MEAL Assistant – Basra At Save the Children

ROLE PURPOSE:

MEAL Assistant is a member of the Monitoring Evaluation Accountability Learning (MEAL) Team. The MEAL Assistant is primarily responsible for supporting the Basra program teams in monitoring their programs, training staff in MEAL principles, collecting accountability data for program development, assist in resolving complaints to improve program quality, and data entry of data from routine data collection .He/she will ensure that project activities are consistent with Save the Children’s programming principles and approaches, draw on relevant best practices and lessons learned, enable children to attain their rights and are compliant with donor regulations.

SCOPE OF ROLE:

Reports to: MEAL Officer /Project Coordinator
Staff reporting to this post: None

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY :

Support the delivery of effective Programmes, in both development and humanitarian contexts, by:
* Conduct community visits, focus group discussions with beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries to receive feedback on SC programmes
* Manage feedback received and ensuring a timely and appropriate follow-up if needed
* Keeping the accountability and feedback database up to date by documenting feedback and follow-up actions taken
* Conducting post-distribution monitoring with targeted communities
* Entering and analysing post-distribution monitoring data and sharing findings with programme implementation team
* Help collect data needed for the Output Tracker and support Programme Managers with data collection processes if needed
* Support programmes with conducting assessments as needed, facilitate focus groups and other qualitative data collection exercises
* Provide support to partners to review their reporting mechanisms and monitoring data
* Support programmes to ensure that projects are carried out with participation from all affected communities (including children) and that information is shared with affected communities.
* Conduct field monitoring visits as appropriate
* Work closely with field staff to collect data and implement activities to support beneficiary accountability
* Ensure that the minimum standards of humanitarian relief are maintained in accordance with the Sphere Charter and Red Cross Code of Conduct.
* Comply with Save the Children policies and practice with respect to child protection, code of conduct, health and safety, equal opportunities and other relevant policies and procedures

SKILLS AND BEHAVIOURS (our 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 others to do the same
* Widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others
* Future orientated, thinks strategically
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

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

* At least 2 year experience in M&E with other NGO or Private Organization;
* Willingness and ability to work efficiently with a wide diverse group of people.
* Familiarity with the governorate and communities, and ability to travel to all the target districts in the program area.
* University or College Graduate.
* Trained in data management and with at least one year experience working with Excel managing databases.
* Familiarity with project frameworks [design/implementation/M&E] cycle.
* Experience in quantitative and qualitative data collection (M&E methods) and data analysis.
* Ability to travel to Basraa districts, and southern Iraq regions independently, and to travel to rural communities, or other areas according to the work requirement; work long hours.
* Having experience in managing people remotely.
* Experience in working through consultative and participatory processes and ability to balance multiple competing interests to work towards a common goal.
* Politically and culturally sensitive with qualities of patience, tact, and diplomacy.
* Ability to work simultaneously with multiple tasks, beside Good reporting skills.
* Working ability with tight deadlines and in a fast growing program environment.
* Proven technical knowledge and skills in the field of procurement.
* Excellent interpersonal and communication skills & problem solving skills.
* Fluent in Arabic; good oral and written English preferable.
* Computer literate and strong organizational skills excellent sense of judgment, humor and patience.
* Commitment to and understanding of Child Rights and Save the Children’s aims, values and principles including rights-based approaches.
* Preferbly from Basra.

The Organisation
We employ approximately 25,000 people across the globe and work on the ground in over 100 countries to help children affected by crises, or those that need better healthcare, education and child protection. We also campaign and advocate at the highest levels to realise the right of children and to ensure their voices are heard.

We are working towards three breakthroughs in how the world treats children by 2030:
* No child dies from preventable causes before their 5th birthday
* All children learn from a quality basic education and that,
* Violence against children is no longer tolerated

We know that great people make a great organization, and that our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children. We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive workplace where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued.

Application Information
Please apply using a cover letter and up-to-date CV as a single document. Please also include details of your current remuneration and salary expectations.

We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.

Save the Children does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.

Due to the urgency in filling this post, applications will be reviewed on rolling basis and the position could be filled prior to the indicated deadline date