MEAL Officer -Axum, Ethiopia

Job Description

FHI 360 is a nonprofit human development organization dedicated to improving lives in lasting ways by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions. Our staff includes experts in health, education, nutrition, environment, economic development, civil society, gender equality, youth, research, technology, communication, and social marketing — creating a unique mix of capabilities to address today’s interrelated development and humanitarian challenge in more than 70 countries. FHI 360’s Crisis Response team is responding to the humanitarian emergency in the Northern Ethiopia through an integrated health, nutrition, WASH, and Protection program to improve the health of the conflict affected population.

POSITION OVERVIEW  

Under the supervision of the MEAL Coordinator, the MEAL Officer is responsible to providing technical support on design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation activities for integrated health, nutrition, WASH and protection activities in Northern Ethiopia. She/he will work on collecting and putting information into the integrated project MEAL system, ensuring accountability and implementation of core humanitarian standards, engaging with program staff to ensure monitoring reports are completed in an accurate and timely fashion and provide assistance to all FHI 360 technical teams in completing MEAL documentation.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND DELIVERABLES

MEAL System Development and Implementation

• Ensure that MEAL systems and tools are in place and being implemented at the field level and communicate any issues or inefficiencies that arise to the MEAL coordinator in a timely and proactive manner;
• Assist the MEAL Coordinator to coordinate and oversee the development and maintenance of appropriate databases to accurately track data collected from various interventions across program activities;
• Participate in the development of project/periodic MEAL plan, consistent with the work plan;
• Support program field staff in the collection of activity- and output-level monitoring data during activity implementation;
• Undertake regular field visits to monitor and supervise project implementation, identify bottlenecks and success stories;
• Conduct data quality assessments in the field, check the quality of the beneficiary data (completeness, reliability, consistency, double counting, etc)coming from the field and initiate corrective actions through routine monitoring;
• Participate in baseline and endline survey studies and any other regular needs assessment which will continually provide information and latest developments;
• Compile, and share monthly narrative updates on the Response Program;
• Collect different reports regularly (monthly, quarterly, and annually) from operational/field locations, check for consistency between the narrative and quantitative parts, compile the quantitative part and make data entry in the Program database.

Accountability and Learning

• Actively promote meaningful community participation and consultation during planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation;
• Work with program teams to ensure that appropriate community feedback mechanisms are functional and accessible, and that feedback and complaints are welcomed and addressed;
• Ensure communities and target beneficiaries know their rights and entitlements, have access to project information, and participate in decisions that affect them;
• Regularly assess the effectiveness of existing complaint outlets and conduct periodic consultation with the community and other partners to decide the appropriate channel together with them;
• Ensure complaints and feedback are collected, recorded in a database, reviewed timely, tracked, and shared with MEAL/Program teams for a timely response; and update the monthly accountability dashboard;

• Assist the MEAL Coordinator/program team to ensure accountability and learning through planning and facilitating periodic progress reviews (at the activity and output levels) and results-based reviews (at the outcome level);
• Support the effort of documentation and sharing of program results, ensuring sharing of lessons learnt and good practices;
• Strengthen the MEAL documentation system of FHI 360’s program centrally by documenting all MEAL documents at the Country Office.

Technical Support and Capacity Building

• Provide technical guidance to project teams and partners on the development and use of monitoring tools and instruments as well as reporting of program progress; provide technical leadership for all MEAL activities of the project;
• Supports and guides MEAL assistants/field assistants closely and conducts daily follow-ups of MEAL activities;
• Assist staff members on MEAL issues for better implementation and sharing of good practices;
• Work closely with WASH, health, nutrition and  protection teams;
• Assist the MEAL Coordinator to conduct trainings as needed for programs and partner staff on the use of MEAL tools, mobile based data collection tools and feedback and complaints mechanisms.

Others

• Required to adhere to FHI 360’s principles and values;
• Support to ensure protection and gender sensitivity in all program activities;
• Undertake additional tasks assigned by his/her supervisor.

Project Design Implementation:

• Works closely with assigned team to ensure activities are implemented according to standard operating procedures (SOP’s).
• Monitors and maintains protocols, instruments, data sets, manuals, training materials and reports.

Client/Funder Support:

• Participates in client / funder meetings.
• Prepares Requests for Proposals for technical, administrative, and other service needs.

Operations Management (Finance, HR, etc.):

• Responds to requests and inquiries from internal and external staff.
• Provides administrative and logistic support to technical research, training, events, meetings, and other activities.

Project/Program Reporting:

• Supports preparation of quarterly and annual reports, and other documents.
• Writes and edits technical reports and documents.
• Gathers information, data and statistics needed to provide evidence to reports, presentations, papers, and other documentation produced.
• Assists with technical troubleshooting, guide data analysis and application of data.
• Participates in data review and support data for decision making.
• Ensures the documentation and reporting of appropriate services rendered to clients is done in the relevant service registers.
• Assists with compiling technical content (e.g., reports, presentations, manuscripts).

Applied Knowledge & Skills:

• Proficiency with database management software and on-line search tools required.
• Development of scope of work and deliverables for partners, consultants, etc.
• Has sensitivity to cultural diversity and understanding of the political, contextual, and ethical issues in assigned areas.
• Articulate, professional, and able to communicate in a clear, positive manner with clients and staff.
• Basic working knowledge of concepts, practices, and procedures with providing technical support for technical research studies.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent organizational and analytical skills.
• Demonstrated proficiency with using Microsoft Office Suite required.
• Ability to analyze and interpret data, identify errors, and prepare reports.
• Ability to solve problems and implement corrective action as needed.
• Must be able to read, write, and speak fluent English.

Competencies:

There are 31 FHI 360 development competencies, of greatest focus for this particular job will be:

• Project Management (Planning and Time Management) – Accurately scopes out length and difficulty of tasks (sets objectives/goals/measures). Breaks down work into steps, schedules, task/people assignments. Marshals people, time, and resources efficiently. Arranges information in a useful manner and orchestrates multiple activities at once.
• People Management (Making Others Great) – Facilitate professional development of staff by providing challenging, learning assignments and opportunities. Shares and solicits feedback monthly at the very least. Helps establish compelling development plans. Assigns responsibility and accountability for tasks/decisions. Monitors process, progress, and results. Creates a climate in which people want to do their best.
• Creating and Managing Systems and Processes – Recognizes the need for standardization and balances client and organization need in systems design. Anticipates the effects of process change on people while optimizing task efficiency and simplicity.
• Employees are expected to possess or have high potential for the development of these three fundamental competencies.

Problem Solving & Impact:

• Works on problems of moderate scope that require analysis or interpretation of various factors.
• Exercises judgment within defined procedures and practices to determine appropriate action.
• Builds rapport with internal and external staff.
• Decision may affect a work unit or area within a department.

Supervision Given/Received:

• Has no supervisory responsibility.
• Receives general instructions on routine work, detailed instructions on new assignments or projects.
• Typically reports to Senior MEAL Officer.

Education: **

• Masters or Bachelor’s degree in Statistics, Economics, Sociology, Social Work , Public Health, Nutrition, Project Management, M&E or relevant discipline;

Experience: **

• Masters or Bachelor’s degree in Statistics, Economics, Sociology, Social Work , Public Health, Nutrition, Project Management, M&E or relevant discipline;
• Hands on experience on Microsoft applications, particularly Excel and Word and digital data collection tools and the use of smart devices for data collection;
• Experience with quantitative and qualitative data collection and data management system;
• Previous experience with health, nutrition, protection and WASH programming;
• Good understanding of the UN Cluster System; international and national minimum standards of services in humanitarian settings;
• Driven and able to balance multiple task, commitments, and to work flexibly in a team;
• Passionate about humanitarian work and assistance;
• Strong oral and written communication in English and fluency in Tigrigna is required.

Typical Physical Demands:

• Typical office environment.
• Ability to spend long hours looking at computer screen and doing repetitive work on a keyboard.
• Ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time.

Technology to be Used:

• Personal Computer/Laptop, Microsoft applications (i.e., Office 365, SharePoint, Skype/Zoom/Teams), cell phone/mobile technology, and standard office equipment.

Travel Requirements:

• 10% – 25%

This job posting summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.

FHI 360 is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer whereby we do not engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.

FHI 360 will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws.

FHI 360 fosters the strength and health of its workforce through a competitive benefits package, professional development and policies and programs that support a healthy work/life balance. Join our global workforce to make a positive difference for others — and yourself.