Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Officer

DCA is seeking to recruit an experienced and energetic Kenyan National for the position of Monitoring Evaluation Accountability and Learning Officer. The position is based in Kakuma – with travel within Turkana County – and reports to the Area Programme Manager, based in Kakuma**.** The MEAL Officer willline manage the Kakuma-based MEAL Assistant and receive technical support and supervision from the Nairobi-based MEAL Coordinator.

The MEAL Officer will support the implementation of DCA and partner-led projects in Kakuma and the wider Turkana County. The MEAL Officer will ensure that projects are routinely monitored, with data collected, managed and analysed to improve the outputs of the programmes as envisaged. The MEAL Officer will contribute to the development of project specific MEAL plans as guided by the MEAL Coordinator, and will ensure the implementation of project MEAL plans. In close coordination with implementing staff, partners and relevant government departments, s/he will gather relevant information to monitor programme outputs and outcomes in target communities. In addition, s/he will ensure that accountability mechanisms are in place for the programme and act as the focal point in receiving and channelling complaints and feedback.

The main responsibilities of the MEAL Officer are:

MEAL Tool Development and Data Management

• Actively participate and lead Dca and partner staff in design and development of project proposals (Theory of Change, log frame, results framework, work plan and monitoring plans)
• Develop and implement a robust monitoring and evaluation system that will ensure tracking of project/ programme results at different levels (outputs, outcomes, and impact).
• Develop/adopt an integrated database of all programme area projects / programmes and ensure accountability through regular data updates, data integrity and working in collaboration with the project and partner staff.
• Work with DCA and partner programme staff to ensure the collection of relevant and appropriate data needed for an effective MEAL system which will be utilized in monitoring strengths, weaknesses and gaps in existing projects/ programmes and services and for reporting on donor commitments.
• Review and update existing data collection tools for the current programmes and projects.

Monitoring and Reporting

• Maintain and update the overall indicator results frameworks for the programme area projects.
• Develop Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) plans for all projects and proposals and ensure the same is followed up during implementation.
• Ensure all single grants have updated work-plan and performance management plan (PMP) in tandem with all approved proposals, regularly reviewing and updating as needed.
• Carry out regular data quality assessments/audits for MEAL data based on agreed indicators to guide decision making.
• Provide alert to the respective staff on corrective actions required to avoid delays in implementation, including flagging operational issues and risks requiring timely actions.
• Review monthly progress reports from DCA staff/partners and ensure they have evidence to back-up and provide feedback to the respective staff.
• Collate/prepare programme reports related to internal reporting such as the quarterly and annual reports.
• Ensure that cross-cutting issues such as participation, gender, age and disability are effectively addressed/ mainstreamed in all project/programme implementation. .

Assessments, Surveys, Research and Evaluation

• Adhere to accountability requirements by initiating baseline surveys for new projects/programmes and conducting relevant evaluations for ongoing projects to meet DCA standards.
• Ensure that DCA Kakuma & Lodwar offices learns from all final evaluations of completed projects for decision making and improvement of project designs.
• Lead and/or coordinate all programme area level assessments, evaluations, research, and performance evaluation tasks including planning and reporting on the same.
• Assist in the development of Terms of Reference (TOR) for external surveys and consultant recruitment and selection.
• Coordinate the review all survey reports prepared to ensure quality and accurate reporting.

Learning, Accountability and Capacity Building

• Informed by monitoring, review and evaluation activities, provide relevant evidence for learning from projects to DCA staff and partners.
• Share learning and provide constructive comments to colleagues in order to ensure programme quality. Ensure Sex, Age, Disaggregated data, Accountability and Gender standards are consistently adhered in programme delivery.
• Build capacity of DCA and partner staff through training to ensure adoption of new data monitoring tools and quality of data collected.
• Keep abreast of new approaches and tools on MEAL and provide training to DCA and partner staff as requested. Enable staff to monitor and evaluate their own efforts, gather relevant data and produce required progress reports.
• As the CRM focal point in Turkana County, receive and process complaints and feedback from the project participants.

Safeguarding

DCA is committed to safeguarding the communities with which we work, our partners, staff, and any others who we come into contact with. Therefore, you will also be responsible for:

• Preventing harm and abuse from our people, operations, and programmes to anyone that encounters our work.
• Reporting all safeguarding incidents you see, hear, hear about or suspect, using our internal reporting mechanism.
• Complying with all safeguarding framework policies and practices.
• Completing mandatory training courses relating to our safeguarding policy framework and complying with HR vetting procedures.

Required Education and Experience

Education:

• A holder of a degree in Statistics, Social Sciences, ICT, Development Studies, Project Management or other relevant field required. A master’s degree would be an added advantage.

Experience:

• A minimum of three years of professional experience in monitoring and evaluation, preferably with INGOs.
• Experience in the usage of Digital Data Collection software such as Kobo, ODK, Magpi, and Commcare.
• Strong skills in qualitative and quantitative data analysis and visualisation using at least three softwares: MS-Excel, STATA, SPSS, Power Bi, NVIVO and other data management software.

The desired candidate should have:

• Ability to work independently to troubleshoot, perform root cause analysis, identify and isolate technical issues.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Self-motivation, creativity, and should perform without close supervision.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English is required.

About DCA: DanChurchAid (DCA) is working in Turkana, West Pokot, Baringo, Elgeyo Marakwet, Nyandarua, Nakuru and Nairobi counties with refugees and local communities to enhance peace, livelihoods and resilience. DCA implements projects directly as well as through local partner organizations. For more information on DCA, please visit www.danchurchaid.org

DCA offers: The position is for a period of 24 months. DCA offers a competitive salary package (salary, insurance, and benefits) in accordance to experience and DCA Kenya HR Manual.