Head Of MEAL

Job Tittle: Head of MEAL

ROLE PURPOS:

The Head of MEAL will take the overall responsibility of improving and implementing the SCI MEAL systems in Ukraine Country Office. This will include ensuring building a strong MEAL framework, strong, accurate and timely monitoring systems for all projects including indicator performance tracking, appropriate and accurate data management, use of quality benchmarking and action trackers for accountability, reporting and learning.

S/He will take lead in overseeing the consolidation of Country Office Program Quality Key Performance Indicators on MEAL and will contribute to quarterly and annual SCI reports for the Country Office. S/He will be responsible for developing and updating CO MEAL framework and standard operating procedures in with line SCI MEAL standards and also leading the Quality benchmarks. The post holder should ensure building both learning Agenda and country wide information management system.

S/He will oversee work with thematic leads/specialists to develop log-frames/results frameworks and ensure that there is consistency at different level of results, that results lead to programme goals and that indicators are SMART. S/He will ensure a strong and appropriate accountability system is in place which ensures timely follow up of issues raised, and which builds trust with the children and communities who we serve. S/He will lead in determining and undertaking research to deliver the country office’s evidence and learning agenda to inform SCI project design and implementation to deepen the impact of our work on children’s lives, as well as position the Ukraine Country Office as a thought leader and influencer on wider policy and practice around our breakthroughs in child survival, development and protection. As a member of the Extended Senior Management Team (ESMT), the role will involve analysing data and providing input to the country leadership to inform strategic decision making.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

Strategic Leadership

Responsible for developing and updating CO MEAL framework and standard operating

procedures in with line SCI MEAL standards.

• Promote all aspects of MEAL to support the creation of an organisational culture which prioritises quality programming, including alignment with SCI’s Quality Framework
• Build strong relationships with colleagues and provide support as required to ensure MEAL system is understood and supported at country office level
• Lead on ensuring linkages between MEAL, Child safeguarding systems, and safe programming.

Monitoring

• Ensure effectiveness of the monitoring systems in maintaining and improving the quality of services delivered by the country office.
• Strengthen efforts to create greater efficiency in MEAL systems by continued harmonization with SCI (and other relevant) standards and use of digital technologies
• Ensure that the organization delivers on all internal and external MEAL requirements in a timely manner and with high-quality information.
• Strengthen the MEAL systems and processes to assure systematic tracking of achievements and progress towards project objectives and outcomes.
• Work with Technical Specialist (TS) to utilize and develop sector/thematic quality benchmarks for all activities implemented within a given sector/theme including any new activities that may be introduced in the program on an ongoing basis
• Review and advise on consistency, expected results/indicators, and other elements of log-frames/results frameworks to ensure quality
• Ensure that data collection methodology used at field level are standardized, enabling the specific vulnerabilities of different target groups to be captured and analysed.
• Build and roll ou IMPACT – PPM PRIme system
• Develop a comprehensive MEAL plan (includes indicator and performance tracking table-IPTT, data collection tools, accountability plan, project quality bench marks) in collaboration with program teams at the inception phase
• Review programs IPTT, review and oversee the consolidation of Output Trackers and other humanitarian MEAL requirements.
• Guide field-based MEAL staff to address any gaps in programme quality assurance and in MEAL frameworks implementation.
• Develop a tracking mechanism/system for tracking Country Office achievements against CSP milestones and targets.
• Triangulate and analyse monitoring data to generate a high level summary of MEAL systems for senior leadership. Present MEAL outcomes (Status on program Performance, issues emerging from Quality monitoring, issues emerging from accountability systems, research outcomes, lessons learnt) for discussion at ESMT and monthly Award Review meetings.

Research, Evidence & Learning

• Lead on the application of SCI Theory of Change with particular focus on driving innovation through development and provision of evidence and learning for replicable breakthrough solutions to the problems facing children
• Maintain regular and proactive dialogue with technical/thematic leads and field teams to identify critical programmatic knowledge gaps, as well as to initiate, adapt or test new practices, approaches or methodologies that will inform our Country Office Evidence & Learning agenda with a view of improving the impact of our work in Ukraine
• Lead in the design, delivery and regular review of the Country Office Research, Evidence & Learning agenda
• Participate in designing and implementation of studies, assessments and learning in coordination and cooperation with sectors’ technical coordinators and programme staff.
• Apply leading-edge thinking and best practice at all stages of the research process to ensure that SCI research and evaluation outputs are delivered to the highest standards, on time and on budget
• Foster a culture of learning in the Ukraine Country Office, including the systematic collection, storage and dissemination of evidence and learning that is used throughout the project cycle by all staff
• Undertake meta-analysis and systemic reviews of SCI program evaluations and research to generate sectoral learning on trends, opportunities, risks etc and lead in-house research team to strengthen analysis and communicate programmatic learning to the wider Country Office team through document sharing, presentations, etc.
• Scope, seek out, engage and maintain new partnerships with INGOs, UN and academic institutions to support the deliver our Evidence & Learning Agenda, including opportunities for information sharing and learning exchanges with external stakeholders

Support the MEAL Manager and Coordinator in developing and implementing evidence and learning dissemination and uptake strategies

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

Essential:

• Minimum of advanced degree (MSc) in an area of social development, economics, statistics or other relevant discipline.
• Minimum 6 years of practical experience in M&E system coordination/implementation in an international non-governmental organisation
• Demonstrable track-record in data tracking and evaluation, with the ability to support staff and partners on M&E methodology, and analyse and disseminate complex information to a range of audiences.
• Conversant with impact evaluation methods as well as other established evaluation criteria (such as DEC)
• Practical knowledge or experience of working in humanitarian response and recovery at a technical senior level position.
• Excellent writing skills to present assessment and project reports in English
• Computer literacy, particularly in Microsoft Office, any statistical package like STATA and digital data management systems
• Excellent planning, coordination, and reporting skills, with the ability to organise a substantial workload comprised of complex, diverse tasks and responsibilities;
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills in English, with experience working in multicultural, multi-location, values driven teams;
• Ability and willingness to dramatically change work practices and hours, and work with incoming surge teams, in the event of emergencies

Desirable:

• Prior experience with Save the Children International highly desired
• Experience or knowledge of working and living in Ukraine desirable
• Ukraine language skills are desirable

Essential Requirement:

-Access to a Schengen visa is required for positions in Ukraine**

The Organisation

We employ approximately 25,000 people across the globe and work on the ground in over 100 countries to help children affected by crises, or those that need better healthcare, education and child protection. We also campaign and advocate at the highest levels to realise the right of children and to ensure their voices are heard.

We are working towards three breakthroughs in how the world treats children by 2030:

• No child dies from preventable causes before their 5th birthday
• All children learn from a quality basic education and that,
• Violence against children is no longer tolerated

We know that great people make a great organization, and that our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children. We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive environment where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued.

Application Information:

Please attach a copy of your CV and cover letter with your application, and include details of your current remuneration and salary expectations. A copy of the full role profile can be found at www.savethechildren.net/careers

We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.

All employees are expected to carry out their duties in accordance with our global anti-harassment policy.