MEAL, Research and Knowledge Management Manager (Humanitarian Program)

About CARE

CARE works around the globe to save lives, defeat poverty and achieve social justice. We seek a world of hope, inclusion and social justice, where poverty has been overcome, and all people live with dignity and security, with a specific focus on the empowerment of women and girls. CARE’s Vision 2030 strategy includes six broad impact areas, with specific impact targets and metrics aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals. CARE anticipates its impact will increasingly be achieved at the systems level as part of its quest for sustainable impact at scale, achieved through local leadership in partnership with governments, the private sector and civil society actors.

Job Summary

In this critical role, the postholder supports Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) for CARE humanitarian programs in Somalia. As part of the Program Quality Development and Learning Team, they will lead MEAL/KM systems and processes and help enhance capacity strengthening in CARE Somalia Humanitarian Programs. A key focus is to develop a strong evidence base for gender-focused humanitarian programmes and enhance accountability and quality response.

The role involves supporting CARE International in Somalia’s humanitarian programs and partners with data analysis, indicator measurement, feedback and reporting mechanisms, MEAL/KM-related donor and CO deliverables, and setting up processes and standardisation to benchmark the quality of humanitarian response and programmes. Collaboration with the CARE Global Humanitarian team is essential to contribute to global learning and strengthen CO MEAL approaches. In humanitarian settings, S/he will adapt to changing needs, working flexibly to ensure effective crisis response and be comfortable working in a cross-functional way. This position is pivotal in enhancing programme improvements, learning, and technology use in MEAL, ensuring high standards of accountability and efficacy across program regions.

Job Responsibilities:

Planning and Development of MEAL processes: (20%)

• Supports formulation of MEAL policies and guidelines applicable specifically to Humanitarian programmes.
• Supports the PQDL unit and the Humanitarian Response team and projects in the identification of strategic priorities in MEAL/KM for humanitarian and integrated programs.
• Support the development and enhancement of monitoring and evaluation systems and frameworks for CARE SOM humanitarian response programmes, including ensuring strong data and evidence is collected, analysed and documented for accountability and learning purposes.

Technical Assistance: (40%)

• Collaborate with the humanitarian program lead and team to develop and enhance MEAL emergency preparedness, anticipatory action and response, integrating them within existing country MEAL frameworks and CARE Humanitarian Accountability Framework, and adhering to the Core Humanitarian Standards, Sphere Standards and Humanitarian Principles.
• Provides technical and advisory support to multi-sectoral humanitarian response projects in application and implementation of MEAL/KM practices: program-level MEAL/KM planning, setting-up Results-based Monitoring, PDM, support in data collection and data analysis.
• Provide technical input on MEAL to project proposals.
• Support the use and roll-out of CARE SOM and CI-approved systems such as KoBo Toolbox, PIIRS, and Performance Monitoring Tool (PMT), to make good use of data for decision-making
• Provides support to designing and/or revising and implementing procedures for ensuring Accountability to Affected Populations (Community Feedback and Response Mechanisms, participatory needs assessments etc.).
• Supports implementation of CARE SOM Humanitarian MIS, including beneficiary management system.
• Support Senior Manager – MEAL/KM in conducting data quality assessments and MEAL system reviews for projects under the humanitarian response pillar, collate trends and suggest system improvements.
• Take responsibility for reflecting and integrating protection and gender perspectives in all areas of work, to ensure equal participation of women and men.

Awards Support and Donor Reporting and Compliance (20%)

• Guide the design and execution of MEAL activities including baselines, endlines and evaluations where required.
• Ensure programme compliance with donor requirements, including USAID’s Open Data Policy, BHA monitoring and evaluation policies, BPRM M&E requirements, UN agency M&E requirements including all other donors’ MEAL guidelines.
• Contribute to streamlined MEAL approaches across humanitarian awards to enhance Country Office MEAL resourcing and systems.
• Contribute to developing strong evidence for donor reports ensuring data quality and advanced analysis.

Knowledge sharing and organisational learning: (15%)

• Maps MEAL requirements of major humanitarian donors and shares them with relevant the PQ unit and the HR pillar team.
• Promotes CARE key crosscutting priorities and use of CARE global indicators in humanitarian programming;
• Assists with mapping and collecting relevant MEAL resources, contributes to maintaining the MEAL section of CARE SOM Knowledge and Learning forum and E-learning content
• Disseminates knowledge and lessons learned from Humanitarian MEAL processes across the organization.

Other Responsibilities As Assigned: (5%)

QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Required

• A bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as Monitoring and Evaluation, International Development, Social Sciences, or a related discipline, or equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• Professional qualification in M&E, Humanitarian related courses or related fields is an added advantage

Desired

• Advanced degree in a relevant field. With at least a proven experience in managing MEAL and Knowledge Management systems in Humanitarian programming.

Experience and Technical Skills

• Minimum of 3 years of professional experience in Humanitarian MEAL/KM roles, with demonstrated experience in strategic planning, program monitoring, evaluation, and knowledge management.
• Proficiency in data analysis, report writing, and communication skills. Experience in coordinating MEAL activities across diverse humanitarian.
• Familiarity with Core Humanitarian Standards, Sphere Standards and Humanitarian Principles is a MUST.

Desired

• Experience in working with international NGOs or development agencies. Demonstrated experience related to M&E and research, specifically with awards funded by USAID BHA (formerly FFP and OFDA), BPRM, FCDO, and/or UN agencies. Demonstrated experience designing or managing logical/results frameworks, M&E plans, accountability mechanisms, and programme evaluations.