Monitoring Evaluation Accountability and Learning Officer- Hershey needed at Save The Children

ROLE PURPOSE:  

Save the Children is implementing a 3 year project aimed at ensuring child protection through reduced child labour and increased accountability in the cocoa-growing communities in Cross River and Ondo States in Nigeria. 

The MEAL Officer will be responsible for establishing and managing a robust Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) system for the project in their location. Core duties for the position include designing and implementing a MEAL system in accordance with Save the Children International (SCI) standards. 

The position holder will support evaluations/assessments, monitor program progress and quality, document lessons learnt, and contribute to periodic monitoring and reporting. Ensuring gender-sensitive, inclusive, and participatory MEAL processes, including children’s involvement, is crucial.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Develop robust MEAL plans, systems, processes, and tools for the project in line with SCI and donor requirements.
• Take the lead in data collection efforts for the project, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
• Conduct in-depth data analysis to derive actionable insights and recommendations from project data.
• Execute quarterly monitoring, and accountability activities to enhance project performance, including quality benchmarks, data quality assessments, and/or data quality assessments. 
• Document data collection and analysis findings, contributing to comprehensive and informative reports.
• Ensure monthly updates to the SCI’s Project reporting Information Management & Evidence (PRIME) system, accurately reflecting project progress and achievements.
• Monitor the implementation of programs, ensuring that activities are carried out according to standards and protocols.

Accountability

• Support in ensuring the project is implementing the 3 pillars of Accountability – Information sharing, participation and feedback & reporting and providing relevant documentation.
• Assist in establishing robust accountability mechanisms, ensuring the voices of project participants are considered in project adaptation/design and implementation.Conduct periodic community feedback and stakeholder meetings to gather input, feedback, and insights on the program, enhancing community engagement, and promoting transparency and accountability.

Knowledge Management & Learning

• Actively engage in program learning initiatives, facilitating discussions and knowledge-sharing sessions among project teams.
• Ensure project MEAL documents are adequately stored in the SCI Resource Centre. 
• Support in the development of case studies and success stories for the project

Safeguarding

• Ensure risk assessments are done before any data collection that involves children.
• Ensure Safeguarding and PSEA are part of every training agenda. 

Staff Management & Coaching

• Coaching and mentoring of direct report to achieve project deliverables. 
• Support the implementation of the SCI performance management system, by supporting, supervising and reviewing performance of direct reports.

General

• Comply with SCI policies and practice with respect to child protection, code of conduct, health and safety, equal opportunities and other relevant policies and procedures.
• Undertake any other tasks within the MEAL function as the line manager requires, adapting to project needs and challenges.  

QUALIFICATIONS 

• Degree level qualification in Information Technology, Economics, Statistics or demography, or any related courses

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

Essential

• At least 3 years of experience working in MEAL for developmental organizations.
• Experience in implementing, Child protection and Protection programs in development contexts program is an added advantage.  
• Experience in the use of analytical and visualization tools/software 
• Very good communication and interpersonal skills, including ability to communicate technical issues effectively and persuasively.
• Excellent English communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Commitment to and understanding of Save the Children’s aims, values, and principles including rights-based approaches and children’s participation.