Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Advisor

Job Description

The IRC has been present in Nigeria since 2012 when the organization responded to flooding in Kogi State. Since then, IRC has emerged as a critical partner in addressing the humanitarian crises in the Northeast and Northwest through a multi-sectoral, client-centered and integrated program approach for conflict-affected populations. In Fiscal Year 2023, IRC assisted more than 800,000 displaced people and host communities with interventions in primary healthcare, nutrition, environmental health, protection, education, food security and livelihoods. IRC Nigeria now operates a country office in Abuja and has field offices in Adamawa, Borno, Yobe, Zamfara, Katsina, and Kogi States. With almost 700 staff, and a diverse group of local partners, IRC Nigeria implements programs funded by a variety of institutional donors, UN agencies and private foundations.

Project Overview

Strengthening Quality of Care through Primary Health Care (PHC) is a 5-year and USD 50-100 million activity funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Nigeria. USAID aims to advance PHC, accelerate progress toward universal health coverage (UHC), and improve health outcomes. USAID is committed to support Nigeria’s commitment to achieve sustainable, equitable and resilient health systems through locally-led, evidence-driven, and context-specific approaches by strengthening its PHC system and enhancing focused efforts on prevention, detection and treatment at national and local levels.

Job Overview

The Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (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, the Senior MEAL Coordinator, other technical staff, technical and consortium partners to ensure that relevant data is collected, analyzed, and used to inform design and program management decisions, and to provide quality and timely program reporting and program updates, as required.

Recruitment is contingent upon successful award of the program, and selection of final applicant is subject to USAID approval.

Major Responsibilities

Leadership, Program Quality and Partnership

• Develops, manages and implements a Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning strategy for the program, including a system across all program components that leverages qualitative and quantitative methods, and draws from a variety of data sources to measure progress towards targets and evaluate impact, as well as support Collaboration, Learning, and Adaptation (CLA)

• Participates and provides inputs to program strategy, including necessary adjustments or refinements to program workplans

• Develops, coordinates and strengthens capacity sharing partnerships with MEAL counterparts of consortium agencies, technical partners, service providers, local organizations and Government entities

• Represents the program on MEAL aspects at internal and external meetings, forums, and other events, as requested

• Ensures capacity strengthening of consortium partners and works closely with service providers and stakeholders to ensure timely access to quality program data and evidence

• Champions design, access and use of data by leaders and consortium partners for shared learning and evidence-based decision-making

• Shapes and implements MEAL systems and approaches that meet USAID and IRC’s standards and practices, program needs, enabling accountability to clients, partners, and stakeholders, and fostering program learning

• Promotes technological and social innovation in MEAL and leads pilots aimed at data visualization and dashboard digitalization

• Reinforces integration of cross-sectoral priorities in MEAL, including gender equality, inclusion, protection, safeguarding, disaster risk reduction, and Do No Harm

• Develops and ensures compliance with procedures for collection and reporting of program performance data to provide quality and timely data.

Technical Oversight

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

- Using learning and evidence from internal and external sources including previous projects and USAID-funded health activities to inform proposal design and Theory of Change

- 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

- Conducting regular visits to project sites to provide on-site technical assistance, ensure proper monitoring of program activities and efficient implementation of program tools by program and field teams as well as consortium partners and stakeholders

- Developing and advocating for adequate MEAL budget and staffing structure for the program

- 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, strategic senior management team meetings and meetings with USAID/Nigeria

- Communicating information obtained through MEAL activities to program staff, and external stakeholders, including USAID, to enable informed decision making

• Provides 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

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

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

• Establishes a robust data quality assurance system by conducting regular routine data quality assessments and on-site data verification.

Staff Management and Development

• Promotes the growth and development of others within the program team and consortium 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

• Supervises 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

• Leads the recruitment of country MEAL staff, temporary seconded staff, consultants and, support their onboarding.

Job Requirements

Education:

• 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.

Work Experience:

• Minimum of 7-10 years of experience in a similar MEAL role for multi-million-dollar health programs - design, implementation and management of health programs- in Nigeria or relevant context, preferably for USAID

• Experience with USAID’s CLA approach preferred

• Minimum of 5-year experience in working directly with national, state and/or local health authorities

• Demonstrated experience working in conflict and crisis-affected environment, preferably in Western Africa

• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain productive working relationships with a wide network of diverse stakeholders: consortium partners, local organizations, service providers, state and local authorities, institutions, contractors, etc.,

• Leadership experience and proven technical skills in setting up quality M&E and MEAL systems that leads to evidence-based decision-making for complex programs

• Proven experience managing large, diverse and geographically dispersed teams and tack-record proving technical guidance, coaching and mentoring to program teams working closely with international and partners

• 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

• 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: CommCare, Kobo, ODK Collect as well as proficiency with Microsoft Excel, SPSS, STATA or other similar software,

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

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

• Experience working to incorporate issues of social accountability, transparency, and equity in health programs, including gender equality, diversity, and disability inclusions,

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

• Excellent oral and written communication in English and interpersonal skills with evidence of ability to productively interact with a wide range and levels of organizations

• Full professional competency in Microsoft Office suite

• Commitment to gender equality, diversity and inclusion

• Ability to Travel: minimal.

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Qualifications