MEAL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning) Officer at Life at Best Development Initiative - 2 Openings

Life at Best Development Initiative (LABDI) is a team of change-makers who believe that every helping hand can create a better future for survivors of wars. We started extending help to vulnerable children and women who were affected by the insurgency which began in Borno state, Nigeria, in 2009. This moment intensified when we found that there were many such vulnerable children, women, and households who needed help with food, shelter, and education. Our team expanded and we spread out into different parts of the BAY states to make sure we cover all possible areas and help as many children, women, and households as possible. We support children, families, and communities affected by insurgencies and natural disasters.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: MEAL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning) Officer

Locations:  Monguno and Bama, Borno
Employment Type: Full-time

Job Description

• The Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Officer, under the supervision of the MEAL manager, supports the MEAL manager to provide methodological and technical support to teams to ensure the quality of MEAL tools in projects and programs, working within the framework established by the MEAL department/organization, also as the  MEAL Officer will  ensure  a well structured and clear feedback /complains channels are maintained, and complaints  channeled internally to the appropriate department.
• The MEAL Officer will ensure that MEAL approaches, methods, and tools are relevant and consistent across LABDI programmes and partner organizations. Helps plan and implement activities requiring specific MEAL expertise. The MEAL Officer will also play an important role in improving information management and data quality, and in strengthening knowledge sharing.
• He/she will ensure that data trends and analyses can be extracted from the information entered into the system.  Will also ensure data is gathered to report in monthly 5Ws, shared with the appropriate sector that ensures high-quality information management of target beneficiaries in the project. 

Responsibilities

• Support the MEAL manager in developing and implementing MEAL plans that are consistent with the organisation’s orientations for projects.
• Support the MEAL Manager in implementing an appropriate and effective M&E system where possible, brings together project and programme partners during the monitoring plan design phase and during the sharing and using of data.
• Support the MEAL Manager in implementing an appropriate and effective M&E system that, where possible, brings together project and programme partners during the monitoring plan design phase and during the sharing and using of data..
• Ensures ethical principles related to M&E are respected, especially those concerning gender equality, fairness and “do no harm”. Protects confidential data, applies the principles of informed consent, and protects children during the collection, processing, analysis and use of M&E data. 
• Support to establish, implement and monitor the beneficiary Feedback Mechanism (FM) for programme in line with LABDI standard beneficiary FM procedures, including receiving, documenting and managing complaints through feedback sessions, in writing and in person.
• Prepare and submit field visit or monitoring reports.

Technical support:

• Apply basic M&E concepts to protection (child protection), GBV and Education.
• Design and use monitoring and evaluation frameworks for the above stated programs.
• Support the regular project reviews by presenting M&E data and findings with a view to continuously improve program performance.
• Support in describing measurement challenges in monitoring and evaluating programs activity.
• Support the MEAL manager in developing and writing sections on M&E in project proposals (covering indicators, budgets and M&E framework).
• Supporting to provide technical support during the design of monitoring tools and the collection and analysis of data, working with the Information Management and programme teams. 
• Contribute to organizational learning and best practices through supporting specific analysis, lessons learned and reports.
• Helps prepare and organize routine monitoring activities and special monitoring for projects.
• Ensures monitoring tools are used correctly during the implementation phase, during data collection activities. 
• Supports data analysis processes and assists in drafting qualitative reports for effective programme management.
• Supports Planning and implementation of baseline surveys, endline survey, monitoring and evaluation exercises and project impact assessments as stated on the MEAL work plan.
• Provides technical support to ensure that M&E information is used successfully and adapted to target audiences during operational and strategic decision making, at the delegation and in coordination with head office, including for institutional reporting and Donor.
• Informs the MEAL manager, Consortium manager      of any unmet targets, contextual changes (risks and opportunities) and negative effects on beneficiaries.
• Ensure strict compliance to LABDI´s policies, procedures and practices, including adherence to Do No Harm and child protection
• Ensure the information on the physical case files is synchronized with the CPIMS+
• Work closely with the Child Protection assistant to prepare the monthly 5Ws.
• Support the project team in drafting weekly and monthly reports.
• Support in documenting all project data.
• Support in conducting Data Quality Assessment (DQA) on a quarterly basis.

Learning / training:

• Helps build the skills of the teams and partners he/she supports in the MEAL field.
• Helps capitalise on knowledge in CP, GBV and other program MEAL related issues. 
• Contribute to organizational learning and best practices through supporting specific analysis, lessons learned and reports.
• Security and child safety
• Understands and applies security policies, the Child Safeguarding Policy and fraud prevention policies. 

Competencies:

• This position requires personal, social and leadership competencies (PSLC) and technical and methodological competencies (TMC)  

In particular: 

• Ability to work independently, as well as to provide support and advice
• Ability to create a cooperative and collaborative environment
• Command of supporting and advising roles and competencies 
• Analytical capacity: understand complex issues by logical reasoning, investigation of potential causes.
• Disciplined, precision, transparency and intellectual honesty
• Excellent oral and written communication skills (in constructive negotiations) in all areas (internal and external), active listening skills
• Flexibility, openness and adaptability
• Results oriented focus and problem-solving abilities
• Ability to learn from negative experiences, capitalizing on errors and seizing opportunities
• Striving for excellence: focus on results while ensuring efficiency
• Integrity: act based on LABDI’s mission and values.

Other professional skills required:

• Knowledge of project cycle management concepts, processes and tools, and experience in leading participative processes.
• Past knowledge in implementing monitoring, in GBV, CP and Education.
• Two (2) years of progressive professional work experience in a similar position with non-governmental organizations – at least one of these must be in humanitarian emergency work, preferably in child health, child protection, GBV programmes.
• Expertise in developing, planning and implementing M&E systems, procedures and tools.
• Experience in strategic planning and performance management, including indicator selection, target setting, reporting, database management, and developing M&E and performance monitoring plans.
• Knowledge of the major evaluation methodologies (qualitative, quantitative, mixed method, and impact) and data collection and analysis methodologies in the humanitarian aid/development sector.
• Extensive experience in data collection and analysis Knowledge of information management software and tools(Excel, Power BI, SPSS, Arc GIS and other relevant software (statistics, investigation management and mapping).
• Experience in planning and managing surveys, developing and refining data collection tools, and with data quality assessments and oversight.
• Knowledge of the major evaluation methodologies (qualitative, quantitative, mixed method, and impact using OECD framework) and data collection and analysis methodologies.
• Awareness and knowledge of ethical issues related to M&E: do no harm and sensitivity to gender and diversity.
• Knowledge of and professional experience in the children’s rights field (protection and Education) in the humanitarian aid/development context.

Application Closing Date
11th December, 2024.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should send their Applications (Letter of motivation and CV in a single PDF file) to: [email protected] using the Job Title as the subject of the mail.

Note:

• LABDI has zero tolerance to sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA), any act of child abuse including sexual exploitation and sexual abuse constitutes acts of serious misconduct and are therefore grounds for LABDI plenary measures, including summary dismissal.
• We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including but not limited to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.