MEAL ManagerSave The Children

• Partnership for Learning for All in Nigeria (PLANE) Windows 3 is an FCDO funded program with a key outcome to promote learning and inclusion of girls in Kaduna, Kano and Jigawa states and policy at federal/national level as appropriate. The MEAL Manager will lead in all MEAL activities for the project consortium.
• This includes, leading in the development and implementation of the project MEAL plan and research framework that will generate evidence, maintain accountability standards and ensure effective monitoring, evaluation and learning of the education project.
• S/he will be responsible for ensuring that the quality of monitoring, evaluation, and research for the project system is in place to generate evidence on the impacts and learning of the program.

Scope of Role

• Reports to Head of MEAL
• Staff directly reporting to this post: Project MEAL Officers in Kano, Jigawa & Kaduna, Accountability Officer

Key Areas Of Accountability
Program Quality- FCDO PLANE:

• Provide high-quality MEAL technical leadership, support, and capacity building to the implementation team and coordinate data collection from all organizations in the consortium
• In collaboration with the program team, develop a MEAL plan, as well as support ongoing research program to support evidence and learning agenda and a process for knowledge sharing between SCI, stakeholders, and partners
• Lead project, national/global reporting processes and contribute to high-quality project reporting, leading in data quality assurance and compliance with reporting requirements
• Develop, review, adapt, catalog, and ensure utilization of standardized project assessment and monitoring tools, manuals, guidelines, training, and protocols
• Develop and increase utilization of accountability approaches, such as participation, complaints, and response mechanisms
• Keep abreast of MEAL sector trends and developments, for example in remote monitoring, and adapt and promote the introduction of new methodologies, technologies, innovations, and best practices
• Formulate key program questions that will help to advance the evidence base, and lead design of targeted evaluations (including but not restricted to baseline, midline, and end-line evaluations) and pieces of operations research.
• Actively contribute to the process of learning, evaluation, capturing, and disseminating lessons from the program for continuous improvement of program performance and overall outcome

Capacity Building:

• Identify learning and training opportunities for stakeholders and partners' staff.
• Positively influence and capacity building project staff and partners at various levels

Representation, Advocacy & Organisational Learning:

• Represent the project and country program on all MEAL, education, and research technical working groups, partners, and stakeholders’ forums in the project state.
• In collaboration with the SC education colleagues and thematic leads, feed into learning, experiences, and evidence to relevant global advocacy objectives.
• In collaboration with SCI staff, contribute with analysis towards organizational learning around technical areas as well as processes and outputs
• General:
• Comply with Save the Children policies and practices concerning child protection, code of conduct, health and safety, equal opportunities, and other relevant policies and procedures.

Core Behaviours
 Achieving results effectively:

• Ensures beneficiary and partner feedback is incorporated into program design, planning, and learning
• Makes changes to improve performance as a result of information received
• Documents lessons learned and applies them to future projects

Maintaining and developing collaborative relationships

• Establishes clear objectives with teams and individuals and monitors progress and performance
• Fosters collaborative, transparent, and accountable relationships through partners
• Uses negotiation and conflict resolution skills to support positive outcomes

Leadership: Action; Thinking; Self; Inspiring; Developing Others:

• Builds own awareness of the bigger global picture by using a broad range of sources to gather data
• Demonstrates approachability and trust by listening carefully to others valuing their contribution, and making others feel comfortable by being open and honest about their thoughts and feelings
• Demonstrates self-development and management by taking responsibility for own development, and actively seeking out feedback to better understand their strengths and weaknesses
• Openly talks about doing things differently, pushing the boundaries and ways of working
• Gives constructive feedback to enhance capabilities and responsibilities to another for his/her development

Qualifications and Experience

•  Master's Degree in Education, Statistics, Economics, Anthropology, Development Planning or Social Work or related subjects of similar scope;
• At least 5 years of progressive experience of monitoring and evaluation (Minimum of 8 years experience in the development sector) in education or any large social sector programs
• In-depth knowledge of MEAL techniques and methodologies including knowledge of conducting operations research, household surveys, and qualitative assessments; data analysis, interpretation, and reporting;
• Proficient with analytical tools and software such as Stata, SPSS, MS Excel, etc.
• Significant experience in leading teams and building MEAL team capacity (developing training tools, training, coaching, and mentoring)
• Experience working in large and complex projects, split into multiple sites
• Significant understanding of the development of MIS and data and information management
• Familiarity with knowledge management systems and approaches that foster a learning culture.
• Familiarity with participative and inclusive accountability approaches
• Highly developed influencing, communication, and interpersonal skills, including the 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.

,