Senior Consortium MEAL Manager

Job Description

Program Brief

Founded in 1933, International Rescue Committee (IRC) is one of the world’s leading agencies working in post-conflict and development contexts, supporting communities in over 40 fragile, failed and developing states. In this capacity, we work to restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted, struggling to endure and wishing to advance on a path of development.

IRC has been present in Bangladesh since 2017 and obtained registration with the NGOAB in March 2018. Since IRC obtained registration in March 2018, it has moved quickly to expand its integrated emergency health and protection response through both direct and partner-based programming focused on primary healthcare, women’s protection and empowerment, sexual and reproductive health, gender-based violence and child protection. Through 2018, the IRC’s response strategy will primarily target Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar, while meeting the significant needs in both refugee and host populations, as already existing vulnerabilities are compounded with cyclical monsoon and cyclone seasons that impose additional threats to the lives and protection of those refugees as well as vulnerable host populations. IRC is growing its programming to cover education and livelihoods/DRR, as well as its geographic foot print in the host community and to other parts of the country.

Purpose of the Role

IRC together with two international NGO’s have started a three years multi sector consortium project with financial support of Bureau of Population Refugee and Migration (BPRM) to deliver Health, Nutrition and Livelihood, and Protection services for Rohingya Refugees and the vulnerable host communities in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. The project aims to directly benefit over 310,000 people while over 271,000 people are expected to be benefitted indirectly over a period of three years.

Under the technical guidance from MEAL Coordinator and direct supervision of Consortium Coordinator, the Sr. Consortium MEAL Manager will be responsible for setting up and implement a coordinated, comprehensive and functional Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) mechanism adhering to IRC and donor requirements. The Sr. Consortium MEAL Manager will be responsible for tracking and compiling performance based narrative reports reflecting overall achievement of the contractual objectives, targets/indicators etc. at the consortium level.

Highlights of Key Responsibilities

· Under the direct line management of the Consortium Coordinator, The Senior MEAL Manager is part of the consortium secretariat working closely with the IRC MEAL Coordinator

· Chair and lead the consortium MEAL working group.

· Take lead role to set up a robust and well functional monitoring and evaluation system, SOPs, tools and guidelines including beneficiary counting system at consortium level in line with approved project proposal.

· Provide overall direction to the management of a robust, sustainable, and effective MEAL system across all sectors of interventions. Analysis of these changes will be shared extensively with all consortium partners and stakeholders to facilitate actions.

· Overall, support, the project cycle management from consortium MEAL department

· Ensure that the consortium project has innovative and technology-driven MEAL systems and tools;

· Ensure detailed and feasible consortium project monitoring plans are in place which: (i) provide an indicator matrix; (ii) map M&E roles and responsibilities of various personnel/staff; (iii) consider ethical and safe collection and storage of data; (iv) consider data quality audits; (v) consider storing, protecting and sharing project documents; and (vi) consider mid/end project learning reviews.

· Provide strategic and technical support to both program and M&E staff of consortium partners in the collection, entry, sharing, verification, analysis, and use of data and share with all partners as appropriate. Work with relevant functions to determine the adequacy and appropriateness of various data collection tools and systems that are already in place, and make adjustments as necessary.

· Develop and roll out robust client responsiveness and feedback systems, community engagement throughout the project, in consultation with the Consortium MEAL working group.

· Lead on planning and managing internal or external baseline, mid-term and end line study, research undertaken by the consortium members, including lessons learnt process and documentation

· Assist Consortium Coordinator to make timely decisions to adjust project design based on the MEAL data and project proposal amendment as necessary.

· Assist Consortium Coordinator in producing high quality reports such as but not limited to monthly / quarterly progress reports for internal consumption and government authorities, donor reports as per contractual obligations and other ad-hoc reports asked by consortium Steering Committee and / or IRC management.

· Promote cross learning and sharing across all consortium partners;

Deliverables

· Regular Consortium MEAL working group meetings and follow up according to the ToR,

· Consortium level MEAL system endorsed by all partners, periodically reviewed and revised

· Indicator and beneficiary tracking systems is in place and functional

· Community engagement, accountability and Client feedback system is in place and functional

· Production of high quality progress reports, evaluation reports and donor reports with validated MEAL data

· Field visit at least 60% of the assignment time

· Produce high quality case stories from the field and carry out evidence collection activities

· Undertake other related duties as may reasonably be assigned by the Consortium Coordinator

Update

Qualifications

Experience and Competencies: Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

· Minimum 5 years’ experience working in humanitarian/development contexts.

·Minimum of 3 years’ experience developing and implementing monitoring and evaluation strategies, including design of systems and tools, data analysis and report writing.

· Experience of working on large scale, complex, multi-sector programmers (preferably health, nutrition, protection) in both emergency and/ fragile contexts and developing project based M&E systems for a range of different donors.

·Experience with statistical packages (e.g. SPSS, STATA, R) and familiarity with IT applications to support MEAL and information management.

· Excellent analytical and writing skills, with proven ability to produce various reports in English language.

·Proven experience of developing Theory of Change, logical frameworks, and Result Framework.

· Experience leading and managing staff.

· Previous experience of working in a consortium structure will be an advantage.

· Experience of working with US grants preferably BPRM will be an advantage.

· Excellent communication, and facilitation skills.

· Excellent problem solving skills, and demonstrated ability to handle pressure and improve.

·Experience in conducting measurements using qualitative and quantitative methodologies.

· Excellent database, data management and data analysis skills, with experience using at least 2 software applications such as Microsoft Excel, Access, SPSS, STATA.

·Previous experience with electronic/mobile data collection and management tools (ODK, KoBo, Magpi, CommCare,). GIS mapping preferred.

· Excellent English and Bangla language communication skills, both written and verbal.

· Excellent command over MS office.

· Strong commitment to IRC’s mission, purpose and values.

· Developing and managing database system will be an advantage

Specific Educational Qualification

· University degree in Statistics/ Social Science/ Public Health/ Development Studies or Economics.

· Advanced degree preferred.

Professional Degree/ Certification

- Certificate in data analysis packages is desired. - Certification in Project Management an added advantage.

Standard of Professional Conduct

IRC and IRC employees are required to abide by the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – Code of Conduct which are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Harassment-Free Workplace, Fiscal Integrity, Anti-Retaliation, Combating Trafficking in Persons and several others.

Gender Equality & Equal Opportunity

We are committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer generous benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances. We welcome and strongly encourage qualified female professionals to apply.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our organization. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. Are you ready to join the most dynamic team?