Save The Children Hiring Head of Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability And Learning (MEAL)

TEAM/PROGRAMME:  

Programme Development and QualityLOCATION: South Sudan, Juba  GRADE: 4 CONTRACT LENGTH: 2 Years

CHILD SAFEGUARDING:

Level 3:   the role 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 in country programs; or are visiting country programs; or because they are responsible for implementing the police checking/vetting process staff.

ROLE PURPOSE:

The Head of MEAL will take the overall responsibility of improving and implementing the SCI MEAL systems in South Sudan.

This will include ensuring building a strong MEAL framework, robust, accurate and timely monitoring systems for all projects including indicator performance tracking, appropriate and accurate data management, uphold data protection measures, ensure use of quality benchmarks and action trackers for programmes, oversee maintenance and improvement of accountability system, learning/knowledge management system, and overall reporting, along with supporting the CO in digital transformation.  

To that end, S/he will be responsible for developing and updating CO MEAL framework and standard operating procedures in with line SCI MEAL standards. And, take lead in the consolidation of Country Office Key Performance Indicators on MEAL on a quarterly basis, along with supporting the CO on various internal and external reporting on monthly, quarterly, and annual reports.

S/he will collaborate with thematic leads/specialists to develop log-frames/results frameworks and ensure that there is consistency at different level of results, ensuring indicators are SMART, which lead to programme goals. Along with providing timely input on the MEAL sections of the proposals and MEAL budget. 

S/he will ensure a strong and appropriate accountability system is in place and maintained adequately which ensures timely follow up of issues raised, builds trust with the children and communities who we serve. By allocating enough time and resources to ensure Accountability Assessments, Improvement/Action Plans are in place and followed, and oversee the work of the Accountability Coordinator.

S/he will lead in determining and undertaking research to deliver the country office’s evidence and learning agenda and learning log to inform SCI project design and implementation to deepen the impact of our work on children’s lives, as well as position the South Sudan Country Office as a thought leader and influencer on wider policy and practice around our breakthroughs in child survival, development and protection. To that end, oversee the work of the Research Specialist. 

S/he will be responsible for maintaining SCI’s Information Management Systems, which utilizes Kobo, Commcare, and PowerBI, overseeing the Information Management and Data Protection Specialist. This requires ensuring that wider teams are regularly inducted on how to access and use these systems. 

Lastly, as a member of the Extended Senior Management Team (ESMT), the role will involve analyzing data and providing input to the country leadership to inform strategic decision making as needed.

SCOPE OF ROLE: 

Reports to: Director of Program Development and Quality

Staff reporting to this post:

Direct: 6 staff 

Indirect : MEAL staff in field offices

Budget Responsibilities: The head of MEAL is responsible for overseeing MEAL budgeting components during proposal development as well as monitoring budget expenditure on these components, however, is not a direct budget holder.

S/he will ensures that necessary amount of budget is allocated to MEAL activities for all new proposals submitted, which includes but not limited to, MEAL staff coverage, trainings for staff/partners or for MEAL team; assessment costs (e.g. baselines, endlines, needs assessments, evaluations, quarterly smaller scale assessment like PDMs, or any other relevant type of assessment); monitoring visits specific to MEAL system requirements; Accountability costs, including information sharing, participation, FRM; Learning costs, such as lessons learnt workshops, dissemination sessions; Software costs (i.e. Commcare, PowerBI).

Areas of Accountability

Strategic Leadership

• Responsible for developing and updating CO MEAL framework and standard operating procedures in with line SCI MEAL standards.
• Promote all aspects of MEAL to support the creation of an organisational culture which prioritises quality programming, including alignment with SCI’s Quality Framework
• Build strong relationships with colleagues and provide support as required to ensure MEAL system is understood and supported at country office level
• Lead on ensuring linkages between MEAL, Child safeguarding systems, and safe programming. 

Monitoring 

• Ensure effectiveness of the monitoring systems in maintaining and improving the quality of services delivered by the country office.
• Strengthen efforts to create greater efficiency in MEAL systems by continued harmonization with SCI (and other relevant) standards and use of digital technologies 
• Ensure that the organization delivers on all internal and external MEAL requirements in a timely manner and with high-quality information.
• Strengthen the MEAL systems and processes to assure systematic tracking of achievements and progress towards project objectives and outcomes.
• Work with Technical Specialist (TS) to utilize and develop sector/thematic quality benchmarks for all activities implemented within a given sector/theme including any new activities that may be introduced in the program on an ongoing basis
• Review and advise on consistency, expected results/indicators, and other elements of log-frames/results frameworks to ensure quality 
• Ensure that data collection methodology used at field level are standardized, enabling the specific vulnerabilities of different target groups to be captured and analysed. 
• Support the roll out of PMM-PRIME system (internal SCI system).
• Oversee development of comprehensive MEAL plans (includes indicator and performance tracking table-IPTT, data collection tools, accountability plan, project quality bench marks) in collaboration with program teams at the inception phase
• Review programs IPTT, review and oversee the consolidation of Output Trackers and other humanitarian MEAL requirements. 
• Guide field-based MEAL staff to address any gaps in programme quality assurance and in MEAL frameworks implementation.
• Track Country Office achievements against CSP milestones and targets.
• Ensure that monitoring data is triangulated and analysed to generate a high level summary of MEAL systems for senior leadership. Present MEAL outcomes (status on program Performance, issues emerging from quality monitoring, issues emerging from accountability systems, research outcomes, lessons learnt) for discussion at ESMT and monthly Award Review meetings.

Research, Evidence & Learning

• Support the application of SCI Theory of Change with particular focus on driving innovation through development and provision of evidence and learning for replicable breakthrough solutions to the problems facing children.
• Maintain regular and proactive dialogue with technical/thematic leads and field teams to identify critical programmatic knowledge gaps, as well as to initiate, adapt or test new practices, approaches or methodologies that will inform our CO Evidence & Learning Agenda with a view of improving the impact of our work
• Foster a culture of learning in the CO, including the systematic collection, storage and dissemination of evidence and learning that is used throughout the project cycle by all staff 
• Undertake meta-analysis and systemic reviews of SCI South Sudan program evaluations and research to generate sectoral learning on trends, opportunities, risks etc and lead in-house research team to strengthen analysis and communicate programmatic learning to the wider Country Office team through document sharing, presentations, etc.
• Lead in the design, delivery and regular review of the Country Office Research, Evidence & Learning Agenda 
• Participate in designing and implementation of studies, assessments and learning in coordination and cooperation with sectors’ technical coordinators and programme staff.
• Apply leading-edge thinking and best practice at all stages of the research process to ensure that SCI research and evaluation outputs are delivered to the highest standards, on time and on budget 
• Scope, seek out, engage and maintain new partnerships with INGOs, UN and academic institutions to support the deliver our Evidence & Learning Agenda, including opportunities for information sharing and learning exchanges with external stakeholders
• Support the MEAL Managers, Research Specialist, Coordinators, and the wider team in developing and implementing evidence and learning dissemination and uptake strategies.

 Accountability & Participation

• Build strong country office accountability system and monthly reporting on progress 
• Ensure that all staff at all levels, including senior managers and directors, fully understand and promote accountability in general and to children in particular, through training and coaching. 
• Contribute to improvements in existing policies and procedures to enhance effective accountability mechanisms.
• Ensure all SCI staff, along with partners and stakeholders are trained on accountability, core humanitarian standard (CHS), and sphere standards.
• Develop and report against accountability and participation-related indicators and issues, and produce quarterly and annual reports on the accountability and participation work.
• Ensure that participation activities are well documented and learning is shared with the weir movement.  
• Ensure that child participation activities are appropriately planned and budgeted for in programme design and funding applications. 
• By facilitating information sharing with key stakeholders, including beneficiaries, ensure that Save the Children promotes transparency throughout all stages of implementation. 
• Ensure that project activities are designed to promote feedback and response mechanisms and include systems to effectively manage complaints. 
• Ensure that activities are carried out to raise awareness of prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse and handling of serious complaints in line with child safeguarding policy.

People Management & Development  

• Provide leadership to the MEAL team, including strategic vision and direction, team cohesion and team building and an enabling environment where staff can develop to their full potential.
• Lead, in coordination with HR, the recruitment, professional development and promotion of direct line reports as appropriate, including the identification of development opportunities, such as coaching/training/stretch assignments to build and maintain technical skills and competencies required for leading first class programmes
• Provide day-to-day direct line management, including managing and define expectations; delegation of roles, responsibilities and tasks among the team; provide technical guidance and support to the team as needed. 
• Provide supportive technical supervision of the field-based MEAL staff through regular contact, field visits and meetings.
• Enhance Country Office capability in MEAL, especially research and evaluation, through assessing capacity gaps in collaboration with line managers, designing and implementing effective capacity building measures and development and maintaining an institutionalized knowledge base.
• Undertake performance management, including setting of annual goals and quarterly deliverables, undertaking quarterly reviews, and provision of feedback to ensure delivery of results
• Support the development of an organisational culture that reflects our dual mandate values (humanitarian and development), promotes accountability and high performance, encourages a team culture of learning, creativity and innovation, and frees up our people to deliver outstanding results for children and excellent customer service for our members and donors. 
• Adapt the MEAL organogram in light of contextual changes and CO portfolio, and ensure the team is moving towards greater gender balance. 

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.

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

• Minimum of bachelor’s degree (BA/BS) in social development, economics, statistics or other relevant discipline. 

Essential:

• Overall, 8 years of practical experience in MEAL system coordination/implementation in an international non-governmental organization. or, 6 years of practical experience in MEAL, along with a degree of MA/MS in a relevant discipline.
• Conversant with impact evaluation methods as well as other established evaluation criteria
• Practical experience in working in humanitarian response and recovery at a technical senior level position.
• Excellent writing skills to present assessment and project reports in English
• Computer literacy, particularly in Microsoft Office, familiarity with any statistical package (i.e. SPSS, R), and working knowledge of digital data collection/management systems (Kobo Collect, PowerBI).
• 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 skills in English, with experience working in multicultural, multi-location, values driven teams;
• Practical experience in managing/overseeing a large MEAL team in a dispersed setting. 
• Ability and willingness to dramatically change work practices and hours, and work with incoming surge teams, in the event of emergencies. 

Desirable:

• Prior experience with Save the Children International highly desired.
• Experience or knowledge of working and living in South Sudan desirable.
• Working knowledge of Commcare is desirable.

Additional job responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities as set out above are not exhaustive and the role holder may be required to carry out additional duties within reasonableness of their level of skills and experience.

Equal Opportunities 

The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the SCI Equal Opportunities and Diversity policies and procedures.

Child Safeguarding:

We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.

Safeguarding our Staff:

The post holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the SCI anti-harassment policy

Humanitarian response

In the event of a major humanitarian emergency, the role holder will be expected to work outside the normal role profile and be able to vary working hours accordingly

Health and Safety

The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with SCI Health and Safety policies and procedures.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Find out more about this role by downloading the job description

 JOB DESCRIPTION

 29 AUG 2023

 12 SEP 2023 – 20:00 EAT

 WORLDWIDE

 PROGRAMME, DEVELOPMENT AND QUALITY

 PERMANENT

 FULL-TIME

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