Evaluation Specialists (Agrobiodiversity and Financing Instruments)

The Office of Evaluation (OED) of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations is conducting an evaluation of the Benefit-sharing Fund (BSF), examining both the BSF as a financing mechanism and its portfolio of projects, with a forward-looking perspective. The BSF was established under the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) as the main operational mechanism to translate benefit-sharing into concrete support for farmers and national systems that conserve and sustainably use plant genetic resources for food and agriculture (PGRFA). Since its establishment in 2009, the BSF has been implemented through five cycles and has supported 99 projects worldwide, primarily in developing countries and countries with economies in transition. The BSF supports projects that enable small-scale farmers, scientists and breeders to access and use plant genetic resources adapted to local needs helping to develop more resilient, productive and nutritious crop varieties that address challenges related to food and nutrition security, biodiversity loss and climate change, particularly through farmer-led approaches.

Purpose and Objectives of the evaluation:

This evaluation is conducted to generate lessons and forward-looking recommendations to inform the design of future funding cycles and the upcoming review of the Treaty’s Funding Strategy. It takes an integrated approach, assessing the BSF both as a financing mechanism and as a portfolio of projects. At the portfolio level, the evaluation will primarily focus on BSF cycles 4 (2017–2026) and BSF5 (2022–ongoing). As BSF5 is ongoing, it will be examined from a formative perspective given its ongoing implementation, and earlier cycles (BSF1–3) will also be used selectively to analyse trends and portfolio evolution, providing context and informing the assessment of the BSF as a financing mechanism. The evaluation will be conducted between June and December 2026.

The Evaluation Specialists will work under the direct supervision of the assigned OED Evaluation Officer, and under the overall responsibility of the OED Director.

The evaluation will be conducted by a multidisciplinary team combining evaluation expertise with complementary technical expertise. OED is seeking consultants with expertise in one or more of the following technical areas to join the evaluation team:
•    Conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture, including on-farm and in situ conservation.
•    Seed systems and farmer-led approaches to crop diversity and local value chains
•    Financing mechanisms and instruments for agrobiodiversity (including PGRFA)
•    Access and benefit-sharing mechanisms and international policy frameworks for plant genetic resources

Candidates must not have been directly involved in the design, implementation or operational management of BSF‑funded projects.

• Provide technical inputs to the refinement of the  evaluation design, data collection tools and analytical framework for this strategic assessment of the BSF 
  
• Lead or contribute to thematic and strategic analysis in one or more areas relevant to the assignment, applying expert judgment and comparative insights from similar evaluations or technical assignments
  
• Collect and analyse primary and secondary data through document review and interviews with BSF stakeholders, including executing institutions, government representatives, farmers' groups, development partners, civil society and private sector actors, as appropriate
  
• Participate in evaluation missions, validation workshops and high‑level stakeholder consultations, where feasible
  
• Analyse and synthesize evidence from multiple sources to develop robust, evidence-based findings, conclusions and forward-looking recommendations within assigned thematic areas. 
  Draft assigned analytical sections of the evaluation report and contribute to the overall synthesis, strategic framing and finalization of evaluation deliverables, as required

• Advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in a relevant field such as agricultural sciences, biodiversity, development studies or natural resource management..
  
• A minimum of 7 years of relevant experience in agrobiodiversity and/or in evaluations of related programmes or financing mechanisms  
  
• Working knowledge (Level C) of English is required; working knowledge of French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese or Russian is desirable

• Results Focus
  
• Teamwork
  
• Communication
  
• Building Effective Relationships
  
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

• Relevant thematic expertise in agrobiodiversity, including PGRFA or related areas
  
• Experience with multilateral financing mechanisms, global treaties or international policy processes
  
• Familiarity with the ITPGRFA or related international frameworks on biodiversity and access and benefit-sharing (ABS)
  
• Proven experience in independent evaluations of related programmes, portfolios or financing mechanisms
  
• Strong stakeholder engagement, facilitation and interviewing skills

Candidates should have demonstrated experience in managing, implementing or evaluating programmes or financing mechanisms related to agrobiodiversity, including the conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture (PGRFA), as well as experience working across diverse regional contexts. 
 

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency

• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO [link removed] and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
  
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
  
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application

• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/ [link removed]. These qualifications should be in alignment with the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) mappings [link removed]. 

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• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
  
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
  
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
  
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
  
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
  
• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance: https://fao.service-now.com/csp [link removed]