TITLE: Education Program MEAL Coordinator- Damascus (National)
TEAM/PROGRAMME: GPE/ECW LOCATION: Damascus (National)
GRADE: 4 CONTRACT LENGTH: One Year (with the possibility of extension)
CHILD SAFEGUARDING: Level 3- The responsibilities of the post may require the post holder to have regular contact with children or young people and, in the overseas context all posts are level 4 posts in view of potential situations which may allow staff unsupervised access to vulnerable children and young people.
ROLE PURPOSE:
The funding for GPE/ECW ensures that out of school children (OOSC) in priority areas have flexible, responsive routes into learning opportunities, that support their transition into further levels of education and that support their holistic wellbeing and development. GPE/ECW priorities focus on interventions targeting 3-18 years especially refugees, IDPs, returnees and host communities.
The MEAL Coordinator will be responsible for designing and coordinating rollout of the MEAL systems as well as contextualizing and disseminating GPE/ECW MEAL guidance (based on existing guidance provided by GPE/ECW) to selected organizations. Under the guidance of the Senior Education Program Manager GPE/ECW, the MEAL Coordinator will ensure that MEAL Systems are implemented by consortium partners in a coordinated, harmonized and aligned manner, in line with donor requirements and commitments.
The MEAL Coordinator will be responsible for supporting the Senior Education Program Manager in the submission of timely and regular progress reports as well as participating in meetings as requested. The MEAL Coordinator will also liaise with SCI MEAL team and implementing partners to ensure that MEAL Systems and application of standard indicators is well understood and implemented.
SCOPE OF ROLE:
Reports to: Chief of Party ECW/GPE
Staff reporting to this post: None.
Budget Responsibilities: None.
Role Dimensions: Substantial interactions with MEAL counterparts within partner organizations through the GPE/ECW programme. Participating in GPE/ECW periodic meetings.
KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:
Monitoring:
• In close collaboration with the GPE/ECW implementing partners, track and oversee the implementation of harmonized monitoring tools and aligned indicator definitions for the project.
• In close collaboration with implementing partners, put in place an operational MEAL plan for GPE/ECW including mechanisms to monitor and document the progress of implementation of Programme activities, Specifically;
• Lead the design/ review of MEAL pack, to include the Indicator Performance Tracking Table, Log frame, Activity Tracking Table and MEAL plan. Maintain an updated Indicator Performance Tracker (IPT) and Output tracker, in additional other report requirements as may be requested.
• Provide technical guidance and lead capacity building of the implementing partner staff, and stakeholders on implementation of MEAL within the Programme; to include capacities for data collection, storage, indicator definition and reporting.
• Input to the development of aligned Quality Benchmarks for the Education Consortium activities to guide monitoring and ensure actions plans agreed on after QB monitoring are implemented in timely manner.
• Review Programme data collection tools to ensure that tools provide required information on programme indicators.
• Enhance use of digital data management within the program, this may include use of Kobo and ODK among other programs.
• Conduct routine data quality assessment and continuous quality improvement of the program to ensure program implementation and report quality.
• Participate/coordinate the design of quantitative and qualitative participatory Programme evaluations (baseline, annual and final evaluations), assessments, reviews, and other special studies.
• Work closely with the Senior Education Program Manager to ensure that performance indicators are regularly tracked and that activities implemented are well aligned with the indicators.
• Support implementation of programme MIS and integration of Geographical Information System (GIS) in programme reporting. Support GIS mapping and dissemination of MIS/GIS reports. Provide MIS content/requirements and feedback to MEAL team and document progress on indicators/achievement of targets.
• Where applicable, roll-out mobile data collection and monitoring systems and document learning and suggestions for improvement.
Evaluation:
• With the Senior Education Program Manager, coordinate the development of Terms of Reference for the programme evaluations.
• Coordinate the logistics of project evaluations as necessary and ensure data collection, analysis and write-up is in line with SCI and donor standards as well as set timelines.
Accountability:
• Work alongside implementing partners to ensure a functional Complaints, Feedback, Response and Feedback is in place in line with SCI’s standard and expectations, the Standard Operating Procedure for the programme and donor expectations.
• Collect and manage complaints and feedback in close coordination with Programme team. Track timeliness of response to complaints and maintain an updated Programme complaints tracker.
• Build capacity of partner organizations with regards to Accountability to Affected Communities.
Learning:
• Foster and develop a culture of learning within the implementing partners and SCI.
• Establish information sharing mechanisms for partner staff to document and share examples of good and bad practice and learning.
• Document learning on working in consortia and pilot innovations and interventions and share with key stakeholders.
• Identify opportunities for research and learning questions in collaboration with the Consortium Partners and Technical Specialists.
• Facilitate documentation of programme results, impact, best practices and significant changes. Document learnings and best practices; disseminate learnings, reports, publications and participate in learning sessions, and ensuring that the lessons learnt are utilized to inform programming and advocacy.
Communication, Coordination and Networking:
• Foster a culture of information sharing, and collaboration within the implementing partners.
• Be available for and responsive to questions, queries and requests for information and support from implementing partners.
• Create and sustain positive working relationships internally with other technical staff; externally with the district local government and CSO partners, and other stakeholders, and also maintain an up to date understanding of key development trends in the Programme area.
• Representing the programme in coordination fora as may be requested by the line manager.
• Provide routine periodic partner monitoring and provide regular guidance and support to ensure partner’s effective implementation of MEAL according to best practice and donor requirements.
• Coordinate monthly MEAL Working Group meetings with MEAL representatives from implementing partners, minutes are shared with key stakeholders and follow-up on recommended action points.
BEHAVIOURS (Values in Practice) (Section should not consist of Competencies as this are the standard Values in practice)
Accountability:
• Holds self-accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values.
• Holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities - giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance, and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved.
Ambition:
• Sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves and their team, takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages their team to do the same.
• Widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others.
• Future orientated, thinks strategically and on a global scale.
Collaboration:
• Builds and maintains effective relationships with their team, colleagues, Members and external partners and supporters.
• Values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength.
• Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to.
Creativity:
• Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions.
• Willing to take disciplined risks.
Integrity:
• Honest, encourages openness and transparency; demonstrates highest levels of integrity
QUALIFICATIONS
• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in either Statistics or Development Studies.
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience of MEAL under education programs.
EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS
Essential
• Minimum of 3-5 years’ work experience in monitoring and evaluation working experience (preferably in education/protection related programmes with an International NGO).
• Minimum of three years of partners experience in education on MEAL will be added value.
• Knowledge and use of various survey methods for monitoring of different programs.
• Previous experience working in partnership programmes.
• Prior experience establishing and running coordination mechanisms.
• Prior experience in training and management of data collectors.
• Demonstrable experience and understanding of the education sector global and national standards.
• Additional training and experience in biostatistics or monitoring and evaluation and MIS of an added advantage.
• Experience of working with local partners and District Local Government in Child Rights Governance, Education and Child Protection is an added advantage.
• Strong analytical skills and strategic planning abilities.
• Sound written and oral presentation skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain conducive collegial relations and perform effectively as a member of a team.
• Willingness to travel and work in hard-to-reach areas, occasionally under strenuous conditions.
• Computer literacy and excellent documentation skills are a must. Microsoft office especially word, spreadsheet (Excel), Access, SPSS, and GIS applications).
• Availability and willingness to work extra hours during times of humanitarian responses.
• Highly developed cultural awareness and ability to work well in an international environment with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
• Ability to intervene with crisis management or troubleshooting as necessary.
• Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills including influencing, negotiation, and coaching.
• Excellent time management and planning capacity.
Desirable
• Experience working on GIS mapping projects.