Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Officer

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

As a member of the East area office Monitoring, Evaluation, accountability and learning unit (MEAL unit),the MEAL office will take lead in Development and ensuring MEAL system and functions and acquire the necessary capacity to deliver results as per SCI’s Minimum Operating Standards in his/her respective projects. He/She will implement MEAL functions and generate continuous MEAL evidence to ensure that SCI programs are of high quality to beneficiaries and donors and that learning is institutionalized for program improvements.

Reports to:  Field Office MEAL Coordinator

Dimensions: Save the Children works in 9 regions in Ethiopia with a current staff complement of approximately 1,800 staff and current expenditure of approximately $90+ million each year.

Staff directly reporting to this post: None

KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITIES:

MEAL System Development and Management

• Undertake responsibilities for the implementation of project MEAL system and functions as per the Humanitarian Response MEAL guideline
• Undertake periodical monitoring of quality benchmarks and ensure they are part of quality monitoring practices
• Contextualize and use standardised monitoring tools and methodologies as required by the donor and SCI standards (PPT, CFRM, output tracker, action plan tracker, monitoring QBs etc)
• Ensure that regular monitoring/MEAL reports are received and communicated effectively to the project management, national MEAL team and other relevant bodies in the national office
• Ensure periodic report are as per the standard quality, standard template, time frame and communicated accordingly
• Ensure communities and children know their rights and entitlements, have access to project information and participate in decisions that affect them
• Ensure communities and children have access to safe and responsive mechanisms to handle their complaints and feedbacks
• Participate in the development and manage project database systems

Learning and Knowledge Management

• In close collaboration with program team facilitate in generating, storing and sharing knowledge (most significant change story, meta-analysis, research/evaluation summary reports, etc).
• Provide and ensure utilization of learning and knowledge generated (including MEAL evidences) in decision making and programme improvement (maintain up to date project action tracker and monitor the utilization and application)
• Support programmes in the identification of learning objectives and evidence gaps.
• Be part of the FO MEAL Community of Practices and provide project learning and best practices to the Community of practice.

Technical Support and Capacity Building

• Provide trainings and capacity building for field level program staffs on MEAL as required

Baseline, research, evaluations, assessments and other studies

• Participate in follow up and periodically assess and update changes in children needs (especially deprived children) in the project areas
• Participate in ToR preparation, in project/ programme baseline, evaluations, researches and assessment activities.
• Maintain evaluation tracker and actions trackers for the implementation of evaluation recommendations in his jurisdiction.

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

KEY COMPETENCIES (Save the Children competency framework – to Skilled level)

1. Leading and inspiring others
2. Delivering Results
3. Developing Self and Others
4. Problem Solving and decision making
5. Innovating and adapting
6. Applying Technical & Professional Expertise
7. Working effectively with others
8. Communicating with Impact
9. Networking

• BSc/BA degree in an area of statistics, economics, health, social development or equivalent.
• Minimum of Five  years of experience in a MEAL role in both emergency and development contexts, preferably with solid experience in more than one of the following priority sectors: education, protection, rights governance, HIV/AIDs, health and nutrition, and emergencies
• Ability to write clear and effective assessment and project reports
• Direct experience of implementing and managing MEAL function and of working on all aspects of MEAL activities
• Skills on developing MEAL tools and use of statistical packages
• Experience of solving complex issues through analysis, definition of a clear way forward and ensuring buy in

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Ability and willingness to travel to field sites and work in remote locations, often for prolonged periods of time
• Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills including influencing, negotiation and coaching
• Highly developed cultural awareness and ability to work well in an international environment with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures
• Strong results orientation, with the ability to challenge existing mindsets
• Ability to present complex information in a succinct and compelling manner
• Ability and willingness to dramatically change work practices and hours, and work with incoming surge teams, in the event of emergencies
• Fluency in English, and other national/local languages both verbal and written essential
• Commitment to Save the Children values

Application Information:

Please apply using a cover letter and up-to-date CV as a single document. Please also include details of your current remuneration and salary expectations. A copy of the full role profile can be found at www.savethechildren.net/jobs We need to keep children safe so our selection process reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.