Description

MEAL Officer (National Role)

Country/Region: Uganda

Location: Kasese

Organization: Save the Children International

Join us to lead sustainable change for children:

• Be part of a GLOBAL and DIVERSE technical community
• Get EXPOSURE in many different contexts
• Test and scale up INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS
• Influence policies that affect MILLIONS OF CHILDREN

OVERVIEW

Are you passionate about being an advocate for children? Do you want to use your expertise to bring about lasting change for children and be a part of an inspiring, dynamic global movement?

ROLE PURPOSE:

The MEAL Officer will support the implementation of a robust Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) system for the Market Systems Development for Youth Employment and Resilience Project in Kasese district, reporting directly to the MEAL Specialist and working closely with the Project Coordinator, Project Officers, private sector actors and other stakeholders.

The post holder will also build the capacity of project staff and partners in data collection, management, analysis, reporting and evidence use for programme improvement. The role may be called upon to support emergency response interventions, ensuring that MEAL standards, accountability mechanisms and data management processes are effectively integrated into humanitarian programming.

Sounds interesting? Read more below

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

Programme Support:

In close collaboration with the Programme Manager, Project Coordinators, MEAL Specialist and other colleagues, support the design and implementation of the project MEAL framework, including monitoring tools, indicator definitions, data collection methodologies and reporting mechanisms to ensure consistent tracking of project performance.

In collaboration with the MEAL Specialist, Program Manager and Program Coordinator, implement the project MEAL Plan, including mandatory and project-specific indicators, and establish systems to monitor, measure and document progress against planned outputs, outcomes and targets.

Support the implementation of baseline assessments, tracer studies, periodic reviews, data quality assessments (DQAs), evaluations and other research activities to generate evidence on project performance and impact.

Maintain key MEAL documents and systems, including the MEAL Plan, Indicator Performance Tracking Table (IPTT), Indicator Reference Sheets, Activity Tracking Tables and other reporting tools, ensuring data accuracy, completeness and timely reporting.

Support the effective use and continuous improvement of digital MEAL systems and platforms, including Project Reporting Information Management and Evidence (PRIME), Kobo, CommCare, Power BI and other approved Save the Children systems, to strengthen data collection, analysis, participant tracking and reporting.

Facilitate the documentation, analysis and dissemination of project achievements, impact, lessons learned, best practices and significant change stories, while promoting learning and knowledge-sharing processes that ensure evidence generated through implementation is used to strengthen programme quality, adaptive management, advocacy and strategic decision-making.

Complaints Response and Feedback Mechanism (CRM):

In collaboration with the Program Team, ssupport the development and dissemination of project information materials to ensure participants and stakeholders have access to timely and relevant programme information.

Establish and maintain accessible, context-appropriate feedback and complaints mechanisms for project participants and community stakeholders.

Receive, record, track and coordinate the resolution of feedback and complaints in accordance with organizational accountability and safeguarding standards.

Maintain an up-to-date complaints and feedback tracker, monitor response timelines, and ensure timely closure and documentation of cases.

Partnerships.

Participate in joint monitoring and learning visits with district local government officials, consortium partners, TVET institutions, private sector actors, financial service providers and other stakeholders involved in the implementation of the Market Systems Development for Youth Employment and Resilience Project.

Promote a culture of learning, reflection and adaptive management within the Market Systems Development for Youth Employment and Resilience Project, ensuring that evidence generated through implementation informs programme improvement, decision-making and accountability.

Facilitate the documentation, synthesis and dissemination of lessons learned, best practices, innovations and implementation challenges, and coordinate learning and reflection sessions to strengthen programme quality and performance.

Collaborate with project staff, partners and Technical Specialists to identify priority learning and research questions and generate evidence to strengthen youth employment, resilience and market systems interventions.

Foster effective communication, collaboration and knowledge sharing among project staff, partners and other stakeholders to support coordinated implementation, learning and achievement of project results.

Maintain strong working relationships with district local government, private sector actors, TVET institutions, financial service providers and other relevant stakeholders, while remaining informed of emerging trends and developments relevant to youth employment, resilience and market systems development.

Learning:

Communication and Networking

To be a strong supporter and advocate for children in this role you will need to have;

• Support the design and implementation of the project MEAL framework, including monitoring tools, indicator definitions, data collection methodologies and reporting mechanisms.
• Implement the project MEAL Plan, including mandatory and project-specific indicators, and establish systems to monitor, measure and document progress.
• Support the implementation of baseline assessments, tracer studies, periodic reviews, data quality assessments (DQAs), evaluations and other research activities.
• Maintain key MEAL documents and systems, including the MEAL Plan, Indicator Performance Tracking Table (IPTT), Indicator Reference Sheets, Activity Tracking Tables and other reporting tools.
• Support the effective use and continuous improvement of digital MEAL systems and platforms, including Project Reporting Information Management and Evidence (PRIME), Kobo, CommCare, Power BI and other approved Save the Children systems.
• Facilitate the documentation, analysis and dissemination of project achievements, impact, lessons learned, best practices and significant change stories.
• Support the development and dissemination of project information materials.
• Establish and maintain accessible, context-appropriate feedback and complaints mechanisms.
• Receive, record, track and coordinate the resolution of feedback and complaints.
• Maintain an up-to-date complaints and feedback tracker, monitor response timelines, and ensure timely closure and documentation of cases.
• Participate in joint monitoring and learning visits with district local government officials, consortium partners, TVET institutions, private sector actors, financial service providers and other stakeholders.
• Promote a culture of learning, reflection and adaptive management.
• Facilitate the documentation, synthesis and dissemination of lessons learned, best practices, innovations and implementation challenges.
• Collaborate with project staff, partners and Technical Specialists to identify priority learning and research questions and generate evidence.
• Foster effective communication, collaboration and knowledge sharing among project staff, partners and other stakeholders.
• Maintain strong working relationships with district local government, private sector actors, TVET institutions, financial service providers and other relevant stakeholders.

• Strong analytical, data management and report-writing skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, facilitation and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Proficiency in Lhukonzo and other local languages spoken in Kasese District is highly desirable.

• At least a bachelor’s degree in Statistics, Monitoring and Evaluation, Economics, Quantitative Economics, Population Studies, Development Studies, Social Sciences, Business Administration or a related field.
• At least three (3) years’ experience in Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL), preferably within youth livelihoods, economic strengthening, education, resilience, or market systems development programmes implemented by an international NGO.
• Demonstrated experience in designing and implementing monitoring systems, conducting assessments, surveys, tracer studies, evaluations and data quality assurance processes.
• Proven experience using digital data collection and management platforms such as Kobo, CommCare, ODK, Power BI, PRIME or similar systems.
• Experience working with local partners, district local governments, private sector actors, and community-based structures.
• Fluency in English is required.