MEAL Coordinator

1. BACKGROUND

The Strengthening Food and Livelihoods Security for Conflict-Affected Populations in Sudan. project aims at improving the food security and livelihoods of crisis-affected communities in Sudan by providing in-kind and capacity support to enable affected populations to undertake sustainable and inclusive humanitarian and development interventions whilst promoting peace and social cohesion. Due to the ongoing conflict in Sudan, the country’s overall agricultural production and economic activities are severely curtailed, and recent projections indicates a foresees a looming food security crisis. The conflict resulted in the loss of livelihoods and economic opportunities, destruction of infrastructure and obstruction of basic services, leading to the displacement of millions – both internally and externally. This upheaval created mass vulnerabilities in communities, requiring an urgent response to restore livelihoods, socioeconomic infrastructure, social services, and other economic opportunities while promoting peace and social stability. the project will play a critical role in revitalizing agricultural production and stimulating economic recovery across the country among displaced populations and host communities alike.

The overall objective of the proposed project is to strengthen food security and livelihoods of crisis-affected communities by contributing to economic recovery, peace, and social cohesion. The five key components of the project are Agricultural Production, Livestock Production, Community Infrastructure Rehabilitation (irrigation systems), Income Generation and Off-farm Livelihood Opportunities, and Strengthening the Capacity of Local Institutions as cross cutting.

The project will be implemented in four of the States most affected by the crisis in Sudan: White Nile State, Sennar State, Gedaref State and Kassala State, with the flexibility to adjust, shift or scale up to other States dependent on the changing context in Sudan and availability of resources. The project will support approximately 220,000 direct beneficiaries.

Reporting:

The MEAL Coordinator reports to the Project Manager and works closely with the UNDP Sudan team to ensure quality program MEAL reporting in line with set objectives and guidelines.

Responsibilities:

Within delegated authority, the MEAL Coordinator will be responsible for the following duties:

• Contributes as team member to evaluations through scoping, planning, designing, collecting, and analysing data and report drafting for evaluation and inspection assignments of the Strengthening Food and Livelihoods Security for Conflict-Affected Populations in Sudan Project activities and carries out all the tasks involved in the assignments,
• Research, analyses, and presents data gathered from diverse sources.
• Contributes to the development of evaluation design and takes the lead in drafting of evaluation inception papers and terms of reference.
• Contributes to data collection efforts across multiple qualitative and quantitative methods; reviews, analyses and interprets data; and develops evaluation findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Leads and/or participates in field missions, including provision of guidance to evaluation team members, external consultants, and other parties and drafting mission summaries.
• Devise and manage a training on MEAL with the goal of increasing capacity and awareness of MEAL for all staff.
• Draft and share regular/periodic reports on field monitoring and accountability reports and circulate to the line manager, ensuring that action plans are included and followed up.
• Ensures external accountability to donors through the implementation of timely and quality MEAL activities leading to timely and accurate reporting.
• Facilitate design of “SMART” objectives, logic models, monitoring frameworks, and evaluation plans
• Ensure adherence to specific monitoring and reporting requirements for donor.
• Support the development, design, and writing of proposals and concept notes (if needed) for related programming information management and reporting.
• Create and integrate graphics in reports and information products to help visualize data in a meaningful way.
• Develop the capabilities of program teams in the areas of collection and analysis of data (method, formats, software, etc.), indicator measurement, feedback and complaint mechanisms, negative impact analysis, etc.
• S/he designs and ensures complaint response mechanisms is in place and complaints are recorded in an official database, processed and that people receive an appropriate, timely response.
• Contributes to the drafting of draft and final evaluation reports, including the incorporation of stakeholder’s comments.
• Participates in evaluation briefings /presentation to the Management.
• Ensures quality standards for evaluations.
• Contributes as team member to evaluations that are impartial, independent, and credible and that meet professional standards by following MEAL standards.
• Assists with activities related to budget by preparing parts of the evaluation project budget, progress reports, and financial statements.
• Supports and carries out other management and administrative tasks as recruitment of staff and consultants.
• Performs other duties as required.

Academic qualifications and experience

• Master’s degree in business administration, Economics, Social studies or any relevant field
• At least 5 years of MEAL experience
• Advanced skills in computer applications (MS Office, SPSS, EPI-Info, STATA, Kobo, Power BI, Microsoft Forms, etc.).
• Experience from international work, preferably with communities / IDP-related emergencies and with Livelihoods projects.
• Understanding of and experience in monitoring and evaluation systems
• Demonstrated leadership and coordination skills.
• Documented skills in formulation of MEAL reports
• Ability to use Logical Framework Approach as a tool in project/programme Evaluation.
• Significant political and cultural awareness and experience of working in setting where insecurity is a major issue.
• Good communication, interpersonal, representation and negotiation skills
• Fluent in English and Arabic
  • Goal oriented

Knowledge, Skills & Personal Attributes

• Diplomacy and ability to forge positive alliance with stakeholders.
• Ability to work under pressure, independently and with limited supervision.
• Ability and willingness to work and live under difficult circumstances.
• Flexible and creative

5. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

DUTY STATION AND LIVING CONDITIONS

The MEAL Person will be covering the project targeted States in Sudan