Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Manager (Nairobi) at Action Against Hunger International

Goal:

The MEAL manager is responsible for effective planning and implementation of a Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning system for the Action Against Hunger Somalia country program in line with Action Against Hunger's M&E Minimum Standards and M&E Strategy 2020. S/he will provide technical support to all assessments, surveys and routine monitoring exercises. S/he will oversee the mission’s accountability and feedback mechanisms, ensuring sensitization of Action Against Hunger staff and communities on the organizations’ MEAL systems as well as timely follow-up on all feedback.

Mission 1: Strengthen the MEAL system of the mission including human resources, tools, and knowledge.

The M & E Manager is responsible for:

• Ensure M&E systems are developed and strengthened to guide project start-up, implementation, adjustment, accountability and learning in compliance with AAH’s M&E Guidelines and Minimum Requirements for M&E.
• Management of all data collection platforms and monitoring systems including development and roll-out of necessary tools and platforms.
• In collaboration with Technical HoDs (WASH, FSL, NUT-MED), the Senior M&E Technical Advisor in HQ and the DCD propose possible improvements and/or streamlining of MEAL tools.
• Support technical HoDs in finding solutions for RM (Remote Management) related bottle-necks in the data transfer and communication between project locations and coordination team
• Support the recruitment, capacity building (formal and on-the-job training), and management of qualified staff to carry out regular MEAL functions at all field bases.
• Organize in collaboration with Field Coordinators regular workshops for programme staff on principles of MEAL and other related subjects.
• Supervise and provide technical support to MEAL staffs’ development of systems and tools, including promoting and rolling out new technologies relevant to MEAL
• Support and strengthen Knowledge and Information Management systems at mission level through AAH Sharepoint (No Hunger Forum) and other relevant platforms.
• In collaboration with Field Coordinators, Technical HoDs and Deputy Country Director, represent AAH externally in relevant forums and working groups at national level on issues related to monitoring, evaluation and accountability (consortia, alliances and clusters).

Mission 2: Ensure proper and timely implementation of MEAL activities, including program monitoring, reporting, and accountability mechanisms

The M & E Manager is responsible for:

• In close collaboration with Field Coordinators, follow up on MEAL staff timeframes and budgets are respected as per MEAL Plan.
• Actively participate in the development of project logical frameworks to ensure objectives are clearly constructed and indicators are SMART and respond to process, outputs, and outcome.
• Support the inclusion of M&E activities in new project proposals and their implementation at country level, in collaboration with the senior management country team.
• Reinforce systems and tools for MEAL, developing new tools as necessary; ensure appropriate process-, output-, and outcome level monitoring is carried out across all programme sectors using effective qualitative and quantitative methods.
• Establish and monitor systems for accountability, including community and other stakeholder feedback and participation across programmes.
• Support the development of Terms of Reference (TORs) for external evaluations.
• At field level, work with MEAL Officers, Programme Managers, and Field Coordinators to ensure MEAL findings are incorporated into both qualitative and quantitative Activity Progress Report (APR).

Mission 3: Ensure quality and efficiency of data collected through the mission’s MEAL teams

The M & E Manager is responsible for:

• Manage Open Data Kit (ODK) platform for the mission; lead on roll-out of mobile data collection within the mission, to include training, troubleshooting, and support for ODK use in the field.
• Support survey process and quality review of data from surveys (KAP, SMART, SQEAC, NCA, PVCA, baseline – end line), Post-Distribution Monitoring and mapping exercise as needed.
• Facilitate the analysis by producing visual summaries (maps, graphs) upon request of the coordination team
• Ensure rigorous application of procedures based on sampling methodology
• Supervise field staff to ensure rigorous training for internal and external enumerators incorporating AAH mandate, key project information, and application of ethical and rigorous data collection procedures
• Support on strategy development for expanding ICT opportunities in the mission (new technological innovations and their application to Somalia context/AAH projects, GIS and spatial analysis capacity, and other technical platforms).

Mission 4: Document good practice from planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of activities

The M & E Manager is responsible for:

• Facilitate documentation of Project activities with clear articulation of lessons learned, best practices and case studies for each project for internal and external sharing.
• Organize and coordinate mid-term reviews, learning workshops, review of program work plans with nutrition, WASH and FSL team at field level and other stakeholders.
• Ensure that lessons learned and recommendations in planning, monitoring, evaluation and accountability are documented, shared and considered / addressed in the design of new projects and technical plans and discussed during periodic program reviews and ultimately fed into current work and future program development.
• Advise on the inclusion of MEAL resources and activities in new project proposals
• Support the quality, timeliness and dissemination of M&E outputs internally and externally
• Provide quarterly feedback to senior management team on standard indicators for nutrition, WASH and FSL while comparing information over time and between sectors.

Additional responsibilities

• Assist in rolling out Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning component in AAH Somalia Mission strategy
• This job description is not intended to be all inclusive and the employee will also perform other related tasks as required and is responsible for reporting and communication of progress and achievement of the specific assigned task

Reporting responsibilities

• Support to field activity reports
• Monthly activity progress reports
• Weekly/monthly contribution to mission SITREP
• Support to donor reporting and proposal development
• Annual Beneficiary count and progress report
• Ad-hoc reports (assessments and surveys)

Qualifications, Experience and Competencies:

• Bachelor of Arts or Science/Bac (or higher) in International Relations/Affairs, Humanitarian Affairs, International Development, Public Health, Monitoring and Evaluation, Statistics, Epidemiology, Demography or related field
• Minimum 4 years relevant work experience in a similar role, with minimum 1 year humanitarian experience
• Fluency in English
• Solid knowledge and experience in the use of MS Excel
• Solid knowledge of the Logical Framework approach
• Proven management and coordination skills (HR, projects)
• Proficiency with Open Data Kit (ODK) and/or other mobile data collection tools (Commcare, DataWinners)
• Extensive background in humanitarian MEAL, including remote management
• MEAL or operational background related to at least 2 of the following sectors: Nutrition, Health, WASH, Food Security, Resilience, and cash transfer programmes
• Good quantitative analysis skills (experience with statistical software is an asset, especially EPI Info, ENA for SMART, and/or Stata)
• Excellent communication, writing and analytical skills
• Diplomacy and good interpersonal skills, with the ability to remain calm under pressure and not lose sight of strategic priorities.
• Willingness and ability to work and travel in/to Somalia

Preferred

• Prior experience with AAH International and/or Somalia
• Budget management and representation competencies
• Familiarity with GIS software (QGIS, ArcGIS) and its potential applications in humanitarian MEAL
• Somali language is an asset