Monitoring Evaluation and Learning Assistant at Action Against Hunger International

Summary of position

We are looking to fill the position of Meal Assistant to be based in West Pokot County under UNICEF Project. The role of the MEAL Assistant is to spearhead monitoring and evaluation activities in the County. The position holder together with the MEAL Officer will work closely with local government officials and partners to track the implementation activities in a timely manner and meet the required standards at the base level while offering technical MEAL support in generating evidence, monitoring implementation, implement accountability mechanism and support base teams in the development of learning documents.

Purpose:

The MEAL Assistant will support the direct implementation of all MEAL processes and activities in their office under the supervision of the MEAL Manager and with guidance from their MEAL Officer. To support the generation of evidence at the base level in Program Monitoring process, Evaluation activities, Accountability mechanisms and Learning products at the designated field base.

Essential job functions

Survey and surveillance Activities

• Support MEAL Officer/manager in data collection of the integrated nutritional surveys and other survey activities in collaboration with the local authorities and relevant government ministries ensuring adherence to Government of Kenya procedures/protocols/guidelines designed methodology, reporting process, etc.
•  Support in Strengthening the capacity of staff, Ministry of Health, and other partners in surveys methodologies, processes to include sampling, data collection, analysis and report writing skills
•  Work with MEAL manager/Officer to carry out relevant surveys and routine surveillance activities. This includes and is not limited to Baselines, Edline, context monitoring and post distributing monitoring surveys.

Project Monitoring

• Define and implement the key project performance indicators (KPI) as well as monitor them throughout the duration of the projects.
• Provide feedback to the Project Managers on project strategies and activities to include suggesting strategies to the Project Management for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the project by identifying bottlenecks in completing project activities and developing plans to minimize or eliminate such bottlenecks.
• Assist in Monitoring and Evaluating and reviewing work plans and targets accordingly throughout project implementation.
• Contribute towards the operationalization of internal project feedback mechanism and project related accountability.

Data Management

• Management of data reporting cycle by generating internal data reporting calendar, data collection process, data analysis and data sharing/dissemination. 
• Assist the project managers in collating quantitative and qualitative reports generated monthly, quarterly, half-yearly and annual on the progress of the project activities. 
• Maintain project specific databases and ensures all MEAL related data, reports, and records are clearly organized archived in a central location for future reference.
• Ensure the quality of data (timeliness, integral, reliable, valid and complete) shared/disseminated and that it is verifiable.
• Supporting program staff to generate and submission of accurate and timely data.
•  Analyze data submitted on a monthly basis and develop key descriptive statistics from each group’s activity and progress.
•  Work with MEAL Manager/officer to ensure data management during the data cycle that will be within relevant timelines so that the information can be useful for programmatic and strategic decision making for Program staff, support staff, partners and local government officials.
• Conduct spot-checks to confirm reported activities, reported datasets as a means of program implementation quality assurance. This can be done collaboratively with partners or local government officials where applicable.

Requirements

Required Qualifications and Professional Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as Monitoring and Evaluation, Statistics, Epidemiology, Public Health, International Development / other fields of social sciences.
• Minimum 2 years of work experience in a similar position with a similar setting and responsibility.
• Demonstrated experience in developing project monitoring and evaluation systems.

Required Skills & Competencies

• Knowledge of analytical methods both qualitative and quantitative approaches (data analysis, documentation, interpretation and reporting).
•  Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Knowledge of deploying feedback mechanisms for multi-sector programs working through county systems.
• Skills in statistical analysis using Excel and Epi-Info / ENA, as well as at least one other software platform such as SPSS, STATA, or PSPP.
•   Previous experience in Arid and Semi-Arid lands of Kenya
• Experience in Nutrition and food security surveillance including collection and management of anthropometric and mortality data