Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability & Learning (MEAL) Coordinator

TEAM PURPOSE: To effectively lead, manage and drive the Oxfam response to the Ukraine crisis working with other stakeholders across Oxfam

JOB PURPOSE: The MEAL Coordinator is responsible for developing, managing and coordinating the implementation of a comprehensive MEAL system to enhance our ability to demonstrate the impact of our Humanitarian response in all interventions for both refugees and host community response programs.

They will ensure programme quality of the Romania country team as per Oxfam program quality standards, Core Humanitarian Standards and in adherence to Oxfam’s Common Approach to MEAL and Social Accountability (CAMSA). They will be closely working with partners, the programme technical teams at the country office and the Programme Management Unit.

External representations may include coordination with other INGOs, Cluster representatives, local agencies and relevant local government unit representatives.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

MEAL System development and management

• Support the Romania Programme team and partners in the development and management of a program Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Framework and Plan. This MEAL Framework and Plan details impact, outcome and output indicators as well as clear MEAL activities that should be undertaken throughout the duration of programme implementation. They shall support the development of a MEAL strategy that informs effective programme delivery by relevant programme staff at all levels.
• Provide MEAL technical support including MEAL activity plan, methodological design, needs assessments, base/endline, post distribution monitoring (PDMs), evaluations, and performance data collection for all Oxfam projects.
• Work closely with the PMU MEAL Teams, Partners MEAL teams in the development of MEAL tools and activities for new projects and programs.
• Proactively plan, initiate, lead and coordinate different assessments and surveys including KAP, PDMs, base/end line surveys in line with Oxfam Policies and standards. This includes recruitment and training of enumerators when needed.
• Support the design and development of innovative tools, templates and resources for effective programme monitoring and reporting.
• In consultation with the PMU MEAL Coordinator, WASH, Protection, Gender, Cash technical team leads and other programme teams, develop evaluation plan and design, that ensures timeliness of preparation and includes staffing and resource needs for the conduct of the same.

Manage, coordinate and strengthen the data management, data analysis, reporting and information system of projects

• Compile and provide inputs for different internal reports, including donor reports, sitreps, monthly accountability reports, PDM reports and other periodic reports that may be required.
• Support the PMU MEAL in preparing donor reports, monthly, quarterly and other periodic reports in the line with the reporting schedule and MEAL Framework and Plan.
• Support the PMU MEAL in developing/reviewing log frame/results framework, MEAL plan and Indicator Performance Reporting Table (IPTT) of existing projects and in the sharing of a monthly IPTT report.
• Support Partners MEAL team in their data management, analysis and reporting when such support needs are requested
• Plan, manage, coordinate and supervise field data collection, data cleaning and analysis for internal surveys/studies conducted and work together with relevant sector technical leads in producing the report for the same.
• Review and coordinate finalisation of survey and evaluation reports and ensure data quality including timeliness, relevance, accuracy, completeness and consistency of all program and project data of Oxfam. Ensure and coordinate the management response for these evaluation processes and the sharing of final evaluation reports.
• Assist in the use of ICT in MEAL processes and in the conduct of related training to both internal and partner staff

Capacity Building, Networking and Representation

• In consultation and with PMU MEAL lead and other MEAL team, assist to build the capacity of both internal and partner staff in MEAL through training, coaching and mentoring. This includes but not limited to ensuring quality data collection and analysis; development and designing of MEAL tools; ICT in MEAL; Accountability training; CAMSA and the likes.
• Attending Coordination forum, periodic internal and external meetings related to MEL and Accountability.

Program Quality, Learning and Accountability

• Work closely with PMU MEAL lead and partners, where appropriate, in the establishment of a safe and functional feedback mechanism. This includes ensuring that consultations with target reach
• on appropriateness of the mechanism; timeliness of responding to feedback and concerns raised; analysis of trends and commonly occurring complaints, referring them to relevant programme teams; and the producing and sharing of monthly accountability reports.
• Support the PMU MEAL lead and programme teams in planning and conduct of learning reviews; reflection workshops, programme quality spaces and other programmatic learning processes and products.
• Collecting good practices, case studies which documents pathways to and how change happens as a result of programmatic interventions
• Support robust data collection, storage and dissemination for wider learning across all teams (intranet, communities-of-practice, mobile-based application, M&E management information system and e-learning platforms)
• Work with responsible programme teams to develop a culture of programme quality and knowledge-drive programming, providing support to management for evidence-based decision-making processes.
• Support programme teams internal reporting and ensure quality of the reports produced
• Ensure knowledge management by maintaining proper storage of internal reports including PDMs, monitoring and evaluation reports; lessons learned documentations and related documents
• Undertake any reasonable duty and tasks that may arise from time to time.

Experience, Knowledge & Competencies

Essential:

• At least three years of experience in M&E in a humanitarian context
• Experience in the identification, design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of humanitarian projects and reporting to donors.
• Demonstrable experience in conducting or facilitating participatory monitoring, evaluation and learning initiatives.
• Experience of working collaboratively with a wide variety of organizations in different geographic areas in government agencies, CSOs, NGOs, or private sector institutions.
• Proficiency in oral and written communication
• A team player with strong interpersonal skills and a highly-developed ability to work in multicultural settings and with community groups of varying backgrounds (IPs, migrants); developed capacity for tact, diplomacy and negotiation
• An understanding of gender issues and experience in applying gender analysis in planning, monitoring, and evaluation with a commitment to mainstreaming gender and diversity equity issues as well as a commitment to neutrality & impartiality
• Knowledge and experience in social research methodologies and techniques and in capacity-building of staff and partners.
• Good planning skills, with initiative, able to exercise sound judgment and can manage multiple tasks in an effective, pro-active and timely manner.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, creatively, innovatively and effectively within teams (sometimes multi-cultural) and agreed framework, as an individual that requires less to no supervision.
• Proven experience of using basic MEAL software, apps (e.g. Kobo, Survey CTO, PowerBi) and MS office application (Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint).

Key Attributes:

• Ability to demonstrate sensitivity to cultural differences and gender issues, as well as the commitment to equal opportunities.
• Ability to demonstrate an openness and willingness to learn about the application of gender/gender mainstreaming, women’s rights, and diversity for all aspects of development work.
• Commitment to Oxfam’s safeguarding policies to ensure all people who come into contact with Oxfam are as safe as possible.

Other

• Required to adhere to Oxfam’s principles and values (https://www.oxfam.org/en/explore/how-oxfam-fights-poverty) as well as the promotion of gender justice and women’s rights (https://policy-practice.oxfam.org.uk/our-work/gender-justice#855afbea-dfa4-4084-a924-2e7d160e8a85).
• Understanding of and commitment to adhere to equity, diversity, gender, child safety and staff health and wellbeing principles.