Regional MEAL Officer (3 Positions)

Position Title: Regional MEAL Officer
Reports to: MEAL Manager
Locations: Southwest Ethiopia Region, Somali Region, Benishangul Region
Organization: Geneva Global Ethiopia / LIT Ethiopia Consortium

Position Summary:

The Regional MEAL Officer will be responsible for the implementation, monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning activities within their assigned region as part of the Leaders in Teaching (LiT) Ethiopia program. This role will ensure robust data collection, analysis, and reporting at the regional level to support evidence-based decision-making, program adaptation, and impact measurement across 700 targeted schools. The officer will work closely with regional education bureaus, zonal and woreda offices, school leaders, teachers, and community structures to ensure MEAL systems are effectively integrated and locally contextualized.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Regional MEAL System Implementation
   • Adapt and implement the program’s MEAL framework, tools, and methodologies at the regional level.
   • Establish and monitor regional performance indicators in alignment with program outcomes.
   • Conduct regular field visits to schools and training centers to monitor implementation, verify data, and gather qualitative insights.
   • Ensure compliance with donor and organizational MEAL standards and reporting schedules.
2. Data Collection, Management, and Analysis
   • Oversee regional data collection processes, including surveys, interviews, focus group discussions, and routine monitoring.
   • Manage and validate regional datasets, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and security.
   • Analyze quantitative and qualitative data to identify trends, challenges, and successes specific to the region.
   • Prepare regional dashboards, reports, and visualizations for internal and external stakeholders.
3. Learning and Accountability
   • Facilitate regional learning sessions with program staff, partners, and stakeholders to reflect on findings and adapt approaches.
   • Document and share regional success stories, lessons learned, and best practices.
   • Support the implementation of feedback and accountability mechanisms, including beneficiary feedback systems.
   • Promote a culture of continuous learning and adaptive management within the region.
4. Reporting and Documentation
   • Contribute to the preparation of high-quality regional reports for the Program Management Unite (PMU), donors, and government partners.
   • Maintain thorough documentation of all MEAL activities, data sets, and reports at the regional level.
   • Support the consolidation of regional data into national program reports.
5. Capacity Building and Stakeholder Engagement
   • Train and mentor regional, zonal, woreda, and school-level staff on MEAL tools, data collection, and reporting.
   • Work closely with Regional Education Bureaus, TVET institutions, universities, and other local partners to strengthen MEAL capacities and collaboration.
   • Engage with community structures, including Parent-Teacher-Student Associations (PTSAs) and Youth Advisory Groups, to ensure inclusive MEAL processes.

Qualities and Qualifications:

The ideal candidate will:

• Demonstrate strong analytical, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Be proactive, detail-oriented, and able to work independently in remote settings.
• Exhibit cultural sensitivity and adaptability to diverse regional contexts.
• Have excellent communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with multiple stakeholders.
• Be committed to principles of equity, inclusion, and safeguarding.

Education and Experience:

• BA/BSc degree in Statistics, Social Sciences, Education, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in MEAL roles, preferably within education, youth development, or large-scale multi-partner programs.
• Proven experience in data collection, analysis, visualization, and reporting using software such as Kobo Toolbox, Excel, SPSS, Stata, or Power BI.
• Experience working with government systems, NGOs, and community-based structures.
• Proficiency in English and at least one regional language (e.g., Afaan Oromo, Somali, Berta, Gumuz) is highly desirable.
• Willingness to travel extensively within the assigned region, including to rural and hard-to-reach areas.