Consultant (Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist)

About the Project

The project, “Promoting sustainable fisheries management in the Red Sea Large Marine Ecosystem” (RedSeaFish) is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), and implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). WorldFish is executing, three components of the project while the Regional Commission for Fisheries (RECOFI) is responsible for executing one component.

The project aims to strengthen regional cooperation and management for sustainable shared fisheries in the Red Sea through strengthening fisheries data and information systems, enhancing collaborative regional fisheries management in the Red Sea, improving national regulatory frameworks and institutional capacity to manage Red Sea fisheries, and improving knowledge and awareness to support sustainable fisheries management. The beneficiary countries include Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Jordan, Sudan and Yemen, while Saudi Arabia will partner and engage in project activities. The project management unit will be based in Cairo, Egypt.

About the Consultancy

The main objective is to design, implement, and support a comprehensive, gender‑responsive Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) system for the RedSeaFish project to enable:

• Systematic tracking of outputs, outcomes, and Global Environmental Benefits (GEBs).
• Compliance with FAO and GEF monitoring, reporting, and evaluation requirements.
• Adaptive management and learning across project components and countries

Scope of Work and Deliverables

The Monitoring and Evaluation Consultant for the project will:

• Develop and operationalize the Project MEL Plan in line with FAO and GEF requirements.
• Define indicators, baselines, targets, and means of verification, including sex‑disaggregated data.
• Ensure alignment with the Results Framework and relevant GEF Core Indicators.
• Integrate gender and social inclusion indicators in line with the Gender Action Plan.
• Establish MEL tools and procedures for systematic data collection, validation, and analysis.
• Support national partners in monitoring and reporting.
• Prepare and quality‑assure MEL inputs for project inception, progress reports and annual workplan and budget, in compliance with FAO and GEF reporting standards and timelines.
• Synthesize monitoring findings, lessons learned, and good practices.
• Support adaptive management and evidence‑based decision‑making.
• Coordinate with Knowledge Management and Communications teams.
• Strengthen MEL capacity of PMU staff and partners through coaching and guidance.
• Contribute to evaluation ToRs, data provision, and management responses.
• Support planning and follow‑up of the Mid‑Term Review and Terminal Evaluation during year 3 and 4.
• Promote ownership and effective use of MEL systems.

Expected Outcomes:

• Inception briefing note on MEL approach.
• A gender-responsive MEL Plan finalized and approved within 3 months, aligned with FAO/GEF standards, including indicators, baselines, and targets.
• Standardized tools and templates developed and applied across all countries within 4 months, enabling consistent data collection and reporting.
• Timely and compliant MEL inputs produced for 100% of PPRs, PIRs, and AWPBs throughout the project cycle.
• Complete data packages and management responses delivered for MTR (Year 3) and TE (Year 4) within agreed timelines.
• Two Learning briefs and synthesis notes to support adaptive management.
• MEL capacity of PMU and partners strengthened through at least 2 trainings/year, with evidence of adoption of MEL tools by all implementing partners.

Requirements

This consultancy might be for you if you have the following skills and qualifications:

• Advanced university degree (master’s or higher) in Monitoring & Evaluation, Development Studies, Natural Resource Management, Fisheries, Environmental Sciences, or related fields.
• Minimum 7–10 years of proven experience in MEL for donor-funded regional or multi-country projects.
• Demonstrated experience with GEF and/or FAO MEL systems is a strong asset.
• Strong expertise in results-based management, indicators, baselines, targets, and evaluations.
• Proven experience integrating gender and social inclusion into MEL frameworks.
• Fluency in written and spoken English; proficiency in Arabic would be an added advantage.

Consultancy Duration

The duration of the contract will initially be for a 12-months period with possibility of extension, depending on funding and performance.

Evaluation and Selection

Applications will be evaluated based on the qualifications and experience of the consultant, the quality and feasibility of the proposed approach and work plan, the relevance of previous work examples and the most competitive proposal. Shortlisted candidates may be invited for an interview or request additional information before final selection. This opportunity is open for all applicants.

Fluency in written and spoken English; proficiency in Arabic would be an added advantage.