Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Manager

CHILD SAFEGUARDING:Level 3: the post holder will have contact with children and/or young people either frequently (e.g. once a week or more) or intensively (e.g. four days in one month or more or overnight) because they work country programs; or are visiting country programs; or because they are responsible for implementing the police checking/vetting process staff.ROLE PURPOSE:The MEAL Manager, under the guidance of the Head of REALM will lead the development and implementation of MEAL system for all Field offices (FO) Projects in Afghanistan Country Office. The position will collaborate closely with MEAL Coordinators at field office and implementation teams to ensure that these systems align with Save the Children’s MEAL strategies and frameworks.The MEAL Manager will provide support to conduct project baselines, midterm and evaluations, as well as oversee MEAL budgeting and recruitment processes. The MEAL Manager will provide support to PRIME and ensure timely and accurate consolidation of output tracking and performance reports. The role will also support the Head of MEAL and Research in the MEAL components of proposal development. The MEAL Manager will provide technical guidance to the Information Management team on secure data management systems and practices. The position will support the PDQ Director and Head of REALM in Country Office level reporting processes, including KPI, CSP, TR and other required reports through PRIME system. The MEAL Manager will also provide leadership and technical support to FO MEAL Coordinators to assess the MEAL capacity of staff from both Save the Children and partner organizations and identify opportunities to strengthen their capacity.SCOPE OF ROLE:Reports to: Head of REALMStaff reporting to this post: MEAL Coordinator at FO, MEAL Coordinator (MIS)Role Dimensions: The role will work closely with the Research, Evidence and Learning Specialist, TAs and the Area MEAL staff in delivering the project deliverables.KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY :Under the direct supervision of Head of REALM and with support from MEAL and PDQ staff, the MEAL Manager will be responsible for:CO MEAL System Design and Support for Implementation* Lead on the development and roll-out of an organisational MEAL strategy and approaches across Save the Children Afghanistan’s humanitarian and longer-term development programming, in line with Country Strategic Plan and Save the Children International MEAL requirements; * Ensure that the Country Office (CO) MEAL framework is in place and well communicated to, and appropriated by all programme staff; * Support CO on the roll-out of MIS system and provide technical support to MIS staff to ensure that the MIS system is applied in all projects; * Ensure systems for tracking action plans derived from quality benchmark monitoring and feedback response mechanisms are in place and well-functioning; * Set up a central MEAL work plan and budget, ensuring that the latter is resourced through donor funding; * Ensures establishmentof key indicators for each sector and tracking of data across projects to establish the broader impact on children from all interventions. * Work closely with the ProgrammeOperations team to extract support for ensuring functioning of independent MEAL system to track project implementation leading to enhanced quality, accountability, management and impact, including feeding into new proposal development and sharing lessons learned. * Oversee the design and implementation of accountability mechanisms at field level, such as complaintsresponse mechanisms – working on community assessment, design, implementation, review etc. * Ensure effective use of PRIME and timely, accurate consolidation of output tracking and performance reports.Accountability & Participation* Ensuring accountability to children/communities in SCI programing through establishing systems for information sharing, participation and feedback handling and ensure that all projects and program are using these CO level processes and systems. * Support Head of REALM to ensure that all staff at all levels, including senior managers and directors, fully understand and promote accountability in general and to children in particular, through training and coaching. * Contribute to improvements in existing policies and procedures to enhance effective accountability mechanisms. * Training on staff, partners and stakeholders in Accountability, core humanitarian standard (CHS), Sphere standards. * Ensure that activities are carried out to raise awareness of prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse and handling of serious complaints in line with child safeguarding policy. * Regularly sharing the Accountability information with all relevant staffs and information are using by NBD and project staffs during new proposal development.Programme Design and MEAL Resources• Ensure that MEAL is an integral part of the programme design stage and features in all proposal development.• Support fundraising efforts, includinglogframe development, drafting narrative MEAL sections, and review to ensure MEAL activitiesand costs are adequately covered.* Develop standard guidance for incorporation of MEAL costs into proposals in specific responses• Ensure that MEAL resources are included in proposal development as per the MEAL Budgeting benchmark and work creatively to secure funding from diverse sources, to ensure that MEAL is integrated into emergency and development programmes in a sustainable way.• Responsible for effectively managing the MEAL budget.Internal and external Reporting• Responsible to ensure that the organisation delivers onall internal SCIMEAL requirements in a timely manner and with high quality information, including reporting on SCI global indicators, KPI Reporting, Country Annual Reporting through PRIME etc.• Develop systems to ensure monitoring of child participation, gender equity, integration, and other programmequality indicators, as relevant and required.* Ensure that the MEALteam oversees a clear system of feedback and response from keystakeholders, particularly children, and presents the information to senior managementfor decision making purposes.Staff Management, Mentorship, and Development· Identify training needs of staff and conduct training to address the capacity gaps, in collaboration with their line-manager (the field manager of their duty station) and the human resources department.* Line manage the indicated MEALteam members as required, consistent with SCI HR policy andMEAL Framework.* Creating a shared understanding of MEAL framework and systems inAfghanistan; this requires creating cohesion with the field MEAL staff working in different provinces.• Identify learning and training opportunities for MEAL and other staff and act as a mentor and role model for less experienced staff.• Conduct training and awareness raising activities for operations and programme technical staff atfield and country-office level regarding MEAL priorities and quality standards.BEHAVIOURS (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 inthe 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 fortheir 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 theirteam, 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 integrityQUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLSEssential• BA or BSc in a relevant subject or equivalentfield experience in the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) function.• At least 5years of experience in MEAL, in an humanitarian or fragile states context.• Demonstrated skills setting up and rolling out MEAL systems.• Strong experience in information management systems.* Experience of, and commitment to workingthrough systems of community participation and accountability.• Previous experience of managing a team, capacityto supervise, train and coach staff• Demonstrated strong monitoring and evaluation skills, including planning/participating in evaluations.• Ability to work both in an advisory and a hands on implementation capacity.• Ability to write clear and well-arguedassessment and project reports.• Politically and culturally sensitive with qualities of patience, tact and diplomacy.• Excellent communication skills; Excellent written and spoken English .* The capacityand willingness to be flexibleand accommodating in difficult and sometimesinsecure working circumstances. • Commitment to the aims and principles of SC. In particular, a good understanding of the SC mandate and commitment to child participation.Desirable• Prior experience with Save the Children International highly desired.• Experience in both implementation and design desirable.• Good understanding on the main local languages is desired (Pashto and Dari).Additional job responsibilitiesThe duties and responsibilities as set out above are not exhaustive and the role holder may be required to carry out additional duties within reasonableness of their level of skills and experience.Equal OpportunitiesThe role holder is required to carry out the duties inaccordance with the SCI Equal Opportunities andDiversitypolicies and procedures.Child Safeguarding:We need to keep children safeso our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks,reflects our commitment to the protection ofchildren from abuse.Health and SafetyThe role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with SCI Health and Safety policiesand proceduresHOW TO APPLYQualified applicants are highly encouraged to apply for the position by filling in the online application form. In addition to the online application form, they can also attach their CV and cover letter in the online system. Please note that only the applications received through the online portal will be considered for this position.Applicants can login to the online application system by copying and pasting the following link intro their web browser. Returning users will need to enter their username and password, first time users will need to create a user account.It is recommended that you save your username and password for future job applications through the online system.Link: https://hcri.fa.em2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1/jobs/preview/15579/?amp;locationId=300000000345568&locationLevel=country&mode=location&lastSelectedFacet=LOCATIONS&selectedLocationsFacet=300000000341839Save the Children International (SCI) is committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion as core to our vision and values. We provide equitable employment opportunities and aim to increase the representation of women, people with disabilities, and individuals from minority groups to effectively meet the diverse needs of the children and communities we serve.At SCI, we value the authentic selves of everyone, including you! If you have any access needs or require support due to a disability or other reasons, please let us know at the time of your application. We are here to assist you and ensure an accessible and inclusive recruitment experience.Please note: SCI does not request any fees during any stage of the recruitment process.We need to keep children safe so our selection process reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.