MEAL Coordinator Ukraine

Duty Station: Ukraine

Starting Date: As soon as possible

Duration of Contract: One Year

Reporting Lines/Line Management: MEAL Manager

Job Summary:

CARE in Ukraine is working to provide humanitarian aid related to the crisis inside Ukraine through partnering with local organisations based inside Ukraine, with all the field implementation work being carried out by partner organizations. The main purpose of this role is to lead on establishing solid MEAL system for the operation to enhance the quality and accountability of CARE and its partners.

With support from the MEAL Manager, and the MEAL Coordinator will be responsible for the key following tasks:

• Quickly Establish a MEAL system for the response to meet basic data needs.
• Build the capacity of staff and partners on MEAL.
• Provide adequate operational support & guidance to partners on MEAL requirements.
• Support establishing the MEAL reporting systems for CARE’s partners.
• Build an evidence base from reports, assessments and analysis to inform management decision making.
• Receive regular, timely and context-specific, meaningful feedback from beneficiaries and partners so that feedback effectively informs and signals areas where attention is required.

This role will drive the consolidation of the CARE MEAL approach working closely with partner and program staff. S/he will work to continuously improve project level MEAL with specific focus on the following areas: qualitative and quantitative data collection; assessment scheduling and coordination; data analysis and use; and quality monitoring. The MEAL Coordinator will ensure that all partner projects are continually monitored for their effectiveness and appropriateness and that lesson are documented and communicated to inform on-going implementation and future programming. S/he will guide partner teams in achieving outcome/impact focused projects and accountability to beneficiaries in line with international standards. S/he will generally coordinate MEAL across the program to ensure a standard level of quality and that learning and accountability systems are working effectively.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

Job Responsibility #1

MEAL system coordination and implementation:

• Ensure there is an up to date MEAL Framework for all projects agreed with partners and program teams, as well as the regular tracking of project indicators and progress.
• Ensure MEAL tools are in line with the standard developed package for partners and coordinate periodic reviews of the tool package based on feedback from use in the field.
• Ensure that data collection and entry methodologies used at field level are those that have been agreed and approved as fit for purpose for program activities.
• Ensure SADD data and data on gender dynamics is regularly collected as per CARE’s internal SADD requirements and used in data analysis.
• Make sure that CARE partners are using CARE’s suitable beneficiary selection and registration SOP at the field per distribution modality.
• Use monthly data to produce information at CO level in accessible and visible formats for different strata of staff to encourage a culture of data use and evidence based decision making.
• Strengthen data analysis and use across the program by ensuring program teams have the MEAL information they need for program review and design.
• Ensure effective scheduling of MEAL led assessments, surveys and evaluations, as well as the analysis and dissemination of findings when needed.
• Encourage a culture of data use and evidence based decision making by using and displaying updated data in the office to demonstrate progress and areas of concern.
• Work with the Accountability officer and partners to set up and monitor suitable feedback channels for beneficiaries on a project by project basis.
• Work with the Data Management Coordinator on data issues related to CARE/partners when needed

Job Responsibility #2

Partner’s support and compliance

• Ensure positive and effective on the job coaching from CARE sector specific MEAL officers to partner MEAL teams to scale up their capacity plus meeting CARE/Donors MEAL requirements.
• Assess partners’ MEAL capacity based on their performance and feedback to the MEAL manager on their capacity development actions/plans.
• Provide constructive feedback on MEAL outputs to partners and track MEAL related issues using the CARE MEAL issue tracker, focusing on finding supportive solutions.
• Support the MEAL Manager to produce and implement capacity development plans for each partner on MEAL and monitor progress.
• Provide training and capacity building to CARE and partners’ staff on MEAL topics that require improvement as per capacity development plans and on an ad hoc basis.
• Ensure positive and effective communication between the CARE MEAL Officers and partner MEAL staff (and CARE program team).
• Ensure that staff and partners fully understand the function of MEAL in quality assurance and strengthen a culture of open reflection and improvement.

Job Responsibility #3

Team Management and Support:

• Directly supervise all sector based MEAL Officers and provide sufficient support and guidance to them to be able to achieve their tasks/objectives in the best way possible.
• Identify training needs of CARE/partners staff and conduct capacity building sessions through mentoring, coaching and trainings to address capacity gaps.
• Ensure an open and engaging environment for MEAL team staff, focused on supportive supervision, constructive feedback and recognition of effort.
• Ensure maximum ability to manage team and workload by efficient delegation of tasks, prioritization, and careful monitoring of work/life balance)

Job Responsibility #4

MEAL Reporting

• Schedule all donor’s/CARE related reporting deadlines and work closely with sector MEAL officers, partners and program teams on meeting those deadlines
• Ensure familiarity with all donor’s/CARE reporting requirements (template, SADD, content, Etc)
• Ensure all partners/Third Party Monitoring (TPM) reports are being reviewed by sectors MEAL/program officers and feedback on report content/quality
• Standardize the reporting template for MEAL related activities
• Ensure all MEAL reports are reviewed by MEAL staff and program teams, ensure constructive feedback is given to Partner field staff with relevant follow and support provided.
• Coordinate CARE’s MEAL monthly data submissions between partners and CARE, ensuring the use of standard templates and strong review and feedback to partners

Other:

• Any other task as required by line manager.

Key Interactions:

Internal: Project Managers, MEAL and Partnerships Manger, Country Representative, technical leads., other CARE staff.

External: Implementing partner, particularly its MEAL & Data Staff.

Qualifications:

Required:

• Extensive experience in knowledge and database management.
• Previous MEAL experience in similar role.
• Strong skills in excel and other data management & visualization software.
• Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant subject.
• Good command of the English language (written and oral).
• Good command of the Ukrainian language (written and oral).
• Strong organizational skills.
• Pro-active and helpful attitude, ready to take on a variety of new tasks.
• Ability to multi-task and manage competing priorities.
• Attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills across a range of stakeholders, but particular with partners.

Desired:

• Minimum 3 years of professional experience in MEAL/Data for NGOs
• At least 1 years of experience of in undertaking a MEAL related role in a remote management humanitarian context
• Experience working with local partners
• Ability to facilitate/conduct technical capacity building events for partners face to face & remotely

Key Competencies:

• Respect
• Integrity
• Commitment
• Diversity
• Initiative and Self-starter
• Facilitating Change
• Building Relations across Work Units
• Communicating with Impact
• Planning and organizing
• Innovation

About CARE:

CARE International (CARE) is a non-religious, non-political international development and humanitarian organization, dedicated to fighting global poverty. CARE works in around 100 countries globally, engaging diverse partnerships to support communities to overcome poverty through development projects and delivers humanitarian assistance. CARE programmes address social injustice whilst placing women and girls at the core of programming in order to create sustainable positive change in poor communities. CARE is an equal opportunity employer irrespective of nationality, religion, ethnicity, caste, or gender.

Accountability within CARE:

A commitment to CARE values and CARE’s integrity framework is critical to working with CARE. Any candidate offered a job with CARE will be expected to adhere to the following key areas of accountability:

• Comply with CARE’s policies and procedures with respect to safeguarding, code of conduct, health and safety, confidentiality, do no harm principles and unacceptable behaviour protocols.
• Report any concerns about the welfare of a child or vulnerable adult or any wrongdoings within our programming area.
• Report any concerns about inappropriate behaviour of a CARE staff or partner.

Safeguarding:

Children and vulnerable adults who come into contact with CARE as a result of CARE activities must be safeguarded to the maximum possible extent from deliberate or inadvertent actions and failings that place them at risk of abuse, sexual exploitation, injury, and any other harm. One of the ways that CARE shows this on-going commitment to safeguarding is to include rigorous background and reference checks in the selection process for all candidates.

Gender equality:

CARE is committed to meeting the standards of theCARE International Gender Policy(2019). Through this policy, CARE seeks to promote the equal realization of dignity and human rights for girls, women, boys and men in all diversities, and the elimination of poverty and injustice. Specifically, this policy seeks to improve the explicit incorporation of gender in programmatic and organizational practices.