Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Assistant

Job Title: Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Assistant

Base Location: Islamic Relief Philippines Country Office, Cotabato City

Department/Purpose: The MEAL Department leads in enhancing the quality and accountability of IRW’s work to empower communities. It oversees the MEAL system to make sure that all projects are continually being monitored for effectiveness and appropriateness and that all lessons are documented and communicated to inform ongoing implementation of projects and future programming.

It guides the Country Office in achieving the outcome of the projects and accountability to beneficiaries in line with IRW’s and donors’ policies and guidelines.

REPORTING TO: MEAL Coordinator

KEY OBJECTIVES

To assist in establishing and managing the MEAL system that enhances the quality and accountability of IRW’s work following the organization’s standards, principles and guidelines as well as donor requirements.

JOB PURPOSE

The MEAL Assistant will be a part of the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) team, supporting implementation of the overall MEAL system specifically for projects in Islamic Relief Philippines (IRPh Country Office and supporting the implementation of the IR Seasonal Programmes.

He/She will assist the other MEAL staff and project teams with MEAL-related activities, including data collection, database management and analysis, implementing post-distribution monitoring (PDM). S/he will be the focal point on Comments and Response Mechanism (CRM) at the community level.

The MEAL Assistant will support all efforts for promoting a high level of beneficiary accountability and will work closely with the MEAL Coordinator and Officer to support data entry and management as needed.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Assist in developing and updating the projects’ detailed implementation plan (DIP), monitoring and evaluation plan, and Indicator Tracking Table (ITT), lessons learned log, complaints and feedback log, and risk register.
• Support data collection needed for the outcome and output indicators.
• Support the MEAL team in conducting assessments, facilitate focus group (FGD) discussions, key informant interviews (KIIs) and other qualitative data collection processes.
• Assist in monitoring the activity implementation’s progress against objectives and work plans.
• Assist in conducting the actual post distribution (PDM) at the community level.

Accountability & Compliance

• Conduct community visits, FGDs and KIIs with beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries to receive feedback on Islamic Relief Philippines project interventions.
• Assist in managing the project complaints and feedback received and ensure a timely and appropriate response and follow-up, as necessary.
• Support project field staff in ensuring that projects is carried out with participation from all affected communities (especially vulnerable groups) and that information is shared with affected communities.
• Work closely with project teams to ensure accountability systems are in place that engage beneficiaries and stakeholders in evaluations, impact assessments and research.
• Ensure that projects implemented is in accordance with Core Humanitarian Standards (CHS).
• Support and work with communities through established institutional structures to enhance capacity, ownership, participation in the project.

Programme Learning and Documentation

• Work with the project teams and Communications Officer to ensure documentation of programme learning initiatives and outcomes (case studies, photos, lessons learnt, most significant change stories, etc).
• Participate in the documentation and dissemination of learnings to the other team members, ensuring that good practice is understandable and adopted and information exchanged.
• Support in archiving of programs documents at the Country Office and Area Office.

Programme Quality

• Conduct field-monitoring visits as appropriate.
• Support project team to review assessment results and identify key areas for improvement.
• Support project team to propose solutions to problems identified, and to implement and assess progress of solutions.
• Assist project team in collecting and recording details of rightsholders, including counting of beneficiaries with sex, age, and disability disaggregated data (SADDD) details.

Programme/Projects Reporting

• Support in the consolidation of monthly progress reports and share with the MEAL Coordinator.
• Work with project team and MEAL Staff in gathering information from the field for regular reports; ensure that reports explain inconsistencies and deviations from planning.
• Support MEAL unit in collation of IHSAN evidences.
• Ensure timely submission of high-quality activity and donor narrative reports.
• Perform any other duties and responsibilities within the overall function of MEAL as and when requested.

PERSONAL SPECIFICATIONS

ESSENTIAL

Qualifications

• University degree in social sciences related – Statistics, Social Work, Sociology or equivalent field experience

Knowledge/Experience

• Minimum of Six (6) months to One (1 ) year experience in monitoring and evaluation, research or impact assessment projects.
• Functional knowledge of statistics and data processing.
• Experience in collecting and analyzing quantitative data.
• Experience working in a variety of humanitarian and development projects in the Philippines or abroad.

Skills

• Experience and knowledge of Database and mapping software.
• Good analytical and conceptualization skills and the ability to think strategically.
• Highly organized with good attention to detail and developed the ability to prioritize multiple task to meet tight deadlines.
• Excellent communication skills – able to communicate and report on technical points, both oral and in writing.
• Familiar with online data collection platform such as KOBO.
• Good numeracy skills with knowledge of budgeting and cost estimation processes are required.
• Willing to adapt to IRW’s norms and values without compromising personal beliefs and principles.

Languages

• Fluency in Filipino and English (written and spoken) is essential; and other local languages is desirable.

IT Skills

• Knowledge in Microsoft Office Word, Excel and Powerpoint.
• Strong skills in Excel and other data management software preferably SPSS and STATA.

DESIRABLE

Knowledge/Experience

• Experience in integrated programme / community development.
• Sound knowledge of and commitment to participatory approaches to working with communities, and innovative approaches to working on theses issues with a proven commitment to people empowerment methodologies.
• An understanding of gender equity and inclusion and how to integrate principles of gender equity and inclusion into program work,
• Knowledge of national and international programming and humanitaian standards.

Skills

• Communicates honestly, openly, and consistently. Shares information appropriately and ensures that the views of team members are freely expressed.
• Encourages positive viewpoint.
• Able to form creative solutions in problem-solving.
• Good interpersonal skills and the ability to work sensitively with people from various cultural and social backgrounds.

Disposition/Approach

• Able to work flexible hours when necessary to carry out the task completion.
• Politically and culturally sensitive with qualities of patience, tact and diplomacy
• Ability to work on his/her owns initiative as well as a part of a team.
• Have a high sense of urgency and a well-developed work ethic
• Applicants should be able to show a good understanding of humanitarian principles and sympathy with Islamic Relief’s values, as well as a commitment to Islamic Relief’s vision and mission.

Physical

• Energetic and able to operate in situations which may be arduous.

Interests

• Humanitarian relief, development, Disaster Risk Reduction, Community Development etc.

Competencies Required:

Teamwork: Work productively with broad range of team members, actively participates in and supports team decisions, openly shares knowledge, expertise or experience with team members. Takes constructive actions to resolve conflict. Gives constructive feedback to team members.

Action Management: Effectively manages own work related to multiple tasks or activities. Recognizes opportunities or threats and acts on them with the agreement of the supervisor. Responds quickly to emergencies with a solution or a decision. Evaluates own strengths and developmental needs and modifies behavior based on feedback or self-analysis.

Client Orientation: Actively seeks information and opinions of client to understand their requests and to identify their needs and expectations. Meets deadlines for delivery of products or services to clients. Keep clients informed of progress or setbacks. Explains the rationale for decisions/outcomes to the client. Solicit ongoing feedback from clients.

Action Management: Effectively manages own work related to multiple tasks or activities. Recognizes opportunities or threats and acts on them with the agreement of supervisor. Responds quickly to emergencies with a solution or a decision. Evaluates own strengths and developmental needs and modifies behavior based on feedback or self-analysis.

Communication: Presents information clearly and concisely, verbally and in writing. Listens to and shows understanding of ideas and views of others. Adapts level of language and/or complexity of content to audience. Shares information and knowledge with colleagues, staff and supervisors. Communicates respectfully with all individuals regardless of gender, nationality and cultural background.

Interpersonal Relations: Respects differing needs and viewpoints. Resolves personal and professional disagreements constructively. Builds effective working relationships within unit/division/office. Demonstrates sensitivity, tact and empathy for others.

Organizational Awareness: Develops a sound understanding of own area of activity as well as IRPH structure, mandate, vision and key priorities. Prioritizes own work activities in accordance to the Unit’s mandate. Develop a sound understanding of policies and procedures that are related to own work. Recognizes operational problems and issues as opportunities for improvement. Knows key clients and beneficiaries of IRPH services.