MONITORING & EVALUATION VALUE CHAIN ADVISOR

CARE is seeking a Monitoring & Evaluation Value Chain Advisor to work within the European Commission funded Food Facility/Rice Value Chain grant in Sierra Leone for 9 months effective 1 February 2010. The objective of this grant is to contribute to the sustainable improvement of the food security of the population of Northern Sierra Leone. The rationale for this action is that improved food and nutrition security and increased income can be reached through more efficient production and marketing practices supported through value chain promotion. Value Chain (VC) Promotion as a market-driven economic development approach is by nature not explicitly pro-poor, but pro-growth. Value Chain Promotion can generate direct significant development impacts and create opportunities for the poor as farmers, increase food production and indirect poverty impacts through rural employment creation. The grant will work on identifying opportunities to increase the profitability of rice production by: Reducing costs, this is about improving productivity, mainly through efficient utilisation of inputs (seeds in particular) and reducing post harvest losses (improved techniques). Improving bargaining position through group marketing and rice quality. Added value mainly through access to improved knowledge and linkages. Providing training and exposure to improve agricultural practices and market linkages The ideal candidate should have significant monitoring and evaluation experience with specific experience in market-based approaches and agriculture value chains targeting large numbers of small holders. S/He should be a dynamic and creative individual, able to adapt and thrive given the challenges of Sierra Leone’s economy. This position is for 9 months with the specific objective to set up a comprehensive M&E system for the action and to provide capacity building support for a local counterpart. Required Qualifications: University degree in social sciences/ Statistics/ or related fields 5 years of design, monitoring and evaluation experience Experience working in a development context (preferably Africa / West Africa) Specific experience of at least 3 years effectively programming in the value chain sector Experience in Projects’ implementation with an NGO, research institution, or development body (donor, UN agencies, development agencies/banks). Demonstrated practical project management experience covering all aspects of the project cycle from design through to evaluation Experience in capacity building / mentoring / coaching Monitoring & Evaluation experience and skills Good computing skills - Word, Excel, PPT, Access and other database packages Knowledge and experience of participatory methodologies. Practical knowledge of economic development and and/or small business practice issues in Africa Excellent written and spoken communication skills including presentation skills Desired Qualifications: Masters Degree in international development, demography, mathematics, or related fields, and/or equivalent combination of education and work experience Specialized training in statistical software and/or data processing MBA or Masters Degree in Economics or Agrobusiness Experience working in post-conflict setting Experience working in West Africa Training/facilitation expertise