Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Specialist

Workplace Circumstances

• Environment: Office
• Languages: English, Khmer
• Location: Phnom Penh

Position Summary

Duty Station: Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Expected Place of Travel: Kampong Thom, Preah Vihear, and Siem Reap Provinces, Cambodia

The M&E Specialist will be responsible for the overall design, implementation, coordination, and continuous improvement of the project’s Monitoring and Evaluation system to ensure effective tracking of results and delivery of output.

The incumbent will work under the direct supervision of the National Project Manager (NPM) from the Ministry of Environment (MoE), and in close collaboration with the SCALE+ team, FAO technical teams, MOE, MAFF, sub-national authorities, and community stakeholders.

He/she will ensure the effective functioning of the project’s M&E system, systematically tracking and documenting project progress, lessons learned, and emerging risks. This will support adaptive project management and risk mitigation by providing timely, accurate, and real-time performance analysis of project implementation.

The M&E Specialist will also ensure that monitoring and reporting requirements of FAO and the (GEF) are met in a timely and high-quality manner.

Duties & Responsibilities

• M&E System Development and Implementation
• Develop and update the Project M&E implementation Plan, including indicators, baselines, targets, data collection tools, and reporting formats.
• Lead the development the M&E database and reporting dashboard to track the project implementation progress
• Lead training of project staff and stakeholders including the provincial line departments on the M&E related framework, tools and reporting procedure as per donor requirement.
• Establish data collection, verification, validation, and storage systems in compliance with FAO and Global Environment Facility (GEF) standards.
• Design and oversee baseline, mid-term, and endline surveys and assessments.
• Develop gender-responsive and disaggregated indicators (sex, age, vulnerability status).
• Track and analyze the progress of ecosystem, biodiversity and adaptation measures under the scope of the project intervention.
• Ensure alignment of M&E systems with national systems of MOE and MAFF where applicable.
• Monitoring and Reporting
• Monitor implementation progress across all four project components and outputs.
• Compile quarterly, semi-annual, and annual progress reports in line with FAO and Global Environment Facility (GEF) reporting requirements.
• Track performance indicators, including those related to:
• Climate resilience, Biodiversity conservation, Sustainable land management
• Livelihood and value chain development, Gender equality and social inclusion
• Support preparation of Project Implementation Reports (PIRs), Project Progress Report (PPR) and other donor-required reports.
• Provide analytical briefs to inform management decisions and adaptive planning.
• Data Management and Quality Assurance
• Ensure quality control and consistency of data collected by field teams and implementing partners.
• Conduct periodic field monitoring visits to CPAs to verify reported results.
• Establish digital databases and dashboards for real-time monitoring where feasible.
• Maintain proper documentation and achieving project M&E data and evidence.
• Capacity Building and Support
• Provide technical guidance and training to project staff, local authorities, CPA committees, and partners on M&E tools and reporting requirements.
• Strengthen institutional capacity at national, provincial, and district levels to support evidence-based planning and implementation.
• Promote participatory monitoring approaches at community level.
• Evaluation and Learning
• Support the organization and coordination of mid-term and terminal evaluations.
• Facilitate lessons learned workshops and reflection sessions.
• Contribute to knowledge products, case studies, and best practice documentation under Component 4.
• Ensure findings from monitoring and evaluations inform adaptive project management, risk mitigation and scaling-up strategies.
• Coordination and Communication
• Liaise closely with FAO technical teams, government counterparts, and implementing partners on M&E matters.
• Participate in project steering committee meetings and provide progress updates.
• Ensure compliance with FAO, Global Environment Facility (GEF), and government reporting standards.

Languages

• Khmer - Fluent
• English - Fluent

Qualifications

• Postgraduate Degree in Project Management, Development Studies, Environmental Management, Agricultural Economics, Statistics, or related fields.

Work History

• Relevant professional experience in M&E of donor-funded projects (experience with Global Environment Facility – GEF or FAO-funded projects is an asset) for 5 years as a minimum

General & Technical Skills

• Advanced university degree in Project Management, Development Studies, Environmental Management, Agricultural Economics, Statistics, or related fields.
• Proven experience in climate change adaptation, sustainable land management, agriculture, biodiversity, or natural resource management projects.
• Experience in designing logical frameworks and results-based management systems.
• Experience working with government institutions and community-based organizations.
• Experience with digital data collection tools and database management systems.
• Strong facilitation and capacity-building skills.
• Excellent communication skills in English; knowledge of Khmer is an advantage.
• Excellent command of Khmer (both written and oral) and good working knowledge of English

Soft Skills

• Strong analytical and reporting skills.
• Knowledge of quantitative and qualitative data collection methodologies.
• Demonstrated understanding of gender-responsive and inclusive M&E approaches.