Save the Children is the leading independent organization for children in need, with programs in over 120 countries, including the United States. We aim to inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children, and to achieve immediate and lasting change in their lives by improving their health, education and economic opportunities. In times of acute crisis, we mobilize rapid assistance to help children recover from the effects of war, conflict and natural disasters. Each year, we and our partners reach millions of children in communities around the world. Join our dedicated and diverse staff in their work to improve the well-being of children everywhere.
We are recruiting to fill the position below:
Job Title: Monitoring Evaluation Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Manager
Job ID: 190003QO Location: Abuja
Reporting to: Head of MEAL
Grade: 3
Child Safeguarding: Level 3
The responsibilities of this post may require the post holder to have regular contact with children and young people. In the overseas context all posts are considered to be level 3.
As part of these responsibilities the post holder will support the establishment of child safeguarding systems, promote a culture of keeping children safe, and ensure that potential harm to children (by our own staff and/or as a result of how we do our work) is identified and addressed on an ongoing basis.
The post holder should report and respond to interventions as determined by position related responsibilities identified in the Child Safeguarding Policy.
Role Purpose Description
The MEAL Manager leads the development and implementation of the Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria (ANRiN) project MEAL and research framework that will generate evidence, maintain accountability standards and ensure effective monitoring, evaluation and learning of the health theme.
S/he will be responsible for ensuring that the quality of monitoring, evaluation and research for the project system is in place to generate evidences on the impacts and learning of the programme.
Key Areas of Accountability
Programme Quality- ANRiN:
Provide high quality MEAL technical leadership, support and capacity building to implementation team.
In collaboration with the programme team, develop a MEAL plan, as well as an ongoing research programme to support an evidence and learning agenda and a process for knowledge sharing between SCI, stakeholders and partners
Lead project, national/global reporting processes and contribute to high quality project reporting, leading in data quality assurance and compliance with reporting requirements.
Develop, review, adapt, catalogue and ensure utilisation of standardised project assessment and monitoring tools, manuals, guidelines, trainings and protocols.
Develop and increase utilisation of accountability approaches, such as participation, complaints and response mechanisms.
Ensure the integration of project information management with the national Management Information System (MIS) as required.
Keep abreast of MEAL sector trends and developments, for example in remote monitoring, and adapt and promote introduction of new methodologies, technologies, innovations and best practices.
Formulate key program questions that will help to advance the evidence base, and lead design of targeted evaluations (including but not restricted to baseline, midline and end line evaluations) and pieces of operations research.
Actively contribute to the process of learning, evaluation, capturing and disseminating lessons from the programme for continuous improvement of programme performance and overall outcome
Capacity Building:
Identify learning and training opportunities for stakeholders’ and partners staff.
Positively influence and capacity build project staff and partners at various levels
Represent the project and country programme on all MEAL, HMIS and research technical working groups, partners and stakeholders’ forums in the project state.
In collaboration with the SC Health and Nutrition colleagues and thematic leads, feed into learning, experiences and evidence to relevant global advocacy objectives.
In collaboration with SCI staff, contribute with analysis towards organizational learning around technical areas as well as processes and outputs
General:
Comply with Save the Children policies and practice with respect to child protection, code of conduct, health and safety, equal opportunities and other relevant policies and procedures.
Core Behaviours
Achieving results effectively:
Ensures beneficiary and partner feedback is incorporated into programme design, planning and learning
Makes changes to improve performance as a result of information received
Documents lessons learned and applies them to future projects
Maintaining and developing collaborative relationships:
Establishes clear objectives with teams and individuals and monitors progress and performance
Fosters collaborative, transparent and accountable relationships through partners
Uses negotiation and conflict resolution skills to support positive outcomes
Builds own awareness of the bigger global picture by using a broad range of sources to gather data
Demonstrates approachability and trust by listening carefully to others and valuing their contribution, and making others feel comfortable by being open and honest about their thoughts and feelings
Demonstrates self-development and management by taking responsibility for own development, and actively seeking out feedback to better understand their own strengths and weaknesses
Openly talks about doing things differently, pushing the boundaries and ways of working
Gives constructive feedback to enhance capabilities and responsibilities to another for the purpose of his/her development
Qualifications and Experience
Master's Degree in Public Health or Statistics or Economics or Demography or Anthropology or Development Planning or Social Work or Epidemiology or related subjects of similar scope;
At least 5 years of progressive experience of monitoring and evaluation (Minimum of 8 years' experience in the development sector) in public health/nutrition or any large social sector programs
In-depth knowledge of M & E techniques and methodologies including knowledge of conducting operations research, household surveys and qualitative assessments; data analysis, interpretation and reporting;
Proficient with analytical tools and softwares such as Stata, SPSS, MS Excel, etc.
Significant experience in leading teams and building M&E team capacity (developing training tools, training, coaching and mentoring)
Experience working in large and complex projects, split into multiple sites
Significant understanding of development of MIS and data and information management
Familiarity with knowledge management systems and approaches that foster a learning culture.
Familiarity with participative and inclusive accountability approaches
Highly developed influencing, communication and interpersonal skills, including ability to communicate technical issues effectively and persuasively.
Excellent English communication skills, both written and verbal.
Commitment to and understanding of Save the Children’s aims, values and principles including rights-based approaches and children’s participation.
Applicants are advised that Save the Children International does not require any payment or expense during the entire recruitment process. Any request in this direction should be immediately reported as it is contrary to the values and practices of our organization.
Due to the volume of applications received, Save the Children may not provide feedback to all applicants. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, as applications will be reviewed as received. Save the Children reserves the right to change the closing date, if considered necessary.