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

ROLE PURPOSE: 

The Head of MEAL is responsible for leading the Country MEAL team and drives MEAL systems from conceptualization to implementation. S/he will ensure robust, innovative and high-quality program monitoring, research, evaluation and studies. The position holder will also ensure accessible and closed-loop accountability mechanisms and systems as well as deliberate learning and knowledge management.  The person will be responsible for ensuring quality implementation of MEAL strategies, processes and standards, ensuring that they are institutionalized within the existing project cycle management framework.

Evidence & Learning 

• Strengthen efforts to create greater efficiency in MEAL systems by continued harmonization with SCI (and other relevant) standards and use of digital technologies 
• Ensure implementing projects meet required criteria for MEAL related Key Performance Indicators and Management Indicators
• Ensure that the organisation delivers on all internal and external MEAL requirements, including reporting in a timely manner and with high quality.
• Work with Technical Advisors to develop, monitor and utilize quality benchmarks for key project activities 
• Ensure that all projects are updated on SCI Project Reporting, Information management & Evidence System (PRIME) and reflect on the Project-on-track dashboard and that projects are using the relevant MEAL Project Management Methodology (PMM) tools
• Ensure that data collection methodologies used at field level are standardised, enabling the specific vulnerabilities of different target groups to be captured and analysed. 
• Guide field-based MEAL staff to address any gaps in data quality assurance and in MEAL frameworks implementation.
• Maintain regular and proactive dialogue with technical/thematic leads and field teams to identify critical programmatic knowledge gaps, as well as to initiate, adapt or test new practices, approaches or methodologies, that will inform Country Office and/or project Learning agenda with a view of improving the impact of our work 
• Foster a culture of learning in the Country Office, including the systematic collection, storage and dissemination of evidence and learning that is used throughout the project cycle by all staff 
• Ensure the design and implementation of high-quality research, studies and assessments in coordination and cooperation with technical leads and programme staff.
• Support in Proposal development and that MEAL related staffing and activities are well budgeted

Accountability & Participation

• Ensure that project meet the minimum standards and are maintained in accordance with the Sphere Charter as well as Core Humanitarian Standard on Quality and Accountability
• Ensure that staff & partners fully understand and promote accountability in general and to children in particular, through training and coaching. 
• Contribute to improvements in existing processes and procedures to enhance effective accountability systems and mechanisms.
• Ensure that learning from Accountability data especially from the Feedback & Response Mechanism (FRM) & participation activities are used in project adaptation and proposal development. 
• Ensure that communities and children participate in decision making in the various stages of the project cycle
• Promote information sharing with key stakeholders, including affected persons, ensuring that Save the Children promotes transparency throughout all stages of implementation. 
• Ensure that project activities are designed to promote FRM and include systems to effectively manage feedback and complaints. 

People Management & Development 

• Provide leadership to the MEAL team, including strategic vision and direction, team cohesion and team building and an enabling environment where staff can be supported to develop to their full potential
• Lead, in coordination with HR, the recruitment and professional development of MEAL staff as appropriate, including the identification of development opportunities, such as coaching/training/stretch assignments to build and maintain technical skills and competencies 
• Provide technical supportive supervision of the field-based MEAL staff through regular contact, field visits and meetings.

Safeguarding

• Lead on ensuring linkages between MEAL, Child safeguarding systems, and safe programming. 
• Ensure risk assessments are done before any data collection activity that involves children 
• Ensure MEAL related Core Operational Safeguarding Activities (COSA) are implemented, and requisite standards met.
• Ensure that Information sharing 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.

QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

• Advanced leadership, technical and people management skills. 
• Minimum of 8 years’ experience in leading the developing and implementing monitoring and evaluation strategies, with in depth knowledge in the design, operationalization and use of monitoring and evaluation techniques and approaches in the development and/or humanitarian context.
• Bachelor’s degree in relevant degree required, Master’s degree or equivalent preferred.
• Experience working in at least one of the five SCI global thematic areas required (Child Protection, Child Poverty, Child Rights Governance, Education, Health & Nutrition).
• Extensive experience in research, monitoring and evaluation methodology and analysis (qualitative, quantitative, participatory) including design of systems and tools, data analysis and report writing 
• Able to generate and use data and evidence to innovate, deliver, learn and share what works and what doesn’t work for children
• Significant experience in leading teams and building MEAL team capacity (developing training tools, training, coaching and mentoring)
• Strong organizational skills and ability to effectively handle multiple tasks and meet strict deadlines. 
• Significant understanding of development of MIS and data and information management as well as experience in the use of data analysis software e.g. STATA.
• Familiarity with participative and inclusive accountability approaches
• Excellent interpersonal skills, flexibility, adaptability, and ability to work effectively as a member of a team.
• Highly developed influencing, communication and interpersonal skills, including ability to communicate technical issues effectively and persuasively.