MEAL Officer at Save the Children

ROLE PURPOSE:
To support the delivery of Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability & Learning (MEAL) strategy, policy and practice by helping design programme monitoring systems, build the capacity of staff in their analysis and dissemination of data, and coordinate information management and reporting systems.  Your support in the delivery of an effective MEAL function will play a key role in the achievement of results for the Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) project implemented by Save the Children in Nairobi to increase impact and enable positive change for children.

Reports to:

Senior Health Coordinator –Kangaroo Mother Care and working very closely with the Head of MEAL

Country Dimension:

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.

Staff directly reporting to this post: None

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:
Support the delivery of effective Programming by:

Monitoring
• Participating in the development of tools and guidelines for data collection, collation and reporting, with a focus on establishing Output and outcome Tracking, systemically            checking data for quality, accuracy, and consistency, and providing feedback as necessary;
• Developing the KMC project internal reporting schedules & templates, clarifying what level of information is needed and where, with key responsibilities assigned, and reviewing    proposals, with a particular focus on checking log frames and ensuring indicators are SMART;
• Follow up with project teams on programme quality improvement action plans. Ensure action points are followed up and relevant measures taken and incorporated into                  programming;
• Use process, output 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

Database management
• Provide MIS content/requirements and feedback to project team and document progress on indicators/achievement of targets (LFA) using Indicator Performance Tracking Tables    (IPTT)
• Supporting the development of systems and processes for the implementation of M&E policy and procedure based on Save the Children best practice, developing frameworks to      integrate impact assessment and learning and knowledge management into the programme and project cycle;
• Supporting SC staff and partners and building their capacity in M&E issues and in the management of information systems, such as the development of required formats, key        indicators, needs assessments, frameworks for evaluation, qualitative documentation of outcomes and impact of projects;

Learning
• Support in the compilation and analysis of quantitative and qualitative programme data and contribute into subsequent reporting through monthly MEAL reports, flagging            updates, successes and issues from the MEAL tracking tools.
• Coordinating the sharing of learning related to MEAL practices across offices, encouraging consideration of results both between and within sectoral teams, and providing support    when internal/external reviews, evaluations, and lessons learned exercises should be employed;
• Support the development of case studies, human interest stories, documentaries and other related materials with MEAL
• Organize learning meetings, events and workshops for programme units to document lessons learnt, good practices and areas of improvement;

Evaluation
• Designing situation analysis, needs and baseline/end line assessments, external reviews, evaluations and documentation, and identifying resources, including technical resources,    both within SC and externally;
• Support the implementation of processes to review the quality of existing project data, information collection methods and the suitability of the existing data for the provision of    sound baseline information;
• Representing the principles and work of Save the Children to donors, United Nations, NGOs and INGOs, government, media and other stakeholders when required;
• Maintaining a tracking spreadsheet for M&E activities and events – baselines, assessments, reviews, evaluations – tracking trends and recommendations, progressing their            implementation where appropriate;
• Professionally document and proactively share information and learning with Save the Children stakeholders

Accountability
• Ensure sensitive complaints collection and handling through development of functional systems within the project
• Ensure accountability assessments are conducted and capacity of staff built to undertake accountability assessments.
• Ensure effective community complaints response mechanisms in collaboration with communities are developed and functional
• The capacity of local partners is assessed and developed using CHS methodologies
• Complying with and promoting all Save the Children Global policies such as Child Safeguarding, Whistle blowing, Fraud, and     Health and Safety.
• Contributing to the design of MEAL methodology and child-focused indicators by the KMC project team, and to the promotion of child participation in M&E planning and accountability, including in the Child Rights Convention (CRC) reporting process;

SKILLS AND BEHAVIOURS (our Values in Practice)

Accountability:
• Holds self accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children 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, 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

• First degree in Social sciences or Health related disciplines.
• Minimum three years practical experience in M&E system coordination/implementation in a large international non-governmental organisation or other international                      relief/development body;
• Background of implementing effective M&E systems and/or accountability mechanisms in emergency responses.
• Demonstrable track-record in data tracking and evaluation, with the ability to support staff and partners on M&E methodology and analyze and disseminate complex information    to a range of stakeholder audiences;
• Well-developed research, analytical (qualitative and quantitative), documentation, report-writing and strategic planning skills, with particular competency in participatory              research methods;
• Practical knowledge of current thematic issues and debates in developing countries, and of the major institutional donors
• Computer literacy, particularly in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint;
• Working knowledge of data/statistical programmes e.g. SPSS, Stata etc
• Excellent planning, coordination, and reporting skills, with the ability to organise a substantial workload comprised of complex, diverse tasks and responsibilities;
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills in English, with experience working in multicultural, multi location, values driven teams;
• Commitment to Save the Children values.