MEAL Officer - SDC, Yobe at Save The Children

The MEAL Officer will be responsible for establishing and managing a robust Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) system for the Project. Core duties for the position include designing and implementing a MEAL system in accordance with Save the Children International (SCI) standards. 
The position holder leads or supports evaluations/assessments, monitors program progress and quality, documents lessons learnt, establishing and managing Accountability systems as well as contributes to documentation and reporting. Ensuring gender-sensitive, inclusive and participatory MEAL processes, including children's involvement, is crucial

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY: 

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Support and participate in the design of program monitoring and evaluation tools (registers, reporting templates, databases, etc.), systems, and processes, and ensure they align with SCI and donor requirements.
• Lead the development of the project MEAL plan and Performance Indicator Reference sheet
• Lead accurate and timely data collection efforts for the project.
• Analyze project data to generate actionable insights and recommendations.
• Conduct periodic monitoring and accountability activities, including quality benchmarks and data quality assessments.
• Document and report data collection and analysis findings, ensuring comprehensive and informative reports.
• Maintain project database and update the SCI’s Project Reporting Information Management & Evidence (PRIME) system monthly to reflect project progress and achievements.
• Oversee program implementation to ensure adherence to standards and protocols.
• Prepare monthly IPTT (Indicator Performance Tracking Table) monitoring reports based on analyzed data.
• Support data management for assessments, situational analysis, surveys, evaluations, and research as needed.

Accountability

• Ensure the project is implementing the 3 pillars of Accountability - Information sharing, participation and feedback & reporting and providing relevant documentation.
• Assist in establishing robust accountability mechanisms, ensuring the voices of project participants are considered in project adaptation/design and implementation.
• Conduct periodic community feedback and stakeholder meetings to gather input, feedback, and insights on the program, enhancing community engagement, and promoting transparency and accountability.

Knowledge Management & Learning

• Actively engage in program learning initiatives, facilitating discussions and knowledge-sharing sessions among project teams.
• Support in the dissemination of research findings, learnings, best practices, new methods, and innovation through internal and external webinars, brown bags, workshops etc. with all staff and relevant community of practices
• Support in the archiving of Project Documents in the Resource Centre
• Support in the development of case studies and success stories for the project.

Safeguarding

• Ensure risk assessments are done before any data collection that involves children.
• Support in ensuring Accountability information sharing activities includes safeguarding
• Support in ensuring all project MEAL volunteers are trained on safeguarding 

General

• Comply with SCI policies and practice with respect to child protection, code of conduct, health and safety, equal opportunities and other relevant policies and procedures.
• Undertake any other tasks within the MEAL function as the line manager requires, adapting to project needs and challenges. 

BEHAVIOURS (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, take responsibility for their personal development and encourage their team to do the same
• Widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others
• Future-orientated, thinks strategically and on a global scale.

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; demonstrates highest levels of integrity

QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum of B.Sc or equivalent qualification in, Economics, Statistics, Development studies, public health, Epidemiology, Social Work or Demography, Computer Science, or any related courses.

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS 

Essential:

•  At least 3 years of experience in MEAL for humanitarian/development projects
• Excellent analytical skills and ability to effectively use Microsoft Office package.
• Good personal organizational skills, including time management, being flexible and the ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and ability to work as part of a team.
• Ability to develop data collection tools on Kobotool box, commcare, and/or other ODK (Open Data Kit) applications.
• Experience in report writing and documentation.
• Fluency in English, spoken and written.
• Experience in knowledge and database management.

Desirable

• Good Knowledge of the local area (Yobe) and local language (Hausa)