Program Development, Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability & Learning (MEAL) specialist

Reporting to Senior Manager: Middle East & North Africa, this Program Development, Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability & Learning (MEAL) specialist is responsible for strengthening the quality, impact and scale of Habitat’s programs across the Middle East & North Africa (MENA). With a specific focus on program development and MEAL, the position supports Habitat’s country offices and the MENA regional team to develop strong, high quality programs, and in-line with Habitat’s Theory of Change and MEAL policies, strengthen Habitat’s MEAL capacity (systems and people) across the MENA region.

This role is responsible for adapting and implementing MEAL guidelines and tools throughout the operations in MENA and provide support with organizational MEAL and related standards. With regards to MEAL, the purpose of the position is to support the improvement of program and project efficiency and effectiveness, decision making and learning during the project life cycle through MEAL.

In carrying out their work, the Program Development & MEAL specialist will report to the Senior Manager: Middle East & North Africa, with close accountability to the Global MEAL Director and host National Office Director. specialist interacts with National Organizations (NO), Area Office (AO) and Head Quarter (HQ) staff, partner organizations and contracted subject matter experts (SMEs).

Note:

This contract is for an initial 1-year with the intent to extend based on job performance.

This position is based in Jordan, and is open to citizens, residents and those with the ability to work in Jordan. Citizens, residents and those with the ability to work in Egypt may also be considered – and would therefore be based in Egypt.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Program design & development

· Support National Organizations in the development and adaptation of national strategies in line with Habitat’s MENA regional strategy and HFHI’s theory of change.

· In collaboration with HQ counterparts – including Global MEAL, oversee and contribute to the implementation of HFHI theories of change, program framework frameworks, guidelines and methodologies in prioritized areas.

• Work closely with country and regional teams on identifying potential funding opportunities – and partners – to maximize Habitat’s impact across the region
• Identify and strengthen strategic partnerships, including development of consortium with local and international civil society organizations, NGOs, governments etc., in advancing the country and global strategy.
• Support context and needs assessments and other data gathering to generate data and evidence to inform program design
• In close collaboration with country and regional teams Lead/coordinate the development of strong program proposals for both internal and external donors – ensuring logical frameworks, MEAL plans and cross cutting priorities are in line with the logic of intervention and clearly described within each proposal.

Monitoring & Evaluation

• Coordinate national organization capacity assessments and review of MEAL systems to identify process, systems and capacity gaps.

· In collaboration with HQ & regional teams, develop, manage and support the approach tp MEAL and associated processes and apply in the context of strategy implementation & oversight

• In collaboration with program/project teams supports the development of AO, NO, and project capacity to ensure that MEAL standards and good practices are properly integrated in all phases of the project life cycle.

· In collaboration with program/project teams, support the development of area office, national organization, and project capacity to ensure that MEAL standards and good practices are properly integrated in all phases of the project life cycle

· Adapt and continue to develop MEAL methodology, approaches, and tools, and provide support, guidance, training and overall capacity strengthening to MENA country teams

• Support and follow up on research, evaluations and learning events to document lessons learned and best practices from interventions. Prepare or review terms of reference for external evaluators and coordinate collaboration.
• Provide research, planning and evaluation guidance and tools for the implementation of new / pilot housing programs, and assist NOs in research and analysis for the development of new programs as requested.

Accountability, Learning & Reporting

· Work with regional and country teams in collating and documenting priority program reporting

• Support program/project teams to set up accountability mechanisms to beneficiaries and community members. Review the responsive use of accountability mechanisms, data, and responses.

• Ensure that analysis of evaluation findings and recommendations feedback into improved program quality, evidenced in subsequent program designs.

• Support national organizations in the use of HFHI metrics tools and data reporting, review project data collection and reporting (Global Metrics Tool and related) for data quality and make recommendations for improvement.

• Support the development and roll out of HFHI’s approach to people centered development.

Collaboration

• Participate in / lead HFHI relevant communities of practice and collaborate with counterparts within HFHI network as required.
• Be an active member of Habitat’s global MEAL Leadership Team. Represent the knowledge, skills, and experience that you bring to Habitat and that you gain through your work at Habitat to expand the global MEAL Leadership Team’s awareness, capabilities, and pooled resources.
• Support the integration of HFHI’s International Theory of Change and MEAL related processes
• Establish an external network of organizations and individual experts for joint projects and contractual work.

Education, Qualifications, and Experience:

Minimum Required:

• 7+ years of experience in a similar position, preferably with a development organization.

• In-depth knowledge and experience in monitoring and evaluation, accountability, learning, research and evaluation methodologies, standards, and practices (preferably in relation to human / social development or housing and human settlement).

• Understanding of contemporary trends and innovations in MEAL.

• Demonstrated experience with qualitative and quantitative data analysis and statistics.

• Experience in leading and coordinating successful program development processes

• Familiarity with institutional donors present in the MENA region (EU, US donors etc)

• Experience in designing and delivery of capacity building programs

• Strong oral, interpersonal, and written communication skills to effectively interact with government clients and industry partners Proficient user of Microsoft Office Suite; familiarity with statistical packages, qualitative data analysis software and IT applications to support MEAL and knowledge management.

• Fluency in English and Arabic.

Competencies

· Building relationships and trust.

· Leading change.

· Developing people.

· Thinking critically.

· Communicating clearly.

· Creating accountability.

· Active support of HFHI Values:**

o Humility – We are part of something bigger than ourselves

o Courage – We do what’s right, even when it is difficult or unpopular

o Accountability – We take personal responsibility for Habitat’s mission

· Safeguarding: HFHI requires that all employees take seriously their ethical responsibilities to safeguarding our intended beneficiaries, their communities, and all those with whom we work. Managers at all levels have responsibilities to support and develop systems that create and maintain an environment that prevents harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse, safeguards the rights of beneficiaries and community members (especially children), and promotes the implementation of Habitat for Humanity’s code of conduct.