Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Officer

The Opportunity – Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Officer

Post location: Gaza Field Office – Rafah and subject to change based on SC priorities and response in Gaza.

Contract Duration and Level of Effort: until 31st December 2024, with a possibility of extension based on available funds.

ROLE PURPOSE:

The MEAL Officer is primarily responsible for a sector’s programmes and projects’ Monitoring, Accountability (in collaboration with the Accountability team) and Learning systems. He/she, with the support of the MEAL TA, Sr. MEAL Manager and relevant PDQ/Programmes staff, will provide essential support on rolling out quality assurance system (e.g. data quality assessments, quality benchmarks). S/he will support on data cleaning, consolidation and analysis of data collected within the sector’s programmes and projects. S/he will support in developing XLS forms on surveys, data collection tools for the sector MEAL activities and needs. He/She will support the Sr. MEAL Manager and the Accountability team in strengthening monitoring, accountability and evaluations systems and harness the support of staff and partner capacity to ensure that SCI programmes are implemented in a quality manner and are accountable to beneficiaries and donors. Further, the Senior MEAL Officer will be expected to assist on MEAL system design and implementation, evaluations, MEAL budgeting and recruitment.

The MEAL Officer will support in building capacity of staff and partner in MEAL.

SCOPE OF ROLE:

Reports to: MEAL Coordinator

Staff reporting to this post: TBD

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITIES:

Developing/strengthening Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability & Learning (MEAL) system:

1. Undertake responsibility for the roll-out of the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) system in SCI’s programmes: monitoring progress against targets through the Indicator Performance Tracking Tool (IPTT), Output Trackers and working alongside PDQ for monitoring MEAL/Field visit, Quality Benchmark and IPTT action plans
2. Ensure that area operations and project staff understand the various steps and tools for the MEAL system and that this is used consistently across projects / areas
3. Develop database to capture and facilitate data demand from sector by project, location and total reach
4. Develop, in collaboration with the Sr. MIS Officer, XLS forms on data collection tools
5. Engage in the process of developing database or information management systems with the Sr. MIS Officer and programme team

Monitoring and Accountability:

1. Lead in maintaining, updating and cleaning key MEAL databases. Ensure data quality across sector database handled by MEAL and support sector unit on DQA
2. Lead in consolidating sector’s outputs (IPTT) from different grants and zone/camp wise for the output tracker/total reach, MEAL update
3. Lead in sector’s monitoring systems, including tools, formats, and record keeping systems of the sector’s projects, in collaboration with the MEAL and the programme team
4. Provide support to the project management in developing reports (through data collected and analysed) and facilitating timely implementation of project interventions
5. Work alongside the Accountability team to set up solid feedback and participation mechanisms at community level ensuring transparent and accountable programming
6. Collaborate with Accountability and Programme team, to conduct focus group discussions, post distribution monitoring, child participatory activities to gather affected community’s satisfaction and
7. Liaise with programme teams to develop information sharing and community engagement strategies, to ensure stronger accountability to beneficiary communities

Quality Benchmarks:

1. To conduct quality monitoring of programme activities, measured against international standards and using participatory methodologies (including child-friendly methodologies) and the quality benchmarks

Capacity Building

1. Contribute at the field level towards the creation of an organisational culture that promotes MEAL and understands its link to quality and accountable programming
2. Support on program and partners staff capacity to identify and measure key monitoring indicators and technical skills on data collection, analysis

Documentation and Dissemination:

1. Support reporting to donors by providing management information to programme managers on a timely basis;
2. Ensure that Monthly, Quarterly and Annual field level reports include accurate key data summaries and brief narrative descriptors of previous period’s achievements/challenges and future period’s planned activities in relevant areas as well as assigned project specific information
3. Develop periodic report for the sector in terms of reach per project and sector wise
4. Support other reporting processes as required.

Coordination:

1. Coordinate and communicate with MIS manager/officers regarding current databases and information management systems
2. Maintain liaison with MEAL unit colleagues of PDQ department

In order to be successful, you will bring/have:

QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

ESSENTIAL:

Education:

• BSc/BA/BEng in Social Sciences, Computer Sciences, Statistics or related field.

Working experience:

1. At least 3+ years’ experience of working in database or information management.
2. Excellent skills in communication, facilitation, database management, and data cleaning
3. Excellent computer skills, including experience with Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher

Job related knowledge:

1. Sound knowledge on quantitative and qualitative data collection methods.
2. Knowledge and capacity of documentation and publishing reader friendly documents
3. Understanding of the situation of children in Gaza – problems and capacities of children.
4. Ability and willingness to travel widely in project areas.

Skills:

1. Capacity of MEAL related training facilitation
2. Good spoken, reading and writing skills in English & Arabic with the ability to produce quality analytical reports.
3. Ability to work in a team with flexibility to undertake challenging task and adapt to different working conditions.

• Problem solving and decision making,
• Applying technical and professional expertise,
• Working effectively with others,
• Communicating with impact,
• Networking

DESIRABLE

Ability to use standard office computer software for data management and analysis such as MS Access, Stata, SPSS or any statistical package.

Attitude:

To work in team

To protect children in connection

To be non-discriminatory and gender sensitive

We offer a competitive package in the context of the sector. This role is offered on the basis of national terms and conditions. Application will be reviewed and selected on a rolling basis.

Save the Children promotes a diverse and inclusive work environment, women and people with different abilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Organisation

Save the Children works in development and humanitarian contexts with children and partners to help families, communities, and governments identify and use innovations to ensure all children survive, learn and are protected.

We employ approximately 25,000 people across the globe and work on the ground in over 100 countries to help children affected by crises, or those that need better healthcare, education and child protection. We also campaign and advocate at the highest levels to realize the right of children and to ensure their voices are heard.

We are working towards three breakthroughs in how the world treats children by 2030:

• No child dies from preventable causes before their 5th birthday
• All children learn from a quality basic education and that,
• Violence against children is no longer tolerated

We know that great people make a great organization, and that our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children. We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive environment where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued.

How to apply

Application Information:

Please attach a copy of your CV and cover letter with your application, and include details of your current remuneration and salary expectations. A copy of the full role profile can be found at Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Officer

If you’re unable to apply through the website, please submit your full application through email opt.hr@savethechildren.org

We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.

All employees are expected to carry out their duties in accordance with our global anti-harassment policy.