Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Advisor

Job Description

The International Rescue Committee’s mission is to help people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their future. Founded over 80 years ago, the IRC is a leading humanitarian and development organization with presence in more than 40 countries. Across contexts, the IRC is committed to delivering innovative, high-impact programs tailored to the needs of communities affected by crisis.

The IRC began working in Mali in 2012 in response to the political crisis. The IRC has provided lifesaving assistance to over half a million displaced Malians displaced by conflict and facing severe food shortages. The crisis in Mali has also led to a collapse of basic public services such as health care and education.

To help the country recover, the IRC is focusing our efforts by providing emergency relief; supporting village savings and loan associations and income-generating activities, especially for women; providing clean drinking water, water treatment kits, water-point rehabilitation, and health care supplies; providing vital health care services and training community health workers; providing children and parents with psychosocial support to help them heal from trauma; and training teachers and reopening schools for children affected by conflict.

Scope of work

The IRC seeks a Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Advisor for an anticipated five-year USAID Cross-Sectoral Youth activity in Mali. The project will enable vulnerable and marginalized 15–29-year-old Malian youth in the regions of Bamako, Mopti and Segou to become educated, healthy, and productive citizens while building their resilience to recurrent crises. The $25-$50M Cross-Sectoral Youth Activity will focus on an integrated program that includes basic education, workforce development, media literacy to counter disinformation, youth entrepreneurship, and reproductive health.

The MEAL Advisor will be responsible for developing and implementing the project’s monitoring, evaluation, and learning strategy, in accordance with IRC, USAID, and international best practices. S/he will work closely with the Chief of Party, Deputy Chief of Party, technical staff, technical and local partners to ensure that relevant data is collected, analyzed, and used to inform management and design decision, and to provide project updates, as required.

This position is contingent on the IRC being awarded funding and is anticipated to begin in 2023. The position is based in Bamako, Mali.

Job responsibilities

· Develop, manage and implement a Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning strategy for the project, including a system across all project components that leverages qualitative and quantitative methods, and draws from a variety of data sources to measure progress and evaluate impact, as well as support collaboration, learning, and adaptation;

· Participate and provide input to project strategy, including necessary adjustments or refinements to the project workplan;

· Develop, coordinate and strengthen capacity sharing partnerships with MEAL counterparts of partner agencies, technical partners, local organizations and Government entities;

· Support the commitment and contribution of MEAL teams and various partners at all stages of project implementation;

· Represent the project on MEAL aspects at internal and external meetings, forums, and other events;

· Champion design, access and use of data by leaders and partners for shared learning and evidence-based decision-making;

· Shape and implement MEAL systems and approaches that meet USAID and IRC’s standards and practices, project and program needs, enable accountability to clients, partners, and donors, and foster program learning;

· Promote technological and social innovation in MEAL;

· Reinforce integration of cross-sectoral priorities in MEAL, including gender, protection, safeguarding, disaster risk reduction, Gender Equality - Diversity – Inclusion, and Do No Harm;

· Develop and ensure compliance with procedures for collection and reporting of program performance data to provide quality and timely data;

· Support the implementation of beneficiary accountability processes throughout the project.

Technical Oversight

• Provide technical leadership for an efficient monitoring system and reliable processes throughout the project cycle from the design, implementation to close-out and learning including:

o Using learning and evidence from internal and external sources including previous projects to inform proposal design and Theory of Change;

o Developing and operationalizing, logical framework, MEAL plan, data collection tools, processes for data management, consolidation and back-up, clients feedback approaches, quality checks and audits, and data visualization;

o Conduct regular visits to project sites to provide on-site technical assistance, ensure proper monitoring of project activities and efficient implementation of project tools;

o Develop and advocate for adequate MEAL budget and staffing structure for the project;

o Producing high-quality data, analysis, reports, presentations, and dashboard of key findings that foster learning and decision-making and share in key meetings such as project cycle meetings and strategic senior management team meetings;

o Communicate information obtained through MEAL activities to program staff, and external stakeholders, including USAID, to enable informed decision making;

• Provide technical leadership for the design, method, and conduct of surveys such as baseline, midline and endline, and the commission of evaluations and surveys as required in coordination with program management, technical advisors, and consortium partners when needed;

• Lead and advocate for the expansion of standard mobile data technology and online dashboard to enhance timeliness and quality of data collection, analysis and visualization;

• Provide technical leadership to project efforts in meeting its internal and external accountability commitments through the implementation of sound accountability, client feedback, and response mechanisms.

Human Resources

• Promote the growth and development of others in the project team and partners by assessing proficiencies, developing and leading targeted learning and training strategy, providing coaching, mentoring and supporting M&E and MEAL staff, providing vital tools and resources, as well as on the job training;

• Supervise medium to large sized MEAL team across multiple sectors and geographical areas by setting clear performance objectives, managing staff work plans, establishing regular performance reviews, championing a positive working environment for professional development, fostering an inclusive and respectful team climate, where all staff are valued and respected and can contribute to their maximum potential;

• Support consortium partners, when necessary, on the recruitment of project MEAL staff, support their onboarding and training when required.

Requirements

• Advanced degree (PhD or MA) from an accredited university in Social sciences, International development, Evaluation research, Statistics, or a related discipline required; equivalent experience may be substituted for graduate degree;

• Minimum of seven years of experience in MEAL experience on multi-million-dollar humanitarian or development projects in crisis-affected contexts, preferably for USAID;

• Experience with USAID’s collaborating, learning, and adapting (CLA) approach preferred;

• Significant previous experience working in conflict or crisis situations, preferably in West Africa and/or Mali;

• Leadership experience and proven technical skills in setting up quality M&E and MEAL system that leads to evidence-based decision-making for multi-sectorial and multi-donor funded programs;

• Demonstrated ability to transfer knowledge to diverse audiences through training, mentoring, and other formal and non-formal methods together with strong presentation and reporting skills;

• Strong management and social skills and proven track record to work with diverse groups of people in a multicultural environment;

• Self-motivated with excellent organization, planning, and analytical skills - able to work without close supervision, including prioritizing work and multi-tasking;

• Proficiency and experience with mobile data collection such as Kobo, CommCare, ODK Collect as well as proficiency with Microsoft Excel, SPSS, STATA or other similar software;

• Knowledge of Tableau, PowerBi or GIS software are additional assets;

• Strong understanding of accountability and proven ability to build Client Feedback Systems is a distinct advantage;

• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain productive working relationships with a wide network of partners and stakeholders;

• Experience working to incorporate issues of Government accountability, transparency, and equity in Education programs, including gender equality, diversity, and disability inclusion;

• Capacity to work well under pressure, and the ability to communicate appropriately and effectively cross‐culturally is critical;

• The candidate must be fluent in English and French.

The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation

Equal Opportunity Employer: IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants based on merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.

Women, minorities and people living with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Qualifications