Save the Children
Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability
and Learning (MEAL) Coordinator
Team / Programme: Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL)
Location: Wajir
Grade: 3
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
Monitoring, Evaluation,
Accountability & Learning (MEAL) is a core function in all Save the
Children International programmes globally, representing our commitment to
accountability and transparency, and is crucial aspect of programme quality
management within Save the Children.
The Wajir-based MEAL Coordinator will
provide leadership in ensuring high quality programme management information
systems and accountability standards are integrated into all aspects of Save
the Children’s programming in Wajir, and in doing so will contribute to
organisational progress against the Minimum Operating Standards and programme
quality indicators.
Key areas of responsibility for the
Wajir-based MEAL Coordinator include
(a) support programme staff in the
development and implementation of Save the Children’s Monitoring, Evaluation,
Accountability and Learning (MEAL) systems;
(b) assisting in the collection,
entry and compilation and first-step analysis of program data and learning
findings;
(c) supporting Wajir Field Office by
providing programme-level technical assistance during the design and
implementation of studies, research, surveys and evaluations;
(d) supporting in the setting up and
implementation of accountability to beneficiaries mechanisms, monitor programme
quality, raise red flags and support programme learning while contributing to
transparent and robust reporting.
Dimensions: Save the Children has been operational in Kenya since the 1950s,
providing support to children through developmental and humanitarian relief
programmes delivered both directly and through local partners.
Current programming focuses on child
protection, child rights governance, education, health, HIV/AIDS, livelihoods,
nutrition and WASH.
In 2012, as part of a global
reorganization process, Save the Children combined the programmes of SC UK, SC
Canada and SC Finland to create a single operation in Kenya.
In Feb 2014, we completed a second
transition, which saw us join forces with the British INGO, Merlin, and merge
their health and nutrition programmes with our own.
Save the Children now has an
operational presence in Bungoma, Dadaab Refugee Camp, Garissa, Mandera, Turkana
and Wajir and we work through partners in many other parts of the country.
In 2016, Save the Children
established a new project office in Madagascar whose operations are managed by
the Kenya CO.
In total, we employ around 250 staff
in both countries and had an operating annual budget in 2016 of approximately
US$17.5million
Scope of Role:
Reports to: Initially, the Wajir Area Programme Manager (APM) operationally
with close technical relationship to the Nairobi-based Head of MEAL.
By the end of 2015, the position will
report directly to the Head of MEAL, with close interaction with the APM on a day-to-day
basis.
Staff directly reporting to this
post: Wajir-based MEAL Officer(s).
Staff directly interacting with this
post: All Wajir-based programme staff, Community Liaison Officer(s),
MEAL Coordinators based in other field locations
Key Areas of Accountability:
General Management
·
Responsible for leading the MEAL roll
out plan within the field office and for the correct implementation of the SCI
Kenya MEAL Framework;
·
Ensure that MEAL is effectively
integrated into programme design, and contributes to programme objectives;
·
Ensure the appropriate resourcing of
MEAL activities within new budgets;
·
With Programme Managers, develop MEAL
plans and related tools at award start up, including ensuring that programme
Detailed Implementation Plans (DIPs) include MEAL activities;
·
Compile and provide required data for
reporting to donors and SCI requirements
·
Contribute to annual planning and
reporting processes, consistent with SCI operational requirements;
·
Identify recurring gaps in MEAL and
programme quality themes, and actively address the causes;
·
Ensure that child participation and
child safeguarding is integrated into design and delivery;
·
As a member of the Wajir SMT, ensure
a conducive and productive work environment.
Quality Monitoring
·
Work closely with the Programme
Development and Quality (PDQ) team and Head of MEAL to develop and finalise
Programme Quality Benchmarks
·
Use process, output and outcome level
quality benchmarks as reference to undertake field monitoring visits, focusing
on programme quality aspects, discuss with relevant staff and share reports
with relevant colleagues
·
Work with the programme team to
develop data collection tools
·
Work with programme team to regularly
collect data related to their indicators
·
Perform regular field visits to
ensure the quality of data collected by programme staff and to verify the
accuracy of reported data
Management Information System
·
Manage the MIS system at the field
office level and ensure quality data is collected. This includes keeping field
level MEAL tracking tools (Accountability Tracker; Quality Action Tracker; IPTT
dashboard; Evaluation Tracker) up to date.
·
Support in the compilation and
analysis of quantitative and qualitative programme data and contribute into
subsequent reporting of Wajir Field Office through monthly MEAL reports,
flagging updates, successes and issues from the MEAL tracking tools.
Accountability
·
Contribute to a culture of
accountability and transparency on the team;
·
In close collaboration with Community
Liaison Officer (s), lead in the design and roll-out of locally appropriate,
financially viable, and effective complaints and feedback response handling
mechanisms;
·
Support and promote two-way
beneficiary communications in activity and MEAL systems design.
·
Receive accountability data from field,
analyse it and share with the Country office. Compile and analyze data on
monthly basis and share it with program teams at various levels.
·
Maintain the Complaints and Response
Mechanism database at the field office level
·
In collaboration with the Head of
MEAL, support Wajir office in ensuring children’s participation, reporting back
to children, and child-led MEAL.
Evaluations and Research
·
In collaboration with relevant
Technical Specialists and the Head of MEAL, support in the coordination of
research field activities and ensure effective child-focused research
·
Where necessary, design and support
the implementation of needs, baseline, and endline assessments and surveys
·
Supervise the development of data
collection tools proposed for evaluations activities
·
Act as the field focal point for the
design, management and tracking of internal and external evaluations and impact
assessments, to ensure compliance with donor and SCI requirements, as well as
accountability, transparency and programme learning.
Learning
·
Work with programme teams to utilise
data from trackers for quality improvement;
·
Document good practices, lessons
learned and feedback captured from programme participants (adults and children)
to influence and guide the design and implementation of our programmes –
(action research);
·
Organize learning meetings, events
and workshops for programme units to document lessons learnt, good practices
and areas of improvement;
External relations
·
Actively and effectively represent
SCI Kenya at the Accountability Working Group, and the Community Communications
Working Group.
·
Represent SCI Kenya, and provide
technical advice where necessary, to implementing partners;
·
Other representation as required.
Staff Management, Mentorship, and
Development
Manage performance of direct reports
in the work area through:
·
Identify capacity gaps and work with
the Head of MEAL to build the capacity of the program staff and partners to
ensure smooth implementation of quality MEAL systems and effective
participatory evaluations;
·
Provide orientation/training to
MEAL/programme field staff, both to those who are new in post and to all field
office staff periodically.
·
Effective use of the Performance
Management System including the establishment of clear, measureable objectives,
ongoing feedback, periodic reviews and fair and unbiased evaluations;
·
Coaching, mentoring and other
developmental opportunities;
·
Recognition and rewards for
outstanding performance;
·
Documentation of performance that is
less than satisfactory, with appropriate performance improvements/ work plans.
·
Build the capacity of staff to
monitor/ manage grants and awards as well as understand and implement
compliance requirements from donors, Save the Children and/or the Government of
Kenya.
·
Maintain clear communication with both
the functional (direct) line manager and the technical manager to foster a
smooth working relation under existing matrix structure
Competencies
1. Leading
·
Delivering Results: Takes personal
responsibility and holds others to account to deliver our ambitious goals for
children, continually improving own performance or that of the
team/organisation.
·
Developing Self and Others: Invests
time and energy to actively develop self and others to help realise their full
potential, and to build the organisation’s capability for the future.
·
Leading and Inspiring Others:
Demonstrates leadership in all our work, role models our values and articulates
a compelling vision to inspire others to achieve goals for our children.
2. Thinking
·
Problem Solving and Decision Making:
Takes effective, considered and timely decisions by gathering and evaluating
relevant information from within or outside the organisation and making
appropriate judgements.
·
Applying Technical Expertise: Applies
the required technical and professional expertise to the highest standards,
promotes and shares best practices within and outside the organisation.
·
Innovating and Adapting: Develops and
implements innovative solutions to adapt and succeed in an ever – changing,
uncertain work and global environment.
3. Engaging
·
Working Effectively with others:
Works collaboratively to achieve shared goals and thrives on diversity of
people and perspectives. Knows when to lead and when to follow and how to
ensure effective cross- boundary working.
·
Communicating with Impact:
Communicates clearly and confidently with others to engage and Influence,
Promotes dialogue and ensures timely and appropriate messages, building
confidence and trust with others.
·
Networking: Builds and uses
sustainable relationships and networks to support the work of Save the
Children.
Qualifications and Experience
Essential:
·
Bachelor degree or higher in a
relevant area of social sciences;
·
Five years’ experience working with
NGOs in project program implementation, with at least two years’ experience in
MEAL roles with leadership responsibilities.
·
Experience of working on all elements
of MEAL including designing, rolling out and managing systems;
·
Experience in designing Terms of
Reference and successfully managing evaluations;
·
Experience of working with
communities in participatory activities, including confidence in working with
children and an understanding of child-friendly participatory methodologies.
·
Familiarity with international
quality standards (Red Cross Code of Conduct, SPHERE Standard, HAP Standard)
and experience of using these standards in practical ways to promote quality
and accountable programming;
·
Proven success in managing a team and
dedication to staff development.
·
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 mind sets;
·
Experience of solving complex issues
through analysis and action planning;
·
Ability to present complex
information in a succinct and compelling manner;
·
Ability and willingness to work in
challenging circumstances, to change work practices and hours, and to work with
incoming surge teams, in the event of emergencies;
·
Fluency in English, both verbal and
written, required;
·
Commitment to Save the Children
values, including willingness to abide by and enforce the Child Safeguarding
policy.
Desirable:
·
Skills and experience using on line
data collection and analytical soft wares
·
Experience in both emergency and
development contexts;
·
Experience with health &
nutrition programmes, including knowledge of DHIS preferred;
·
Somali language skills;
How to Apply
To apply for this position send
your CV and cover letter to kenya.jobapplications@savethechildren.org indicating the Position Title on the subject line, deadline is
on 26th May 2017 COB.
The system allows CV & Cover
letter as One(1) document.
Applications will be reviewed on a
rolling basis.
