Now Hiring Senior MEAL and Research Manager

12 فبراير، 2022

0 114 6 دقائق

Closing date: 24 Feb 2022

Senior Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability Learning (MEAL) and Research Manager

The Opportunity
The overall responsibility of the Senior Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability & Learning (MEAL) and researcher manager is to provide strategic guidance, vision, and management for successful monitoring and evaluation of the Syria Response Office’s work, with specific responsibility for strengthening and developing data management system, accountability systems, knowledge management and learning. The aim is to enhance the quality and accountability of SCI work and the work of SCI’s Partners, bringing immediate and lasting changes in the lives of children.
The Senior Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability & Learning (MEAL) and researcher manager oversees the design and implementation of a quality, comprehensive and integrated MEAL System that meets SCI standards; MEAL staff management, mentorship, and development; strategic and annual planning, internal reporting, as well as programme development and MEAL resources.
Specifically, the Senior Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability & Learning (MEAL) and researcher manager will ensure compliance with SCI’s existing accountability standards, will develop and implement processes for collecting, managing and institutionalizing program knowledge, and will lead on the development and implementation of the research agenda.
The Senior Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability & Learning (MEAL) and researcher manager will also manage an IM officer to ensure that there are data management and quality audit processes and systems in place in order to be analysed for the Whole of Syria response.

SCOPE OF ROLE:
Reports to: Director of Program Development and Quality
Staff directly reporting to this post: Information Management Officer
Technical dotted lines to: MEAL Managers in Area Offices
Role Dimension: The role is expected to foster relationships with a wide range of internal and
external stakeholders including Save the Children members, the Country Office Programme
Development & Quality team, AMC colleagues, Regional Advisors, technical counterparts in other organisations, etc. The role is also expected to engage with internal technical working groups
and communities of practice.
KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:
Design and Implementation of a Comprehensive MEAL System that meets SCI standards
* Oversee the design and implementation of the project’s MEAL system in coordination with Technical advisers and MEAL team at Area office level, to develop key performance indicators, targets, tools, and appropriate MEAL responsibilities across the project.
* Consolidation of the IPTT (Indicator Performance Tracking Table)
* Manage needs assessments, baseline and external mid and final evaluations, including coordination in terms of external processes, such as drafting ToR and selection of firm, in alignment with SCI procurement policy.
* Develop and disseminate relevant MEAL tools, formats and lead the provision of MEAL specific technical training
* Oversee data collection, collation, storage, analysis, and reporting, ensuring that data is of high quality and audit worthy
* Ensure MEAL teams in AOs are compliant with SCI MEAL system.
* Ensure appropriate training and supportive supervision of all partners in monitoring and evaluation procedures, data collection tools, and data management practices in alignment with the MEAL best practices
* Support in working closely with partners to establish their internal MEAL systems, M&E plans, and data quality management
* Strengthen staff and partners’ capacity in qualitative and quantitative monitoring and evaluation techniques through comprehensive staff training, mentoring, and/or coaching.
* Contribute to child-focused programme implementation by promoting child-friendly qualitative methodologies
* Liaising with Project Managers to ensure the accuracy of numerical data provided by partners and reported to donors
* Supports in the development of a remote M&E systems (output trackers) and their implementation by all concerned
* Contributes to programme updates for the response management and internal information sharing, including SitReps
* Responsible for designing and setting up IT solutions to data gathering and analysis
Data Analysis and Quality Assurance
* Conduct and manage routine Data Quality Assessments (DQA); ensuring implementation of corrective actions to improve data quality and accountability of staff and partners
* Responsible for the development and maintenance of a comprehensive Response database, ensure accurate and timely storage of electronic files.
* Responsible for the data analysis, writing, and review of the results and learning sections of project reports in collaboration with program staff, before submission to donor and ensure compliance with internal data quality requirements and timely submissions for reporting.
* Responsible for compiling and quarterly uploading KPIs data
Research and Learning
* Commitment to applied learning and adaptation based on data: Lead the program team on routine reviews and interpretation of data for learning and adaptation; package and disseminate timely findings in a meaningful way.
* Responsible for developing quarterly learning analysis and lead on review sessions for programme staff and partners
* Create a learning and research agenda and implement a system designed to identify lessons learned and disseminate timely information
Accountability & Participation
* Ensure that staff at all levels, including senior managers and directors, understand and promote accountability to beneficiaries, and to children in particular, through training and coaching.
* Oversee the Syria Programme accountability system for staff, partners and beneficiaries in line with existing policies and procedures to enhance effective accountability for SCI and Partners. Where required the Senior MEAL and research manager may need to design and develop accountability systems
* Ensure that Accountability activities are appropriately designed and include systems to effectively manage complaints, planned and budgeted for in programme design and funding applications
* Develop Monthly Accountability Reports to present to SRO senior management, and support AO MEALs for similar process at AOs level
* In consultation with partners the MEAL adviser will provide technical support on strengthening and establishing beneficiary and partners’ accountability systems across all programmes in line with the SC policies and Accountability Framework including child safe guarding policy.
* Together with partners ensure that the systems are designed to respond to the beneficiaries’ needs and are contextually relevant
Strategic planning and Coordination
* Support strategic planning processes, including strategy development, annual planning and reporting, and support response strategy for all inside Syria programming
* Working closely with Syria Programme Development and Quality director support coordination of Syria strategy and ensure monitoring of Syria strategy, learning and improving programme quality
* Support compilation and analysis of qualitative and quantitative data at hub level in line with strategic priorities
Others
* Comply with all relevant Save the Children policies and procedures with respect to child safeguarding policy, health and safety, equal opportunities and other relevant policies.
* Contribute to ensuring that programme’s delivery happens in strict adherence to security policy and procedures.
Any other task as required.

In order to be successful you will bring/have:

QUALIFICATIONS:
Master’s degree in project management, development studies, research or other areas relevant to the role and scope of work – Bachelor degree and relevant work experience (at least 5 years) can be considered as well.

Essential:
* Minimum of 8 years’ experience undertaking a MEAL & Research related role
* Fluency in English (native level)
* Significant team management experience with an NGO or private company.
* Experience in child friendly data collection.
* Demonstrated relevant technical skills in analysing and interpreting quantitative and qualitative data, and packaging the findings
* Experience in conducting and coordinating assessments, evaluations, research data collection
* Experience of, and commitment to working through systems of community participation and accountability.
* Ability to work both in an advisory and a hands-on implementation capacity.
* Proven capacity to supervise, train and coach staff.
* Ability to facilitate/conduct large technical trainings for staff.
* Ability to write clear and effective assessment and project reports.
* Very good knowledge and experience in development, set up and use of data and information management systems and tools
* Proficient in MS Office (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel)
* At least 3 years’ progressive experience with statistical packages, qualitative data analysis software and IT applications to support MEAL and knowledge management
* Demonstrable experience of leading mixed methods (qualitative and quantitative) research, confidence with research and fieldwork techniques and a range of analysis
* Politically and culturally sensitive with qualities of patience, tact and diplomacy.
* A high level of written and spoken English.
* The capacity and willingness to be extremely flexible and accommodating in difficult and sometimes insecure working circumstances.
* Commitment to the aims and principles of Save the Children. In particular, a good understanding of the Save the Children mandate and child focus and an ability to ensure this continues to underpin our support.
Desirable
* Language skills in Arabic.
* Experience or knowledge of working and living in relevant regions/contexts.
Experience in utilizing gender and disability sensitive indicators and measures
We offer a competitive package in the context of the sector.

The Organisation
We employ approximately 25,000 people across the globe and work on the ground in over 100 countries to help children affected by crises, or those that need better healthcare, education and child protection. We also campaign and advocate at the highest levels to realise the right of children and to ensure their voices are heard.

We are working towards three breakthroughs in how the world treats children by 2030:
* No child dies from preventable causes before their 5th birthday
* All children learn from a quality basic education and that,
* Violence against children is no longer tolerated

We know that great people make a great organization, and that our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children. We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive environment where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued.
Application Information:
Please attach a copy of your CV and cover letter with your application, and include details of your current remuneration and salary expectations. A copy of the full role profile can be found at www.savethechildren.net/careers

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.

All employees are expected to carry out their duties in accordance with our global anti-harassment policy.

We encourage qualified women and persons with disabilities to apply.