MEAL Officer

Job Summary:

The MEAL officer is responsible for the day-to-day tracking and reporting of activities under the 4Children Kenya program. The role includes development of standardized data collection tools and database systems; frequent data collection; verification of results reported; analysis and presentation of findings and project progress; implementation of project accountability mechanisms; and the provision of feedback to partners. The MEAL officer will ensure that systems are in place to measure the project’s impact and progress and that data is readily available to be used as a foundation for programmatic adjustments and evidence-based decision-making.

The MEAL officer will ensure capacity of partners and staff is enhanced, beneficiaries and other stakeholders have opportunity to give and receive feedback, and documentation of project learning is consistent with project learning agenda.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Ensure the 4Children Kenya MEAL systems are in compliance with both CRS global and regional policies, procedures, standards, and strategic initiatives, as well as 4Children core team standards.
• Support 4Children Kenya technical staff to design and implement assessments, gender analysis, stakeholder analysis, organizational capacity assessments, and other data collection and analysis activities.
• Collaborate with Household Economic Strengthening Officer to design an assessment of the household vulnerability assessment (HHVA) and develop recommendation for improvement based on the findings of the assessment.
• Support 4Children Kenya technical staff to develop a learning agenda and design associated operations research.
• Develop and review Results Frameworks, ProFrames, M&E Plans, and Analysis Plans as needed.
• Support the documentation of lessons learned, best practices, program data, evaluations, and other information to generate donor communication pieces, success stories, case studies, and other high-quality, results-based documentation.
• Participate in the development and standardization of forms and tools to collect relevant disaggregated data on project monitoring indicators, effects, and impacts using CRS’ SMILER methodology (Simple Measurement of Indicators for Learning and Evidence-based Reporting).
• Develop data flows, reporting maps, and templates to ensure the appropriate information arrives to the right program staff in a timely and efficient manner.
• Support the development tools to track progress on sustainability plans at the organizational/institutional levels and benchmarks for household graduation/transition.
• Assist in developing digital data collection systems, where appropriate.
• Train and support relevant IP and/or CSO/CBO on the use of tools and management of data flow.
• Ensure that all project monitoring arrangements comply with the project and donor agreements and, in particular, ensure that agreements are concretely operationalized.
• Systematically collect, validate, and analyze data and ensure that it is accurate and of the highest quality.
• Participate in all aspects of realizing studies and evaluations, which includes but is not limited to: scope of work development, consultant identification, planning and arranging logistical arrangements for field research, overseeing sampling strategies, leading the selection of sites to be visited, attending research and tool training workshops, leading quantitative, qualitative, and participatory data collection efforts in the field, supervising the execution of field studies, and ensuring the reliability and validity of data.
• Lead the use of technology for monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning.
• Ensure project evaluations (including mid-term, final, after-action reviews or if applicable real time evaluations) are organized and managed in a timely and quality manner.
• Ensure evaluation results are used to enhance learning and improve interventions.
• Ensure project lessons learned are captured and used in future similar projects including uploading and upgrading of program documentation on CRS Gateway.
• Coordinate and ensure appropriate and timely involvement of IPs in MEAL activities.
• Review relevant data collection systems as implemented by partners, to ensure rigor and appropriateness of practices.
• Lead formal training events for IP M&E staff to enhance their capacity for sound implementation.
  Agency – wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff)

These are rooted in the mission, values, and principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and to achieve the desired results.

• Serves with Integrity
• Models Stewardship
• Cultivates Constructive Relationships
• Promotes Learning
  Program Manager Competencies
  These are rooted in the mission, values, and principles of CRS and used by each Program Manager to fulfill his or her responsibilities and to achieve the desired results.
• Sets clear goals and manages toward them
• Collaborates effectively with staff and stakeholders
• Manages financial resources with integrity
• Applies program quality standards to project design and organizational learning

Key Working Relationships

Internal: 4Children Leadership; CRS Kenya Country Program Head of programs, Project Director, 4Children Kenya Technical and Administrative staff, CRS Kenya Programming, Finance, Procurement, and HR/Administration teams, EARO Regional Technical Advisor for Accountability and Learning.

External: Donors, 4Children consortium members, government ministries at the National, State and LGA levels, UN agencies, PEPFAR OVC implementing partners, CSO/CBOs, research institutions, relevant private sector entities, local communities, beneficiaries and other stakeholders.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in biostatistics, epidemiology, public health, international development, economics or related field. A Master’s degree would be an added advantage
• Five years of relevant professional experience in project-level MEAL, including development of data flow maps, data collection tools, reporting forms, and project databases
• Experience in designing and implementation of mixed method evaluation plans
• Thorough familiarity with principles and current approaches to project monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning
• Excellent analytic and computer skills; skilled in MS Office Suite including Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint and Access.
• Experience in using data analysis software preferable SPSS STATA
• Skills in developing project M&E databases desired
• Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent organizational skills, team work and ability to prioritize tasks in a timely manner.
• Strong interpersonal, communication and organizational skills as well as good judgment and vision.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Sound coordination skills and a demonstrated ability to multi-task.
• Demonstrates diplomacy, flexibility, and resourcefulness.
• Strong critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills.

Travel: Extensive travel within Kenya to provide monitoring and technical support to partners, participation at training and program review workshops. The MEAL Officer may also travel internationally to participate at relevant conferences, communities of practice and learning events.

HOW TO APPLY:

Written Applications indicating the reference number of position applied for and CV including day-time contact phone numbers, as well as names and contact information of three references should reach the below-mentioned by Close of Business Friday June 17, 2016.

Human Resources Manager

Catholic Relief Services-Kenya program

E-mail:hr@ke.earo.crs.org

Please indicate the Reference Number of the position you are applying for on the email subject. Only Shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Note: Catholic Relief Services (CRS) does not charge any fees from applicants for any recruitments. Further, CRS has nor retained any agent in connection with this recruitment.