Monitoring Evaluation Accountability & Learning Manager at Save The Children

ROLE PURPOSE: 

Save the Children in Nigeria is implemented a GSK funded project that is aimed at reducing zero dose & under-immunized children in Kano and Lagos State. The project is currently seeking a Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL)) Manager for the project.

The MEAL Manager will lead all MEAL activities for the project. This includes, leading in the development and implementation of the project MEAL plan and ensure all data reporting requirements for both donor and SCI are met. S/he will lead the collection, management, analysis and use of project performance monitoring data in line with the project Performance Monitoring Plan in order to continually identify areas for improved program design and implementation. In close collaboration with the project team, the MEAL Manager will provide technical assistance for recording, management, and use of routine immunization data. 

The MEAL Manager will support the generation and documentation of project learning, including through studies, evaluations, and the project learning agenda. And collaborates with local partners to improve immunization outcomes and build on the accomplishments and learnings. S/he will also be responsible for maintaining accountability standards for the project.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Provide high quality technical leadership, support and capacity building on MEAL to the project implementation team.
• Ensure that the project delivers on all internal and external MEAL requirements in a timely manner and with high quality information. 
• Develop robust MEAL plans, systems, processes and tools for the project in line with SCI and donor requirements.
• In collaboration with the programme & technical team, develop and implement project MEAL plans, quality benchmarks, research, assessments and evaluations to support evidence and learning agenda as well as a process for knowledge sharing between SCI, stakeholders and partners in the state.
• Support project staff to track quality benchmarks, collect good quality monitoring data in a timely manner and collate/organize data received for reporting purposes. 
• Ensure relevant data is entered in SCI’s Project reporting Information Management & Evidence (PRIME) system in a timely manner.
• Participate in designing and implementation of project assessment, evaluations, and research. In coordination with the project team, technical advisors and Research Manager, design study terms of reference, provide briefings to consultants and provide logistical support, review reports to ensure studies are in line with SCI & donors’ standards.
• Lead project data review meetings to identify performance trends and support the project team to identify areas for improvement or adaptation.
• Work with Ministry partners in project States to improve quality and build capacity on immunization data collection, data entry and analysis, and use.

Accountability 

• Ensure that all project staff fully understand and promote accountability in general and to children in particular through training and coaching.
• Ensure the project is implementing the 3 pillars of Accountability - Information sharing, participation and feedback & reporting and providing relevant documentation.
• Ensure project participants are involved in every stage of the programme cycle. 
• Design and implement appropriate feedback mechanisms that are contextual, effective, accessible and safe for beneficiaries, and that ensure that feedback is reported, reviewed and acted upon. · 
• Ensure the development of regular trend analysis of feedback received and sharing for wider learning and improvement. 

Knowledge Management & Learning 

• Support the integration of adaptive learning approaches into routine project processes, such as regular pause and reflect meetings, data review meetings, and the use of continuous quality improvement processes.
• Coordinate with project team, country technical advisors and Knowledge management & Learning lead to ensure that lessons learned are properly documented and are incorporated into programme implementation and design. 
• Contribute to the sharing of good practices in the implementation of immunization activities in the States by following and highlighting successful examples through "success stories."
• Ensure project MEAL documents are adequately stored in SCI Resource Centre. 

Safeguarding

• Include questions about safeguarding and safe programming issues in MEAL tools.
• Ensure volunteers and partners have the understanding, skills, and capacity to inform communities to discuss how SEA and other forms of abuse will be prevented in the course of the program or project.
• Ensure risk assessment are done before any data collection that involves children

Management & Coaching

• Coaching and mentoring of direct reports to achieve project deliverables. 
• Support implementation of the SCI performance management system, by supporting, supervising and reviewing performance of direct reports.
• Working together with direct report to identify learning and development needs and develop specific plans to address these needs. 

QUALIFICATIONS   

• Minimum of a Bachelor's degree in public health, statistics, computer science, social sciences or equivalent. 
• At least five (6) years of professional experience in a similar position in monitoring and evaluation and health information management with an International NGO. Also, project management and stakeholder engagement skills.

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

Essential

• Experience with immunization programs, including immunization data, at the sub-national level. 
• Experience in coaching, supervision, or building capacity in data entry, management, and use. 
• Skilled in data quality assurance methods and data analysis using spreadsheets (Excel), Access, SATA, SPSS, and GIS applications).
• Experience in data visualization and use, including demonstrated ability to interpret data and recommend programmatic actions to take.
• Experience implementing research or evaluations, including experience conducting qualitative research.
• Experience in the use of the national health information system DHIS2.
• Excellent communication skills, including verbal and written communication. 
• Willing to travel within Nigeria and within implementation communities.
• Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills including influencing, negotiation, and coaching.
• Excellent time management and planning capacity.