MEAL Officer

The Opportunity – MEAL Officer (For Nationals based in Westbank)

Post location: Country Office located in Ramallah.

Contract Duration and Level of Effort: 6 months with possible extension.

***Due to the urgency to fill this role, applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Kindly note that the position might be filled before the vacancy announcement is closed; therefore, early applications are encouraged.***

***This role will be contingent upon securing available funds, and we might use this vacancy to fill more than one post.***

ROLE PURPOSE:

The Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) Officer collaborates with the MEAL team and focuses on MEAL activities the country office programs and other programs where needed. The officer will be based in Ramallah but provides support on MEAL requirements for programs across different areas where needed. As such, the incumbent is actively involved in both field and remote monitoring, contributing to the efficient execution of MEAL plans. Responsibilities will include supporting beneficiary identification, registration and verification processes, supporting secondary and primary data collection as well as managing the documentation and archiving of records related to beneficiaries and distributions in the relevant databases while ensure following the SCI data protection policy and collaboration with the Senior MEAL officers in the WB and GS.

The MEAL Officer plays a crucial role in conducting need assessments and Post Distribution Monitoring (PDMs) in the field and remotely. This involves actively engaging with staff, communities, and partners to share and train on key MEAL concepts. The MEAL officer contributes to the development and adaptation of MEAL tools, ensuring alignment with project objectives and outcomes. The dissemination of valuable insights from MEAL activities and research results is a key aspect of this role, maintaining accountability to beneficiaries and stakeholders in accordance with Save the Children and donor policies and practices. The MEAL Officer undertakes this role in close collaboration with the Programmes staff and key stakeholders and in consultation with the Senior MEAL officers and the MEAL Manager.

In times of major humanitarian emergencies, the MEAL Officer may be required to adapt their working hours and responsibilities beyond the standard role profile to address urgent needs.

SCOPE OF ROLE:

Reports to: MEAL Coordinator

Staff reporting to this post: None

Budget Responsibilities: None

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

Key Area 1- Set Up of MEAL Systems:

• Lead the development and implementation of Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) systems specific to projects requirements.
• Participate in the initiation and conduct of the Feasibility and Risk Assessment, registration and Post Distribution Monitoring (PDMs).
• Support the update of the Management Information System (database) and relevant tools for the projects.
• Management of datasets and ensure all data is centralized in one master database.

Key Area 2: Ongoing Monitoring and Evaluation

• Contribute to the quarterly output performance reports.
• Implement and execute the MEAL frameworks for the projects.
• Develop and implement quarterly and annual Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning Plans.
• Provide ongoing support in reviewing the MEAL framework, plans and tools for projects.
• Conduct regular field visits and meetings; and undertake data quality assurance (DQA).
• Ensure the provision of high-quality data to the Information Management (IM) officer and through other required reporting channels.

Key Area 3: Accountability and Learning:

• Provide support in regular documentation and sharing/dissemination of lessons learned, case studies, and best practices (through monthly, quarterly and annual reports, presentations etc.) to inform on-going implementation, advocacy and future programming.
• Promote accountability in general and to children in particular, among all staff, community, and district levels in the project impact areas, through: training, coaching, and follow up, facilitating establishment and utilisation of appropriate feedback mechanisms to improve programming and enhance accountability.
• Support consistent and systematic integration of MEAL issues into the projects (identification of gaps in the implementation and facilitation in of the process of identifying solutions to enhance quality implementation.)
• Maintain coordination and effective relationships with the team, colleagues, external partners and supporters**,** relevant Government departments, and other NGOs.
• Follow up on the implementation status of project activities based on review recommendations.
• Facilitate downward and upward accountability of downstream partners by compiling monthly, quarterly, and annual output performance reports including best practices stories for project learning.
• Provide ongoing technical assistance to programmes to ensure that these systems are optimally utilized.
• Support other MEAL requirements/functions where needed.

Key Area 4: Development and Reporting

• Contribute to the various data reporting systems, tools, and templates to (a) generate quality evidence throughout the various programme levels (monitoring of inputs, outputs, outcomes, etc.), (b) enable and enhance regular monitoring of outputs and programme quality in emergency response, (c) ensure use of data for decision making processes, etc. Responsible for the implementation of MEAL plans, including working with projects teams and partners to support tools and data for the plans.
• Ensure that all MEAL forms are completed adequately and that any missing information or mistakes are properly addressed.
• Work with project staff to ensure timely collection of data and the preparation of accurate and clear reports.
• Contribute to proposal development and report writing.
• Responsible for building the capacity of SC staff on MEAL systems and methods.
• Provide feedback on MEAL systems standards and quality assessments/assurances.
• Support internal and external programme/project evaluations as necessary and ensure the execution of baseline, periodic, and final evaluations as necessary, in close coordination with projects staff and CO MEAL Manager. In Emergency responses manage output tracker, a beneficiary complaints mechanism, and other quality MEAL systems for emergency response.

Key Area 5: Child Safeguarding

In relation to receiving child safeguarding concerns and complaints:

• Attend all local strategy meetings / discussions held under these procedures.
• Discuss subsequent action required, to ensure the safety and welfare of individual children (in cases of internal abuse); and to the extent that is appropriate and practical, for cases of external abuse (as outlined in Local Procedures).
• Monitor the progress of all child safeguarding cases, with the possible exception of those of internal abuse (where the need for confidentiality may require this task to be undertaken by the Country Director or designate.
• Attend or initiate regular e.g. monthly, review meetings with Country Director/ national level as Child Safeguarding Focal Point for WB Field office, to examine all open cases.

In relation to providing overall support to the wider implementation of the Child Safeguarding Policy:

• Facilitate regular opportunities to discuss concerns about practice within teams or with other colleagues to help develop a safe working environment and an open and supportive management culture.
• Support Quality and Compliance manager to work with programme managers and staff to ensure that programmes at operational sites are integrating child safeguarding into all activities so as to prevent (or address) a situation where children may be put at risk of harm, abuse or exploitation due to the way the project/programme is designed or implemented.
• Co-arrange for ongoing capacity building of staff in general child safeguarding issues, through formal training, discussion of case studies, refresher sessions, etc.
• Co-work with programme managers to ensure that awareness is regularly raised amongst beneficiaries including children, about the Child Safeguarding Policy, Code of Conduct, complaints mechanisms, etc.
• Work with programme managers in their operational area to ensure that M&E activities are incorporating a specific child safeguarding component, for example monitoring for (i) child safeguarding risks associated with the design and implementation of the project (ii) beneficiary (especially children’s) knowledge of the Child Safeguarding Policy and mechanisms for raising concerns/complaints about staff or safeguarding risks (iii) staff conduct with beneficiaries.
• Provide child safeguarding advice locally.

In order to be successful, you will bring/have:

QUALIFICATIONS

• University degree in Social Science, Statistics, economics, math, or any equivalent field.
• Experience in development and humanitarian programmes for Vulnerable Children.

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

Essential

• At least 3+ years’ hands-on experience in Monitoring, Evaluation, research work, or project management areas, in the education and / or humanitarian sector(s) or related development fields, preferably with non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
• High level ability in quantitative as well as qualitative research methods.
• Significant experience in designing and maintenance of management information systems and tools.
• Excellent analytical skills and ability to effectively use Microsoft Excel, SPSS, ACCESS and similar statistical packages and data visualization tools.
• High level of understanding and ability to critically review research/evaluation reports by independent consultants.
• Ability to communicate scientific data to 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.
• Good 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.
• Ability to work within a multicultural setting.

Desirable:

• Experience in developing and managing databases.
• Valid driving license.
• Excellent Oral and Communications skills both 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.

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.