Job Advertisement: MEAL Coordinator (TBD), Save the Children International

ROLE PURPOSE

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability & Learning (MEAL) is a core function in all Save the Children programs globally, representing our commitment to accountability and transparency, it is also a crucial aspect of program quality management. Save the Children in Kenya is looking for a creative and motivated individual who has the experience and competencies to work as Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Coordinator. The job holder will be responsible to coordinate all MEAL activities in the Watoto Rudi Shule Project, and must be flexible to frequently travel and coordinate MEAL across the 4 Counties of operation.

The MEAL Coordinator will bring significant experience and fresh ideas to develop and implement a realistic MEAL strategy and systems, ensuring that they are institutionalized within the existing project cycle management framework, and that staff have the capacity to implement them. The MEAL Coordinator will have a key role in establishing and promoting programme quality and innovation, which will be achieved through developing and improving monitoring, evaluation, impact assessment and learning methodologies.

In summary, the MEAL Coordinator will be responsible for establishing and promoting the use of MEAL systems to ensure that the program:

  • is  informed on the extent to which our interventions are affecting the lives of the targeted populations;
  • have evidence-based knowledge on the positive and negative impact that our interventions are having over the communities where SCI works;
  • receives regular, timely and context-specific, meaningful feedback from our staff, partners, programme participants and that feedback effectively informs and signals areas where strategic attention is required.

Consolidate in coordination with implementing partners for Watoto Rudi Shule Project and UNICEF; data reporting and make sure they are aligned with donor requirements.

Reports to: Head of MEAL

Staff reporting to this post: 3 MEAL Officers

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

A. Monitoring:

  • Take on responsibility for the implementation of the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) system in SCI’s programmes: monitoring progress against targets through Logframes, Indicator Performance Tracking Tool (IPTT), Output Trackers, Quality Benchmarks and working alongside MEAL Officers, Project Leads and PDQ for monitoring MEAL action plans
  • Lead in the development of tools and guidelines for data collection, collation and reporting, for instance ensure that projects have clear MEAL plans, IPTT as well as regular tracking of total beneficiary reach.
  • Manage and build capacity of field level MEAL teams to conduct quality monitoring of programme activities, measured against international standards and using participatory, inclusive and gender-sensitive methodologies (including child-friendly methodologies).
  • Organize field visits to monitor program activities / interventions against Quality Benchmarks/Quality Checklists and produce & share reports with program team as well as management team based on quality and accountability findings.
  • Support program staff to strengthen joint planning and monitoring with stakeholders.
  • Contribute to the quality of program design – reviewing log-frames, results frameworks, project plan, strategic plans, MEAL Plan etc.
  • Lead the establishment of innovative data analysis to track a wide range of indicators
  • Lead the development of the MEAL dashboard to increase and strengthen the quality and availability of country and programmatic data.
  • Lead in conducting data quality assessment to ensure that data reported is validated, is accurate and consistent while providing feedback as necessary to program teams;
  • Analysis against the performance indicators and targets on periodic basis
  • Provide leadership during the country annual reporting processes for Total Reach with support from Head of MEAL.
  • To carry out follow-up monitoring visits to materialize actions agreed and update these in the online “Monitoring-Action Plan Tracker’.
  • Maintain close coordination with program manager at field level and Head of MEAL on Quality and Accountability issues. Share all information (monitoring reports, CFM database preliminary inquiry reports) with Head of MEAL.
  • Knowledge of the Core Humanitarian Standard on Quality and Accountability.

B. Research and evaluation:

  • Update the online evaluations tracker on a regular basis and ensure that it is up to date with all the studies and evaluations that are implemented in the field office.
  • Provide a synthesis of all evaluations conducted and share recommendations with program teams.
  • Provide support for all needs assessments, formative, operational research, and evaluations.
  • Manage and supervise external consultants while they are in the field office for data collection.
  • Assist MEAL Manager/Program Manager in preparing and conducting baseline studies.
  • With support from communications, research and learning manager and programs teams develop quality case studies.

C. Accountability:

  • Build strong and functional accountability mechanisms and ensure that these are continuously monitored.
  • Promote use of innovative techniques to ensure child-participation during feedback collection
  • Promote every child’s opportunity to have opinions, to influence others, especially decision makers, and to achieve changes.
  • With support of project lead ensure that project information is correctly shared with beneficiaries through the most appropriate mechanisms.
  • Ensure beneficiaries actively participate in project activities.
  • Maintain and update a Feedback and Response Mechanism database for tracking feedback from communities and ensure that the feedback/complaints are responded to.
  • Build capacity of other program staff to undertake accountability including ensuring participation of communities and sharing information with communities as well as undertake accountability assessments
  • Ensure the Feedback and Response Mechanism (FRM) are functional and accessible to beneficiaries.
  • Develop regular trend analysis of complaints at the project and organizational level and share these with program team as per protocols.
  • Support in carrying out preliminary first verification report in case of serious nature of complaints filed by beneficiaries/communities and support for investigation of those types of complaints as per FRM protocol.
  • Ensure that the agreed action plans are followed in timely manner by program team and that the feedback loop is closed.
  • Share all information (monitoring reports, FRM databases, preliminary verification reports, case studies etc.) with the support of Head of MEAL.
  • Share MEAL findings & FRM issues in each monthly reporting
  • Ensure that all staff follow the FRM guidelines.

D. Learning and knowledge management

  • Conduct comprehensive analysis of evaluation and research findings ; provide summary of findings, learning and recommendations and share these with program staff.
  • Highlights effective programmes and policies that could be adapted and emulated by other stakeholders
  • Supported by the Research and Learning Manager and working with the learning and knowledge management officer, professionally document and proactively share information and learning from projects with Save the Children staff and stakeholders as necessary.
  • Support the Learning and Knowledge management officer to ensure that that staff are compliant in uploading data and reports into SharePoint and other relevant online repository systems and maintain such database.
  • Ensure the key learning’s are incorporated in upcoming project plans and interventions.

E. Reporting and Representation:

  • Ensures external accountability to donors through the implementation of timely and quality MEAL activities leading to timely and accurate reporting
  • Ensure that high quality analysis reports to illustrate SC’s impact and assessment findings are produced, including evidence of good practice and replicable programmes, and that they are communicated at appropriate events
  • Provide a holistic view of MEAL data to senior programme management and governance bodies through appropriate reporting, disaggregation, data analytics and visualisations.
  • Validates and distributes the final versions of the monitoring and evaluation reports, studies and analyses produced by the MEAL team.
  • Ensure that all the data related to MEAL action Plan tracker & CFM database are recorded and updated in a timely manner.
  • Coordinate closely with the all SC staff and MEAL Officers to ensure all responses and feedback are registered, the feedback loop is closed and the Quality Action Tracker is updated.
  • Carry out dual responsibility in case of big emergency as per organizational requirement
  • Any other tasks given by line manager.

F. Programme Design and MEAL Resource:

  • Ensure that MEAL is an integral part of the programme design stage and features in all proposal development, and during the project budgeting.
  • Responsible for effectively managing the MEAL budget within the project

G. Staff Management, Mentorship, and Development

  • Coordinate and provide leadership to the project MEAL team, forming a solid team identity within the project and organization and creating cohesion between team members working in different geographic areas.
  • Manage the performance of direct reports through performance management, coaching, mentoring, and development.

Contract Duration: 12 Months (with possibility of extension)

Number of Vacancies: 1

Work Location: Nairobi

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Essential

  • Recommended a minimum of five years practical experience in M&E system coordination/implementation in a large international NGO or other international relief/development body; in a both emergency and development contexts, preferably with solid MEAL experience in more than one of the Save the Children priority sectors: education, child protection, rights governance, Health & Nutrition and emergencies.
  • Excellent knowledge of information technology systems and proficient in the use of ODK/Kobo data collection tools
  • Skilled in quantitative and qualitative data analysis using appropriate software i.e. Stata and/or SPSS and ATLAS.ti / NVivo
  • Highly developed cultural awareness and ability to work well in an international environment with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures
  • Demonstrated expertise of capacity building and training of MEAL and non-MEAL teams
  • Proven experience in designing and developing MEAL training materials.
  • Knowledge and experience of using innovative and participatory facilitation techniques
  • Demonstrable track-record in data management, with the ability to manage large databases
  • Ability to analyze and disseminate complex information to a range of stakeholder audiences;
  • Demonstrated ability to use existing digital platforms for tracking and reporting such as the Digital Attendance Application
  • Computer literacy, particularly in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint;
  • Clear understanding of the project management lifecycle and MEAL Frameworks
  • Experience in mix-methods (Qualitative and Quantitative) data collection and data analysis techniques
  • Enthusiasm, motivation, self-confidence, and a proactive approach to problem solving
  • Ability to present complex information in a succinct and compelling manner
  • Open to a digital and innovative way of thinking
  • Excellent planning, coordination, and reporting skills, with the ability to organize a substantial workload comprised of complex, diverse tasks and responsibilities;
  • Strong communication and interpersonal with experience working in multicultural, multi -location, values driven teams;
  • Commitment to Save the Children values

Desirable

  • Remote management/contingency planning
  • Experience in Monitoring and Evaluation of education programmes.
  • Previous experience working in hard to reach areas

THE ORGANIZATION

We employ approximately 25,000 people across the globe and work on the ground in over 100 countries to help children affected by crises, or those that need better healthcare, education and child protection. We also campaign and advocate at the highest levels to realize the right of children and to ensure their voices are heard.

We are working towards three breakthroughs in how the world treats children by 2030:

  • No child dies from preventable causes before their 5th birthday
  • All children learn from a quality basic education and that,
  • Violence against children is no longer tolerated

HOW TO APPLY

Please apply in English saving your CV and covering letter as a single document, including your salary expectations for this role. To see a full a job description, please visit our website at https://kenya.savethechildren.net/careers

We need to keep children safe so our selection process reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse. Employment is subject to our Child protection standards including background checks and adherence to our Child Safeguarding Policy.

Save the Children is an equal opportunity employer and seeks to employ and assign the best-qualified talent.

Female Candidates are encouraged to apply.

Disclaimer:

Save the Children International does not charge any kind of fee at whichever stage of the recruitment process, nor request for medical examination or records and does not act through recruitment agents whatsoever.

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