FAO MEAL Lead Specialist Vacancy 2026 – Uganda
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is inviting applications for the position of Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Lead Specialist in Kampala, Uganda. The position offers an opportunity for an experienced monitoring and evaluation professional to support FAO Uganda’s country programme and strengthen evidence-based decision-making across its development portfolio.
Application deadline: 25 November 2026.
The position is based within the FAO Representation in Uganda and is offered as a 12-month National Project Personnel (NPP) opportunity. The successful candidate will work at country level to strengthen results management, institutional learning, accountability and the use of performance evidence across FAO programmes.
About the Role
FAO Uganda supports the Government of Uganda in transforming agrifood systems to become more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable. Its work contributes to food security, improved nutrition, poverty reduction and sustainable natural resource management.
The MEAL Lead Specialist will help ensure that FAO Uganda’s programmes are effectively monitored and that reliable evidence is available to guide programme adaptation, policy dialogue, investment decisions and resource mobilization.
The specialist will lead the development and operationalization of an integrated country-level MEAL system supporting the Country Programming Framework (CPF) 2026–2030 and its contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework and national agrifood systems transformation priorities.
Key Responsibilities
The successful candidate will coordinate the MEAL team and support the implementation of results-based management across FAO Uganda’s programme portfolio.
Key responsibilities include developing and reviewing data collection tools, overseeing data and monitoring systems, coordinating routine monitoring activities and organizing data review meetings. The specialist will also respond to reporting requests from regional and corporate levels while ensuring that information is accurate and submitted on time.
The role also involves leading country-level evaluations, supporting thematic evaluation studies and coordinating learning and knowledge-management initiatives. The successful candidate will facilitate reflection and learning sessions involving FAO staff, government representatives, implementing partners and other stakeholders.
The position requires strong collaboration with communications, resource mobilization and policy teams, as well as government institutions, donors, development partners and UN stakeholders.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants should have an advanced or university degree in monitoring and evaluation, development studies, agricultural economics, statistics, public policy, social sciences, international development, or another relevant discipline.
The vacancy requires at least 10 years of relevant professional experience, including five years in a leadership position. Candidates must also have a working knowledge of English and must be nationals of Uganda.
FAO is particularly interested in candidates with experience in results-based management, programme monitoring, data analysis, evaluation, quality assurance, knowledge management and organizational learning.
Experience developing results frameworks, theories of change, logical frameworks, indicators, baselines, targets and MEAL plans will be important. Experience working with government institutions, development partners and multidisciplinary teams is also sought. Experience in agrifood systems, agriculture, food security, nutrition or climate resilience would be an advantage.
What FAO Offers
The position provides an opportunity to contribute directly to FAO Uganda’s efforts to improve programme effectiveness, accountability and evidence-based decision-making.
The successful candidate will work closely with senior FAO leadership, programme teams, government counterparts and development partners. The role is particularly suited to an experienced MEAL professional interested in applying monitoring and evaluation expertise to large-scale development and agrifood systems programmes.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should complete an online profile through the FAO recruitment website and ensure that their employment history, academic qualifications and language skills are accurately recorded. Applicants are also required to attach a letter of motivation to their online profile.
Only applications submitted through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered, and incomplete applications will not be considered. FAO also encourages candidates to submit their applications well before the deadline.
Candidates should carefully review the eligibility requirements before applying, particularly the requirement that applicants be Ugandan nationals.
FAO does not charge any fee at any stage of its recruitment process.
