MEAL Assistant- Gaza

The Opportunity – Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) Assistant (For Nationals based in Gaza)

Post location: Gaza Strip

Contract Duration and Level of Effort: 12 months with possible extension

ROLE PURPOSE:

Save the Children seeks the role of MEAL Assistant to support the close monitoring of quality implementation of the field office programme activities. He/she has a crucial role in following up and upgrading the accountability mechanism in the field office. As part of enhancing the documentation of MEAL activities, the MEAL assistant will assist in creating and developing digitalized tools and data management systems.

In the event of a major humanitarian emergency, the role holder will be expected to work outside the normal role profile and be able to vary working hours accordingly.

SCOPE OF ROLE:

Reports to: MEAL Senior Officer

Staff directly reporting to this post: None

Collaborates with: Field Staff.

Role Dimensions: Technical dotted line to Country Office MEAL Manager

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

Monitoring and evaluation of programs:

• Providing accurate qualitative and quantitative data collected in the field according to external and internal deadlines.
• Support smooth and complete transition to the new global SC Project Reporting, Information Management and Evidence System (PRIME), this includes storing and tracking key project data in the system and monitoring of project progress and identification of actions required to keep projects on track.
• Support projects’ teams in transition to a new internal digitalized MEAL system (to be activated), and providing required support to partners to utilize this system where required.
• Conduct monitoring and follow up visits to partner organizations and locations of activities’ implementation.
• Conduct field monitoring visits to assess implementation of quality benchmarks as per project MEAL plans.
• Conduct and support partners in implementation of focus groups discussions and data collection for reporting on project indicators.
• Support data collection for the purpose of internal studies, assessments, evaluations and any other data collection requirements.
• Support planning, implementation and follow-up of evaluations, for instance writing TORs, preparing literature review packs, recruiting evaluators, planning evaluator itineraries, planning staff workshops, leading report review. Participate in evaluations where required.
• Conduct simple data analysis and present and disseminate information to inform programme management.
• Undertake visits to the field throughout the project, as needed to support data collection or verify data quality; this includes the Data Quality Assurance (DQA) Guideline.
• Support data entry and reporting efforts if needed, and contribute to the overall implementation of assessment, monitoring and evaluation activities.
• Support data analysis and quality checking needs that may arise.
• Take a leading role in the implementation of activities of project MEAL plans in collaboration with the program teams;
  • Support the Accountability & child participation senior officer in implementing accountability assessments in the targeted communities according to SC accountability benchmarks and other international standards.

Accountability and response mechanism CRM

• Conduct and facilitate sensitization and information sharing sessions within target communities on existing accountability mechanisms and means of contacting SC.
• Support the Accountability & child participation senior officer in conducting consultation sessions with adults and children to develop effective and child friendly accountability mechanisms for target communities.
• Manage databases of information sharing and lead innovation of new mechanisms, tools and channels to improve participation of communities and their ability to provide feedback and raise concerns.
• Provide ideas and recommendations to strengthen accountability mechanisms and ensure that feedback received is used to inform program design and implementation.

Support to MEAL unit functions

• Participate in team workshops, lessons learned and reflections seminars.
• Contribute and participate in staff, PDQ team and MEAL unit meetings including accurate reporting of successes and challenges.
• Support MEAL team in the development of sector log frames, plans, and monitoring and evaluation frameworks and plans.
• Support in the development of MEAL systems (inc. output trackers) and their roll out to field staff and partners.
• Support the development of digitalized MEAL tools for programs and quality reporting using Kobo toolbox for example.
• Support the MEAL unit to achieve its goals through the occasional undertaking of additional activities that contribute to the overall ability of the organisation to achieve its stated outputs.

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor degree in business administration, statistics, social sciences, engineering or related field

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

Essential

• Minimum 1-2 years of experience in Monitoring and Evaluation, project management/coordination, within humanitarian or development sector, preferably with non-governmental organizations (NGOs), preferably in Gaza Strip.
• Experience in data management and data analysis
• Experience in computer applications such as Microsoft office (Word, Excel, Outlook)
• Experience in using and developing computerized data collection tools such as Kobo Toolbox.
• Ability to communicate scientific data to local communities, programme staff, and partners in a simple and clear manner.
• Good personal organizational skills, including time management, and ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and ability to work as part of a team.
• Commitment to and understanding of Save the Children’s aims, values and principles.
• Willingness to travel to the field and work in challenging environments from time to time.
• A flexible and initiative-taking, proactive attitude with the ability to manage and prioritize an unpredictable workload.
• Ability to work within a multicultural setting.
• Very good ability to communicate in English and Arabic.

We offer a competitive package in the context of the sector**. This role is offered on the basis of** national terms and conditions. Application will be reviewed and selected on a rolling basis.

Save the Children promotes a diverse and inclusive work environment, women and people with different abilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Organisation

Save the Children works in development and humanitarian contexts with children and partners to help families, communities, and governments identify and use innovations to ensure all children survive, learn and are protected.

We employ approximately 25,000 people across the globe and work on the ground in over 100 countries to help children affected by crises, or those that need better healthcare, education and child protection. We also campaign and advocate at the highest levels to realize the right of children and to ensure their voices are heard.

We are working towards three breakthroughs in how the world treats children by 2030:

• No child dies from preventable causes before their 5th birthday
• All children learn from a quality basic education and that,
• Violence against children is no longer tolerated

We know that great people make a great organization, and that our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children. We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive environment where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued.