Technical Specialist (Monitoring, Evaluation and Accountability) - Job in Nairobi Kenya

About us

For over 90 years, Save the Children has been making a difference in children’s lives in more than 120 countries. 

We are the world’s largest independent child rights organization. From emergency relief to long-term development, Save the Children secures a child’s right to health, education and protection.  

Save the Children is an equal opportunity organization dedicated to our core values of Accountability, Ambition, Collaboration, Creativity and Integrity.  

We are looking to recruit for this position to be based in Somalia/Somaliland Country Office (Nairobi) with minimum travel to the field.

The MEAL technical specialist shares in the overall responsibility for the implementation and management of monitoring, evaluation, impact assessment and information management for a high quality, innovative and effective learning emergency and development programming. 

Technical Specialist  - Monitoring, Evaluation and Accountability(MEA)

Somalia/Somaliland Country Office

Vacancy Announcement No. SCI/SOM/16/13
 
Team/Programme: Programme Development and Quality    

Location:  Nairobi
 
Grade: TBC  (Competitive Package)    

Post Type: National
 
Child Safeguarding: Level 3 - the responsibilities of the post may require the post holder to have regular contact with or access to children or young people

Role Purpose:
 
The MEAL technical specialist shares in the overall responsibility for the implementation and management of monitoring, evaluation, impact assessment and information management for a high quality, innovative and effective learning emergency and development programming.
 
Scope of Role:

Reports to: Head of MEA

Dimensions: Save the Children International works in 4 regions in Somalia/Somaliland with a current staff complement of approximately 450 staff and current expenditure of approximately $64 million in 2012.

Staff directly reporting to this post: N/A

Key Areas of Accountability:
 
Together with the MEAL Nairobi and field-based staff, and in collaboration with the programme staff, the MEA technical specialist will assist in the establishment and promotion of programme quality and innovation, which will be achieved through developing and improving monitoring, evaluation, impact assessment and learning methodologies; capacity building, technical advice and knowledge sharing. 

The MEA technical specialist will assist in the establishment and roll out the MEAL(Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning) systems to ensure that our Country Office:
  • is  informed on the extent to which both the emergency response and development interventions are affecting the lives of the targeted populations;
  • have evidence-based knowledge on the positive and negative impact that both the emergency response and development interventions are having over the communities where SCI works;
  • receives regular, timely and context-specific, meaningful feedback from our staff, partners, programme participants (who are or are not targeted by our interventions), and that feedback effectively informs and signals areas where strategic attention is required.
Program Design and Quality Programmes
  • Participate in development of thematic strategies in line with Save the Children International’s Country Strategy Plan for Somalia/Somaliland programme;
  • Participate in development of innovative and integrated thematic plans as part of the Country Annual Plans
  • Feed into programme and proposal design to ensure that programme design is based on previous learning;
  • Provide high quality technical inputs to developing cost-effective, innovative and sustainable proposals for children, families and institutions in Somalia/Somaliland;
  • Work with MEAL Team to provide technical guidance and inputs to the Area teams for them to develop strategic, high quality and evidence-based concept notes, proposals , and reports;
  • Provide support to technical staff in developing highly integrated programmes and proposals i.e. child protection, child rights governance, education, health & nutrition, WASH, DRR and Food security & livelihoods.
Technical Assistance and Capacity Building
  • Work with project staff to monitor and document the progress of programme activities against agreed indicators and the impact of programmes to inform overall Country Annual Plan.
  • Work with project staff to ensure systems and processes are in place engaging beneficiaries and stakeholders in evaluations, impact assessments and research. 
  • Provide field-based support ensuring the accurate and timely collection of data and utilize project management cycles to reflect and analyse results and feedback, develop best practices, and implement lessons learned.
  • Work with Area teams, partners and consortium members in developing and implementing a relevant and sustainable capacity building plan for on specific thematic areas.
  • Work with Area teams and relevant field-based project/programme managers to build capacities of field-based staff and stakeholders to improve quality of SCI’s programming in Somalia/Somaliland
  • Work with teams and relevant field-based project/programme managers to prepare high quality reports on the programming activities for internal, donor and beneficiary community reporting.
Assessment, Monitoring and Evaluation
  • Work closely with both field and Nairobi-based Quality Programmes and Operations teams to ensure that all projects and components have robust monitoring plans, baselines, reviews and evaluations in line with project designs and donor guidelines;
  • Measure achievement and progress towards project objectives and results through the M&E system
  • Along with Quality Programmes team, organise periodic technical project review meetings with Area Teams (programme/project managers) and consortium partners and internally share progress and actions;
  • Carry out extensive field visits to document observations and experiences and share them with Area, Quality and Technical teams and influence management action for quality improvement in projects. 
  • Work with Quality Programmes team to carry out relevant studies and document and disseminate good practices in projects related to relevant thematic areas. 
Partner Management
  • Work with the Area teams in  identifying the capacity of present and potential partners in quality programming and ensure that MEAL support is provided.
  • Work with  the Area teams to ensure that MEAL aspects of programmes implemented by existing partners are established.
Innovation
  • Provide support to identify opportunities for innovative work promoting issues around quality.
  • Work with MEAL team to contribute to actively disseminating and communicating programme findings and research outcomes widely,  and  in particular – to the Government, donors and to other humanitarian and development actors
Knowledge Management and Learning
  • Ensure that Area teams have access to learning documents for reference purpose;
  • Work closely with the MEAL team in planning programme research and establishing the evidence base for programme development and advocacy, researching and developing frameworks for annual project/programme reviews, leading participatory impact assessments;
  • Work closely with the MEAL team in project research/study to collect and analyse data, and translate and implement research findings together with other project team members, partners and consultants;
  • Support in establishing a close working relationships and regular communication on MEAL issues with project partners at all levels, including with government and other organisations working in the project area, to ensure efficient and effective project implementation.
People Management and Coordination 
  • Coordinate closely with field and Nairobi-based Quality Programmes and Operations teams for development and implementation of high quality programmes and reporting system in Somali/Somaliland.
  • Support the development of an organisational culture that reflects our dual mandate values, promotes accountability and high performance, encourages a team culture of learning, creativity and innovation, and frees up our people to deliver outstanding results for children and excellent service for our members and donors.
Skills and Behaviours (our Values in Practice)
 
Accountability:
  • Holds self accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children International’s 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 others to do the same
  • Widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children International, engages and motivates others
  • Future orientated, thinks strategically
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
Qualifications and Experience
  • Post-graduate degree in an area of social development or equivalent.
  • Recommended 5+ years of demonstrated experience in a similar position in both emergency and development context, preferably with solid experience in more than one of the Save the Children International’s priority sectors: education, protection, rights governance, HIV/AIDs, health and nutrition, and emergencies
  • Experience of working on all elements of MEAL including designing, rolling out and managing systems
  • Sound knowledge of international quality standards (Red Cross Code of Conduct, Sphere Standard, HAP Standard) and proven experience of using these standards in practical ways to promote quality and accountable programming
  • Direct experience of working with communities in participatory activities, including confidence in working with children and an understanding of child-friendly participatory methodologies
  • Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills including influencing, negotiation and coaching
  • Highly developed cultural awareness and ability to work well in an international environment with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures
  • Strong results orientation, with the ability to challenge existing mindsets
  • Experience of solving complex issues through analysis, definition of a clear way forward and ensuring buy in
  • Ability to present complex information in a succinct and compelling manner
  • Ability and willingness to dramatically change work practices and hours, and work with incoming surge teams, in the event of emergencies
  • Fluency in English, both verbal and written
  • Commitment to and understanding of Save the Children International’s aims, values and principles
  • Information Communication Technology literate
How to Apply

Interested candidates are required to submit a CV and mandatory cover letter quoting the Job Title and Vacancy Announcement No. SCI/SOM/16/13 on the subject line.  

The file name of the CV and attachments must be the applicants name and sent to Somalia.vacancies@savethechildren.org. 

For more information please visit our website www.somaliangoconsortium.org

Applications close on 7th June 2013. 

We work with children, communities and governments all over the world and we believe in the right person for the job regardless of where you come from and how you identify yourself. 

We need to keep children safe so our selection process reflects our commitment to ensuring that only those who are suitable to work with children are considered for these posts. 


All successful applicants will therefore be required to complete a Police Check and must sign onto our Child Protection Policy and organizational Code of Conduct.