job description - Monitoring, Evaluation Accountability & Learning (MEAL) Manager
- Provide leadership and strategic direction for monitoring and evaluation (MEAL) efforts.
- Develop and operationalize a comprehensive MEAL system, including data collection, performance tracking, and quality assurance.
- Design projects based on needs assessments, results chains, and gender considerations.
- Oversee data collection, employing both qualitative and quantitative techniques.
- Analyze data using statistical software and effectively communicate findings through reports and presentations.
- Build the capacity of MEAL staff through training and mentorship.
- Manage evaluations, coordinating with external consultants and incorporating findings into the MEAL system.
- Collaborate with program managers and stakeholders, ensuring effective implementation of MEAL processes and budget management.
Detail of Responsibilities:
Leadership in Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL):
- Develop and communicate a clear and compelling vision and mission for MEAL.
- Manage the development of evidence-based strategic and operational plans, including goals, objectives, risk assessments, and resource implications.
- Design, update, harmonize, and communicate MEAL plans with standardized indicators, data collection procedures and tools, roles and responsibilities, and budgets.
- Foster partnerships with local and international stakeholders involved in the MEAL system.
Development and operationalization of a comprehensive MEAL system:
- Design and implement an MEAL plan, including data collection methods, tools, and indicators.
- Establish an Indicator Performance Tracking Table (IPTT) and a Performance Management Plan (PMP) to track project progress.
- Ensure the integration of cross-cutting objectives such as gender and environment in the MEAL system.
- Develop a data quality assurance plan and implement strategies to improve data quality.
- Create a communication strategy to effectively disseminate MEAL findings.
Project design and planning:
- Conduct needs and capacities assessments to inform project design.
- Utilize a results chain and Theory of Change to guide project planning and implementation.
- Identify relevant performance indicators and develop report formats and schedules.
- Collaborate with gender specialists to conduct gender assessments and integrate gender considerations into project design.
- Conduct market assessments to inform project interventions.
Data collection and management:
- Design sampling strategies and calculate sample sizes for qualitative studies and quantitative surveys.
- Develop data collection instruments and oversee data collection activities.
- Ensure the implementation of data quality management strategies and conduct internal data quality assessments.
- Utilize qualitative techniques, such as key informant interviews and focus group discussions, for monitoring purposes.
- Apply quantitative techniques, including questionnaire design, survey logistics planning, and data analysis using statistical software.
Data analysis and reporting:
- Develop data analysis plans and conduct quantitative and qualitative data analysis.
- Utilize statistical software to analyze quantitative data and derive meaningful insights.
- Synthesize and report qualitative information effectively.
- Prepare narrative reports, executive summaries, and case studies for various stakeholders.
- Present findings through clear and effective oral and PowerPoint presentations.
Capacity building in MEAL:
- Assess the skill gaps of MEAL staff and design training programs to enhance their competencies.
- Provide coaching, mentoring, and on-the-job training to improve staff skills.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of capacity-building initiatives and monitor knowledge change.
Evaluation design and management:
- Design evaluation questions and methods to assess project impact.
- Coordinate with external consultants for baseline and final evaluations.
- Develop terms of reference for evaluations and provide necessary data to evaluators.
- Incorporate evaluation data collection into the MEAL system and ensure adherence to evaluation design.
Collaboration and coordination:
- Collaborate with program managers, technical specialists, and consultants to ensure effective MEAL implementation.
- Coordinate logistics for surveys, qualitative studies, and evaluation processes.
- Manage the MEAL budget in collaboration with headquarters and technical staff.
Requirements
- Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field (e.g., Monitoring and Evaluation, Statistics, Development Studies). A Master’s degree will be an added advantage.
- Minimum five (5) years of experience in monitoring and evaluation, preferably in food security projects.
- Strong understanding of MEAL concepts, project design, and results-based management.
- Proficiency in developing and operationalizing MEAL systems, including the design of data collection tools and indicators.
- Experience in qualitative and quantitative data collection techniques, data analysis, and reporting.
- Familiarity with statistical software such as MS EXCEL, SPSS, STATA, or EpiInfo.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
- Ability to train, coach, and build the capacity of MEAL staff.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including report writing and presentation abilities.
- Knowledge of environmental indicators and initial environmental assessments.
- Experience working with international organizations or donor-funded projects is desirable.
- Excellent English language skills. Fluency in Hausa and/or Kanuri is an added advantage.
Note: This job description outlines the key responsibilities and requirements of the MEAL Manager position. Additional duties may be assigned as needed to support the organization's goals and objectives.
A non-profit/non-governmental organization founded by a group of young researchers, AHSF was founded to advance community health care through research, advocacy, health promotion, and education.