Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Manager

TITLE: Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Manager

TEAM/PROGRAMME: Liberia Empowerment through Attendance, Reading, and Nutrition (LEARN) II Project

LOCATION: Monrovia, Liberia

GRADE: 2

CONTRACT LENGTH: One year renewable

CHILD SAFEGUARDING:

Level 2: either the post holder will have access to personal data about children and/or young people as part of their work; or the post holder will be working in a ‘regulated’ position (accountant, barrister, solicitor, legal executive); therefore a police check will be required (at ‘standard’ level in the UK or equivalent in other countries).

ROLE PURPOSE:

The MEAL Manager is a crucial role in assuring quality data collection and reporting and informing quality implementation of the LEARN II project. He/she oversees the development and implementation of the project MEAL system, ensuring that all required tools are in place and are user friendly. H/she rolls out a system for monitoring project against set targets, ensuring that the system is functional and institutionalized within the project cycle management framework. He/she travels as needed to support field staff members and partners to ensure their capacity to implement project MEAL systems and to contribute effectively to quality data collection and management. He/she leads on project data collection, compilation and reporting from the field, including documentation. He/she engages in action research activities, with the support of the project MEAL Officers, MEAL Assistants and COP, and works closely with SCI MEAL Unit and Regional Office to ensure quality of implementation of all MEAL activities. He/she will have overall responsibility for data collection, collation, analysis and reporting. He/she oversees development, functionality and use of database systems to strengthen interventions and improve their quality and efficiency. He/she will provide support to external evaluation consultants at baseline, midline, and endline. He/she will lead central office and Hub MEAL staffing establishing accountability mechanisms (information sharing and complaint and feedback mechanisms – including data quality assessment) and promoting learning through documentation of lessons-learned and developing community-based approaches to analyse and use data for decision-making. The MEAL Manager works closely with consortium partners to ensure high quality data collection, processing, and reporting across the project.

SCOPE OF ROLE:

Reports to: Chief of Party – LEARN II Liberia

Staff directly reporting to this post: County-based LEARN II MEAL Officers (4) and MEAL Assistants (2).

Dimensions: Save the Children works in nine counties in Liberia with a current staff complement of approximately 120 staff.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY :

STRATEGY & VISION

• Recognize opportunities for innovative action and create an environment where alternative viewpoints are welcomed.
• Set direction by prioritizing and organizing ations and resources to achieve objectives and contribute to countrywide strategy development

Leadership and Guidance:

• Provide overall leadership, supervision and guidance on MEAL activities, and facilitate MEAL strategy implementation in support of Implementing Partners and SC staff-with assistance from the project MEAL Officers and MEAL Assistants.
• Establish and/or strengthen, with assistance of the project MEAL Officers and MEAL Assistants, a MEAL system, data collection, collation and analysis tools and processes. Review and revise project MEAL tools, as needed, with support of the MEAL Officers and Assistants.
• Coordinate and facilitate, with support from the project MEAL Officers and Assistants, development of the project’s annual work plans, as well as quarterly, semi-annual and annual reports-according to donor and SCI requirements.
• Monitor, with the support of the MEAL Officers and Assistants, the overall MEAL system for the project against specified results.
• Provide supervision, mentorship and professional development to SC MEAL staff, so that they have the required capacity to undertake their responsibilities.
• Provide technical guidance, as needed, to LEARN II staff and implementing partners through regular meetings and site visits to the field.
• Oversee, with support of the project MEAL Officers and Assistants, data collection to ensure high-quality results for learning and donor reporting – both at the field and national level.
• Document, with support of the project MEAL Officers and Assistants, findings on project activities and innovations, including lessons learned.
• Oversee and support field staff during implementation of project-related surveys and assessments.
• Ensure adequate staff capacity building; conduct trainings and workshops, as appropriate.
• Develop, with support of the MEAL Officers and Assistants, innovative approaches for strengthening the MEAL capacity of regional MEAL staff and in-country implementing partners especially the Ministry of Education.
• Ensure, with support of the MEAL Officers and Assistants, that all project MEAL documents, data, and other information required for program strategic planning and reporting are documented, prepared and submitted on time and in compliance with the requirements of USDA.
• Establish and implement accountability mechanisms to beneficiaries through information sharing, setting appropriate complaint and feedback mechanisms – including data quality assessment (DQA).
• Provide oversight, with support and guidance of the project Director of Support Services and COP, of MEAL budget and ensure effective and timely utilization for the appropriate MEAL activities.
• Ensure, in collaboration with the DCOP and COP, MEAL evidence (Project performance, etc.) is used for management decision-making and continuous performance improvement.
• Ensure compliance with donor and Save the Children regulations related to financial transactions and programming.
• Identify, build and manage collaborative partnerships with consortium partners, sub-grantees, donors, local governments and other stakeholders

MEAL System Development and Management

• Undertake responsibilities for the roll-out of the MEAL system in specified area offices/ locations
• Ensure that MEAL team and project staff understand the various steps and tools for the MEAL system and that this is used consistently across project areas
• Support on the design and roll-out of standardised monitoring tools and methodologies as required by the COP and field level teams.
• Ensure functional accountability mechanisms are in place as the four pillars of accountability (Information sharing, participation, establishing and implementing Complaint and Feedback Mechanisms (CFM), and staff capacity building.
• Ensure that regular monitoring/MEAL reports are received and communicated effectively to COP and other relevant bodies in the national office.
• Ensure periodic reports are as per the standard quality, standard template, and time frame and are communicated accordingly
• Ensure all reportable indicators are tracked on a periodic basis and are in line with the results framework
• Ensure that MEAL evidence is incorporated into program planning and review processes.

Coordinate and conduct national level review meetings and joint supportive supervision. Learning and Knowledge Management

• Support LEARN II CO in the identification of learning objectives and evidence gaps.
• In close collaboration with project team facilitate in generating, storing and sharing knowledge (most significant change story, meta-analysis, research/evaluation summary reports, etc).
• Ensure utilization of learning and knowledge generated in decision making and LEARN CO project improvement
• Assist in any communications, publication work, and liaison with communities, project/impact areas and partners

Technical Support and Capacity Building

• Undertake continuous staff capacity assessment and develop capacity building plans
• Work with the relevant sector bureaus to align M&E tools and systems, and build capacity of local bureaus in M&E as necessary and based on identified gaps
• Provide trainings and capacity building for field-level staff as required
• Set standard and agreed performance objectives for direct reports
• Conduct performance assessment reviews.
• Conduct end line performance evaluation for direct reports, document and submit to HR
• Support and participate in donor and head office field visits, and provide project briefs as required.
• Attend other internal and external meetings as required.

Program research, evaluations, assessments and other studies

• Ensure projects/programmes have SMART objectives & indicators and are consistent with each other
• Coordinate and support project baseline, midline, and endline assessments in cooperation with external evaluator(s)
• Support innovative research, documentation and dissemination studies

BEHAVIOURS (Values in Practice)

Accountability:

• holds self accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values
• holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities – giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved.

Ambition:

• sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves and their team, takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages their team to do the same
• widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others
• future orientated, thinks strategically and on a global scale.

Collaboration:

• builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, Members and external partners and supporters
• values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength
• approachable, good listener, easy to talk to.

Creativity:

• develops and encourages new and innovative solutions
• willing to take disciplined risks.

Integrity:

• honest, encourages openness and transparency; demonstrates highest levels of integrity

QUALIFICATIONS

• Master or a Bachelor degree in Statistics, Education Administration or MEAL including studies relating to research and statistical analysis with research experience in education or other related field from an accredited college or university.

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

• 7-9 years of experience in monitoring and evaluating complex, large scale and integrated education and/or other community based development projects especially on reading/literacy and commodity distribution.
• Experience in both quantitative and qualitative research; experience with measuring social behaviour change an advantage.
• Minimum of 2 years of project M&E management or supervisory experience.
• Experience in the management of large scale data collections and training
• Capacity to evaluate data for evaluation purposes
• Experience in developing and implementing M&E tools and materials
• Strong knowledge of donor reporting – particularly for USAID
• Extensive experience working in Africa, preferably Liberia
• Capacity to build the M&E skills of colleagues and community members.
• Excellent writing skills, and ability to produce high quality documents for external audiences with minimal editing
• Proficiency in using standard computer software, especially MS Office programs (ex. Excel)
• Proficiency in using statistical analysis software, such as SPSS.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and to meet deadlines under pressure
• Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to lead and work effectively in team situations
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English language.
• Experience of working on all elements of MEAL including designing, rolling out and managing systems
• Highly developed cultural awareness and ability to work well in an international environment with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures
• Fluency in English, both verbal and written
• Commitment to Save the Children values

Additional job responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities as set out above are not exhaustive and the role holder may be required to carry out additional duties within reasonableness of their level of skills and experience.

Gender Inclusion

Female candidates are encouraged to apply.

Equal Opportunities

The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the SCI Equal Opportunities and Diversity policies and procedures.

Child Safeguarding:

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.

Health and Safety

The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with SCI Health and Safety policies and procedures.