Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Coordinator at Save the Children

Job Title:Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Coordinator 
 

Position Code: MEA MAN
 

Contract Duration:9 Months

Team / Programme:Programme Implementation

Location: Mandera
 

Grade: 3

Post Type: National
 

Child Safeguarding: Level 3 - the responsibilities of the post may require the post holder to have regular contact with or access to children or young people


Role Purpose: Save the Children has programming in Health and Nutrition, Food Security and Livelihoods in Mandera County, mainly focused local community.  The MEAL Coordinator makes a crucial contribution to the quality of that programming, as a senior member of the Mandera area team. 

Dimensions: Save the Children has been operational in Kenya since the 1950s, providing support to children through developmental and humanitarian relief programmes delivered both directly and through local partners.

Current programming focuses on child protection, child rights governance, education, health, HIV/AIDS, livelihoods, nutrition and WASH. In 2012, as part of a global reorganization process, Save the Children combined the programmes of SC UK, SC Canada and SC Finland to create a single operation in Kenya.

In Feb 2014, we completed a second transition, which saw us join forces with the British INGO, Merlin, and merge their health and nutrition programmes with our own. 

Save the Children now has an operational presence in Bungoma, Dadaab Refugee Camp, Garissa, Mandera, Turkana and Wajir and we work through partners in many other parts of the country. 

We employ nearly 300 staff and will have an operating annual budget in 2015 of approximately US$20-25 million.

Scope of Role: 

Reports to: Area Programme Manager operationally with close technical relationship to MEAL manager based in Nairobi

Staff directly reporting to this post: MEAL Officers and Community Liason Officers (CLO).

Key Areas of Accountability:

General Management

• Responsible for the correct implementation of the SCI Kenya MEAL Framework;
• With Programme Managers, develop M&E Plans and related tools at grant start up;
• Ensure the appropriate resourcing of MEAL activities within new budgets;
• Ensure that MEAL is effectively integrated into programme design, and contributes to programme objectives;
• Contribute to annual planning and reporting processes, consistent with SCI operational requirements;
• Identify recurring gaps in MEAL and programme quality themes, and actively address the causes;
• Ensure that child participation and child safeguarding is integrated into design and delivery;
• As a member of the Mandera SMT, ensure a conducive and productive work environment.

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Where necessary, design and support needs, baseline, and endline assessments and surveys;
• Manage data collection processes to ensure high quality management information;
• Manage data banking processes for the projects;
• Manage the SCI Indicator Performance Tracking Table (IPTT);
• Design and manage internal and external evaluations and impact assessments, to ensure compliance with donor and SCI requirements, as well as accountability, transparency and programme learning.

Accountability

• Contribute to a culture of accountability and transparency on the team;
• Manage the design and roll-out of locally appropriate, financially viable, and effective complaints and response mechanisms;
• Support and promote two-way beneficiary communications in activity and MEAL systems design.

Learning

• Contribute to the facilitation of monthly programme meetings;
• Contribute to the design and facilitation of programme learning processes, such as periodic or after - action reviews.

Reporting

• Support reporting to donors by providing management information to programme managers on a timely basis;
• Support the process of developing Monthly technical reports;
• Support other reporting processes as required.

External relations

• Represent SCI Kenya, and provide technical advice where necessary, to implementing partners;
• Other representation as required.

Staff Management, Mentorship, and Development 
 

Manage performance of direct reports in the work area through:

• Effective use of the Performance Management System including the establishment of clear, measureable objectives, ongoing feedback, periodic reviews and fair and unbiased evaluations;
• Coaching, mentoring and other developmental opportunities;
• Recognition and rewards for outstanding performance;
• Documentation of performance that is less than satisfactory, with appropriate performance improvements/ work plans.
• Maintain clear communication with both the functional (direct) line manager and the technical manager to foster a smooth working relation under existing matrix structure

Skills and Behaviours (our 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), takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages others to do the same
• Widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others
• Future orientated, thinks strategically

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

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor degree or higher in a relevant area of social sciences;
• Significant expertise in statistical analysis;
• Five years experience working in MEAL roles including a management position;
• Experience in both emergency and development contexts;
• Experience of working on all elements of MEAL including designing, rolling out and managing systems;
• Experience in designing Terms of Reference and successfully managing evaluations.
• Experience of working with communities in participatory activities, including confidence in working with children and an understanding of child-friendly participatory methodologies.
• Familiarity with international quality standards (Red Cross Code of Conduct, SPHERE Standard, HAP Standard) and experience of using these standards in practical ways to promote quality and accountable programming
• Proven success in managing a team and dedication to staff development.
• Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills including influencing, negotiation and coaching.
• Highly developed cultural awareness and ability to work well in an international environment with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
• Strong results orientation, with the ability to challenge existing mindsets
• Experience of solving complex issues through analysis and action planning
• Ability to present complex information in a succinct and compelling manner
• Ability and willingness to work in challenging circumstances, to change work practices and hours, and to work with incoming surge teams, in the event of emergencies
• Fluency in English, both verbal and written, required. 
• Commitment to Save the Children values, including willingness to abide by and enforce the Child Safeguarding policy.

How to Apply

Interested candidates are required to submit a CV and mandatory Cover letter to Kenya.jobapplications@savethechildren.org indicating the Position Code on the subject line by 23rd March 2015.  

Due to the urgency of these positions, applications will be reviewed as when receive them. 

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. 

Categories: MONITORING AND EVALUATION