MEAL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning) Expert 92 views0 applications

Ethiopian Catholic Church Social Development Commission Coordinating Branch office of Meki (ECC-SDCBOM) is a faith-based Non-Governmental Organization having Social Development activities in the Vicariate of Meki. The Social Development activities are carried out under the Social and Development Commission Branch Office.  The office has secured financial support from USAID through CRS/Ethiopia to implement a Project entitled Feed the Future Ethiopian Livelihood for Resilience- Oromia (LRO) in Ziwaydugda ,Dodota and Sire Woreda of Arsi Zone and Nagele Arsi,Heben Arsi,Siraro and Shala  Woredas of West Arsi Zone, Boset and ATJK woredas of East Shawa Zone since October 2016.

 Ethiopian Catholic Church Social & Development Commission Branch Office of Meki needs to employ personnel on the following Job areas.

Purpose of the Position:

The MEAL Expert will be responsible for implementing and managing the project M&E system build on Simple Measurements of Indicators for Learning and Evidence-based Reporting (SMILER) M&E system development. The MEAL Expert will support and develop MEAL capacities of project staff and primary stakeholders for managing and implementation of SMILER M&E system. S/he will be responsible to ensure ECC-SDCCOM and donor meets its MEAL Policies and Procedures (MPP)

The MEAL Expert will provide technical support/expertise and tools to project that lead to strong, effective and coordinated Monitoring, Evaluation. Accountability & Learning (MEAL) systems in accordance with ECC-SDCCOM standards. The MEAL Expert will ensure that project teams adopt a systematic approach to MEAL, are able to effectively track outputs and outcomes of the projects and ensuring that monitoring data is available for reporting purposes. In addition, the MEAL Expert will build the capacity of project teams, providing technical advice and support to strengthen project planning, implementation, and MEAL mechanisms. The MEAL Expert will also ensure that the project maintains robust beneficiary accountability mechanisms.

The MEAL Expert will provide monitoring and data management support to Woreda lead community facilitators with the guidance from Project MEAL Expert

Key /Specific Duties and Responsibilities:

Planning and Implementation

• Support project teams in initiating information gathering at the Community level and analysis to project designs
• Proactively support project development processes, particularly on the logic of intervention (Theory of Change, logical frameworks, and MEAL plans), with an emphasis on ensuring a sound understanding of how changes happen and sound projects logic and objective setting that is informed by contextual information and contribute to ensuring adherence to projects quality standards.
• Lead on the development of MEAL plans in project proposals and on estimating and setting MEAL resources in proposals’ budgets, in consultation with the project’s teams
• Promote and support active participation of projects and beneficiaries in projectdevelopment and design
• Prepares monthly, quarterly and annual MEAL action plans jointly with projects teams and ensure their timely implementation
• Perform other duties as assigned by Project MEAL Expert

Organizing/staffing

• Ensures that human, material and financial resources are utilized efficiently for the appropriate implementation of the project activities
• Facilitates capacity building/skill upgrading training of the project staff and local community in consultation with the project MEAL Expert
• Support project teams and staff to develop a culture of downward accountability, commitment to continuous improvement, openness to learning from mistakes, drive for demonstrating impact and drive to increase projects impact.
• Build project teams’ and staff capacity in project & project design processes
• Provide timely and high-quality advice to projects managers and technical officers as required.
• Train project teams by using analyzed data to inform project quality control, to document lessons learned and for future project development.
• In collaboration with project MEAL Expert facilitate the development of high quality and clear ToRs for MEAL assessments/studies/surveys, and support in the identification, selection and quality implementation of assessments/studies/surveys related to MEAL
• Facilitate quarterly joint monitoring and review meetings among the staff and with woreda line department offices

Coordination

• Coordinates the implementation of the project activity in line with the objectives of the project
• Organize and facilitate MEAL training sessions for woreda coordinator, expert and targeted communities
• Participates in key stakeholders joint planning and collaboration events
• Ensure effective MEAL coordination
• Represent project on external working groups in the woreda when relevant and ensure the project has appropriate visibility.
• Ensure that the /Projects team leads to provide accurate information, in an appropriate format for ECC-SDCBOM Branch Office and Government monitoring systems
• Proactively engage with woreda level project staff to share knowledge and to identify best practice in the ECC-SDCCOM project intervention areas.
• Contribute to and support the implementation of ECC-SDCCOM MEAL strategies, policies, and initiatives

Controlling

• Confirm project materials availability, handling and utilization level at woreda office.
• Confirm functionality and right use of project logistics
• Confirm the supply and utilization of project office materials, stationaries and fuel are according to project plans
• Confirm project financial utilization status and is as per the approved line item, ECC-SDCCOM financial procedures and policies

Communication and representation

• Creates a better working relation, networking, and partnership with the local community and concerned Woreda government institutions
• Liaise with local authorities, research institutes, partner organizations, NGOs, government bodies on activities related to project MEAL
• Performs other related activities as assigned by immediate supervisor

Reporting and documentation

• Review and compile monthly, quarterly and annual/biannual project MEAL performance report tothe Project MEAL Expert within five days of the next reporting month
• Makes available any necessary documentation at the project site and provides to project MEAL Expert when required
• Ensure that all donor requirements are met, including timely preparation of Project MEAL reports
• Ensure adequate filing system is maintained for projects at Woreda office level;
• Ensure that all donor, ECC-SDCCOM and government requirements are met

Monitoring and evaluation

• Ensure monitoring of project activities within the agreed timeframe.
• Leads and facilitates project-level assessments, data collection, and analysis of primary and secondary information sources of relevance to contribute to agreed project activities
• Oversee quality assurance of all field data collection exercises, data management, and analysis.
• Prepare, review and approve reports with qualitative and quantitative MEAL findings
• Support identification, testing, and rolling-out new monitoring approaches and methods (e.g. iPad collection, participatory methods).
• Work closely with woreda coordinator in ensuring that all MEAL processes, methodologies, and tools are gender sensitive.
• Contribute to timely and quality internal and external reporting of projects performance
• Develop and continuously follow up accountability strategy and lead on implementation Projects wide feedback and complaint mechanisms in line with ECC-SDCCOM standards.
• Overseeing and quality assurance of feedback and complaint mechanisms.
• Share relevant MEAL findings with Projects teams and management in appropriate format to ensure the Projects learning.

Job Requirements

Minimum Qualification Requirements:

Education

• BA/BSc in economics, agricultural business management, agricultural economics, agriculture, statistics, rural development or another related field from recognized universities/colleges

Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years’ work experience in MEAL (monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning activities
• NGO experience with USAID funded project is preferable

Competencies /Knowledge, Ability and Skill

• Strong organizational skills and with strong competencies in project cycle management
• Excellent supervisory skills
• A people-person, able to supervise and motivate staff and partners to develop and maintain quality programming. A solid team player who is able to work with a diverse group of people and organizations
• Strong communicator with good presentation, written and organizational skills.
• Energy and stamina to withstand long working hours and often stressful conditions.
• Capacity in financial management
• Good computer skills, word, excel, powerpoint, use of the internet
• Knowledge of English and local language is required.
• Practical experience and understanding of the relevant technical competencies required
• Experience and skills in playing a supportive role, demonstrating the ability to support field teams’ members to deliver results for operational work
• Able to plan and monitor the use of human, material and financial resources based on the approved plans and strategies
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and sensitively within different value systems, diverse cultures and commitment to gender equity and empowerment
• Demonstrated experience of integrating cross-cutting issues and diversity into programming

How to Apply

 Applicants should submit their CV and other necessary documents to ECC-SDCBOM, Meki town, HR Office and Dera Branch offices HR

Address: ECC-SDCBOM,P.O.Box 43,Meki, Telephone: 022-1-18 0798 or 022-1-180193

E-mail: [email protected]

Only short least candidates will be communicated.