Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Specialist

Background of the Organizations GOPA AFC GmbH is a private German consulting firm based in Bonn, founded in 1973, that works on agricultural, agribusiness, and financial development projects in developing and transition countries. It has implemented projects in more than 120 countries for clients including the EU, AFD, GIZ, KfW, the World Bank, and several development banks. The firm has worked extensively on the cassava value chain in Nigeria and Ghana, including the GIZ-funded SEDIN and AgriBiz programs. Part of the GOPA Group and certified to ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015, it serves as the lead partner for this consortium. IRAM (Institut de Recherches et d’Applications des Méthodes de Développement) is a Paris-based associative consultancy firm that has worked in international development since 1957, operating in about 40 countries with a multidisciplinary team of agronomists, economists, sociologists, and development specialists. It has a record of Expertise France contracts, including the AFIDEC project in Comoros, the PGE Gabes in Tunisia, and the PAGOF project in West Africa, as well as extensive technical assistance for AFD and the EU. Its cassava work includes value chain analysis and extension strategy development in the D.R. Congo. IRAM is the consortium partner. BASA Development Initiatives (BDI) is a legally registered Liberian non-profit and non-governmental organization with a mission to empower women, youth, and communities through sustainable, locally led development that improves livelihoods, strengthens resilience, and advances inclusive social and economic growth. Its main intervention areas are agribusiness, environmental sustainability, education, youth and women empowerment, and health and nutrition. BDI has implemented work funded by the Global Environment Facility, the European Union, and GIZ. The EU-funded Cassava Transformation Project in southeast Liberia provided business support services and training in climate-smart agriculture and good agricultural practices across Maryland, Sinoe, and River Gee counties. BDI is built on the principle of local ownership, with Liberians championing their own development. Project Background The GOPA AFC–IRAM consortium, with its Liberian sub-contractor BASA Development Initiatives (BDI), is being awarded “Strengthening the cassava value chain in Liberia – boosting sustainable production, processing, and market access” (Lot 1), a technical assistance assignment tendered by Expertise France under the Liberia Private Sector Development Project and funded by the European Union. Cassava contributes about 23% of Liberia’s agricultural GDP, but yields are low. The assignment addresses these gaps through five results across the value chain. Results 1 to 3 target the core segments: production, processing, and marketing. Results 4 and 5 operate at the meso level, focusing on service provision and stakeholder organization. Cross-cutting attention goes to food security, poverty reduction, gender, youth, and people with disabilities. A team of seven subject-matter specialists will deliver the work, covering value chain development, production, processing, marketing, finance, social inclusion, and monitoring and evaluation, and will be complemented by local experts and facilitators. The GOPA AFC–IRAM–BDI team is now recruiting a Team Leader / Senior Value Chain Expert (Cassava) to lead a team of international and Liberian experts. Job Title: Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Specialist Location: Monrovia, frequent travel to Gbarpolu, Nimba, Grand Bassa, Margibi, and Rural Montserrado. Project: Cassava Value Chain Component under the EU-funded Private Sector Development Project Reporting to: Team Leader / Senior Value Chain Expert Status: National Duration: 6 months with renewal based on performance Job Overview The M&E Specialist designs and runs the project’s monitoring and evaluation system, tracking progress against indicators and donor requirements across the cassava value chain. The role establishes baselines, collects and analyses data, produces evaluation and progress reports, and monitors cross-cutting issues including gender, youth, climate, and inclusion. The M&E Specialist works closely with the Team Lead and technical experts to translate evidence into management decisions and supports accountability to the donor and project steering bodies. Key Responsibilities Design and maintain the project M&E system, including the results framework, indicators, baselines, and targets. Develop data collection tools and protocols, and oversee their consistent application across project sites. Collect, clean, and analyse quantitative and qualitative data on project activities and outcomes. Produce regular progress reports, evaluation reports, and data products in line with donor requirements. Monitor cross-cutting issues, including gender, youth, climate, and inclusion, and report on related indicators. Track performance against work plans and flag deviations for management action. Support baseline, mid-term, and end-line assessments, including the design of surveys and impact studies. Build the M&E capacity of project staff, local partners, and value chain actors. Maintain a central database and ensure data quality, integrity, and secure storage. Contribute to learning processes, documenting lessons and good practices for project improvement. Liaise with the Team Lead, technical experts, steering committees, and donor representatives on reporting and data needs. Required Qualifications and Experience Degree in statistics, economics, development studies, or a related field. At least 5 years of experience in designing and implementing M&E systems for donor-funded projects. Strong skills in developing indicators, collecting and analyzing data, and producing evaluation reports. Experience in monitoring cross-cutting issues, including gender, youth, climate, and inclusion. Proficiency in data management and analysis tools (e.g., Excel, SPSS, Stata, or similar). Familiarity with EU-funded projects and their reporting standards is an asset. Prior experience in West Africa (preferably Liberia or neighboring countries) is highly desirable. Preferred Profile Experience designing results frameworks and theories of change for agrifood or rural development projects. Hands-on experience with baseline, mid-term, and end-line evaluations, including survey design and sampling. Skills in qualitative methods, participatory monitoring, and data visualization. Experience building M&E capacity among field staff and local partners. Familiarity with the cassava or wider agricultural value chain context. Excellent reporting and communication skills in line with international donor standards. Fluency in English; additional languages relevant to West Africa are an advantage.

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