Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Assistant at Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS)

Key Duties & Responsibilities

The below list of responsibilities is not exhaustive; other tasks may be required to adapt to operational needs. To achieve the overall and specific position’s objectives the MEAL Assistant will perform the following tasks and undertake the following responsibilities:

Database Management

• Develop and maintain program up database and/data collection tool that improves JRS ability to inform program implementation, analyse data, and represent impact to key stakeholders.
• Ensure all relevant program staff can utilize the database to analyse program information and results.
• Capture and adapt implementation changes together with the Project Director and MEAL officer to match program strategy.
• Provide training in use of data management and analysis tools (e.g. ODK Collect, KoBo toolbox, Google Forms and MS Office products), to team members.
• Advise the program teams, on how the database/data collection systems need to be maintained and managed to ensure maximum flexibility with growing programs and changing context.
• Analyse monitoring data, produce statistics and charts, and ensure the results feed meaningfully into program design and implementation plans to facilitate evidence-based programming.
• Develop new databases/data collection systems, as necessary, and find ways to integrate information from other databases to support better organizational utilization of data.
• Ensure maintaining of program files and documentation as per program management minimum standards, including maintaining the confidentiality of beneficiaries’ data.

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Maintain a close familiarity with JRS standards and tools and adhere to JRS global discussions and initiatives on MEAL.
• Develop and update a tracking system for monitoring output and outcome Indicators.
• Analyse the data and information continuously gathered and share the report that will help determine if projects are on track and make recommendations.
• Ensure close coordination with the Country Office MEAL Manager to align Kakuma program to the JRS Country MEAL requirements.
• Support in the development of appropriate monitoring, tracking, and reporting systems, tools and templates that enhance monitoring of project outputs and quality, generate quality evidence on project impact and promote and ensure use of data for decision-making processes.
• Coordinate with Project Director and technical coordinators as well as other relevant departments to ensure that all projects are on track
• Support in development and promotion of use of standard indicators, tools and forms (as appropriate) and M&E practices across the project and coordinate the collection of information required for high level reports.
• Support in coordination of assessments and evaluations (primarily emergency rapid assessments)
• Ensure that monitoring plans are implemented for projects and ensure that regular monitoring visits are conducted by Coordinators to the different project locations and that monitoring visit reports are shared with the Project Director and MEAL Officer
• Support in writing beneficiary stories, testimonies, and case studies from the field.
• Manage monthly reporting database and produce monthly reports to share with PD and MEAL Officer.

Accountability

• Support in the Establishment of an effective functional system for complaints/feedback handling and response mechanisms at community level.
• Ensure the Complaint Response Framework Mechanism (CRFM) are functional and accessible to beneficiaries.
• Develop regular trend analysis of complaints at organizational level and share it with program team as per protocols.
• To assist the Project Director in carrying out preliminary verification report in case of serious nature of complaints filed by beneficiaries/communities and support for investigation of that types of complaints as per CRFM protocol.
• Make sure that the agreed action plans and CRFM action plans are followed in timely manner by program team.
• On quality and accountability issues, share all information (monitoring reports, CRFM databases, preliminary verification reports, case studies etc)
• Share MEAL findings & CRFM issues in each monthly meeting as defined in the protocol.
• Ensure that the CRM guideline is being followed by all staffs.

Learning

• Promote learning and assist response team on documenting and implementing lessons learned and good practices.
• Support the elaboration of success stories through the Most Significant Change technique in liaison with MEAL officer.
• Assist Technical Coordinators in developing quality reports and findings.
• Generate periodic reports and share along with documented key learnings from the MEAL system.
• Ensure the key learning's are incorporated in upcoming plan and interventions.

Implement System and Tools

• Work as part of a broader programme team to design, facilitate and support data collection and analysis systems including baseline, annual, and end line surveys, regular monitoring, data collection and analysis, feedback, and reporting.
• Collect data from program teams and update of the IMIS on monthly basis.
• Generate data reports (tables/graphs/reports) from the database at regular intervals, ensuring reports/information are available for the Country Programs officer for review and dissemination.
• Conduct regular field visits to verify data and provide clarification and improvements.

Staff Training and Capacity Building

• Work closely with program teams to develop and deliver staff trainings, improving capacities in monitoring and evaluation and database management: data collection, entry, verification, and analysis; and other identified needs.
• Follow up on trainings by mentoring staff/partners to develop identified technical skills one-on-one.
• Conduct training for enumerators and program staff on M&E tools and methodologies, mobile data collection, database management, accountability mechanisms, and related topics.
• Prepare reference sheets and develop guides on developing data management or visualization applications (such as ODK Scan, KoBo toolbox, Google Fusion Tables, or Maps in a box) and how to setup information sharing systems.
• Support for the use of mobile data collection hardware and software in emergencies.

Reporting

• Produce and share MEAL monthly, quarterly, half yearly and cumulative yearly compile report to the Project Director, Country MEAL Manager and program team through proper channels.
• Ensure that all the data related to MEAL action Plan tracker & CRFM database are recorded and updated in a timely manner.
• Coordinate closely with the Project Director and Country MEAL Manager and report with updated complaints registered, their resolution process, Action plan tracker & other MEAL related issues.
• Generate quality MEAL reports.

Personal Specification and Essential Requirements

Qualifications

• A University degree in statistics & data management, Population studies, development economics, Actuarial science or any other relevant field
• A minimum of 3 years' working experience in Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning-related functions.
• Technical skills in setting up quality MEAL processes and creating logical frameworks and data analysis that lead to learning and action.
• Proficiency and experience with mobile data collection such as Kobo, ODK as well as proficiency with Microsoft Excel, SPSS, STATA or other similar software. Knowledge of PowerBi, and GIS software tools are additional assets.
• Experience working with the International Non-Governmental Organization (INGO)