MEAL Specialist

Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Job Description

TEAM/PROGRAMME: Immunization Program in Ethiopia

LOCATION:  Addis Ababa

GRADE: TBD

POST TYPE: National

Child Safeguarding: 

Level 3 – the responsibilities of the post may require the post holder to have regular contact with or access to children or young people

Activity Overview

Immunization is one of the key life-saving interventions the government of Ethiopia has scaled up to address under five mortality. There are noteworthy successes through EPI. Ethiopia is certified for polio free since 2017 and maternal and neonatal tetanus are eliminated. Coverage from successive Ethiopian Demography and Health Survey revealed a positive rise in the coverage of vaccine antigens. The magnitude and trends of vaccination inequalities in Ethiopia persists by equity markers despite steady improvement in overall coverage. The major variation in coverage is geographic where there is high variation in coverage among different regions in the country.

For over two decades, Save the Children has been supporting immunization program in Ethiopia to contribute for the reduction of child mortality from vaccine preventable diseases. Through the different projects that have been implemented over the years, Save the Children supported expansion of access for immunization services, supported demand generation for immunization in the community and has supported an enabling environment for equitable service delivery and improved financing for immunization. Currently, Save the Children is implementing immunization projects in different parts of Ethiopia that supports equitable and sustainable access to life-saving immunization and essential healthcare by focusing on zero-dose and under immunized children. These projects are funded by different donors and implemented in different geographic areas. Through its pneumonia centenary commitment (PCC), Save the Children supports the Government effort to address Pneumonia, one of the leading cause of child mortality. These Projects are expected to ensure equitable and sustainable access to life-saving immunization and essential healthcare, working together with local communities and partners.

ROLE PURPOSE: 

The MEAL Specialist is responsible to support implementation of a robust, quality, comprehensive, and integrated MEAL System for the different Immunization Projects that meet the donor and SCI standards; S/he also support on the development/adoption of quality and standardization of MEAL tools and works closely with the Evidence and Learning Advisor and technical staff to ensure that relevant data is collected, analyzed, and used to inform management and design decisions, and to provide project updates, as required.

S/he will roll-out of the MEAL system and build MEAL capacity at the field level to deliver against SCI’s Minimum Operating Standards in his/her respective area office. S/he will support the design of dashboard to track project progress, learning, and actions to ensure effective implementation of  project.  Will lead and support the use of digital data management with in the project, Conduct routine data quality assessment and continuous quality improvement of the project to ensure efficient implementation and quality reporting for EPI. He/she will build staff capacity to ensure that SCI programmes are of high quality to beneficiaries and donors and learning is institutionalized for program improvements. S/he will lead and support preparing, reviewing of donor and Save the Children reports and ensure their timeliness and quality to meet donor and SCI standards. S/he is responsible for and documentation of results, impact, best practices and significant changes and ensure evidence and learning are documented, shared and utilized to improve project effectiveness, and efficiency.

SCOPE OF ROLE: 

Reports to: Evidence and Learning  Advisor

Staff directly reporting to this post: Functional relation with FO MEAL Coordinators

Context: Development

KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITIES:

MEAL System Support 

• Participate in the development of rigor and quality M&E system, activities and learning into the project redesign and implementation
• Conduct routine monthly and quarterly monitoring and evaluation activities and share results with the projects technical team
• Support the design and routinely update dashboard to track project progress, learning, and actions  to ensure effective implementation of  project
• Ensure that a learning culture is fostered within the within the project and in staff engagement and development. Organize regular learning sessions.
• Provide overall supervision on the MEAL functions and strategy delivery in all project implementation areas
• Lead the synthesis of data and production of evidence on immunization for the project planning, implementation and advocacy
• Be the key link among the MEAL team at Area offices and Field Offices and PDQ team at Country Office
• Ensure MEAL evidences (IPTT, project performance/action trackers, etc) are used for management decision making and continuous performance improvement and be part of the area office level management team members/
• Enhance use of digital data management with in the project, Conduct routine data quality assessment and continuous quality improvement of the project to ensure efficient implementation and quality reporting for EPI.
• Provide training on automation system for immunization MEAL and design KoboToolBox for data collection.
• Triangulate data from different immunization data sources and databases to provide Technical Lead/Program Director with integrated analysis for a better understanding of the progress of program operations
• Support the development of digital tools for data collection, supervision, and tracking of zero dose and under vaccinated children
• Ensure that regular monitoring/MEAL reports are received and communicated effectively to Evidence and Learning Advisor, program Director and other relevant bodies
• Ensure periodic report are as per the standard quality, standard template, time frame and communicated accordingly
• Ensure functional accountability mechanisms are in place as the four pillar of accountability (Information sharing, participation, establishing and implementing Compliant and Feedback Mechanisms (CFM), and staff capacity building.
• Ensure that regular monitoring/MEAL reports are received and communicated effectively to project director and other relevant bodies
• Lead and support preparing, reviewing of donor and Save the Children reports and ensure their quality
• Ensure periodic reports are as per the standard quality, standard template, timeframe and communicated accordingly
• Ensure communities and children know their rights and entitlements, have access to project information and participate in decisions that affect them
• Undertake responsibilities for the roll-out of the MEAL system in specified area offices/geographic locations
• Support on the design and roll-out of standardized monitoring tools and methodologies as required by the Director of MEAL and field level teams.
• Ensure the project gets at least 30% engagement (level of effort- LoE) from respective MEAL personnel at the FO level.
• Ensure functional accountability mechanisms are in place as the four pillar of accountability (Information sharing, participation, establishing and implementing Compliant and Feedback Mechanisms (CFM), and staff capacity building.
• Ensure communities and children know their rights and entitlements, have access to project information and participate in decisions that affect them and responsive mechanisms to handle their complaints and feedbacks

Planning, Budgeting and Reporting:

Programme assessments, evaluations, Learning and Knowledge Management 

• Facilitate documentation of results, impact, best practices and significant changes. Document learnings and best practices; disseminate learnings, reports, publications and participate in learning sessions, and ensuring that the lessons learnt are utilized to inform programming and advocacy.
• Support regular learning events through community of practice and using other platforms
• Ensure utilization of learning and knowledge generated in decision making and programme improvement (maintain up to date action tracker and monitor the utilization and application)
• Conduct and regularly ensure the project use Quality Benchmarks as part of their day to day  implementation and quality monitoring practices
• Support on the design and roll-out of standardized monitoring tools and methodologies as required by the project director and field level teams.
• Support to ensure the immunization projects have SMART objectives & indicators, MEAL plan and are in consistency to each other
• Support the baseline assessment, midterm evaluation, and end line evaluation done by an independent institution. Participate in capturing and dissemination of lessons learned from evaluations and follow up on action planning, maintain a lessons learned database
• Participate in project/ programme baseline, evaluations, researches and assessment activities in his/her areas of jurisdiction
• Support operation research and regular LQAS to monitor project progress and improve program implementation
• Be proactive in identifying and undertaking new and better ways of evidence generation, learning and knowledge management, use of technologies, identifying better opportunities and approaches.

Technical Support and Capacity Building

• Undertake continuous staff capacity assessment and develop capacity building plans
• Prove supervision, mentorship, training and professional development to MEAL staffs in Project so that staffs have the required capacity and enthusiasm to undertake their responsibilities
• Ensure that MEAL Team, area operations and project staff understand the various steps and tools for the MEAL system and that this is used consistently across projects / areas
• Ensure programmes/projects are using Quality Benchmarks as part of their day to day implementation and quality monitoring practices
• Conducts regular monitoring meeting and have documents as evidence

SKILLS AND BEHAVIOURS (our Values in Practice)

Accountability:

• Holds self accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values
• Holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities – giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved

Ambition:

• Sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves (and their team), takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages others to do the same
• Widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others
• Future orientated, thinks strategically

Collaboration:

• Builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, members and external partners and supporters
• Values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength
• Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to

Creativity:

• Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions
• Willing to take disciplined risks

Integrity:

• Honest, encourages openness and transparency

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Minimum BA/BSc., preferably a Master’s degree in relevant areas of social development or equivalent.

Essential

• Minimum of 6 years for BA/BSc holders or 5 years for Master’s degree holders of programming experience within the aid sector, working in MEAL roles, much preferably linked to Health, and with the majority of that time focused overseeing and implementing comprehensive MEAL systems for large projects that ensure programme effectiveness and quality.
• Understanding of the health system preferably, immunization program. Familiarity and Experience utilizing health information systems such as HMIS, DHIS, eCHIS
• Demonstrated commitment to creating a learning culture
• Ability to develop digital data collection, supervision and data triangulation tools
• Experience in conducting multi regional assessments and surveys employing standard guidelines, eg WHO immunization coverage guide, LQAS, and DQS
• Experience and knowledge of evidence generation and learning on what works (and doesn’t work) for children, including designing/commissioning, implementing and applying: needs assessments, baseline studies, evaluations and research, learning workshops, and learning agendas.
• Direct experience of working with communities in participatory activities. Experience and knowledge of systems for accountability to children and communities, including information sharing, the participation of adults and children, and feedback and reporting mechanisms.
• Ability to prepare and facilitate technical MEAL training and workshops across countries in the region (including remotely). Direct experience working with communities in participatory activities.
• Proven success in building and managing a team and dedication to developing staff capacity through training, supervising, coaching, and mentoring.
• Proven capacity to supervise, and coach staff and partners on both technical and programme management skills
• Ability to analyze information, evaluate options and to think and plan strategically
• Ability to write clear and well-argued assessment and project reports
• Proven ability to represent the organization to donors and other stakeholders
• Experience in solving complex issues through analysis, defining, and planning a clear way forward and ensuring buy-in.
• Ability to present complex information clearly and concisely.
• Highly developed cultural awareness and ability to work well in an international environment with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures
• Ability and willingness to be flexible and accommodating in difficult and sometimes insecure contexts
• Proficiency in relevant data collection and analysis software; including both qualitative and quantitative data analysis software.
• Ability to work independently and as part of teams/groups
• Strong remote-working abilities and self-motivated.
• Willingness to travel to field sites.
• Fluency in a national language required
• Proficient in speaking and writing English.
• Commitment to Save the Children values

Desirable

• Experience or knowledge of working and living in relevant region/context
• Experience in promoting quality and impact through at least one cross-cutting area: gender equality and inclusion, adaptive and safer programming; child rights; disability; migration, and displacement.
• Experience and knowledge of Save the Children’s structure, mandate, and child focus

KEY COMPETENCIES

Technical competencies:

• Ensures linkages across portfolio ensuring quality and coherence of MEAL systems and evidence gathering
• Manages resources and capacities to develop and maintain quality MEAL systems
• Facilitates strategic alignment of data to global priorities

Generic Competencies

• Child Rights: Promotes an enabling environment for participation, and accountability to children
• Be the Innovator: Promotes innovation to find new and better approaches to driving progress for children
• Deliver Results at Scale: Promotes a clear focus on impact in a project and programme design, management, and oversight

SC Values:

• SC Values are Accountability, Ambition, Collaboration, Creativity, and Integrity. To meet the value system, the post holder is expected to demonstrate the following Competencies on an ongoing basis:

Leading (align with Ambition, Integrity collaboration, and creativity)

Leading and Inspiring Others: Demonstrate leadership in all our work, role models our values, and articulates a compiling vision to inspire to achieve our goals for children

Delivering result: Takes personal responsibility and holds others to account to deliver our ambitious goals for children, continually improving own performance or that of the team/ organization.

Developing Self and Others: Invest time and energy to actively develop self and others to help realize their full potential and to build the organization’s capability for further.

Thinking (align with Ambition, creativity, Collaboration, and Creativity)

Problem-solving and decision making Takes effective, considered, and timely decisions by gathering and evaluating relevant information from within or outside the organization and making appropriate judgments.

Innovating and Adapting: Develop and implement innovative solutions to adapt and succeed in an ever-changing uncertain work and global environment.

Applying technical and professional expertise: Applies the required technical and professional expertise to the highest standards; promotes and shares best practices within and outside the organization.

Engaging (align with Collaboration, Creativity)

Working effectively with others Works collaboratively to achieve shared goals and thrives on the diversity of people and perspectives; knows when to lead and when to follow and how to ensure effective cross-boundary working.

Communicating with Impact: Communicates clearly and confidently with others to engage and influence; promotes dialogue and ensures timely and appropriate messages, building confidence, and trust with others.

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