Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning [M.E.R.L] Graduate Intern

Provides support to the Programs Team in the design, planning, monitoring, and evaluation of the project by managing data and facilitating program implementation under the direct supervision of the Agric Assistant and with technical guidance from the MEAL Manager and FSL Manager.

Objective 1: Ensures planning and implementation of projects, focusing on the overall M&E framework.
• Assist in developing the project Monitoring, Evaluation, & Learning plan and ensuring its effective and efficient implementation of a research Agric Project.
• Supports the farmer registration and attestation of FAP plots and control plots, taking GPS coordinates and boundaries of plots.
• Assist with deploying a community-led participatory approach, which ensures community participation in identifying needs in project design, monitoring, and adjustment throughout the project cycle.
• Assist Farmers, community members, and local agriculture extension agents in monitoring, assessing, and documenting positive changes for people and local ecosystems derived from FAP using the Com-Led MEAL approach.
• Support the NAZ, implementing partners, and ARDAS project teams in the documentation of critical learning, which will provide the opportunity to examine issues that arise during project implementation.

Objective 2: Ensure proper monitoring and reporting of FAP demonstration plots focusing on the following areas:
• Assist in conducting a gender analysis as part of the initial activities to consider the distinct needs, preferences, and capacities of women and men in relation to natural resource management and agriculture.
• Assist with monitoring gender-specific issues and make sure they are properly captured and analysed in all documentation.
• Assist in conducting the participatory assessment of traditional knowledge about natural resources and ecosystems, agriculture, pollinators and crops, and identification of localized biodiversity-poverty issues, in concert with EMA and ARDAS.
• Assist in the baseline situational assessment and quantification of pollinators and biodiversity.
• Farmers and communities, along with field team ARDAS and partner subject matter experts, have documented changes to biodiversity and ecosystem services such as pollination, soil health, and watering adjacent agricultural landscapes.
• Establish an information system to monitor pollinator populations and development for the different FAP plots and communities.
• Assist farmers with the documentation of wild pollinator diversity in and around FAP plots as guided by the specialist consultant.
• Support the NAZ Agric Officer, ARDAS, and farmers in documenting the performance of FAP plots and control plots, and in the plot yield and income assessments.
• Document and follow up on lessons learned and maintain an archive of human-interest stories (most significant change).
• Ensure that lessons learned are fed back into project implementation, together with the FSL Manager and under the coordination of the MEAL Manager.
• Draft regular M&E reports and assist in preparing project evaluation and/or review reports

Objective 3: Provides support in ensuring the facilitation of knowledge-building and knowledge-sharing through the Community-Led MEAL approach.
• Provide MEAL capacity development support to project staff and project participants (NAZ, ARDAS officers, and farmers.)
• Assist in tools for documentation that will contribute to generating actionable information and evidence on FAP efficacy for ecosystem restoration, livelihoods, and climate resilience and to the adoption of FAP as an innovative and appropriate, and workable technical approach by local communities and multiple stakeholders.
• Together with the ARDAS officers assist with the monitoring and learning visits to enhance the understanding of the environment/agriculture interface of biodiversity and position FAP as a concept where both come together.
• Provide support organizing learning visits from external stakeholders and ensure documentation of learning visits and discussions.
• Assist Farmers and community members in assessing the FAP impact, realizing benefits for nature, climate, and people, and are motivated to adopt FAP and employ practices leading to environmental regeneration.

Policy compliance – Mandatory Reporting Policy (MRP):

• Comply with all NAZ policies.
• Assist where necessary in undertaking activities that aim to prevent the occurrence of sexual abuse and exploitation of beneficiaries by NAZ and other humanitarian workers.

Confidentiality:

• Ensuring the non-disclosure of any information whatsoever relating to the practices and business of NAZ acquired in the course of
duty, to any other person or organization without authority, except in the normal execution of duty.

Note: The role of the MERL Graduate Intern cannot be limited to the specific duties and tasks detailed herein. The success of the NAZ's mission is the highest priority, and all issues that arise must be addressed accordingly. Therefore, the M&E Officer will be required to manage all unforeseen issues and circumstances and remain flexible to perform other duties, as and when required.

The following may be acquired through a combination of formal or self-education, prior experience or on-the-job training:

• Bachelor's Degree (Development field, Agriculture, Agroecology, Ecosystems or any other related field)
• Technical Training qualifications desired: Basic M&E skills, Data Analysis and visualization (SPSS, STATA, R,)
• Experience: 1-2 years of experience in data management.
• M&E 2 years of experience in a similar position at the national or international level.
• Research experience.
• Knowledge of Agriculture, Research methods, Nutrition, and Food Security Interventions
• Ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Ability to work as part of a field team and successfully join up work with partner staff.
• Good command of English and Shona (written and verbal).
• Knowledge of the Tonga language is desirable.