Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Coordinator At International Medical Corps

JOB PURPOSE

The role of the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Coordinator is to support better performance and greater accountability by implementing evidence-based program/project management at the field level, in order to guide and improve performance. The MEAL Coordinator will provide the technical support to the design of methodologies and tools to ensure the availability of clear and accurate information at the program/project level. The MEAL Coordinator also plays an important role in data management and quality by designing a MEAL system which adheres to the IMC’s Global MEAL Guidelines, the MEAL Minimum Standards for Quality, and the guiding MEAL policies and procedures. S/he will provide technical support to the program and build capacity in the country Mission through strengthening learning and knowledge sharing across the IMC and with the wider humanitarian community. The role holder will also support in project development including preparation and management of the MEAL budget, staffing plan, give inputs to project design and fulfil donor MEAL requirements.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function with or without reasonable accommodation:

MAIN TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1.1 IMC’s policies, guidelines, and procedures

• Mainstream IMC Global MEAL Guidelines across all related MEAL activities at the field level and ensure the guidance notes for monitoring, evaluation, and accountability are functional at the field level.
• Map and detail the navigation, selection, application, and adaption of existing guidelines, tools, and templates at the relevant stages of the project cycle.
• Develop guidance and standards methodologies for the collection and analysis of data to allow for comparison and aggregation across time and the different projects.
• Actively promote Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) and Safeguarding standards within IMC, its partners and amongst its beneficiaries.
• Contribute to the creation of a positive image and overall credibility of the organization, notably through the application of the Code of Conduct, ethics, values, and standpoint with regards to internal and external actors.

1.2 Project design and planning

• Design and coordinate needs assessment and situation analysis through various approaches (e.g. direct data collection, secondary sources, problem tree analysis, SWOT analysis) and ensure that needs assessment and project design are linked.
• Ensure development of MEAL requirements of the donors during proposal development, such as mandatory donors indicators and annexes etc.
• Support to program and MEAL team with developing the results framework, theory of change, logframe, Program Monitoring Tool (PMT), and MEAL plan including indicators for existing and new projects.
• Identify the budget/resources needed for MEAL activities of projects.
• Represent the organization in the MEAL and Assessment Working Groups promoting a positive image.

1.3 MEAL system

• In coordination with the Program Team and MEAL field Focal Points, establish a reliable participatory MEAL framework for the IMC Mission to ensure quality.
• Design full MEAL procedures and operating plans within the mission and develop harmonized data collection tools involving the different stakeholders (project team, partners)
• Ensure that accountability to affected populations (AAP) is embedded in all projects and AAP data is collected routinely throughout the project cycle, enabling evidence-based programming and corrective action.
• Develop and mainstream Community Based Feed and Response Mechanism (CBFRM) in IMC programs.
• Develop data gathering strategies and reporting flows for projects in the mission.
• Oversee the collection and timely reporting of data and statistics from the health facilities and other centers.
• Consolidate statistics from Health, Nutrition, WASH, MHPSS and GBV (as applicable) sectors and analyzing cross-cutting indicators.
• Collaborate with the MEAL and DHIS2 teams at HQ to develop and maintain the data management system including updating, troubleshooting and promptly addressing all problems as they arise
• Implement DHIS2 where appropriate and applicable, control and manage DHIS2 data entry and management.
• Lead in adoption of appropriate technologies in data collection, transmission, storage and retrieval.
• Lead the Quarterly Country Report process and work closely with program technical leads to aggregate project data at country level
• Conduct regular field site visits or when required to monitor service provision and ensure data quality.

1.4 Data quality management

• Collaborate with technical staff in data quality maintenance, and routine monitoring of programs.
• Develop strategies for assessing the quality of collected data for the indicators and manage tools and methods for assessing data quality for all indicators.
• Organize the planning for project data quality audits and monitor and coordinate routine data quality audits conducted in different sites, compile results at the level of a project and develop actions plans to implement corrective measures.
• Coordinate data gathering and data management of population-based surveys and surveillance activities.
• Maintain data at the mission level according to IMC’s data protection protocols.

1.5 Sampling techniques

• Use proper sampling (probability and non-probability) techniques taking into account desired power, type of survey or evaluation (e.g. single point or multiple point; baseline vs endline), the objective of the survey or evaluation (e.g. testing for change or getting a point prevalence), and budget limitations.
• Ensure adherence to prescribed methodologies of sampling, data collection, and data entry.
• Facilitate, guide and supervise external consultant (if applicable) in conducting needs assessment, surveys, evaluations and contextual analysis. Review the methodology, sampling approach and other important details proposed by the expert/consultant.
• Lead the development of sampling frame, calculate the sample size and draw samples for surveys, including implementation of donor recommendations for the surveys.

1.6 Qualitative and quantitative techniques

• Develop and use different qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection including structured/ semi structured interviews, key informant interviews, in-depth interviews, group discussions, focus group discussions and direct observations as an M&E tool. Conduct trainings on quantitative and qualitative techniques for data collection for MEAL, program and interviewers.
• Prepare tabulation plan and perform quantitative data analysis
• Perform qualitative textual analysis, develop topical outlines (coding) and support the team in narrating the findings.
• Keeping the social dynamics, manage errors/bias and strategy to minimize them and to ensure the data collected is representative of populations without power (avoiding over dependence on community leaders, local authorities, and/or government authorities as primary sources for defining communities’ needs and preferences).
• Develop Terms of Reference (ToR) outlining the objectives, methodology, sampling approach and other necessary details for the study to be conducted internally or by a consultant and oversee the logistics of data collection and data management and ensure adequate resources are available.
• Design questionnaires for monitoring purposes and apply the different interview techniques (structured/semi-structured).
• Conduct regular site visits or when required to monitor and assist partners in the data collection process to ensure data quality.

1.7 Mobile and manual data collection

• Determine the appropriate data collection tool based on the purpose, advantages and disadvantages of mobile data collection techniques.
• Design simple and complex questionnaire using XLS or form builder (Kobo form builder, ONA form builder, etc.)
• Support in installing and configuring mobile data collection tools (OKD collect, Kobo collect, ONA collect, CommCare, etc.) on smart phones or tablets and manage data on mobile servers (Kobo form builder, ONA form builder, etc.)
• Increase capacity of other staff in developing XLS form and setting up mobile data collection.

1.8 Data analysis, including use of statistical software

• Develop guidance and standards methodologies for the collection and analysis of data to allow for comparison and aggregation across time and the different projects.
• Support MEAL and the project/program team on conducting statistical analysis including descriptive (univariate and bivariate data analysis) and inferential analysis using statistical software.
• Support the qualitative analysis, and develop topical outlines (coding).
• Develop spatial data from maps, documents, and other data sources.
• Analyze data and develop spatial data models and maps.

1.9 Contribution to the effectiveness of the program

· Work collaboratively with different program staff for strengthening integration and cross-learning in program.

· Proactively volunteer for various team activities

· Show an eagerness to take on any other tasks assigned by the line manager

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Education & experience

· Advance Degree in Statistics/Health Information Systems/Information Technology/ Business Administration with at least 5 years work experience in data management systems and experience in use of MOH tools.

· Experience in training is an added advantage.

· Computer proficiency in MS Office Suite and word processing, databases, spreadsheets, including advanced skills in at least two of the following programs: SPSS, Epi Info, and Stata.

· Good organizational, planning, interpersonal and communication skills

Languages

Proficiency in English

Personal Qualities

· Strong organizational and communication skills

· Ability to interact as part of a multicultural and multidisciplinary team

· Leadership skills

· Ability to maintain confidentiality

· Punctual, reliable and flexible to work long hours when required

IMC is a humanitarian organisation involved in emergency programmes. All IMC staff are to be flexible and willing to assist in IMC operations as and when required.

This job description is subject to amendment depending upon the ongoing requirements of the project.