Job Title: CMAM Scale MEAL Advisor

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, works with people forced to flee from war, conflict and disaster and the host communities that support them, as well as with those who remain within their homes and communities. At work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we aim to deliver high-quality, client-centered, cost-effective programs – on our own and with local partners. We combine the best available research with client-driven insights. We want empowerment and lasting change to be the norm not just for the people we serve, but for all those who are caught in crisis.

In nutrition, the IRC aims to strengthen health services and food systems to ensure women and children are well-nourished by protecting them from all forms of under-nutrition. We increase access to, and continuity of, treatment for acute malnutrition through scaling up the community-based management of acute malnutrition (CMAM) and through the uptake of our cutting-edge research, we’re simplifying diagnosis and treatment to improve access, coverage and cost-effectiveness of services.

The CMAM Scale Project

Specific Responsibilities:

The CMAM Scale MEAL Advisor will be responsible for all measurement, evaluation and learning deliverables under the three year funded CMAM Scale Project across five countries (Burkina Faso, Chad, DRC, Niger and Somalia). This will include developing and implementing a robust MEL system in CommCare that meets the requirements of the projects learning agenda. Specifically, the MEAL Advisor will be responsible for creating quantitative and qualitative data collection tools and processes documented in a monitoring, evaluation and learning plan (MELP), train staff and partners in MEL system implementation, coordinate all data collection efforts, ensure data quality, process and analyze the data for donor reporting, adaptive management, and learning purposes, and provide oversight support to the project team. Additionally, the MEAL Advisor will support the implementation of coverage surveys including providing technical support, training, reviewing and validating the data analysis and report writing. The MEAL Advisor will work closely with IRC’s Best Use of Resources Team to evaluate cost-effectiveness (through the Dioptra tool) on an annual basis. The MEAL Advisor will also take an active role in adaptive management through active participation in stakeholder and learning and work planning meetings. 

The MEAL Advisors specific responsibilities include:

Data Management

• Regularly review data collection processes, perform data quality assessments, and adjust as needed;
• Manage an electronic, data collection platform in CommCare, including training staff and ensuring timely data entry;
• Demonstrate the highest degree of data integrity throughout all activities, and raise any concerns with implementation quality immediately with the Project Lead;
• Assist project staff in the country programs to use project data to report and disseminate evidence of project work to the wider community, government, and other external stakeholders;
• Support Third Party Monitoring data audits and verification as needed by the donor.

Systems and processes

• Lead the development or adaptation of the Monitoring Evaluation and Learning Plan (MELP) and update as necessary throughout the life of the project
• Conduct internal quality standards assessments of country teams’ project cycle management (PCM) practice.
• Utilize shared systems to share and coordinate key documents and key project and country related information with other relevant staff.
• In collaboration with MEL Coordinators, Regional and Global research colleagues and Country Offices, design Innovative and participatory monitoring and evaluation methodologies and tools to assess outcomes and impact of the project.
• Implement appropriate mechanisms for monitoring and tracking of program activities and results;

Capacity-building and Learning

• Undertake country support visits to support implementation of MEL and to identify where adaptations and improvements might be needed
• Provide regular updates on project progress against key metrics to the Project Lead for inclusion in donor reports, work planning and learning events
• Lead the regular sharing and learning from the findings of M&E data with program staff and partners.
• Ensure lesson learning through knowledge management, networking, conferences and publications- print/ online.
• Train all project staff in project monitoring and learning;

Surveys and Evaluations

• Select and manage appropriate consultants for coverage surveys and monitor these activities, including the following:

1. Review survey design and tools in consultation with the Project Lead, the country project M&E Managers and/or appropriate consultant
2. Assist with selection of consultant with skills appropriate to conduct study
3. Oversee quality control/monitor progress of the consultant’s work, and
4. Review and comment on content of evaluation reports.
5. Review and validate the data analysis and finalize the report writing

• Coordinate annual cost-effectiveness analyses in coordination with the BUR team to:

1. Ensure cost-effectiveness is analyzed on a yearly basis for the donor
2. Support implementation, cleaning and entering data as needed with BUR support
3. Use and dissemination of findings to the project team and at the country level.

Other

• Contribute to identifying, presenting and disseminating learning on CMAM cost-effectiveness and improvements in coverage;

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to:  the CMAM Scale Project Lead

Position directly supervises:  No direct reports, however establishes management in partnership with country specific M&E positions under the project

Other Internal and/or external contacts:

Internal:  Regular relationships with the project team, the Nutrition team in HQ, the BUR and GRIP team and the health unit and country technical counterparts.  Interacts with IRC internal departments as relevant including IPP and finance.

External:  May participate in outside meetings and academic forums with donors, other non-governmental organizations and inter-agency groups as needed.

Job Qualifications:

Education: Degree (in statistics, economics, research and/or other public health/nutrition related degree) or additional qualifications on data, monitoring, research and analysis experience

Experience: At least five (5) years of experience managing and implementing CMAM programs and designing and implementing MEL systems, specific to CMAM. Must be proficient in using software including CommCare. Experience in data analysis and presentation for learning and decision-making purposes, with preference to experience in setting up MEL systems for large projects. Experience on training diverse teams of varying experience levels on MEL. Experience overseeing coverage surveys in CMAM. Experience in implementing electronic, mobile or tablet-based data collection systems for data entry and analysis, with preference to users of CommCare. Experience presenting and report writing analytical materials to a wide range of expert and non-expert audiences.

Skills: Ability to work effectively and respectfully on diverse teams and across diverse contexts. Good technical acumen, takes initiative, works productively while working remotely and produces results, ability to accept feedback and integrate it, strong communication skills and ability to uphold a positive work environment. Good level interpersonal skills with a high level of English and French oral and written skills. Committed to upholding diversity, equality and inclusion principles both professionally and personally. Computer literacy and competency in use of Microsoft office software. Competency in quantitative and qualitative data analysis software (e.g. CommCare, SPSS) and presentation (e.g. PowerBI). Highly developed conceptual, analytical and innovative problem-solving ability. Good time management and communication skills. Ability to independently and proactively work as a team member with minimum day to day oversight. Ability to make decisions in a timely and collaborative manner.

Working Environment: Up to 30% travel will be required, traveling to each of the five countries at least once per year.

Language Skills: Fluency in English and French is required

 For more details and application: https://rescue.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home/requisition/20077?c=rescue