Head of MEAL (Monitoring, Evaluation Accountability and Learning) at Save The Children

Reporting To: Deputy PDQ Director
Reporting To Position: MEAL Advisors & Managers
Job Type: Full-time

Role Purpose

• The Head of MEAL is responsible for the provision of monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning support to the Nigeria office, focusing on Save the Children’s full spectrum mandate of humanitarian and development programming. 
• The Head of MEAL will also support the Deputy Director PDQ in bringing significant experience and fresh ideas to develop and implement a realistic MEAL strategy and systems, ensuring that they are institutionalized within the existing project cycle management framework, and that staff have the capacity to implement them.
• The Head of MEAL will have a key role in establishing and promoting programme quality and innovation, which will be achieved through developing and improving monitoring, evaluation, impact assessment and learning methodologies.

Key Areas Of Accountability
As a key member of the PDQ team, the Head of MEAL’s responsibility is:

• To manage overall MEAL Unit and System of Save the Children Nigeria;
• Develop reporting system, and ensure regular follow through in its compliance and operations;
• To support DDPDQ in program development process and review all project proposals developed by BD Unit before submission to donors, in particular the log-frame, ITT,  DIP, M/E Plan;
• To ensure MEAL commitments are well incorporated in all proposals, budget MEAL  activities and budget sufficient MEAL staffing to effectively manage/implement the MEAL component;
• To provide guidance to MEAL/MIS line reports for facilitating program units in developing;
• Minimum Standards and Standard Processes for all key program interventions to strengthen Compliance and Quality aspects of programs;
• To review data tracking tools/formats/databases of SC programs and guide MEAL line  reports to work as team for data quality, data reliability and data consistency;
• To oversee MEAL/Coordinators and managers in standardization of MEAL formats/reports in order to ensure quality of MEAL documents;
• To ensure dissemination of key MEAL findings and learning to all relevant team and project  staff focal person to facilitate them for informed decision making;
• To support the Research and Impact Advisor in undertaking needs assessments, baselines, evaluations and  any other research studies, internal and external (consultants, SCI staff);
• To review and finalize documents/reports of key lessons learnt and coordinate with KM Advisor and Advocacy team for broader dissemination of learning;
• To provide support to Accountability & Gender Advisor in developing and scaling up Accountability to Beneficiaries  mechanisms which facilitate beneficiaries/communities to register timely complaints and  provide feedback on SC interventions:
  • To review and finalize ‘Accountability to Beneficiaries’ analysis report and disseminate  among concerned management and program staff members;
  •  Assist in data quality assurance and compliance with all grants related reporting requirements and their timely submission;
  • Supervise/oversee programme monitoring activities;
  • Ensure that the country office complies with SCI MEAL standard operating procedures including: the global quality framework, Global Initiative requirements, total reach and the advocacy measurement tool:
• Bring together data and findings from across projects and operational regions to form a coherent basis for analysis of impact which promotes learning and strategy development;
• To technically backstop MEAL staff in performing and prioritizing MEAL-MIS tasks;
• To identify capacity building events for MEAL staff members for system strengthening and sharing of learning;
• Any other tasks given by line manager.

Representation, Advocacy & Organisational Learning:

• Represent the country programme on all MIS and research technical working groups, partners and stakeholders’ forums;
• In collaboration with the SC 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.

Leadership: Action; Thinking; Self; Inspiring; Developing Others:

• 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

• Minimum of 8 years' experience in the development sector,  experience in humanitarian context has added value;
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience developing and implementing monitoring and evaluation strategies, with in depth knowledge in the design, operationalization and use of monitoring and evaluation techniques and approaches;
• Extensive experience in research and monitoring and evaluation methodology and analysis (qualitative, quantitative, participatory) including design of systems and tools, data analysis and report writing;
• Significant experience in leading teams and building M&E team capacity (developing training tools, training, coaching and mentoring);
• Significant understanding of development of MIS and data and information management;
• 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.