MEAL Coordinator (MEA) at Save the Children Nigeria

Posted on: Wed 06-09-2023

Save the Children is the leading independent organization for children in need, with programs in over 120 countries. We save children’s lives. We fight for their rights. We help them fulfil their potential. Save the Children is working in Nigeria because one in five children in Nigeria dies before their fifth birthday. About 40% of children miss out on school and have to work to survive while nearly 2 million children have lost one or both parents to an AIDS-related disease.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: MEAL Coordinator (MEA)

Job Identification: 3300

Location: Katsina

Grade: 3

Job type: Full time

Contract Length: Fixed Term

Job Category: Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning

Role Purpose

The MEAL Coordinator will be responsible for design and coordinating rollout of the MEAL systems as well as contextualizing and disseminating CGPP MEAL guidance (based on existing guidance provided by CGPP secretariate) to selected organizations.
Under the guidance of SCI MEAL Manager and Head of MEAL, and SPM the MEAL Coordinator will ensure that MEAL Systems are implemented by the CBO partners in a coordinated, harmonized and aligned manner, in line with donor requirements and commitments.
The MEAL Coordinator will be responsible for supporting Both SCI and CGPP MEAL Managers in submission of timely and regular progress reports to the in-country CGPP secretariat, as well as participating in the SCI and CGPP meetings as requested.

Scope Of Role:

Reports to: Head of MEAL with dotted line report to Project Manager in SCI Katsina office
Staff directly reporting to this post: MEAL Officer & MEAL Assistant

Key Areas Of Accountability

Monitoring:

In close collaboration with CGPP secretariat and Partners, track and oversee the implementation of harmonized monitoring tools and aligned indicator definitions for the project.
In close collaboration with CGPP secretariat and Partners, put in place an operational MEAL plan to monitor and document the progress of implementation of Programme activities,
Specifically.
Lead the design/ review of MEAL pack, to include the Indicator Performance Tracking Table, Log frame, Activity Tracking Table and MEAL plan.
Maintain an updated Indicator Performance Tracker (IPT) and Output tracker, in additional other report requirements as may be requested.
Provide technical guidance and lead capacity building of the Partner staff, and stakeholders on implementation of MEAL within the Programme; to include capacities for data collection, storage, indicator definition and reporting.
Input to the development of aligned Quality Benchmarks for CGPP activities to guide monitoring and ensure actions plans agreed on after QB monitoring are implemented in timely manner.
Review Programme data collection tools to ensure that tools provide required information on programme indicators.
Enhance use of digital data management within the program, this may include use of MSS and ODK among other programs.
Conduct routine data quality assessment and continuous quality improvement of the program to ensure program implementation and report quality.
Participate/coordinate the design of quantitative and qualitative participatory Programme evaluations (baseline, annual and final evaluations), assessments, reviews and other special studies.
Work closely with the CGPP secretariate and Partners to ensure that performance indicators are regularly tracked and that activities implemented are well aligned with the indicators.
Oversee implementation of programme MIS and integration of Geographical Information System (GIS) in programme reporting. Support GIS mapping and dissemination of MIS/GIS reports. Provide MIS content/requirements and feedback to MEAL team and document progress on indicators/achievement of targets.
Where applicable, roll-out mobile data collection and monitoring systems and document learning and suggestions for improvement.

Evaluation:

With SCI & CGPP MEAL Manager, to coordinate the development of Terms of Reference for the programme evaluations.
Coordinate the logistics of project evaluations as necessary and ensure data collection, analysis and write-up is in line with SCI and donor standards as well as set timelines.

Accountability:

Work alongside CGPP secretariate and partners to ensure a functional Complaints, Feedback, Response and Feedback is in place in line with SCI’s standard and expectations, the Standard Operating Procedure for the programme and donor expectations.
Collect and manage complaints and feedback in close coordination with Programme team. Track timeliness of response to complaints and maintain an updated Programme complaints tracker.
Build capacity of partner organisations with regards to Accountability to Affected Communities.

Learning:

Foster and develop a culture of learning within CGPP, Partners and SCI.
Establish information sharing mechanisms for partner staff to document and share examples of good and bad practice and learning.
Document learning on working in consortia and pilot innovations and interventions and share with key stakeholders.
Identify opportunities for research and learning questions in collaboration with the Consortium Partners and Technical Specialists.
Facilitate documentation of programme results, impact, best practices and significant changes. Document learnings and best practices; disseminate learnings, reports, publications and participate in learning sessions, and ensuring that the lessons learnt are utilized to inform programming and advocacy.
Communication, Coordination and Networking:
Foster a culture of information sharing, and collaboration within SCI & CGPP secretariate.
Be available for and responsive to questions, queries and requests for information and support from Consortium Partners.
Create and sustain positive working relationships internally with other technical staff; externally with the district local government and CSO partners, and other stakeholders, and also maintain an up to date understanding of key development trends in the Programme area.
Representing the programme in Immunization coordination fora at the district as may be requested by the line manager.
Ensure coordination with the government activities and structures in the implementation CGPP activities.
In collaboration with CGPP secretariate MEAL Manager, SCI MEAL Manager and Partners provide routine periodic partner monitoring and provide regular guidance and support to ensure partner’s effective implementation of MEAL according to best practice and donor requirements.
Coordinate monthly MEAL Working Group meetings with MEAL representatives from consortium partners, minutes are shared with key stakeholders and follow-up on recommended action points.

Safeguarding:

In collaboration with safeguarding, ensure inclusion of safe programming standards in MEAL research and evaluation tools.
Support participatory design of safeguarding systems, to ensure it complements and is part of the design of the Feedback and Reporting Mechanism.
Ensure safeguarding is included in the Information Sharing Component in line with the SCI Accountability to Children and Communities Procedure (MEAL).
Share and discuss findings about safeguarding and safe programming issues gathered through monitoring and evaluation tools with and the safeguarding, MEAL and project management teams, Technical Experts (TEs)s and SMT.
Ensure suitable feedback and reporting channels exist to allow children and communities to safely and confidentially report serious concerns

Behaviours (Values In Practice)

Accountability:

Holds self-accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values.
Holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities - giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved.

Ambition:

Sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves and their team, takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages their team to do the same.
Widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others.
Future orientated, thinks strategically and on a global scale.

Collaboration:

Builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, Members and external partners and supporters.
Values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength.
Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to.

Creativity:

Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions.
Willing to take disciplined risks.

Integrity:

honest, encourages openness and transparency; demonstrates highest levels of integrity.

Qualifications

Minimum of a Bachelor's Degree in either Statistics, Public Health or Development Studies.
Master’s Degree is an added advantage.

Experience and Skills:

Essential:

Minimum of five (5) years’ work experience in monitoring and evaluation working experience (preferably in education/protection related programmes with an International NGO).
Minimum of three years of experience in Health (Immunization is an added advantage) on MEAL will be added value.
Knowledge and use of various survey methods for monitoring of different programs.
Previous experience working in immunization programmes.
Prior experience establishing and running coordination mechanisms.
Prior experience in training and management of data collectors.
Demonstrable experience and understanding of the education sector global and national standards.
Additional training and experience in biostatistics or monitoring and evaluation and MIS of an added advantage.
Strong analytical skills and strategic planning abilities.
Sound written and oral presentation skills.
Ability to establish and maintain conducive collegial relations and perform effectively as a member of a team.
Willingness to travel and work in hard-to-reach areas, occasionally under strenuous conditions.
Computer literacy and excellent documentation skills are a must. Microsoft office especially word, spreadsheet (Excel), Access, SPSS and GIS applications).
Availability and willingness to work extra hours during times of humanitarian responses.
Highly developed cultural awareness and ability to work well in an international environment with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills including influencing, negotiation and coaching.
Excellent time management and planning capacity.
Fluency in English and Hausa (Spoken and Written) – This is a community-based Position.