches.
g) Good interpersonal skills with ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team and a multi-cultural environment.
h) Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and/or French, with a working knowledge of the other language
i) Competence in the use of the standard Microsoft software applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and SAP; and in database management.

The Department of Agriculture and Agroindustry (AHAI) of AFDB has the responsibility of the 2nd priority of Bank’s TYS High 5s, which is called “Feed Africa”, the Strategy for agricultural transformation, aiming at allowing the continent to become a net food exporting region while using industrialization to add value to process foods and exports commodities; to help to end extreme poverty, and eliminate malnutrition.
In 2006, at the Abuja African Green Revolution summit, the African Union Member States, conceived the “Africa Fertilizer Financing Mechanism” (AFFM), an initiative to improve agricultural productivity by providing finance to debottleneck the use of fertilizers. The Summit charged the African Development Bank (AfDB) with the responsibility to establishing and manage the AFFM.
To achieve its mandate, the AFFM developed its 7-year strategic plan. The AFFM’s 2022-2028 Strategic Plan is designed around three strategic pillars (i) Strengthening the fertilizer sector through access to finance; (ii) Supporting the development of viable policy reforms to improve production, trade and utilization of fertilizer; and (iii) Facilitating smallholder farmers’ access to inputs and technical assistance. The strategy intends to benefit 16 million smallholder farmers in 15 African countries. It will also help support small and medium enterprises and facilitate farmer access to at least two Mt 2 million of fertilizer and other agri-inputs.
AFFM interventions are very strategic in ensuring enhanced and long-term engagement of the private sector in support of improved use of appropriate fertilizer to increase food production and support the Bank’s Feed Africa Strategy.

The Terms of Reference for the Consultant will be effective for one (1) year renewable. The duty station for this assignment is the African Development Bank Headquarters in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. It may however be remotely based on Covid-19-related travel restrictions and pending further implementation of the Bank’s “Return to Office” policy. Regardless of location, the successful candidate must secure reliable technology and network connection to smoothly implement her/his duties virtually.

REQUIRED SKILL, QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

a) The Consultant must hold at least a Masters’ degree (MSc.) in Social Sciences, economics, Statistics, Monitoring and Evaluation, or any other related discipline.
b) At least eight (10) years of experience in the position of MEL in a development organization, including an international NGOs, donor organization or a reputable organization/institution working in core areas of Agriculture.
c) Demonstrable sound knowledge of MEL methodologies and approaches in the global development arena particularly in the area of agriculture systems.
d) Knowledge of MEL systems and procedures, particularly in relation to donor requirements and reporting on agriculture .
e) Excellent analytical, problem solving and strategic thinking skills.
f) Good oral and communication skills, including writing and editing well researched documents and technical development reports. Ability to communicate to influence, motivate and change behavior, train and share knowledge by inspiring to create enthusiasm for right work approaches.
g) Good interpersonal skills with ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team and a multi-cultural environment.
h) Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and/or French, with a working knowledge of the other language
i) Competence in the use of the standard Microsoft software applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and SAP; and in database management.

The eligibility criteria, the establishment of a shortlist, and the selection procedure shall conform with the Bank’s Procurement Policy for Recruitment of Individual Consultants. Please, note that expressing interest does not imply any obligation on the part of the Bank to shortlist an applicant.