Senior MEAL Officer -Dessie, 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.

Job Summary:

The purpose of Senior MEAL Officer is to provide technical support for FHI360 MEAL and Program team on Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning activities for an Integrated Health, Nutrition, WASH and Protection Project in Northern Ethiopia long term development and humanitarian response programs in Ethiopia. S/he is responsible to develop and use appropriate MEAL systems and tools; data management and quality assurance, conduct different surveys, assessments, post-distribution and quality monitoring; keep track of project progress and outcomes on an on-going basis; prepare progress and MEAL assessment reports; keep documentation of experiences, impacts and lessons learned; and produce reports and coordinate the MEAL activities and MEAL team in Amhara region.

Accountabilities:

MEAL System and Tools Development and Implementation

• Support the MEAL Coordinator on the design, update and implementation of strong MEAL systems for the project, including MEAL framework (ITT, MEAL plan, and DIP) and MEAL tools development.
• Ensure that appropriate 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;
• Proactively support or lead the development and maintenance of appropriate databases to accurately track data collected from various interventions across program activities;
• Oversee and support MEAL and program field staff in the timely implementation of monitoring framework and tools to ensure quality and consistent information is available on project performance and impact;
• Support the establishment and implementation of tailored data base management system for the project
• Conduct quality assurance of all field data collection exercises, data management, and analysis;
• Undertake regular and joint field visits to monitor and supervise project implementation, identify bottlenecks and success stories;
• Support and conduct baseline and endline survey studies; post distribution monitoring, quality monitoring and any other regular needs/gaps assessment which will continually provide information and latest developments;
• Compile, and share monthly narrative updates on the Response Program;
• Collect and compile 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 MEAL team and Program team to ensure that appropriate community feedback mechanisms are functional and accessible, and that feedback and complaints are welcomed and addressed;
• Ensure communities and people we work with 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;

• Support MEAL Coordinator and 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);
• Facilitate project  review and reflection sessions with staffs and stakeholders;
• Support the effort of documentation and sharing of program results, 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

• Organize relevant training and other capacity-building events for MEAL staff, program staff and partners to carry out MEAL requirements of the project
• Provide technical guidance to project teams and partners on the development and use of monitoring tools as well as reporting of program progress; provide technical leadership for all MEAL activities of the project;
• Provide support and guidance MEAL Officers, MEAL assistants and 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;

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.

Applied Knowledge & Skills:

• Moderate knowledge of concepts, practices, and procedures by providing technical support for research studies.
• Development of scope of work and deliverables for partners, consultants, etc.
• Proficiency with database management software and on-line search tools required.
• 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.
• Must be able to read, write, and speak fluent English.
• 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.

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 resource 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 development of these three fundamental competencies.

Problem Solving & Impact:

• Works on problems of moderate to complex scope that require review of various factors.
• Exercises good judgment with selecting methods and techniques to determine appropriate action.
• Decisions may cause delays and affect a work unit or area within a department.
• Identifies and raises issues to senior technical staff
• Networks with key internal and external personnel.
• Decision may cause delays or failure to achieve results that impact departmental goals.

Supervision Given/Received:

• Has no supervisory responsibility.
• Receives methods and procedures on new projects and assignments.
• May provide guidance to other lower-level staff.
• Typically reports to MEAL Coordinator

Education:

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

Experience:

• At least five to seven years of proven experience in the Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning, and Accountability of humanitarian program;
• Strong knowledge of ICT applications and development – especially spreadsheets, database, and familiarity with associated web-based platforms and mobile applications.
• Demonstrated skills on digital data collection tools such as Kobo tool box, ODK and other data collection tolls;
• Strong experience with quantitative and qualitative data collection and data management system and tools and practical skills on SPSS, STATA, etc.
• Strong experience with health, nutrition, protection and WASH programming;
• Demonstrated local knowledge and experience
• 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 local language 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.