Programme Officer - MEAL at Smiling Hearts Initiatives International

Job Summary

• The programme officer -MEAL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning) for the ECHO funded Project will be responsible for ensuring the effectiveness and accountability of the project. The role involves designing, coordinating, and implementing MEAL activities, monitoring project performance, and ensuring learning and adaptation throughout the project cycle.
• The programme officer- MEAL will work closely with the project team, partners, and stakeholders to collect, analyze, and report data, ensuring that project outcomes are achieved, beneficiaries are satisfied, and that there is continuous improvement based on learning.

Key Responsibilities
Monitoring and Evaluation:

• Develop and implement MEAL frameworks, indicators, tools, and plans to monitor project outputs, outcomes, and impact.
• Proactively ensure networking and sharing of lessons from the program with strategic partners and other stakeholder including government;
• Conduct regular field visits to monitor activities, ensuring quality and timely data collection and providing guidance to field teams.
• Responsible for providing technical support to project staff and partner organization on proper data collection and record keeping
• Maintain an updated database for all data collected, ensuring data accuracy, consistency, and accessibility for reporting and decision-making.
• Responsible for organizing periodical ongoing data review, reflective practice, evaluation and progress monitoring events;
• Actively participate in and contribute to MEAL team activities, system assessments, development and implementation of new systems and/or tools aimed at strengthening overall MEAL practices

Data Collection and Analysis:

• Lead data collection activities, including surveys, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews, ensuring high data quality standards.
• Analyze quantitative and qualitative data, identifying trends, patterns, and areas for improvement, and generate timely MEAL reports.
• Ensure that data management systems and processes are aligned with organizational data protection policies.
• Responsible for conducting post distribution monitoring (PDM) data collection and analysis
• Facilitate beneficiary registration and verification at community level

Accountability:

• Set up and manage an accountability system, ensuring that feedback mechanisms are available, accessible, and known to project beneficiaries and stakeholders.
• Collect and document feedback from beneficiaries, ensuring it is integrated into the project to enhance project responsiveness.
• Prepare monthly accountability reports, including trends in feedback and action taken to address issues raised.
• Ensure CFM data collection met optimum standard and quality for analysis

Learning and Adaptation:

• Facilitate regular learning sessions, including after-action reviews, to promote reflection and learning across the project team and stakeholders.
• Document lessons learned and best practices to inform future project design and improve project outcomes.
• Contribute to knowledge-sharing efforts, including writing case studies, success stories, and briefing notes.

Training and Reporting:

• Prepare monthly, and quarterly MEAL reports, providing insights into project performance, beneficiary satisfaction, and impact.
• Support the project team in compiling and submitting donor reports, ensuring MEAL inputs are timely and accurate.
• Ensure that all reporting aligns with donor requirements and organizational standards.

Knowledge and Experience 

• Bachelor\'s Degree in Social Sciences, Statistics, Development Studies, Monitoring and Evaluation, or a related field. A Master’s degree is an added advantage.
• Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in MEAL, preferably within the humanitarian assistance sectors.

Core Skills and Competencies
Technical Skills:

• Strong knowledge and experience in developing and implementing MEAL frameworks, tools, and systems.
• Proficiency in data collection and analysis methods (quantitative and qualitative), including surveys, interviews, focus groups, and case studies.
• Experience using data management and analysis software, such as Excel, SPSS, or other relevant tools. 
• Good computer skills in MS Office, especially Excel; and Word - with experience in writing reports;
• Self-motivated and pro-active attitude with good organization, planning, and analytic skills, including prioritizing work, multi-tasking and attention to detail;
• Flexibility and ability to work under pressure and in constantly evolving work environments;
• Experience of analyzing and presenting data in a way that facilitates effective decision making.
• Demonstrated analytical, systematic-thinking, and problem-solving skills are definite assets;
• A strong understanding of accountability and proven ability to build Beneficiary Feedback Systems

Interpersonal Skills:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively in a diverse team environment.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work under pressure, with strong problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.
• High level of integrity, with a commitment to promoting accountability, transparency, and ethical practices.

Additional Skills:

• Knowledge of local languages and contexts is an advantage.
• Training in data protection and ethical data collection practices.
• Strong facilitation skills with the ability to conduct training sessions on MEAL best practices for project teams and partners.