Monitoring, Evaluation and Accountability (MEA) Adviser at Save The Children

Role Purpose

• Coordinate the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability (MEA) element of the Stop Diarrhoea (SDI) Project in particular, Health and Child Survival programmmes in general.
• The MEAL Adviser will ensure that the Save the Children Health Signature programme (SDI) has a well-established, robust MEA system. His/her leadership will ensure that quality and accountability standards and learning are integrated into health programme design.
• By promoting participation and contextual data analysis, the MEA Adviser will support health programme teams to strategically adapt activities/strategies that ensure efficacy and efficiency of programming, and maximise the positive impact of the health signature programmes. The MEA Adviser will oversee health research programmes including quantitative and qualitative approaches proposed.
• He/She will also provide technical and field support for the implementation of researches including monitoring, programme evaluation, data analysis, and application of findings in coordination with other health technical teams.
• In addition, the MEA Adviser will ensure implementation of SDI M&E plan, monitoring progress against planned activities, critical milestones and designated periodic internal and external reporting.
• Leads the conceptualization of specific projects research and evaluation activities and ensures SDI project and health programmes reports are of the highest possible quality standard.

Key Areas of Accountability
Impact Monitoring and Evaluation:

• Develop a detailed monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning plan, including longitudinal studies and impact monitoring methodologies, in consultation with SDI project and health programme teams.
• Ensure that quantitative and qualitative monitoring and evaluation tools are systematically implemented and used by the teams, in cooperation with health programme technical and programme leads.
• Ensure the timely submission of accurate, well-written and compliant monthly, quarterly, interim and annual reports including KPI updates.
• In consultation with programme leads design, and coordinate baseline survey, midline survey and endline project evaluation.
• Ensure SDI and other designated programme data and feedback are valid, verifiable, timely and regularly used to inform programming decisions.
• Conduct statistical and qualitative data analysis, present and disseminate information to inform programme management/design.
• Ensure that all assessment/evaluation reports meet Save the Children’s quality criteria, and promote the integration of recommendations and lessons learnt in project planning and future programming.
• Work with Country Office MEAL team to ensure standardisation of health programme monitoring tools, dissemination of lessons learnt and maximise opportunities for capacity building.
• Ensure that the minimum standards of health and nutrition programming are maintained in accordance with Country Office standard.
• Contribute to child-focused and child-led programme implementation, by promoting child-friendly MEAL methodologies.
• Ensure that the project monitoring plan is based on an understanding of gender and age relations and that monitoring and evaluation methodologies are sensitive to different needs and opportunities of women, men, boys and girls.
• Ensure adequate coordination with key stakeholders to facilitate information sharing and data triangulation, including participation in key MEAL fora, meetings and workshops hosted by donors, government partners, local/international agencies and wider national authorities.

Support the Development and Implementation of Knowledge Management Systems:

• Participate in the development of an organization KM strategy
• Develop key information products for dissemination of program information
• Develop Case Studies; applying the theory of change, sharing good practices internally and externally
• Provide guidance to field staff to strengthen information sharing and identification of success stories

Coordinate the Implementation and Maintenance of Beneficiary Complaints and Response Mechanism:

• Implement beneficiary complaints mechanisms for Health and Child Survival projects
• Supervise the management of the CRM(Complaints and Response Mechanism) information system
• Ensure there is a feedback mechanism for the CRM

Accountability and Participation:

• Assess, design and monitor methods to ensure participation at all stages of the project cycle; with a specific focus on promoting the participation of children.
• Ensure that participation activities are well documented and learning is shared with the wider programme, and Save the Children members.
• Ensure that participation activities are appropriately planned and budgeted for in programme design and funding applications.
• By facilitating information sharing with key stakeholders, including beneficiaries, ensure that the SDI signature programme promotes transparency throughout all stages of implementation.
• Ensure that project activities are designed to promote feedback and response mechanisms and include systems to effectively manage complaints.
• Ensure that activities are carried out to raise awareness of prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse and handling of serious complaints in line with child safeguarding policy.
• Oversee all complaints handling and response, ensuring timely and appropriate feedback.
• Support the regular review of programme activities using SCI Do No Harm Framework, identifying key areas for revision/improvements.

Advocacy:

• In coordination with the Advocacy and BCC/Community Mobilization Advisers, ensure that MEA methodologies support advocacy and campaigning actions.
• Work with technical and field teams to identify key methodologies to enable advocacy and BCC impact measurement, take steps to document lessons learnt and disseminate findings.
• Facilitate learning workshops, in collaboration with wider SCI MEAL team, to promote the share key lessons and to reinforce collaboration with external stakeholders.

Capacity Building:

• Map learning and training opportunities for project staff and, in consultation with SDI CoP and other Field Teams, develop a MEA training plan for key programme staff, including field based MEA position.
• Provide on-the-job supervision to field teams including training on M&E Techniques, data collection and analysis, project and programme grant cycle management and Information System Management.
• Ensure that local stakeholders and local partners are provided and included in training opportunities when appropriate.
• Ensure that all capacity building initiatives are well coordinated with wider SCI MEAL team.
• Seek opportunities for information sharing and learning exchanges with local actors/INGOs to promote coordination at local and national level.

Provide Technical Support for M&E Systems Design and Implementation:

• Lead the M&E component of all Health and Child Survival proposals
• Lead on the development of Monitoring and Evaluation frameworks and Performance Monitoring Plans for Health and Child Survival Projects.
• Review of programme monitoring and evaluation tools (patient files, registers, reporting templates, data bases, etc) AS required
• Supervise the data collection and management process from primary data source (facilities and communities) to final reporting to ensure quality
• Develop and manage a DQA system for Health and Child Survival Projects
• Conduct periodic data verification exercises and provide feedback with recommendations for improvement
• Ensure databases are updated regularly
• Facilitate the design and monitor implementation of project evaluations, operation research and other studies.
• Ensure programming is aligned to targets and indicators contained in project proposals
• Support Programme Management to ensure programming quality is constantly audited and is of acceptable quality
• Constantly update programme management on projects progress using the IPTT monitoring and management tool
• Review program data reports with analysis and recommendations to be utilized in monitoring of strength, weaknesses and gaps in existing programmes and services as may be required.
• Ensure program staff are using data to make informed and timely decisions related to program implementation.

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.

Qualifications and Experience
Essential (all mandatory):

• Master’s Degree in Demography, Public Health with thematic focus on Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Health System Management with demonstrable field experience. A Ph.D in these subject areas is preferred
• Significant experience of undertaking a similar Monitoring, Evaluation and Accountability related role in a health and nutrition context is required
• Demonstrated strong monitoring and evaluation skills, including planning/participating in evaluations
• 7-10 years of experience in INGO or University settings with demonstrated results conducting research or monitoring and evaluation in maternal, newborn and child health programs in developing countries, including qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis
• Ability to produce analysis and graphic representation of results
• Experience with coordinating research dissemination, including writing evaluation reports and briefs, organizing dissemination events, and presenting findings
• Proven ability to work with diverse and large teams and to foster a positive working environment with local and international stakeholders
• Experience working with researchers or academic institutions
• Ability to manage a complex and varied work load, work under pressure, and manage significant travel to insecure environments;
• Experience of preparing successful funding proposals for donors
• Strong English and French communication skills, both oral and written
• Excellent IT skills (i.e. Word, Outlook, Excel)
• Previous experience in using statistical packages (SPSS, STATA, Epinfo etc) in the design of research projects  and other software to set up databases
• Previous experience of managing a team and managing projects
• Proven capacity to supervise, train and coach staff
• Excellent communication and influencing skills with experience in advocacy
• Politically and culturally sensitive with qualities of patience, tact and diplomacy
• Commitment to the aims and principles of SC. In particular, a good understanding of the SC   mandate and child focus and an ability to ensure this continues to underpin our support.

Desirable:

• Previous experience working in INGOs.
• Specific experience of designing and managing privately funded projects.

Skills and Behaviours (Our Values in Practice)
Accountability:

• Accuracy and timeliness in all areas of responsibility
• High level of accuracy in work, and ability to analyse complex sets of relationships and situations
• Holds self and others accountable

Ambition:

• Creating best-in-class EA function
• Future-orientated, thinks pro-actively

Collaboration:

• Working effectively with stakeholders to achieve common goals
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, members and external partners
• Approachable, a good listener, easy to talk to

Creativity:

• Designing more effective admin systems
• Willing to take disciplined risks

Integrity:

• Honest, encourages openness and transparency, demonstrates highest levels of integrity.