Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Specialist – URRI at Save the Children International, Kampala, Uganda

Job Description

Save the Children is seeking a MEAL Specialist for a 4.5-year URRI project funded by the Royal Danish Embassy. The project will be implemented in the districts of Adjumani, Lamwo and Kyegegwa targeting host communities and refugees with a ratio of 65:35 respectively. The Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Specialist will ensure a robust MEAL system is in place and well utilized, and data is routinely analyzed to identify trends, weaknesses, and track project progress. They will also be responsible for ensuring functionality of accountability mechanisms. S/he will lead the implementation of all the project MEAL activities in the field with support of the Project manager, the National MEAL manager and project implementing teams.  S/he supports data quality assessments including data collection, analysis of results, and dissemination. This position also contributes to building the capacity of project teams and partners in data usage, including enhancing their ability to interpret data and utilize data visualization technologies.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY: 

A: Project Design: 

Contribute to project design by assessing the needs and capacities of the target communities,
Actively involved in participatory community’s problem analyses for project design.
Document critical lessons-learned and challenges to be used for project design.

B: Set up and operationalize a strong MEAL system for the URRI project

Ensure that MEAL planning and discussions are held with all URRI staff, partners, and key stakeholders before and after the refinement year meetings by liaising effectively and regularly with partner MEAL teams.
Support the development and review of the URRI key documents (Theory of Change (ToC), Log frame, M&E plan, Indicator Performance Tracking Table (IPTT) and Performance Indicator Reference Sheets (PIRS)) in close collaboration with the partner team.
Develop routine monitoring data gathering forms and reporting formats for tracking and maintaining metrics vis a vis targets in the DIP and (IPTT) to flag/address required performance improvements on a monthly basis.
Conduct, analyze and disseminate periodic outcome monitoring, evaluations, project studies and research to be used for assessing URRI Performance and progress on the ToC.
Analyze MEAL data from the project staff and produce strategic analyses for the URRI technical and management team to use for assessing URRI performance and progress.
Implement quarterly data quality assurance activities according to the M&E plan by performing data verifications and spot-checks.
Working with implementing teams. The post holder will conduct monthly Quality Benchmark (QB) monitoring (at least 80% of activities implemented) and ensure that improvement actions are developed & logged into the action tracker for follow up.

C: Design and operationalize Accountability mechanism 

Facilitate project & partner staff to set up relevant contextualized feedback and complaints infrastructures, mechanisms, and approaches to receive and respond to feedback and complaints from beneficiaries including children.
Collect and manages complaints and feedback in close coordination with project and partner staff. Tracks timeliness of response to complaints and maintains an updated URRI complaints tracker.
Ensure a regular ‘Accountability to Beneficiaries’ analysis report is generated and disseminated for use and uptake among URRI project management and partners.
Provide consortium partners’ capacity strengthening and review support to establish and use strong accountability mechanisms Adopt Child Safeguarding and Safe projects into accountability mechanisms for the consortium.
Ensure that all research with human subjects is submitted, per Save the Children’s Ethics Policy, to the Ethics Review Committee to minimize any harm and ensures informed consent.

D: Integrate ICT in the project MEAL system 

Enhance use of digital data collection on URRI, through use of Kobo, ODK, or other applications.
Ensure safeguards and integrity of data management on MIS and/or other online platforms.

E: Build culture of Learning and Knowledge Management that ensures utilization of data for decision making

Participate/coordinate in the design of quantitative and qualitative participatory URRI evaluations (baseline, annual and final evaluations), assessments, reviews, and other special studies in conjunction with Consortium partners.
Support the project team in the development of information sharing materials/briefs, posters and brochures, and dissemination of project information materials to relevant stakeholders, partners, and beneficiaries.
Support conceptualization, planning and implementation of learning events/activities in collaboration with consortium partners to enhance cross-learning.
Facilitate documentation of the URRI results, impact, best practices, and significant changes.
Document learnings and best practices; disseminates learnings, reports, publications and participates in learning sessions to all stakeholders, and ensure that the lessons learnt are utilized to inform project advocacy

To be a strong supporter and advocate for children in this role you will need to have:

At least a bachelor’s degree in Statistics, Quantitative Economics, or other relevant discipline with Post Graduate training in M&E or Project planning and Management.
At least a master’s degree in Monitoring and Evaluation will be an added advantage.
At least five years working experience in monitoring and evaluation system development and its coordination/implementation (preferably in agriculture, environmental and/or natural resource sector with an International NGO or Private sector).
High level of competence on multiple statistical analysis packages (ideally SPSS, STATA, R, ArcGIS, NVivo, and/or ATLAS. ti)
Experience of digital data collection and accountability systems and the use of mobile data collection platforms (like Kobo Collect, CommCare, Epi Info, Form builder, etc).
Demonstrable track-record in data management, with the ability to manage large databases.
Experience interviewing community members and leaders and/or facilitating focus group discussions (especially with youth & Women)
Understanding of the basic standards to ensure data quality.
Experience with monitoring and evaluation techniques to assess the quality and effectiveness of project strategies for project learning, adaption, and innovation where necessary, with a clear way forward and ensuring buy in
Ability to present complex information in a succinct and compelling manner to a range of stakeholder audiences.
Previous experience with WASH, adolescent, and/or behaviour change projects preferred.
Excellent communication and report writing skill.
Computer literacy, particularly in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
Strong communication and interpersonal skills in English, with experience working in multicultural, multi -location, values driven teams;
Commitment to Save the Children values