MEAL Coordinator

ADVERTISEMENT: MEAL Coordinator (Turkana)

ROLE PURPOSE:

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability & Learning (MEAL) is a core function in all Save the Children programs globally, representing our commitment to accountability and transparency, it is also a crucial aspect of program quality management. Save the Children in Kenya is looking for a creative individual for our health and nutrition programmes in and Turkana who has the experience and competencies to work as Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Coordinator. The main purpose of this role is to lead on enhancing quality, accountability and learning for achieving breakthrough solutions in bringing immediate and lasting changes in the lives of children.

The MEAL Coordinator will bring significant experience and fresh ideas to develop and implement a realistic MEAL strategy and systems, ensuring that they are institutionalized within the existing project cycle management framework, and that staff have the capacity to implement them. The MEAL Coordinator will have a key role in establishing and promoting programme quality and innovation, which will be achieved through developing and improving monitoring, evaluation, impact assessment and learning methodologies.

In summary, the MEAL Coordinator will be responsible for establishing and promoting the use of MEAL systems to ensure that the program:

• Is informed on the extent to which our interventions are affecting the lives of the targeted populations;
• Have evidence-based knowledge on the positive and negative impact that our interventions are having over the communities where SCI works;
• Receives regular, timely and context-specific, meaningful feedback from our staff, partners, programme participants and that feedback effectively informs and signals areas where strategic attention is required.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

A. Monitoring:

• Ensure that the GMI project in Turkana has solid MEAL plans, Indicator Performance Tracking Table and log frame.
• Support the project leads in updating the indicator tracking tables and provide necessary MEAL guidance regarding project performance.
• Lead in the development of tools and guidelines for data collection, collation and reporting, for instance ensure that projects have clear MEAL plans, IPTT as well as regular tracking of total beneficiary reach.
• Maintain a program database and ensure that the databases are updated regularly.
• Capacity building of program staff on project related M&E templates/forms for data collection; like Indicator Performance Tracking Table (IPTT) etc.
• Organize field visits to monitor program activities / interventions against Quality Benchmarks/Quality Checklists and produce & share reports with program team as well as management team based on quality and accountability findings.
• Support program staff to strengthen joint planning and monitoring with stakeholders.
• Contribute to the quality of program design – reviewing log-frames, results frameworks, project plan, strategic plans, MEAL Plan etc.
• Lead in conducting data quality assessment to ensure that data reported is validated, is accurate and consistent while providing feedback as necessary to program teams;
• Analysis against the performance indicators and targets on periodic basis
• Lead the country annual reporting processes for Total Reach reporting with support from Head of MEAL.
• To carry out follow-up monitoring visits to materialize actions agreed and update these in the online “Monitoring-Action Plan Tracker’.
• Maintain close coordination with program manager at field level and Head of MEAL on Quality and Accountability issues. Share all information (monitoring reports, CFM database preliminary inquiry reports) with Head of MEAL.

B. Research and evaluation:

• Update the online evaluations tracker on a regular basis and ensure that it is up to date with all the studies and evaluations that are implemented in the field office.
• Provide a synthesis of all evaluations conducted and share recommendations with program teams.
• Provide support for all needs assessments, formative, operational research, and evaluations.
• Manage and supervise external consultants while they are in the field office for data collection.
• Assist MEAL Manager/Program Manager in preparing and conducting baseline studies.
• With support from communications, research and learning manager and programs teams develop quality case studies.

C. Accountability:

• Build strong and functional accountability mechanisms and ensure that these are continuously monitored.
• With support of project lead ensure that project information is correctly shared with beneficiaries through the most appropriate mechanisms.
• Ensure beneficiaries actively participate in project activities.
• Maintain and update a complaints and response mechanism database for tracking feedback from communities and ensure that the feedback/complaints are responded to.
• Build capacity of other program staff to undertake accountability including ensuring participation of communities and sharing information with communities as well as undertake accountability assessments
• Ensure the Complaint Feedback Mechanism (CFM) are functional and accessible to beneficiaries.
• Develop regular trend analysis of complaints at the project and organizational level and share these with program team as per protocols.
• Support in carrying out preliminary first verification report in case of serious nature of complaints filed by beneficiaries/communities and support for investigation of those types of complaints as per CFM protocol.
• Ensure that the agreed action plans are followed in timely manner by program team and that the feedback loop is closed.
• Share all information (monitoring reports, CFM databases, preliminary verification reports, case studies etc.) with the support of Head of MEAL.
• Share MEAL findings & CFM issues in each monthly meeting
• Ensure that all staff follow the CFM guidelines.

D. Learning and knowledge management

• Conduct comprehensive analysis of evaluation and research findings within Nairobi programs and the GMI project; provide summary of findings, learning and recommendations and share these with program staff.
• Support program teams in developing quality program reports.
• Supported by the Research and Learning Manager and working with the learning and knowledge management officer, professionally document and proactively share information and learning from projects with Save the Children staff and stakeholders as necessary.
• Support the Learning and Knowledge management officer to ensure that that staff are compliant in uploading data and reports into share point and other relevant online systems and maintain such database systems.
• Ensure the key learning’s are incorporated in upcoming plans and interventions.

Others:

Collaboration:

• Builds and maintains effective relationships with entire team members of organization, colleagues, members and external partners, supporters and stakeholders.
• Values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength
• Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to

Reporting:

• Produce and share MEAL monthly and cumulative yearly annual reports with the Head of MEAL and project lead as well as program teams through proper channels.
• Ensure that all the data related to MEAL action Plan tracker & CFM database are recorded and updated in a timely manner.
• Coordinate closely with the all SC staff updated complaints registered, their resolution process, Action plan tracker & other MEAL related issues.
• Carry out dual responsibility in case of big emergency as per organizational requirement
• Any other tasks given by line manager.

Reports to: Head of MEAL

Staff reporting to this post: None

Duration: 10 Month

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

• Minimum three years’ practical experience in M&E system coordination/implementation in a large international non-governmental organisation or other international relief/development body;
• Bachelor’s Degree in social sciences, public health, education, development, or information technology)
• Excellent knowledge of information technology systems and proficient in the use of ODK/Kobo and data analysis programmes e.g. SPSS and Stata.
• Demonstrable track-record in data management, with the ability to manage large databases
• Ability to analyse and disseminate complex information to a range of stakeholder audiences;
• Computer literacy, particularly in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint;
• Trained in data management and with at least one year experience working with Excel managing databases
• Familiarity with project frameworks [design/implementation/M&E] cycle
• Experience in quantitative and qualitative data collection (M&E methods) and data analysis
• Commitment to and understanding of SCI vision, mission and values
• Enthusiasm, motivation, self-confidence, and a proactive approach to problem solving
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• 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;
• Commitment to Save the Children values

THE ORGANIZATION

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

HOW TO APPLY

Please apply in English saving your CV and covering letter as a single document, including your salary expectations for this role. To see a full a job description, please visit our website at

We need to keep children safe so our selection process reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse. Employment is subject to our Child protection standards including background checks and adherence to our Child Safeguarding Policy.

Save the Children is an equal opportunity employer and seeks to employ and assign the best-qualified talent.

Female Candidates are encouraged to apply.

Disclaimer:

Save the Children International does not charge any kind of fee at whichever stage of the recruitment process, nor request for medical examination or records and does not act through recruitment agents whatsoever.