Save the Children Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Officer Job in Mandera Kenya

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Officer - Mandera
 

Team / Programme: Programme Operations

Location: Mandera
 

Grade: TBC  (Competitive Package)

Post Type: National
 

Child Safeguarding: Level 3 - the responsibilities of the post may require the post holder to have regular contact with or access to children or young people

Role Purpose:
 

To support the delivery of Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability & Learning (MEAL) strategy, policy and practice by helping design programme monitoring systems, build the capacity of staff in their analysis and dissemination of data, and coordinate information management and reporting systems.  

Your support in the delivery of an effective MEAL function will play a key role in the expansion of Save the Children programmes in Mandera to increase impact and enable positive change for children.

Scope of Role:

Reports to: MEAL Coordinator - Mandera

Dimensions Save the Children has been operational in Kenya since 1984, providing support to children through developmental and humanitarian relief programmes delivered both directly and through local partners. 

Current programming focuses on child protection, child rights governance, education, health, HIV/AIDS, livelihoods, nutrition and WASH. 

Save the Children has an operational presence in Dadaab Refugee Camp, Eldoret, Habaswein, Mandera, Meru and Wajir and has a logistics hub in Garissa. 

Currently, we have a staff complement of approximately 370 staff and expenditure of approximately US$30 million in 2012.

Staff directly reporting to this post: None

Key Areas of Accountability:

Support the delivery of effective Programmes, in both development and humanitarian contexts, by:

• Supporting the development of systems and processes for the implementation of M&E policy and procedure based on Save the Children best practice, developing frameworks to integrate impact assessment and learning and knowledge management into the programme and project cycle;
• Supporting SC staff and partners and building their capacity in M&E issues and in the management of information systems, such as the development of required formats, key indicators, needs assessments, frameworks for evaluation, qualitative documentation of outcomes and impact of projects;
• Maintaining a tracking spreadsheet for M&E activities and events – baselines, assessments, reviews, evaluations – tracking trends and recommendations, progressing their implementation where appropriate;
• Coordinating the sharing of learning related to M&E practices across offices, encouraging consideration of results both between and within sectoral teams, and providing support when internal/external reviews, evaluations, and lessons learned exercises should be employed;
• Developing national programme internal reporting schedules & templates, clarifying what level of information is needed and where, with key responsibilities assigned, and reviewing proposals, with a particular focus on checking log frames and ensuring indicators are SMART;
• Participating in the development of tools and guidelines for data collection, collation and reporting, with a focus on establishing Output Tracking by sector, grant and base, systemically checking this data for quality, accuracy, and consistency, and providing feedback as necessary;
• Contributing to the design of M&E methodology and child-focused indicators by the Mandera programme team, and to the promotion of child participation in M&E planning and accountability, including in the Child Rights Convention (CRC) reporting process;
• Support the implementation of processes to review the quality of existing project data, information collection methods and the suitability of the existing data for the provision of sound baseline information;
• Designing situation analysis, needs and baseline/end line assessments, external reviews, evaluations and documentation, and identifying resources, including technical resources, both within SC and externally;
• Representing the principles and work of Save the Children to donors, United Nations, NGOs and INGOs, government, media and other stakeholders when required;
• Complying with and promoting all Save the Children Global policies such as Child Safeguarding, Whistle blowing, Fraud, and Health and Safety.
• Ensure accountability assessments are conducted and capacity built of staff to undertake accountability assessments.
• Professionally document and proactively share information and learning with Save the Children stakeholders
• Ensure sensitive complaints collection and handling through system development and functional at ground level
• Ensure effective community complaints response mechanisms in collaboration with communities are developed and functional
• The capacity of local partners is assessed and developed using HAP methodologies 

Skills and Behaviours (our Values in Practice)
 

Accountability:

• Holds self accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values
• Holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities - giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved

Ambition:

• Sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves (and their team), takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages others to do the same
• Widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others
• Future orientated, thinks strategically

Collaboration:

• Builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, members and external partners and supporters
• Values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength
• Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to

Creativity:

• Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions
• Willing to take disciplined risks

Integrity:

• Honest, encourages openness and transparency

Qualifications and Experience

• First degree in Statistics or Mathematics or relevant area
• Minimum three years practical experience in M&E system coordination/implementation in a large international non-governmental organisation or other international relief/development body;
• Background of implementing effective M&E systems and/or accountability mechanisms in emergency responses.
• Demonstrable track-record in data tracking and evaluation, with the ability to support staff and partners on M&E methodology and analyze and disseminate complex information to a range of stakeholder audiences;
• Well-developed research, analytical (qualitative and quantitative), documentation, report-writing and strategic planning skills, with particular competency in participatory research methods;
• Practical knowledge of current thematic issues and debates in developing countries, and of the major institutional donors such as ECHO;
• Computer literacy, particularly in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint;
• Working knowledge of data/statistical programmes e.g. SPSS
• Excellent planning, coordination, and reporting skills, with the ability to organise a substantial workload comprised of complex, diverse tasks and responsibilities;
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills in English, with experience working in multicultural, multi location, values driven teams;
• Commitment to Save the Children values

How to Apply

The application process is now open and will close on 25th July 2013.   

To apply for this position, please send a short cover letter and CV to Kenya.jobapplications@savethechildren.org indicating the position title on the subject line.