MEAL Manager

General job description:

Under the supervision and guidance of the delegation head,the MEAL Manager oversees the MEAL department by  ensuring the consistency and quality of the delegation’s MEAL strategies and activities. He/she coordinates and supervises MEAL teams and takes responsibility for decisions and actions in the M&E field, operating in coordination with the project and programme teams.

The Manager ensures that  all project level MEAL systems(methods, tools and competencies) are set for the delegation to gather, validate, analyse, and present information on progress, achievements and impact to steer projects, programs, and strategy towards the intended goals.  

He/she ensures that MEAL applies to and is an integral part of all Tdh programming departments, and that the M&E department plays a support role for the rest of the organisation.

Directly supports the delegation strategy development by performing situation analysis and needs assessments, designing intervention strategies and developing/rolling out indicator frameworks and associated tools.

He/she supports an institutional culture that encourages critical thinking, collective learning and teamwork, as part of the organisation’s focus on quality and accountability.

He/she helps develop a dynamic approach to M&E inside and outside Tdh (as part of regional partnerships, networks, centres of expertise, working groups, etc.).

Main responsibilities:

1.Strategy Management

1.1 Lead the development and implementation of delegation’s  MEAL and Information Management (IM) strategy under the guidance of the delegation lead and in coordination with the Programme Coordinator and  thematic reference persons.

·         Helps implement an appropriate and effective M&E system that brings together project and programme partners during the monitoring plan design ,data collection,information management,evaluation ,accountability to affected persons and  and use of data at a delegation level.

·          Leads regular assessment of MEAL strategy implementation and develop adapted action plans

·         Ensures ethical principles related to MEAL are respected, especially those concerning gender equality, fairness and “do no harm”.

2. Management

2.1   Assumes the role and stance of manager for his/her staff and helps facilitate MEAL unit development

•     Recruits and contributes to the development, autonomy and professional well-being of his/her staff: sets individual objectives; ensures that the know-how and motivation of his/her team corresponds to the organisation’s needs; assesses his/her staff’s individual performance; contributes towards their career development.

·      Manages team members answering to him/her team members, from the recruitment phase to the end of their employment. Adopts good management practices in keeping with Tdh’s values. Applies the delegation’s staff management policy.  

·         Ensures the optimal allocation and proper management of the delegation’s M&E resources (including financial, logistical, technical and human resources).

·         Ensures project and programme teams take part in monitoring projects and works towards optimal cooperation within the delegation in the M&E field.

·         Ensures clear communication within and outside the team on the departments work plans, support needed and utilization of M&E resources.

·         Establishes a detailed capacity development plan for the M&E unit and ensures that this plan is realized with the team members as a part of their professional development plan.

·         Fosters a collaborative working relationship and teamwork to develop the necessary synergies between the Programme’s different units. Encourages the exchange of practices within and between service.

3.Technical support

3.1 Responsible for setting up systems for monitoring results and complying with methodological standards for conducting surveys

·         Ensure findings from assessments, previous evaluation & capitalisation processes, ongoing monitoring and other research inform all new proposals. 

·         Helps develop logrames and write sections on M&E indicators, budgets and organisational measures for all new project proposals. When requires, to facilitate problem tree analysis, Theory of chang, and program risk assessment processes.

 3.2 Supports project managers in implementing the minimum project management processes described in the the Tdh ME guidelines

·         Provides methodological support during the development of M&E systems including key components of the Project Follow up tool(MEAL plan,Performance Indicator Tracker,Logframe,M&E findings) and ensures a consistent approach is adopted across all projects and programmes. Ensures monitoring processes are systemized, in ways that meet donor requirements, and are cost-effective, avoids duplicative processes, and minimises beneficiary fatigue. 

·         Develop, review and approve project level M&E plans for all new and ongoing projects. 

·         Ensures baseline measurements for projects and thematic areas across the delegation.

·         Ensures monitoring directives, methodological guidelines and tools are understood and implemented at Tdh. Especially ensure Tdh’s frontline and technical staff are equipped with knowledge, tools and resources to support M&E at the program & delegation level.  

·         Ensures monitoring tools are relevant and meet the project, program and delegation level information needs.

·         Ensure partner & direct implementation is monitored on a regular basis for quality standards, and humanitarian principles through schedule visits, data quality audits, spot check / verification visits against reports, and reports reviews (as per agreed schedule with donors and partners). Informs the Project manager of any unmet targets, contextual changes (risks and opportunities) and negative effects on beneficiaries.

·         Ensure M&E findings are presented at the program review meetings on a monthly basis, and prompt critical thinking at project management & senior management level.

·         Ensure donor, and other internal reporting deadlines are met with high quality reports with accurate information.

·         Monitors development in the M&E field while building the delegation’s knowledge and capitalizing on lessons learned in this area.

·         Ensure processes are established in the delegation that uphold accountability towards affected population (AAP) in compliance to CHS and accountability standards, by mainstreaming the pillars of 1) information sharing, 2) Consultation, 3) Participation, and 4) Complaints, feedback, response mechanisms, allowing the delegation to hear beneficiaries and partners feedback and concerns on the quality of services and to inform decision making.  

 3.3.Responsible for compliance with Tdh standards in terms of project evaluation in the delegation

·         Ensures evaluation processes for all projects and thematic areas.

·         Provides advice and methodological support during the recruitment of experts for M&E activites (by drafting terms of reference and recruiting and supporting consultants).

·         Ensures appropriate dissemination of project and program level evaluation findings.

·         Ensures all M&E related data, reports, and records are clearly organized archived in a central location for future reference at a delegation level.

3.4 Use of M&E data for strategic decision-making and reporting

·         Ensures that M&E data is used optimally during operational and strategic decision-making at the delegation in accordance with head office and donor requirements, especially with respect to institutional reporting.

·         Ensures the all projects are visible with updated PMP’s, beneficiary data, project progress reports that are reviewed and validated for compliance and accuracy.

4.Contributes to learning and continuous improvement of HI’s interventions

·         Takes measures to build the skills of teams and partners in the M&E field.

·         Fosters a learning environment amongst the M&E teams and programme staff and promotes critical reflection in the field of M&E.

·         Takes part in discussions on M&E with actors involved in this field in the country concerned, Tdh teams in the zone concerned and/or head office

5.Respect of Tdh identity, rules and policies

·                Understands and applies security policies, the Child Safeguarding Policy and fraud prevention policies  

General job description:

Under the supervision and guidance of the delegation head,the MEAL Manager oversees the MEAL department by  ensuring the consistency and quality of the delegation’s MEAL strategies and activities. He/she coordinates and supervises MEAL teams and takes responsibility for decisions and actions in the M&E field, operating in coordination with the project and programme teams.

The Manager ensures that  all project level MEAL systems(methods, tools and competencies) are set for the delegation to gather, validate, analyse, and present information on progress, achievements and impact to steer projects, programs, and strategy towards the intended goals.  

He/she ensures that MEAL applies to and is an integral part of all Tdh programming departments, and that the M&E department plays a support role for the rest of the organisation.

Directly supports the delegation strategy development by performing situation analysis and needs assessments, designing intervention strategies and developing/rolling out indicator frameworks and associated tools.

He/she supports an institutional culture that encourages critical thinking, collective learning and teamwork, as part of the organisation’s focus on quality and accountability.

He/she helps develop a dynamic approach to M&E inside and outside Tdh (as part of regional partnerships, networks, centres of expertise, working groups, etc.).

Main responsibilities:

1.Strategy Management

1.1 Lead the development and implementation of delegation’s  MEAL and Information Management (IM) strategy under the guidance of the delegation lead and in coordination with the Programme Coordinator and  thematic reference persons.

·         Helps implement an appropriate and effective M&E system that brings together project and programme partners during the monitoring plan design ,data collection,information management,evaluation ,accountability to affected persons and  and use of data at a delegation level.

·          Leads regular assessment of MEAL strategy implementation and develop adapted action plans

·         Ensures ethical principles related to MEAL are respected, especially those concerning gender equality, fairness and “do no harm”.

2. Management

2.1   Assumes the role and stance of manager for his/her staff and helps facilitate MEAL unit development

•     Recruits and contributes to the development, autonomy and professional well-being of his/her staff: sets individual objectives; ensures that the know-how and motivation of his/her team corresponds to the organisation’s needs; assesses his/her staff’s individual performance; contributes towards their career development.

·      Manages team members answering to him/her team members, from the recruitment phase to the end of their employment. Adopts good management practices in keeping with Tdh’s values. Applies the delegation’s staff management policy.  

·         Ensures the optimal allocation and proper management of the delegation’s M&E resources (including financial, logistical, technical and human resources).

·         Ensures project and programme teams take part in monitoring projects and works towards optimal cooperation within the delegation in the M&E field.

·         Ensures clear communication within and outside the team on the departments work plans, support needed and utilization of M&E resources.

·         Establishes a detailed capacity development plan for the M&E unit and ensures that this plan is realized with the team members as a part of their professional development plan.

·         Fosters a collaborative working relationship and teamwork to develop the necessary synergies between the Programme’s different units. Encourages the exchange of practices within and between service.

3.Technical support

3.1 Responsible for setting up systems for monitoring results and complying with methodological standards for conducting surveys

·         Ensure findings from assessments, previous evaluation & capitalisation processes, ongoing monitoring and other research inform all new proposals. 

·         Helps develop logrames and write sections on M&E indicators, budgets and organisational measures for all new project proposals. When requires, to facilitate problem tree analysis, Theory of chang, and program risk assessment processes.

 3.2 Supports project managers in implementing the minimum project management processes described in the the Tdh ME guidelines

·         Provides methodological support during the development of M&E systems including key components of the Project Follow up tool(MEAL plan,Performance Indicator Tracker,Logframe,M&E findings) and ensures a consistent approach is adopted across all projects and programmes. Ensures monitoring processes are systemized, in ways that meet donor requirements, and are cost-effective, avoids duplicative processes, and minimises beneficiary fatigue. 

·         Develop, review and approve project level M&E plans for all new and ongoing projects. 

·         Ensures baseline measurements for projects and thematic areas across the delegation.

·         Ensures monitoring directives, methodological guidelines and tools are understood and implemented at Tdh. Especially ensure Tdh’s frontline and technical staff are equipped with knowledge, tools and resources to support M&E at the program & delegation level.  

·         Ensures monitoring tools are relevant and meet the project, program and delegation level information needs.

·         Ensure partner & direct implementation is monitored on a regular basis for quality standards, and humanitarian principles through schedule visits, data quality audits, spot check / verification visits against reports, and reports reviews (as per agreed schedule with donors and partners). Informs the Project manager of any unmet targets, contextual changes (risks and opportunities) and negative effects on beneficiaries.

·         Ensure M&E findings are presented at the program review meetings on a monthly basis, and prompt critical thinking at project management & senior management level.

·         Ensure donor, and other internal reporting deadlines are met with high quality reports with accurate information.

·         Monitors development in the M&E field while building the delegation’s knowledge and capitalizing on lessons learned in this area.

·         Ensure processes are established in the delegation that uphold accountability towards affected population (AAP) in compliance to CHS and accountability standards, by mainstreaming the pillars of 1) information sharing, 2) Consultation, 3) Participation, and 4) Complaints, feedback, response mechanisms, allowing the delegation to hear beneficiaries and partners feedback and concerns on the quality of services and to inform decision making.  

 3.3.Responsible for compliance with Tdh standards in terms of project evaluation in the delegation

·         Ensures evaluation processes for all projects and thematic areas.

·         Provides advice and methodological support during the recruitment of experts for M&E activites (by drafting terms of reference and recruiting and supporting consultants).

·         Ensures appropriate dissemination of project and program level evaluation findings.

·         Ensures all M&E related data, reports, and records are clearly organized archived in a central location for future reference at a delegation level.

3.4 Use of M&E data for strategic decision-making and reporting

·         Ensures that M&E data is used optimally during operational and strategic decision-making at the delegation in accordance with head office and donor requirements, especially with respect to institutional reporting.

·         Ensures the all projects are visible with updated PMP’s, beneficiary data, project progress reports that are reviewed and validated for compliance and accuracy.

4.Contributes to learning and continuous improvement of HI’s interventions

·         Takes measures to build the skills of teams and partners in the M&E field.

·         Fosters a learning environment amongst the M&E teams and programme staff and promotes critical reflection in the field of M&E.

·         Takes part in discussions on M&E with actors involved in this field in the country concerned, Tdh teams in the zone concerned and/or head office

5.Respect of Tdh identity, rules and policies

·                Understands and applies security policies, the Child Safeguarding Policy and fraud prevention policies  

Competencies: This position requires personal, social and leadership competencies (PSLC) and technical and methodological competencies (TMC), and managerial and strategic competencies (MSC)

In particular:

1. Ability to work independently and make decisions, as well as to provide support and advice
2. Ability to create a cooperative and collaborative environment
3. Excellent conceptual and strategic analysis skills
4. Discipline, precision, transparency and intellectual honesty
5. Excellent oral and written communication skills (in constructive negotiations) in all areas (internal and external), active listening skills
6. Flexibility, availability and adaptability
7. Results-oriented focus and problem-solving abilities
8. Ability to learn from negative experiences, capitalizing on errors and seizing opportunities

Other professional skills required:

1. Expertise in project cycle management, detailed knowledge of concepts, processes and tools, and experience in  developing, planning and implementing systems
2. University degree education and additional training in Monitoring and Evaluation.
3. Proven experience in managing multidisciplinary teams in the M&E field
4. Knowledge of and experience with quantitative and qualitative research methods in the humanitarian aid/development sector. Experience in collecting and analysing data
5. Experience in preparing, planning and monitoring consultations in the M&E field
6. Awareness and knowledge of ethical issues related to M&E: do no harm and sensitivity to gender and diversity
7. Knowledge of and professional experience in the children’s rights field (protection and Education) in the humanitarian aid/development context.
8. Excellent skills with mobiled data collection(ODK/KoBo tool box),database management,information management systems,statistical analysis and report writing.