Monitoring, Evaluation Accountability & Learning (MEAL) Manager at Albarka Healthspring Foundation

Position Summary

• 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.