Job Description
The MEAL Advisor is responsible for leading the establishment and implementation of the MEAL system of the project, including obtaining, analyzing, organizing, and interpreting project data and ensuring MEAL requirements of the donor and that of Save the Children are adequately met. S/he will work closely with the Country Office (CO) MEAL unit and Field Office MEAL staff, to build the evidence base, track project progress, facilitate learning and adaptive management, ensure a strong accountability mechanism, manage internal evaluations/ studies and facilitate external evaluations. This is a leadership role and will serve as a key member of the project team in Ethiopia. Â
Duties and Responsibilities
Management and LeadershipÂ
- Serve as part of the projectâs leadership team, contributing to the development and implementation of annual program work plans, performance milestones, and project monitoring. Â
- Provide overall leadership and supervision on the MEAL function, supporting the successful delivery of the project.Â
- Ensure that the required budget allocates appropriately for the implementation of MEAL activities and provide oversight of the MEAL budget, ensuring its effective and timely utilization.Â
- Manage MEAL staff, including handling ongoing coaching, supervision and performance management, and annual evaluation; develop the capacity of the team and facilitate their professional growth.Â
- Encourage a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.Â
MEAL System Development and ImplementationÂ
- Lead the development of the MEAL plan, including the identification of key performance indicators, MEAL standard operating procedures and MEAL tool of the project. Â
- Lead the roll-out and implementation of the project's MEAL system, strategies, requirements, and country-level activities; roll-out orientation/training sessions to MEAL and relevant program staff of Save the Children and its implementing partners.Â
- Maintain MEAL systems and tools used to track project implementation progress and analyze information on inputs, outputs, outcomes, and impact of the project.Â
- Ensure data quality through the implementation of an effective data verification mechanism and undertaking routine data quality assessments at all levels.Â
- Lead and coordinate the development of required program reports, in accordance with Save the Children and donor requirements and standards.Â
- Undertake/coordinate periodic joint field supportive supervision to project implementation and implementing partnersâ sites.Â
- Ensure a strong beneficiary accountability mechanism is implemented.Â
- Identify MEAL capacity gaps and facilitate training opportunities for project staff. Â
- Contribute to GoE M&E system strengthening efforts at the national and local levels including supporting the use of data for decision-making at all levelsÂ
- Contribute to the development of national and local level ECE indicators and SDG 4.2 tracking at the national level including the use of early learning and development assessment data, data on classroom environment quality using tools such as IDELA or other GoE recommended toolsÂ
- Build the capacity of  GoE and partner staff on effective ECE MEL systemsÂ
Learning and Knowledge Management Â
- Build a database system for managing project-related data and evidence.Â
-  Lead the implementation of Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) mechanism to ensure intentional learning, collaboration, and adaptive management.Â
- Ensure that relevant project documentation is well organized and best practices, lessons, success stories, case studies, etc. are well captured, synthesized, packaged, produced and shared to relevant stakeholders using different technologies and methods.Â
- Ensure MEAL evidence is available to management for decision-making and continuous performance improvement.Â
- Plan and manage any research-focused deliverables or other evaluations throughout the life of the program, and oversee any MEAL-related consultancies.Â
- Organize/facilitate regular project implementation and performance review sessions and learning events.Â
- Define MEAL-related inputs required from partners and oversee the quality of deliverablesÂ
Representation, Advocacy &Â Coordination:Â
- Represent the project and participate in different MEAL-related forums bringing together governmental and non-governmental organizations working on the same or related themes.Â
- In collaboration with the CO MEAL team, organize Community of Practices and/or other learning platforms to enhance cross-project and organizational experience sharing and learning.Â
- Collaborate with CO MEAL to implement organizational MEAL policies and requirements including the implementation of quality benchmarks.Â
Required QualificationsÂ
- Bachelors's or Masterâs degree in statistics, demographics, public policy, international development, economics, or related field Â
- Minimum of ten (10) years experience and demonstrated practical skills in monitoring and evaluation of multi-sectoral international development programsÂ
- Excellent knowledge of monitoring and evaluation principles and practicesÂ
- Familiarity with MEAL in the context of education programming, including early childhood education/development measurement Â
- Experience in strategic planning and performance measurement, including indicator selection, target setting, reporting, database management, and developing monitoring and evaluation and/or performance monitoring plans Â
- Knowledge of the major evaluation methodologies (e.g., qualitative, quantitative, mixed-method, and impact) and data collection and analysis methodologiesÂ
- Experience in planning and managing surveys Â
- Experience developing and refining data collection toolsÂ
- Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing monitoring systems and conducting evaluations, including with age- and sex-disaggregated data as well as data from national systems such as the national health management information systemÂ
- Demonstrated ability and skills in analysis and report writingÂ
- Able to work within a tight timeframe, manage M&E team members, and meet deadlines and deliverables to partners and donorsÂ
- Excellent oral and written communication skills in English Â
Preferred QualificationsÂ
- Masterâs degree or Bachelor's plus an advanced certificate in M&E, statistics, economics or related social science fieldsÂ
- Previous experience in implementation of USAID programs Â
- Demonstrated experience in multisectoral early childhood development, health, and/or education programmingÂ
- Knowledge of the local languageÂ
- Proven MEAL skills using data analysis softwareÂ
- Familiarity with the political, social, and cultural context of Ethiopia, including relevant policies and strategies.Â
Whatâs In It for You
- Meaningful work, with a knowledge that you are changing the lives of children all around the worldâŻâŻÂ
- A family-friendly work environmentâŻâŻÂ
- Highly collaborative and innovative teamsâŻÂ
- Generous paid vacation days, holidays, family leave days, and sick timeâŻÂ
- Healthcare plans including medical, dental, and life insuranceâŻÂ
- Retirement savings account with matching company contributionsÂ
- Structured and formalized management development and coaching programs for mid and senior-level managersâŻâŻÂ
- Extensive e-learning opportunities on a variety of topics are offered through our affiliation with several prestigious universities and with the American Management Association, as well as language learning opportunitiesâŻÂ
How to Apply
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 https://stcuk.taleo.net/careersection/ex/jobdetail.ftl?job=220005WI