2 – Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability & Learning (MEAL) Officer (For Filipino Nationals Only)

JOB TITLE: MEAL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning) Officer

BASE LOCATION: Cotabato City – Country Office
Focus project areas:

1. Lanao del Sur, Zamboanga, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-tawi, and Maguindanao
2. Maguindanao and North Cotabato

DEPARTMENT / PURPOSE:

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Department.

The MEAL Department ensures and leads on enhancing the quality and accountability of IRW’s work to empower communities. It oversees the MEAL system to make sure that all projects are continually being monitored for effectiveness and appropriateness and that all lessons are documented and communicated to inform the ongoing implementation of projects and future programming.

It guides the Country Office in achieving the outcome of the projects and accountability to beneficiaries in line with IRW’s and donors’ policies and guidelines.

JOB PURPOSE:

The MEAL Officer is responsible for ensuring MEAL system is established and MEAL framework is implemented. Managing the MEAL system that will allow the Country Office to implement development and humanitarian projects effectively and efficiently and those lessons are captured and shared to inform the implementation of current projects and future programming.

He/She will support the Programme Department in facilitating the periodic planning and reporting processes and, spearhead building capacities of staff on monitoring, evaluation, and accountability.

Provide evidence-based knowledge on the positive and/or negative results of assistance on the communities, and share regular, timely and context-specific feedback from staff, partners, and communities. The feedback signals areas where strategic attention is required.

When delegated, he/she represents IRW-Philippines to a range of external actors, including beneficiaries and other key stakeholders such as national and local governmental authorities, UN agencies, peer organizations, NGOs, CSOs, FBOs, the private sector, etc.

REPORTING TO: MEAL Coordinator

I) KEY OBJECTIVE

To establish and manage the MEAL system that enhances the quality and accountability of IRW’s work following the organization’s standards, principles, and guidelines as well as donor requirements.

II) KEY ROLES/RESPONSIBILITIES

The post holder will assist the MEAL Coordinator to establish, maintain and manage a comprehensive and effective MEAL system of IRPH’s development and humanitarian programmes/projects specifically projects in Maguindanao, North Cotabato, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Taw-Tawi that reflects IRW’s values and standards; ensure that the projects delivers all internal and external MEAL requirements on time; establish a system for learning at project level; contribute to the Country Office planning process; lend support in programme development; and provide technical support to MEAL colleagues and programmes/projects implementers as well as identify and conduct MEAL related capacity building activities.

This will involve working closely with the programme staff, and technical staff to ensure delivery of the above-mentioned commitments. The MEAL Officer will work under the direct supervision and guidance of MEAL Coordinator.

When delegated, the post holder shall represent IRW-Philippines in various forums and/or to a range of external actors.

III) JOB SUMMARY

The MEAL Officer is responsible for establishing and managing the MEAL system that will allow country office especially programme staff to implement projects effectively and efficiently and that lessons are captured and shared to inform the implementation of current projects and future programs.

He/She will assist MEAL Coordinator and programme staff on implementation of MEAL Framework and provide technical assistance to programme staff to ensure the completeness of MEAL minimum requirements depending on project categories.

He/She will support programme in identifying to which assistance is making changes on the lives of the target population; provide evidence-based knowledge on the positive and/or negative results of assistance to the communities; and share regular, timely, and context-specific feedback from staff, partners, and communities. The feedback is expected to inform areas where strategic attention is required.

He/She is responsible to ensure that each project is regularly updating the project lessons learned log, project risk assessment, beneficiary database and gathering feedback from community.

He/She will do monitoring activities in the community and conduct MEAL related activities such as PDM, verifications processes as well as community feedbacking activities.

When delegated, he/she represents IRW-Philippines to a range of external actors, including beneficiaries and other key stakeholders such as local/provincial/national governmental authorities, UN agencies, peer organizations, NGOs, CSOs, FBOs, the private sector, etc.

IV) MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Establishing the MEAL System

• Review and understand all organizational policies, strategies, and project proposals.
• Ensure that IRW MEAL Framework is implemented.
• Establish and manage comprehensive and effective monitoring and evaluation system for all programmes/projects.
• Ensure that the programme meets all internal and external MEAL requirements on time and with credible information.
• Support and assist MEAL coordinator in strengthening MEAL systems and processes to guarantee progress and achievement toward programme/project outcomes/objectives.
• Regularly update the MEAL plan and Indicator Tracking Table (ITT) and monitor the rightholders/beneficiaries reached by each project.
• Lead internal and external programme/project evaluations as required and ensure the conduct of baseline, midline, endline, assessments, evaluations, and Post Distribution Monitoring (PDM) as necessary.
• Prepare and review monitoring reports, contributes to the project reports, and provide necessary technical guidance to ensure compliance with programme/project requirements for monitoring and evaluation.
• Ensure that verifiable data are regularly collected and analyzed across programmes/projects and shared with relevant stakeholders to inform programme/project design and review.
• Support MEAL Coordinator and Programme Department in ensuring that all programmes/projects are designed and implemented per international standards (e.g., SPHERE, CHS, MERS)
• Support the programme/project team’s implementation planning, assessment/evaluation planning.

Demonstrating Accountability to Affected Populations

• Facilitate the development of an accountability action plan for each project on the given template and keep track of the progress.
• Ensure a high standard of accountability by supporting and coordinating with the programme unit in setting up community feedback mechanisms with effective use of information and relevant action wherever required.
• Ensure the establishment and maintain comprehensive complaints handling mechanism according to IRW complaints policy and that fulfils CHS requirements.
• Develop case studies around the effectiveness of the complaints handling system and its impact on the program.
• Coordinate with programme/project teams in sharing results of assessments, baselines, reviews and evaluations with the beneficiary community and other stakeholders in the appropriate format at regular intervals and document the whole process.
• Provide technical assistance and guidance to programme teams on conducting participatory, community-based, and inclusive needs assessments.
• Verify the presence of inclusive and participatory beneficiary selection criteria and subsequent selection accordingly.
• Ensure that participation activities are documented, and learning is shared.
• Ensure that all staff at all levels understand and promote accountability through training and coaching.
• Support in producing and sharing good quality reports.
• Ensure that Safeguarding and Child Protection Policies are considered and integrated into project implementation.

Organizational Learning and Capacity Building

• Assist in the establishment and maintain a system for organizational learning i.e., maintain a learning log and ensure learning points are embedded at policy and practice levels.
• Coordinate with program management to budget and organize learning events at regular intervals.
• Support identification of innovation in programming and ensure evidence-based results are applied in designing programmes/projects.
• Ensure the documentation of innovation projects and share results and impact with all stakeholders.
• Identify opportunities to communicate programme/project learning and information sharing/learning exchanges with other actors.
• Support the Programme and Communications Departments in the development of relevant modules and resource materials to support quality programming.
• Gather and disseminate stories, case studies, photos, quotes as evidence for change in different programmes/projects.
• Conduct orientation sessions around MEAL requirements and identify capacity building requirements around MEAL for partner organizations.
• Supporting colleagues in utilizing MEAL tools for different interventions.
• Participate in the project design process as a team member to ensure prior internal and external learning, community-based and inclusive needs assessment and evidence inform project design.

Support to Program Management

• Manage the processes to ensure compliance to Core Humanitarian Standards and IHSAN Standards (IRW Quality Management System)
• Provide technical support in the development of project-specific baseline surveys and review the survey reports.
• Ensure in coordination with programme and finance that relevant MEAL related budgets are incorporated within project budgets.
• Represent Islamic Relief Philippines at relevant coordination bodies and participate in webinars, workshops, meetings and other relevant events at national, regional and global levels.

V) ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Operational MEAL system.
• Operational Complaints-Response Mechanism.
• Contribute to the conduct of yearly self-assessments and create action plans on IHSAN based scoring.
• Timely submission of good quality internal and external reports.
• Learnings documented, shared internally and externally as deemed appropriate, and informed programme/project implementation as well as future programmes/projects.
• Regular, timely and context-specific feedback, which points out areas where strategic attention is required, provided to management and project implementers.
• The extent of assistance to which programmes/projects are affecting the lives of target populations shared with management and project implementers.
• Work independently on assigned tasks with minimal supervision.
• Work in adherence to IRW’s policies and procedures.

VI) PERSONAL SPECIFICATION

ESSENTIAL

Qualifications

• University degree in social sciences.

Knowledge/Experience

• Minimum of 3 years experience in monitoring and evaluation, research, and impact assessment of projects.
• Experience working in a variety of humanitarian and development projects in the Philippines or abroad.
• With experience in Livelihood, WASH, Gender and Protection, and DRR-CCA, interventions.
• Knowledge and experience about CHS Verification Framework.
• Good knowledge of globally accepted humanitarian technical standards and initiatives e.g., Sphere, MERS, LEGS, INEE, CALP, SGDs, Inclusion Charter, ADCAP.
• Sound knowledge of and commitment to participatory approaches to working with communities, and innovative approach to working on these issues with a proven commitment to people empowerment methodologies.
• An understanding of gender, protection and inclusion, and its integration in programme/project.

Skills

• Strong analytical and conceptualization skills and ability to think critically and strategically.
• Highly organized with good attention to details and developed the ability to prioritize multiple tasks to meet tight deadlines.
• Excellent programme/project management skills.
• Excellent verbal and written skills and can communicate and report on technical points.
• Willing to be accountable for work conducted.
• Communicates honestly, openly, and consistently.
• Shares information appropriately and ensures that the views of team members are freely expressed.
• Encourages a positive rather than negative viewpoint.
• Familiar with online data collection platform such as KoBoToolbox.
• Good numeracy skills with knowledge of budgeting and cost estimation processes are required.
• Able to form creative solutions in problem-solving.
• Problem-solving skills and self-management.
• Good interpersonal skills and the ability to work sensitively with people from various cultural and social backgrounds.
• Willing to adapt to IRW’s norms and values without compromising personal beliefs and principles.

Languages

• Fluency in Filipino and English (written and spoken) is essential; and able to communicate in Maguindanaon, Tagalog and Bisaya.

IT Skills

• Knowledge in Microsoft Office applications such as Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

DESIRABLE

Knowledge/Experience

• Functional knowledge of statistics and data processing
• Experience in collecting and analyzing quantitative and qualitative data
• Experience in integrated programme/community development
• Good working knowledge of Results-Based Management, Value for Money, Do No Harm, DRM, Complaints management and report writing
• Good knowledge of current development and MEAL thinking. Knowledge and experience of technology and technological solutions for MEAL.

Skills

• Experience and knowledge of database, qualitative and quantitative analysis, and mapping software.

Disposition/Approach

• Able to work flexible hours when necessary to carry out the task completion.
• Politically, faith, gender, and culturally sensitive with qualities of patience, tact, and diplomacy.
• Ability to work on one’s initiative as well as a part of a team.
• Have a high sense of urgency and well-developed work ethics.
• Able to show a good understanding of humanitarian principles and empathy and commitment with Islamic Relief’s values: Sincerity, Excellence, Compassion, Social Justice, and Custodianship; and with Islamic Relief’s vision and mission.

Physical

• Energetic and able to operate in situations that may be difficult.

Interests

• Humanitarian relief, development, Disaster Risk Reduction, Community Development, etc.

Competencies Required:

Teamwork: Work productively with broad range of team members, actively participates in and supports team decisions, openly shares knowledge, expertise or experience with team members. Takes constructive actions to resolve conflict. Gives constructive feedback to team members.

Action Management: Effectively manages own work related to multiple tasks or activities. Recognizes opportunities or threats and acts on them with the agreement of supervisor. Responds quickly to emergencies with a solution or a decision. Evaluates own strengths and developmental needs and modifies behavior based on feedback or self-analysis.

Communication: Presents information clearly and concisely, verbally and in writing. Listens to and shows understanding of ideas and views of others. Adapts level of language and/or complexity of content to audience. Shares information and knowledge with colleagues, staff and supervisors. Communicates respectfully with all individuals regardless of gender, nationality and cultural background.

Interpersonal Relations: Respects differing needs and viewpoints. Resolves personal and professional disagreements constructively. Builds effective working relationships within unit/division/office. Demonstrates sensitivity, tact and empathy for others.

Organizational Awareness: Develops a sound understanding of own area of activity as well as IRPH structure, mandate, vision and key priorities. Prioritizes own work activities in accordance to the Unit’s mandate. Develop a sound understanding of policies and procedures that are related to own work. Recognizes operational problems and issues as opportunities for improvement. Knows key clients and beneficiaries of IRPH services.