MINISTRY OF LANDS, AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES, WATER AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT/ INTERNATIONAL FUND FOR AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT/SMALLHOLDER AGRICULTURE CLUSTER PROJECT
VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT NO. : SACP/ M&E/ 2026
DATE OF ISSUANCE : 08 March 2026
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS : 20 March 2026
MONITORING & EVALUATION AND PLANNING SPECIALIST
REPORTS TO: NATIONAL PROJECT COORDINATOR
DUTY STATION: NATIONAL PROJECT MANAGEMENT UNIT, HARARE
Project Background
Key Objectives and Components
- Inclusive Value Chain Development: Organizes smallholder farmers into Agricultural Producer Groups (APGs) and clusters to integrate them into profitable value chains. It provides technical assistance, matching grants, and infrastructure support for APGs, rural micro-enterprises, and value chain lead enterprises.
- Climate-Proofed Infrastructure: Invests in climate-resilient infrastructure, including small-scale irrigation covering 1,780 hectares, rehabilitation of 89 km of feeder roads, and water and sanitation facilities across 100 wards.
- Policy and Institutional Support: Promotes private sector-led transformation through policy reform and access to finance, including a Line of Credit for lead enterprises and PPP promotion.
Geographical Coverage
SACP is implemented in 428 wards in 18 rural districts spread across the five provinces of Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland East, Mashonaland West, Midlands, and Matabeleland North. The project targets approximately 78,240 households (50% women and 30% youth).
Objective of the Assignment
Reporting directly to the National Project Coordinator, the Monitoring and Evaluation and Planning Specialist will have overall responsibility for the coordination of the timely establishment, operation and maintenance of the project Monitoring and Evaluation system; for the generation of knowledge and evidence; and for the communication of project activities, achievements and lessons learned.
Main Tasks and Responsibilities
The specific tasks of the Monitoring and Evaluation and Planning Specialist will include:
i. Set up the Monitoring and Evaluation system for Smallholder Agriculture Cluster Project:
- Revise the project logframe matrix and include gender sensitive indicators.
- Assist in developing the results oriented Annual Work Plan and Budget.
- Develop the overall framework for the project Monitoring and Evaluation.
- Guide the process of reporting against the project key indicators.
- Prepare the Monitoring and Evaluation matrix.
ii. Set up a Management Information System that entails:
- Development of formats (for data collection, analysis and interpretation) to track project inputs and its results: production, consumption, sales and income of the producers and traders/buyers at household, group and value chain/cluster level.
- Coordinate with other project staff, especially planning and Monitoring and Evaluation staff, to ensure the Management Information System is appropriately designed and implemented such that they enable data-rich knowledge management, captures and analyses dis-aggregated data on gender and social inclusion.
- Define requirements for use of software for a web-based online Management Information System and off-line tablet-based devices.
iii. Provide technical assistance to recruit, guide and supervise organisations or individuals contracted to implement surveys and studies required for evaluating project effects and impacts. e.g. Rolling baseline survey, Annual Cluster Tracking Survey, etc.
iv. Develop a capacity-building plan on Monitoring and Evaluation for the project staff at NPMU and provincial level and for business skills and Gender Action Learning System (GALS) mentors from Agritex on the cascade training approach:
- Development of training modules for different stakeholders and partners;
- Development of operation manuals/guidelines on Monitoring and Evaluation processes;
- Use of software for Management Information System and GIS required for the functioning of the MIS system;
- Train Monitoring and Evaluation staff at national and local levels (Training of Trainers); and
- Set up a cascade training mechanism for Extension Officers seconded full-time to the project, Social Mobilizers and Business Skills Mentors and GALS Social Mentors.
v. Assist the Project Manager in consolidating gender sensitive project progress reports.
vi. Advise the Senior Management by identifying areas of concerns that might justify a review of the project Monitoring and Evaluation system and/or implementation arrangements, including adverse effects on target groups as a result of project implementation, and suggest remedial measures if necessary.
vii. Undertake regular field visits to follow-up recommendations made from previous supervision missions and support the project implementation in other ways as requested by the Project Coordinator.
Proposed Qualifications and Competences:
- Master’s Degree in either Monitoring and Evaluation or Statistics or Agricultural Economics or Development Studies or Rural Development and a Bachelor’s Degree in a related field;
- 8+ years of professional experience in Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL); and planning within agricultural or rural development sectors;
- Expertise in M & E design (logframes, indicator selection, data collection design) and in evaluation methodologies;
- Demonstrated experience in the design and use of Management Information Systems (MIS, with emphasis on design and implementation of digital data collection tools and their application in agricultural projects;
- Experience in capacity building and training in M & E development and implementation;
- Demonstrated intermediate level use of Geographic Information Systems software;
- Proficiency with at least one statistical package and one data visualization tool, for example, Kobo Toolbox, Google Forms, Mentimetre, ODK, SPSS, R, Genstats, STATA, MS Excel, Power BI;
- Experience with data quality assurance, data governance, and ethical data practices;
- Strong quantitative and qualitative data analysis skills;
- Knowledge management strategy development and demonstrated ability to translate data into clear recommendations for planning and decision-making;
- Demonstrated experience working with field stakeholders and implementing partners on data collection flows, data cleaning and reporting;
- Excellent written and oral communication in English.
Desirable attributes:
- Experience with climate-smart agriculture, value chain development, or market access for smallholders.
- Background in participatory planning and gender-responsive programming.
- Track record of producing learning briefs and technical reports.
Mode and Duration of Contract
- Full-time contract based on performance.
- Performance will be assessed annually based on quality of deliverables, compliance outcomes, and timely reporting.
- The incumbent will be based at the NPMU, with field travel to project sites when necessary.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
- All applications must be addressed to:
The Chief Director, Human Resources
Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development
Ngungunyana Building
No. 1, Liberation Legacy Way
Private Bag 7701
Causeway
Harare
- Applications containing the following information and must be submitted to the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development,Head Office, Human Resources Department, Chief Director Human Resources’ Office not later than 20 March 2026.
- Full Names (Surname first)
- Certified copies of National I.D and Relevant Qualifications
- Detailed Curriculum Vitae with relevant experience, current contact details and three contactable referees.
- Applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements need not apply.
- Please be advised that applications that do not comply with the above requirements and those submitted after the deadline will not be processed.
