MEAL Manager

Position description

Your mission

General Objective of the Job

The MEAL Manager is leading all monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning processes in addition to the information management for the Syria/Jordan programme. This role ensures that all MEAL activities are in line with global War Child standards, and that effective processes are built into the project life cycles. The MEALIM Manager offers technical input on the development and improvement of planning, monitoring and evaluation systems including the information and data managementmanages the Country Office MEAL staff who are based in Syria and Jordan, and guides capacity building efforts on these technical areas across operational hubs and for local partner organisations.

Position in the Organisation

The MEALIM Manager reports to the Head of Programme Quality & Development and has line management responsibilities over 2-4 other MEAL staff.

Result Areas

Manage monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning processes

• Identify the need for and develop new tools in collaboration with the sector-specific Technical Advisors and Implementation teams, to address any gaps in information;
• Manage the implementation of a MEAL system with associated documentation, processes and standards, tools, templates, and databases, to optimise planning, managing, and reporting on policies, programmes and projects, in accordance with WCH Global Monitoring Framework;
• Act as the primary placeholder of MEAL data management through projects and support the team in presenting this on country level through interactive dashboards;
• Maintain, improve, and adapt inclusive accountability channels to support programming that is participatory and responsive to the views of the children and communities we work with;
• Support MEAL and IM staff to develop reports using the information and data obtained, ensuring that these are shared with the team, partners, and communities, to develop feedback loops of information;
• Ensure partners are mentored to lead on projects to ensure work is locally driven/centered.

Manage third-party monitoring and evaluation activities

• Lead on planning for and conducting needs/contextual assessments, reviews and evaluations through third- party monitoring/evaluation entities or partners;
• Manage third party monitoring and evaluation contracts from end-to-end, including procurement, contracting, tools development, delivery of final reports, and dissemination;
• Ensure that third-party quantitative and qualitative findings inform decision-making and planning in the Country Office;
• Provide effective feedback and review for the third-party deliverables;
• Ensure donors endorsement for the planned evaluations and assessment Terms of References.

Training, capacity building and line management

• Manage the Country Office MEALand IM staff to ensure that project-level data is collected and analysed in a systematic manner, all deadlines are met, and key questions on the projects area addressed through the data collected;
• Support MEAL staff to engage with local partner organisations and build their capacity on MEAL systems and tools and ensure that these are being used in an efficient and effective way throughout the project lifecycle;
• Support the professional development of the MEAL team, engage them in the project cycle and increase levels of input and complexity;
• Host and document learning events for the MEAL team, partner M&E staff, and the wider War Child country office when appropriate.

Advising and informing

• Act as a point of contact for internal and donor/peer agency questions regarding MEAL as an area of expertise (in particular with country Technical, Implementation and Finance teams);
• Contribute to new proposals, develop log frames, and advise on key indicators as outlined by the War Child Global Monitoring Framework, coordination bodies, peer agencies, partner capacities and donor requirements;
• Provide advice, information, and assistance, both on request and on own initiative, for organisational projects, activities, partners, and the associated reporting;
• Lead on the generation of data information for annual reports and plans, internal and external reporting, and budget control;
• Provide guidance to MEAL, project and partner team members on War Child’s internal data protection framework which aligns with the EU General Data Protection Guidelines.

Coordination and networking

• Maintain a network of internal and external contacts relevant to the position, represent War Child in relevant technical working groups as needed;
• Grow and nurture a network with stakeholder organisations;
• Initiate and develop exchanges of information and knowledge relating to the MEAL Manager’s area of policy. Instructs, informs and advises internal and external stakeholders;
• Participate in donor and partner meetings when required to facilitate information sharing;
• Liaise with other War Child M&E colleagues both at the Home Office in Amsterdam and in other country offices to help facilitate the exchange of best practice, tool development, and promote learning;
• Liase with other thematic experts at War Child to support reaching organizational goals and improving programs.

Qualifications

Knowledge and Experience

• Relevant academic background (e.g.: development, research, social science, statistics);
• Demonstrated knowledge of quantitative and qualitative MEAL systems and tools – especially Excel, Kobo, and database management (PHP, MySQL);
• Minimum 5 years active MEAL experience in humanitarian or development programming;
• Proven ability to work productively with a variety of stakeholders to run participatory processes and meet tight deadlines with an emphasis on quality;
• Experience in designing, conducting, and training on qualitative interviews and focus group discussions with vulnerable persons as well as a variety of stakeholders;
• Experience in programming for children and/or experience in methods and methodologies in understanding programme progress and effectiveness for children desirable;
• Experience in data analysis and assessments;
• Commitment to local capacity building and the ability to engage local stakeholders and communities in the project design and implementation.

Skills and Competencies

• Critical thinking and strong analytical skills;
• Strong reporting and writing skills – i.e. excellent data interpretation skills and an ability to translate and present complex ideas into simple concepts and graphics/messages, in a convincing and unbiased manner;
• Strong technology skills especially in databases, Microsoft office suite, and OpenAI;
• Ability to identify needs/gaps and work towards solutions;
• Commitment to training, capacity building, and collaboration with local organisations;
• Excellent inter-personal and communication skills, maintaining close working relationships with local authorities, international NGOs, and local NGOs and associations;
• Excellent management skills, teamwork and flexibility;
• Commitment to a high level of confidentiality with sensitive information.

Application instructions

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