MEAL Manager (FFO/BMZ) – Hargeisa, Somaliland

Title: MEAL Manager (FFO/BMZ)– Somali National

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TITLE: Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Manager, BMZ and FFO Portfolio (Funding from German Federal Government)

TEAM/PROGRAMME: Research Evaluation Accountability Learning and Monitoring (REALM)|

LOCATION: Hargeisa with travel to the project locations as required

GRADE: TBC

POST TYPE: National

CHILD SAFEGUARDING:

Level 3:  the post holder will have contact with children and/or young people either frequently (e.g., once a week or more) or intensively (e.g., four days in one month or more or overnight) because they work country programs; or are visiting country programs; or because they are responsible for implementing the police checking/vetting process staff.

ROLE PURPOSE:

The MEAL Manager takes the overall responsibility of monitoring, evaluation, and knowledge management components of the BMZ and FFO portfolio and develop robust and comprehensive monitoring and evaluation plans for each project, develop M&E Frameworks and track key project milestones according to the project results frameworks.  The MEAL Manager will also maintain the portfolio learning agenda and lead the research and evaluations under BMZ and FFO projects to ensure timely, rigorous, and robust evidence that informs program designs, decisions and learning outcomes. The MEAL Manager will work closely with the Country Research team, Area MEAL managers, and Program team to demonstrate the impact of our work and value for money.

SCOPE OF ROLE:

Reports to: BMZ/FFO Program Director

Direct reports (staffing reporting to this position): TBC

Indirect reports (staff with dotted lines to the position): TBC

Budget Responsibilities: TBC

Primary Technical area: Programme Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning

Secondary Technical area: Program Development

Role Dimensions: Role holder will work closely with, Country and Regional Technical and Operations teams. The position is expected to be CO facing in approach collaborating with Technical Experts, Programme Operations, Advocacy/ Campaigns, Business Development, Awards and HR teams. The BMZ/ FFO portfolio is a multisectoral and multi-areas portfolio supporting both humanitarian (FFO) and development interventions (BMZ) and is embedded in the Humanitarian-Development-Nexus framework which is a key strategic area for the German Federal Government. The portfolio has an average annual expenditure of about USD$10Million covering five sectors: Health, Nutrition, WASH, Food Security and Livelihoods, Child Protection, and Child Rights Governance.

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Provide strategic direction for the development and optimization of MEAL system that measures program wide performance and achievements towards outcomes (using the Outcomes & Evidence Framework core indicators and other methods as appropriate) including roll-out of new MEAL-related initiatives
• Establish a coherent MEAL system (approaches, procedures, structures) encompassing both programs implemented by Save the Children and with partners
• Provide technical assistance and quality assurance to Program/Project Manager and officers in their support of sector programs in project and program monitoring initiatives (including but not limited to the design of M&E plans, data collection tools, data management and analysis), to ensure programs are adequately supported
• Develop and oversee implementation of robust context-appropriate systems for data collection, quality assurance, analysis and reporting on activity outputs/outcomes and program quality
• Participate in proposal development sessions to facilitate and develop Theories of Change, MEAL plans and Project Management Plans
• Strengthen the MEAL systems and processes to assure tracking of achievements and progress towards project outcomes and outputs indicators
• Set up Project Management Information Systems including digital data gathering and analytic software allowing real time data gathering and mapping to improve implementation of activities and technology driven MEAL system and tools
• Support programme teams in preparing and managing internal assessments, external program evaluations, impact studies and case studies
• Provide staff support including on-the-job training/learning to strengthen technical capacity on MEAL priorities and quality standards

Research and Evidence

• Lead the development, dissemination, and implementation of a coherent and coordinated Evidence and Research agenda and work with the program development and operations teams to translate research and evaluation outcomes into practice
• Provide advice on development of robust methods to collect rigorous and relevant data to demonstrate effectiveness and impact of Save the Children’s BMZ portfolio in Somalia
• Commission research and studies, impact evaluations and programme level learning activities; – identifying opportunities for ‘re-packaging’ research findings in accessible formats to ensure that learning and uptake is widely disseminated through SCI and wider development community
• Lead the conceptualization and design of research studies and ensure technical quality of all research activities and products for Save the Children’s BMZ/FFO portfolio in Somalia
• Undertake meta-analysis and systemic reviews of Save the Children’s BMZ portfolio in Somalia program evaluations and research to generate sectoral learning on trends, opportunities, risks etc
• Bring research, analytical and quality assurance expertise to projects, especially in the design, implementation, and reporting stages
• Lead or participate in program and project evaluations and impact studies and assist in the development of tools and methods for such evaluations and studies, in collaboration with other stakeholders
• Prepare terms of reference for external evaluators and coordinate collaboration with them
• Supervise the development of data collection tools proposed for evaluations activities
• Perform data analyses, using SPSS, STATA or other software, for project research and evaluations.

Learning, Knowledge Management & Innovation

• Identify, nurture, and validate solutions to maximize impact and minimize cost
• Develop project systems to track program quality, cost-effectiveness, and progress to scale​
• Champion holistic approaches to collaboration, learning and adapting (CLA), including design and implementation of an action-oriented project research and learning agenda, routine analysis of available sector/sub-sector data sources, and application of lessons learned and best/promising practices in knowledge management
• Support efforts to improve learning systems and planning processes to ensure knowledge and evidence are fully utilized to improve program design and implementation, as well as inform policy and advocacy initiatives with external stakeholders in Somalia and regionally.
• Participate in designing and implementation of studies, assessments and learning in coordination and cooperation with Research Manager/area REALM manager and programme staff
• Support the programme team to communicate programme learning (through document sharing, presentations, and facilitation of cross-learning/Best practices workshops amongst NGO partners, local partners, and other stakeholders, etc)
• Lead in designing and implementation of programme related studies, assessments and learning in coordination and cooperation with thematic coordinators and programme staff
• Actively seek opportunities for information sharing and learning exchanges with local actors/INGOs to promote coordination at local and national level
• Work closely with the project director, Communications and Media teams to ensure that all the data, pictures and stories are available and used for publications and media products are of quality
• Capacity building of MEAL staff and partner MEAL Officers
• Oversees the documentation and dissemination of program achievements, success stories and lessons learned; prepares and contributes to periodic annual programs reports.

Others

• Other duties as needed

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, takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages 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