Regional MEL Advisor for Africa

The key priority of the Regional MEL Advisor (RMA) role is to provide technical support for strategic monitoring, evaluation and learning activities throughout the whole project cycle from conception to completion.

The RMA is part of the Global Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Team which supports country teams to create MEAL systems and culture with the aim of enhancing coordinated MEAL practices that meet GOAL Global and Donor requirements. This RMA has responsibility for a group of GOAL’s countries of operation in Africa.

Duties and responsibilities

Support assigned country offices in ensuring quality monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL)

• Support GOAL’s country offices in implementing GOAL’s Strategic Plan and populating global MEAL dashboards and reports on delivery of same.
• As part of the Global MEAL Team, undertake MEAL systems and capacity assessments with country teams to support development of MEAL plans
• Review and provide detailed follow-up and support to country level and grant specific MEAL plans on a quarterly basis
• Support the country MEAL teams on the development/review of new grant proposals and implementation of the grant MEAL activities, tools, plans and reporting mechanisms
• Provide capacity building of country MEAL staff and identify further training needs and opportunities
• Support and enable country MEAL teams to develop a strong culture of learning and evaluation
• Coordinate with country MEAL teams in developing best practices and sharing lessons learned and experience between fields
• Provide support to the Programme Technical Team on the development of sector specific internal or externally led surveys/assessments/evaluations/research and related tools
• Provide support to country MEAL team with the development, planning, implementation, analysis and write up of internal or externally led surveys/assessments/evaluations/research and related tools
• Partake in the procurement and/or recruitment panel for any externally contracted MEAL activities or for recruitment of country MEAL staff
• Backstop MEL activities in other Regions as necessary.

Global Strategy

• As part of the Global MEAL Team (comprised of MIS Team, Accountability Officer, Regional MEL Adviser, Head of MEAL ) support the revision/update of GOAL’s Global Results Framework, populating of global dashboards and drafting of reports for same.
• Review quarterly global country office reporting and support maintenance of the organisation wide dashboards on progress towards the Global Strategy Key Indicators and beneficiary numbers reached
• Ensure that all MEAL related toolkits and guidelines including for, but not limited to, GOAL’s Global Results framework and global dashboards are updated on a regular basis
• Ensure that GOAL’s MEAL4U intranet space and Microsoft Teams based resources are regularly updated with relevant tools and resources and that country MEAL Coordinators contacts are updated in relation to staff changes
• Ensure that all country reports from surveys/assessments/evaluations/research etc are stored in the relevant MEAL4U space (e.g. Evaluation Bank, Learning or Research Depository) and correctly labelled
• Provide support to Global Programme Technical Team with the development of MEAL sector specific toolkits
• Share any relevant data/stories/lessons learned with the Learning and Communications Officer
• Attend meetings, trainings, workshops as and when required.
• Contribute, support, and advise GOAL’s Emergency Response Unit, as required, on MEAL activities including needs assessments and surveillance activities.
• Carry out other duties as requested by GOAL’s Head of MEAL.

Collaboration

• Work collaboratively with other members of the Global MEAL Team and other country office/HQ teams/staff (such as MEAL Coordinator, ACD-P, Desk Officer, PSO, Technical Advisors, Programme Coordinators/Managers etc) to deliver GOAL’s Global Strategy and on specific areas such as, but not limited to, research, data analysis, Quarterly and Annual Global MEAL Report, external representation, surveys, sampling, methodologies, ethical guidelines, data protection, IA RFs.
• Work effectively within the Global MEAL team to avoid gaps in coverage during MEAL trips to country offices.
• Communicate effectively with the Regional MEAL Advisor for Middle East and Latin America to ensure that the best support possible is provided at all times, with consistent processes/messages/ tools /guidance.
• Work closely with GOAL Global Desk Officers to ensure a coordinated approach to county office team support

Requirements (Person Specification)

Essential

• Post graduate level qualification in studies relating to research and statistical analysis and/or

thematical experience in one or more areas: public health (e.g. health promotion, nutrition), economic development and food security, WASH, Market Systems and inclusion (Gender, Children and Disabilities).

• 3+ years of MEAL related field experience in an African context designing, reviewing and reporting on MEAL plans, frameworks, tools working collaboratively with programmes and/or other teams within an NGO, donor or academic institution.
• Excellent knowledge of theory of change, results chains, results frameworks, project indicators.
• Experience of implementing, reviewing and commissioning evaluations, reviews, research using quantitative and qualitative/participatory methods including but not limited to surveys, focus group discussions, key informant interviews, thematic analysis, etc.
• Demonstrated capacity for peer facilitation, training and mentoring, and to build research and MEAL skills.
• Confident presentation and facilitation skills, including demonstrable knowledge of a variety of presentation tools.
• Confidence in using Management Information System tools – Digital Data Gathering tools (e.g. CommCare) and Analytics and Reporting platforms (e.g. PowerBI).
• Ability to write clearly and concisely and to translate complex concepts into non-technical language (fluency in oral and written English).
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and to meet deadlines under pressure.
• Ability to work within remote team dynamics, ensuring self-paced work schedule and ability to communicate across time zones
• Commitment to GOAL’s child protection, Gender and HIV workplace policies.

Desirable

• Second Language French, and/or Arabic.
• Experience in both Development and Emergency response contexts.
• Operational knowledge of gender, child protection, HIV and environment principles as they apply to development work.
• Experience of accountability initiatives and procedures and knowledge of accountability standards and accreditation systems
• Demonstrated experience in utilising community based and participative monitoring and evaluation approaches (not solely Focus Group Discussions).