MEAL Specialist (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning)

Background:

About Fayyaa Integrated Development Organization (FIDO)

Fayyaa Integrated Development Organization (FIDO) is a reputable NGO dedicated to humanitarian and development work, providing crucial services in sectors such as Health, WASH, Nutrition, Protection, and Emergency Response to vulnerable communities in Ethiopia. FIDO implements both rapid response emergency interventions and long-term development projects, with an emphasis on accountability, impact, and sustainability. FIDO is currently seeking a skilled MEAL Specialist with a Master’s degree in Public Health (MPH) and relevant NGO experience to lead the design, implementation, and refinement of robust MEAL systems that ensure accountability, learning, and continuous improvement in program quality.

 

Position Summary

The MEAL Specialist will be responsible for leading the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) functions of FIDO’s projects, ensuring that program implementation is driven by data, accountability, and evidence-based decisions. This position will require a deep understanding of MEAL systems, standards, and international frameworks, as well as field-based experience. The MEAL Specialist will play a pivotal role in designing, implementing, and strengthening MEAL systems to drive the effectiveness and accountability of FIDO’s projects.\

 

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Monitoring and Evaluation System Design and Implementation

• Lead the development of MEAL frameworks, plans, and systems that align with FIDO’s strategic objectives and project-specific goals.
• Define key performance indicators and outcomes for each project, ensuring these align with international standards and donor expectations (e.g., Sphere standards).
• Develop comprehensive data collection and reporting tools that can be used by field teams, providing training and guidance to ensure consistent data quality and reliability.
• Oversee the design and implementation of baseline, midline, and endline assessments for all projects, using both qualitative and quantitative methods.
• Establish protocols for routine project monitoring, ensuring real-time data collection and processing to enable adaptive management.

 

2. Accountability Systems and Mechanisms

• Develop and manage beneficiary accountability frameworks, including feedback and complaint mechanisms accessible to all stakeholders.
• Conduct regular community consultations, listening sessions, and feedback assessments to ensure FIDO’s projects remain responsive to community needs.
• Maintain an effective, confidential, and transparent system for handling and resolving complaints or issues raised by beneficiaries, providing clear feedback loops for follow-up.

3. Learning and Adaptive Management

• Develop a robust learning agenda to capture and document lessons learned, best practices, and challenges faced during project implementation.
• Organize learning events, workshops, and after-action reviews for project staff and partners to discuss MEAL findings and facilitate knowledge sharing.
• Work closely with technical teams to translate MEAL findings into actionable recommendations for program improvement.
• Produce case studies, learning briefs, and analytical reports to share knowledge with internal and external stakeholders, including donors.

 

4. Data Management and Analysis

• Oversee and improve data management systems, ensuring accurate and reliable data collection, entry, storage, and analysis.
• Lead the analysis of quantitative and qualitative data using advanced statistical software (SPSS, STATA, R, ENA, Epi info, Atlas ti, or similar), producing clear, accurate, and insightful reports.
• Use data visualization software (such as Power BI or Tableau, MS project, Pivot, DHIS2 ) to create dashboards, graphs, and other visualizations for decision-makers and stakeholders.
• Regularly conduct data quality audits to ensure data accuracy, validity, and integrity, and address any issues promptly.

 

5. Capacity Building of MEAL and Program Staff:

• Develop and conduct training workshops for project and field staff on MEAL frameworks, standards, data collection tools, data analysis, and reporting techniques.
• Mentor MEAL & project staff to strengthen their technical capacity in conducting evaluations, facilitating learning sessions, and data management practices.
• Facilitate on-the-job training, coaching, and mentoring to ensure all staff are proficient in MEAL activities, especially data collection and analysis.

 

6. Reporting and Documentation

• Prepare detailed, accurate, and timely MEAL reports for both internal use and for donors, ensuring reports meet high standards and adhere to donor guidelines.
• Maintain comprehensive documentation for all MEAL processes, ensuring institutional knowledge and supporting future programming.
• Develop project briefs, success stories, and case studies that communicate the impact and effectiveness of FIDO’s interventions to donors and stakeholders.

 

7. Strategic Collaboration and Coordination

• Act as the primary focal point for MEAL in multi-sectoral teams, coordinating closely with program, field, and technical teams.
• Support MEAL manager to share best practices and ensure alignment with national and regional MEAL standards.
• Actively participate in relevant working groups, networks, and learning forums to stay updated on sectoral MEAL advancements and trends.

 

Organization: Fayyaa Integrated Development Organization (FIDO) 

Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with extensive travel to field sites across project locations

 

Job Type: Full-time

Reports to: MEAL Manager

 

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