Meal Coordinator

In summary, the MEAL Coordinator will be responsible for establishing and promoting the use of MEAL systems to ensure that the program:

is  informed on the extent to which our interventions are affecting the lives of the targeted populations;
have evidence-based knowledge on the positive and negative impact that our interventions are having over the communities where SCI works;
receives regular, timely and context-specific, meaningful feedback from our staff, partners, programme participants and that feedback effectively informs and signals areas where strategic attention is required.

Consolidate in coordination with implementing partners for Watoto Rudi Shule Project and UNICEF; data reporting and make sure they are aligned with donor requirements.
KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:
Monitoring:

Take on responsibility for the implementation of the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) system in SCI’s programmes: monitoring progress against targets through Logframes, Indicator Performance Tracking Tool (IPTT), Output Trackers, Quality Benchmarks and working alongside MEAL Officers, Project Leads and PDQ for monitoring MEAL action plans
Lead in the development of tools and guidelines for data collection, collation and reporting, for instance ensure that projects have clear MEAL plans, IPTT as well as regular tracking of total beneficiary reach.
Manage and build capacity of field level MEAL teams to conduct quality monitoring of programme activities, measured against international standards and using participatory, inclusive and gender-sensitive methodologies (including child-friendly methodologies).
Organize field visits to monitor program activities / interventions against Quality Benchmarks/Quality Checklists and produce & share reports with program team as well as management team based on quality and accountability findings.
Support program staff to strengthen joint planning and monitoring with stakeholders.
Contribute to the quality of program design – reviewing log-frames, results frameworks, project plan, strategic plans, MEAL Plan etc.
Lead the establishment of innovative data analysis to track a wide range of indicators
Lead the development of the MEAL dashboard to increase and strengthen the quality and availability of country and programmatic data.
Lead in conducting data quality assessment to ensure that data reported is validated, is accurate and consistent while providing feedback as necessary to program teams;
Analysis against the performance indicators and targets on periodic basis
Provide leadership during the country annual reporting processes for Total Reach with support from Head of MEAL.
To carry out follow-up monitoring visits to materialize actions agreed and update these in the online “Monitoring-Action Plan Tracker’.
Maintain close coordination with program manager at field level and Head of MEAL on Quality and Accountability issues. Share all information (monitoring reports, CFM database preliminary inquiry reports) with Head of MEAL.
Knowledge of the Core Humanitarian Standard on Quality and Accountability.

Research and evaluation:

Update the online evaluations tracker on a regular basis and ensure that it is up to date with all the studies and evaluations that are implemented in the field office.
Provide a synthesis of all evaluations conducted and share recommendations with program teams.
Provide support for all needs assessments, formative, operational research, and evaluations.
Manage and supervise external consultants while they are in the field office for data collection.
Assist MEAL Manager/Program Manager in preparing and conducting baseline studies.
With support from communications, research and learning manager and programs teams develop quality case studies.

Accountability:

Build strong and functional accountability mechanisms and ensure that these are continuously monitored.
Promote use of innovative techniques to ensure child-participation during feedback collection
Promote every child’s opportunity to have opinions, to influence others, especially decision makers, and to achieve changes.
With support of project lead ensure that project information is correctly shared with beneficiaries through the most appropriate mechanisms.
Ensure beneficiaries actively participate in project activities.
Maintain and update a Feedback and Response Mechanism database for tracking feedback from communities and ensure that the feedback/complaints are responded to.
Build capacity of other program staff to undertake accountability including ensuring participation of communities and sharing information with communities as well as undertake accountability assessments
Ensure the Feedback and Response Mechanism (FRM) are functional and accessible to beneficiaries.
Develop regular trend analysis of complaints at the project and organizational level and share these with program team as per protocols.
Support in carrying out preliminary first verification report in case of serious nature of complaints filed by beneficiaries/communities and support for investigation of those types of complaints as per FRM protocol.
Ensure that the agreed action plans are followed in timely manner by program team and that the feedback loop is closed.
Share all information (monitoring reports, FRM databases, preliminary verification reports, case studies etc.) with the support of Head of MEAL.
Share MEAL findings & FRM issues in each monthly reporting
Ensure that all staff follow the FRM guidelines.

Learning and knowledge management

Conduct comprehensive analysis of evaluation and research findings ; provide summary of findings, learning and recommendations and share these with program staff.
Highlights effective programmes and policies that could be adapted and emulated by other stakeholders
Supported by the Research and Learning Manager and working with the learning and knowledge management officer, professionally document and proactively share information and learning from projects with Save the Children staff and stakeholders as necessary.
Support the Learning and Knowledge management officer to ensure that that staff are compliant in uploading data and reports into SharePoint and other relevant online repository systems and maintain such database.
Ensure the key learning’s are incorporated in upcoming project plans and interventions. 

Reporting and Representation:

Ensures external accountability to donors through the implementation of timely and quality MEAL activities leading to timely and accurate reporting
Ensure that high quality analysis reports to illustrate SC’s impact and assessment findings are produced, including evidence of good practice and replicable programmes, and that they are communicated at appropriate events
Provide a holistic view of MEAL data to senior programme management and governance bodies through appropriate reporting, disaggregation, data analytics and visualisations.
Validates and distributes the final versions of the monitoring and evaluation reports, studies and analyses produced by the MEAL team.
Ensure that all the data related to MEAL action Plan tracker & CFM database are recorded and updated in a timely manner.
Coordinate closely with the all SC staff and MEAL Officers to ensure all responses and feedback are registered, the feedback loop is closed and the Quality Action Tracker is updated.
Carry out dual responsibility in case of big emergency as per organizational requirement
Any other tasks given by line manager.

Programme Design and MEAL Resource:

Ensure that MEAL is an integral part of the programme design stage and features in all proposal development, and during the project budgeting.
Responsible for effectively managing the MEAL budget within the project

Staff Management, Mentorship, and Development

Coordinate and provide leadership to the project MEAL team, forming a solid team identity within the project and organisation and creating cohesion between team members working in different geographic areas.
Manage the performance of direct reports through performance management, coaching, mentoring, and development.
Contract Duration: 12 Months (with possibility of extension)
Number of Vacancies: 1
Work Location: Nairobi

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
Essential

Recommended a minimum of five years practical experience in M&E system coordination/implementation in a large international NGO or other international relief/development body; in a both emergency and development contexts, preferably with solid MEAL experience in more than one of the Save the Children priority sectors: education, child protection, rights governance, Health & Nutrition and emergencies.
Excellent knowledge of information technology systems and proficient in the use of ODK/Kobo data collection tools
Skilled in quantitative and qualitative data analysis using appropriate software i.e. Stata and/or SPSS and ATLAS.ti / NVivo
Highly developed cultural awareness and ability to work well in an international environment with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures
Demonstrated expertise of capacity building and training of MEAL and non-MEAL teams
Proven experience in designing and developing MEAL training materials.
Knowledge and experience of using innovative and participatory facilitation techniques
Demonstrable track-record in data management, with the ability to manage large databases
Ability to analyse and disseminate complex information to a range of stakeholder audiences;
Demonstrated ability to use existing digital platforms for tracking and reporting such as the Digital Attendance Application
Computer literacy, particularly in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint;
Clear understanding of the project management lifecycle and MEAL Frameworks
Experience in mix-methods (Qualitative and Quantitative) data collection and data analysis techniques
Enthusiasm, motivation, self-confidence, and a proactive approach to problem solving
Ability to present complex information in a succinct and compelling manner
Open to a digital and innovative way of thinking
Excellent planning, coordination, and reporting skills, with the ability to organise a substantial workload comprised of complex, diverse tasks and responsibilities;
Strong communication and interpersonal with experience working in multicultural, multi -location, values driven teams;
Commitment to Save the Children values

Desirable

Remote management/contingency planning
Experience in Monitoring and Evaluation of education programmes.
Previous experience working in hard to reach areas

QUALIFICATIONS  

Bachelor’s Degree in Social Sciences, Statistics, Biostatistics, Operational Research, Population Studies, Demography Education, Development Studies, or Information Technology is required
Master’s Degree in International Development, Statistics, Development Studies, Population Studies, Monitoring and Evaluation, Education or Information Technology is desirable

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS
Essential

Recommended a minimum of five years practical experience in M&E system coordination/implementation in a large international NGO or other international relief/development body; in a both emergency and development contexts, preferably with solid MEAL experience in more than one of the Save the Children priority sectors: education, child protection, rights governance, Health & Nutrition and emergencies.
Excellent knowledge of information technology systems and proficient in the use of ODK/Kobo data collection tools
Skilled in quantitative and qualitative data analysis using appropriate software i.e. Stata and/or SPSS and ATLAS.ti / NVivo
Highly developed cultural awareness and ability to work well in an international environment with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures
Demonstrated expertise of capacity building and training of MEAL and non-MEAL teams
Proven experience in designing and developing MEAL training materials.
Knowledge and experience of using innovative and participatory facilitation techniques
Demonstrable track-record in data management, with the ability to manage large databases
Ability to analyse and disseminate complex information to a range of stakeholder audiences;
Demonstrated ability to use existing digital platforms for tracking and reporting such as the Digital Attendance Application
Computer literacy, particularly in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint;
Clear understanding of the project management lifecycle and MEAL Frameworks 
Experience in mix-methods (Qualitative and Quantitative) data collection and data analysis techniques
Enthusiasm, motivation, self-confidence, and a proactive approach to problem solving 
Ability to present complex information in a succinct and compelling manner
Open to a digital and innovative way of thinking
Excellent planning, coordination, and reporting skills, with the ability to organise a substantial workload comprised of complex, diverse tasks and responsibilities;
Strong communication and interpersonal with experience working in multicultural, multi -location, values driven teams;
Commitment to Save the Children values

Desirable

Remote management/contingency planning
Experience in Monitoring and Evaluation of education programmes.
Previous experience working in hard to reach areas

Apply via :

kenya.savethechildren.net