Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Manager at Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

Job Summary

• The Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Manager is responsible for the day-to-day tracking and reporting of activities under the 4Children Nigeria program.
• The role includes but is not limited to the development of standardized data collection tools and database systems; frequent data collection; verification of results reported; analysis and presentation of findings and project progress; implementation of project accountability mechanisms; and the provision of feedback to partners.
• The MEAL Manager will ensure that systems are in place to measure the project’s impact and progress and that data is readily available to be used as a foundation for programmatic adjustments and evidence-based decision-making.
• In addition, s/he will take the lead in designing a learning agenda, assessment, and research protocols, receiving institutional review board approval, identifying relevant STTA, overseeing data collection and report writing pertaining to all data collection and operations research conducted under this project in collaboration with subject matter experts.
• The MEAL Manager will lead writing of project reports in line with donor timelines and regulations.
• This position will supervise the Database Officer..

Specific Responsibilities
MEAL Strategy & Design:

• Ensure that the 4Children Nigeria MEAL systems are in compliance with both CRS global and regional policies, procedures, standards, and strategic initiatives as well as 4Children core team standards.
• Support 4Children Nigeria technical staff to design and implement assessments, gender analysis, stakeholder analysis, organizational capacity assessments, and other data collection and analysis activities.
• Collaborate with 4Children Core Team to develop a protocol for a treatment facility catchment area assessment aligned with relevant USG and Government of Nigeria rules and regulations.
• Collaborate with Household Economic Strengthening Technical Director to design an assessment of the household vulnerability assessment (HHVA) and develop recommendation for improvement based on the findings of the assessment
• Support 4Children Nigeria technical staff to develop a learning agenda and design associated operations research.
• Develop and review Results Frameworks, ProFrames, M&E Plans, and Analysis Plans as needed.
• Support the documentation of lessons learned, best practices, program data, evaluations, and other information to generate donor communication pieces, success stories, case studies, and other high-quality, results-based documentation.

Tool Development:

• Participate in the development and standardization of forms and tools to collect relevant disaggregated data on project monitoring indicators, effects and impacts (Simple Measurement of Indicators for Learning and Evidence-based Reporting, also known as SMILER).
• Develop tools for treatment facility catchment area studies, preferably within i-Form builder
• Develop data flows, reporting maps and templates, to ensure the appropriate information arrives to the right program staff in a timely and efficient manner.
• Support the development tools to track progress on sustainability plans at the organizational/institutional levels and benchmarks for household graduation/transition
• Assist in developing digital data collection systems, where appropriate
• Train and support relevant IP and/or CSO/CBO on the use of tools and management of data flow
• Ensure that all project monitoring arrangements comply with the project and donor agreements and, in particular, ensure that the agreements are concretely operationalized

Collection, Review, and Analysis of Data:

• Systematically collect, validate and analyze data and ensure that it is accurate and of the highest quality.
• Participate in all aspects of realizing studies and evaluations, which includes but is not limited to: scope of work development, consultant identification, planning and arranging logistical arrangements for field research, overseeing sampling strategies, leading the selection of sites to be visited, attending research and tool training workshops, leading quantitative, qualitative and participatory data collection efforts in the field, supervising the execution of field studies and ensuring the reliability and validity of data.
• Lead the use of technology for monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning.
• Identify and oversee technical assistance in geographic information systems (GIS) for assessments, other project activities and data-informed decision-making.
• Ensure participatory analysis of monitoring data gathered through established accountability mechanisms as specified in the MEAL System/Plan/Binder.
• Prepare reports to support data-informed decision-making by project leadership.
• Ensure project evaluations (including mid-term, final, after-action reviews or if applicable Real Time Evaluations) are organized and managed in timely and quality manner
• Ensure evaluation results are used to enhance learning and improve interventions.
• Ensure project lessons learned are captured and used in future similar projects including uploading and upgrading of program documentation on CRS Gateway.

Partner Support:

• Coordinate and ensure appropriate and timely involvement of IPs in MEAL activities.
• Review relevant data collection systems as implemented by partners, to ensure rigor and appropriateness of practices.
• Lead formal training events for IP M&E staff to enhance their capacity for sound implementation.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Statistics, Public Health, Economics or other a field related to Monitoring and Evaluation.
• Minimum five years of experience in monitoring and evaluating, with a focus on capacity strengthening and PEPFAR programs preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to apply principles and current approaches in program M&E using both quantitative and qualitative methods, especially those of PEPFAR.
• Significant experience in conducting quantitative and qualitative assessments and surveys (including sound understanding of sampling).
• Proficiency in database development/management, SPSS, EPI-Info, Access, Excel and skills in analyzing, interpreting and communicating information to various stakeholders.
• Experience with facilitation, capacity strengthening and partnership building, with the capacity to empower staff through opportunities for growth and development
• Ability to transfer knowledge through formal and informal trainings
• Experience using ICT for data collection
• Familiarity with measures and tools used in household economic strengthening, food security, and agriculture a plus.
• Familiarity with NOMIS and GIS a plus.
• Experience using appreciative inquiry and conflict sensitivity techniques a plus.
• Demonstrated proactive leadership ability, as well as supervisory and personnel management experience.
• Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent organizational skills, team work and ability to prioritize tasks in a timely manner.
• Strong interpersonal, communication and organizational skills as well as good judgment and vision.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Sound coordination skills and a demonstrated ability to multi-task.
• Demonstrates diplomacy, flexibility, and resourcefulness.
• Strong critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills.

Travel:

• Extensive travel within Nigeria to provide monitoring and technical support to partners, participation at training and program review workshops. The MEAL Manager may also travel internationally to participate at relevant conferences, communities of practice and learning events.