Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Manager

Role & Responsibilities

Working as an important member of a diverse team who are committed to serve Sudan’s most vulnerable with practical and compassionate care, the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Manager plays a vital role in improving the quality of multi-sector responses provided through Medair’s programmes. This varied and challenging role involves development of a Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Country Strategy, designing and ensuring implementation and impact of appropriate MEAL systems throughout the Medair Sudan Programme and introducing appropriate use of innovative MEAL tools. The MEAL Manager will be involved in coordinating and supporting MEAL aspects of health, nutrition, WASH, Shelter/NFI and CVA programmes, matrix management of MEAL staff and training of programme staff to implement appropriate MEAL measures.

Project Overview

Multi-sector emergency response programme including the provision of emergency health, nutrition, WASH, and Shelter/NFI and CVA services for vulnerable populations in Sudan.

Workplace & Working conditions

Position is based in Sudan with frequent travel to project sites (expected Central Base/Project Base ratio 30%/70%).

Starting Date / Initial Contract Details
April 2024, dependent on funding. Full time, 12-24 months.

Key Activity Areas

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning Oversight in multi-sector projects

• Develop a country MEAL strategy, in liaison with the sector advisors.
• Support roll out of a MEAL initiative for collecting ongoing programme data, and coordinate data analysis and use with relevant technical advisors and the Program Funding Manager.
• Support PCs and PMs to understand MEAL system and become familiar with MEAL requirements for their project.
• Responsible for ensuring integration of Beneficiary Accountability within MEAL framework in all programme.
• Liaise with Project Coordinators, Project Managers and Advisors to ensure internal and external MEAL requirements are appropriately scheduled and budgeted at appropriate stage in programme management cycle.
• Ensure all Medair and donor M+E indicators are followed up and reported on appropriately.
• Provide additional support to programme management activities where necessary.
• Input into the development of the Sudan country strategy, new projects and/or donor proposals as requested by CD, DCDs and sector advisors.
• Ensure cross cutting issues (protection, gender consideration and environment marker) as well as conflict sensitivity/”do no harm” approach are incorporated, monitored and evaluated as required into multi-sector interventions with support from Advisors.
• Support MEAL elements of proposal and report writing including provision of data, indicator progress and monitoring plans in cooperation with field managers and field and HQ sector advisors.
• Ensure MEAL systems are harmonized throughout Sudan projects from data sheet collection to data base.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning Management

• Coordinate with relevant in country staff and HQ technical advisors for recommended indicators and review of measurement plans.
• Develop monitoring plans for all proposals in collaboration with programme managers and sector advisors.
• Work with sector advisors to develop and standardize survey tools and other data collection forms for monitoring programmes.
• Coordinate and oversee implementation of baseline surveys, needs assessments, KPC surveys, SMART surveys, midterm and end of project evaluations and other relevant monitoring and evaluation activities.
• Coordinate recruitment of consultants and oversee recruited consultants during surveys, baselines and evaluations.
• Provide leadership of the implementation of innovative and updated MEAL technology and software.
• Promote measures to safeguard MEAL institutional memory in the Sudan programme by advising on reporting, data management and communicating lessons learned from MEAL.
• Participate in the quarterly management and country strategy meetings.
• Follow up necessary action points from the quarterly programme progress and strategy meetings.
• Train relevant staff on MEAL tools, data collection and analysis and basic surveying and sampling techniques.
• Assist project staff to manage programme data for regular monitoring of programme progress.

Staff management

• Matrix manage the MEAL Officers and any additional temporary or surge capacity MEAL staff, including recruitment, day-to-day guidance, development and training, appraisals, etc.
• Ensure matrix managed staff receive supervision, mentoring and training in order to develop their personal and professional skills, knowledge and understanding. This may be through on-the-job training and taught sessions.
• Hold regular meetings with the MEAL programme support staff, reviewing team and individual objectives and ensuring team members are kept informed of issues relevant to their work.
• Promote the health and security of the monitoring and evaluation teams in the field by supporting the application of security guidelines, provision of essential communication equipment, guidelines for health and safety in the workplace and healthy living conditions and practices.
• Assist in the recruitment of local field staff to implement monitoring and evaluation activities within the intervention location following all HR policies of Medair and national policies.
• Attend relevant external coordination and feedback information, as applicable, to appropriate managers and staff.

Team Spiritual Life

• Reflect the values of Medair with team members, local staff, beneficiaries, and external contacts.
• Work, live, and pray together in our Christian faith-based team settings. Fully contribute to the rich spiritual life of your team, including team devotions, prayers, and words of encouragement.
• Encouraged to join and contribute to Medair’s international prayer network.

Qualifications

• University degree in public health, Biostatistics/Statistics, international development or other relevant social science.
• Training and experience in epidemiology, statistics and software including SPSS, STATA or EPI info.
• Experience in monitoring and evaluation of humanitarian programs.
• Strong working knowledge of English (spoken and written).

Experience

• Post-qualification management experience in a relevant profession
• Experience working in a cross-cultural setting, preferably in a support role
• 3 years of work experience in managing MEAL in multi sector
• Solid experience in managing a humanitarian MEAL system, supervising household surveys/evaluations, reporting writing
• Team-player but also able to work independently
• Able to develop and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Capacity to work under pressure and manage personal stress level. Problem solving ability.
• Able to oversee multiple tasks, prioritising and delegating as required