The Regional Senior MEAL Specialist reports to the Regional Director, East Africa. They are responsible for establishing and implementing a MEAL strategy for the region; they will adapt and implement MEAL guidelines and tools throughout EMEA East Africa region and provides support with organizational MEAL and related standards. The purpose of the position is to support the improvement of program and project efficiency and effectiveness, decision making and learning during the project life cycle through Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning. In carrying out their work, the Regional Senior MEAL Specialist interacts with other Regional Office (RO), National Organizations (NO), Area Office (AO) and Head Quarter (HQ) staff, partner organizations and contracted subject matter experts (SMEs).
Key Responsibilities
Planning and coordination:
- Develop and implement a MEAL strategy for the region including integration of HFHI’s international Theory of Change (TOC).
- Advocating for and securing resourcing for MEAL.
- Adapt and continue to develop MEAL methodology, approaches and tools, and provide support and guidance to Regional Office (RO) and National Organization (RO) staff to ensure their proper use.
- In collaboration with program/project teams supports the development of RO, NO, and project capacity to ensure that MEAL standards and good practices are properly integrated in all phases of the project life cycle.
- Provides support to NOs and projects to ensure that they meet HFHI MEAL standards and good MEAL practices. Coordinate input from regional NOs to further develop HFHI’s international TOC. Represent the region where required
Technical support for MEAL policy, standards, procedures and tools implementation:
- Be an active member of Habitat’s global MEAL Leadership Team, contributing 30% of time to global MEAL efforts coordinated by HFHI’s Global MEAL Manager.
- Participate in program/project design and proposal writing in the areas of theory of change, logframe design, MEAL plan and budget development.
- Advise and support program/project teams on quality data gathering and analysis to facilitate informed program and project design.
- Provide research, planning and evaluation guidance and tools for the implementation of new / pilot housing programs, and assist NOs in research and analysis for the development of new programs as requested.
- Support program/project teams to set up accountability mechanisms to beneficiaries and community members. Review the responsive use of accountability mechanisms, data and responses.
- Support and follow up on research, evaluations and learning events to document lessons learned and best practices from interventions. Prepare or review terms of reference for external evaluators and coordinate collaboration with them.
Knowledge Management, Reporting And Learning
- Support National organizations in the use of HFHI metrics tools and data reporting, review project data collection and reporting (Global Metrics Tool and related) for data quality and make recommendations for improvement.
- Oversee the implementation of data management tools for process and quality improvement.
- Conduct analysis of project and program results to support evidence-based program decision making and program quality improvement, using appropriate software as necessary.
- Ensure that analysis of evaluation findings and recommendations feedback into improved program quality, evidenced in subsequent program designs.
Capacity Development
- Coordinate NO capacity assessments and review of MEAL systems to identify process, systems and capacity gaps.
- Support NOs in the development of MEAL process, system and capacity building plan.
- In line with global MEAL plan, support capacity development of NO staff in the area of MEAL.
- Develop materials and facilitate learning events that build capacity through MEAL and project management.
Collaboration
- Participate in HFHI relevant communities of practice and collaborate with counterparts within HFHI network as required.
- Establish an external network of organizations and individual experts for joint projects and contractual work.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in a related field, especially in the social sciences, social work, or program evaluation areas.
- Specialization and/or professional certification in monitoring, evaluation, accountability to affected populations, participatory approaches, or learning approaches.
- Minimum 5 years of experience in a similar position, preferably with a development organization.
- Demonstrated in-depth knowledge and experience in monitoring and evaluation, accountability to communities, learning, research and evaluation methodologies, standards and practices (preferably in relation to human / social development or housing and human settlement).
- Understanding of contemporary trends and innovations in MEAL.
- Demonstrated experience with qualitative and quantitative data analysis and statistics.
- High degree of computer literacy, proficient user of MS office.
- Familiarity with statistical packages, qualitative data analysis software and IT applications to support MEAL and knowledge management.
- Fluency in English, written and spoken, is essential.
- Project management experience required.
- Adult training and facilitation skills.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively within a multi-cultural team.
- Maturity to work independently with little supervision.
- Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
- Good organizational skills including accuracy, consistency, and attention to detail.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Active support of HFHI Values:
- Humility – We are part of something bigger than ourselves
- Courage – We do what’s right, even when it is difficult or unpopular
- Accountability – We take personal responsibility for Habitat’s mission
- Safeguarding: HFHI requires that all employees take seriously their ethical responsibilities to safeguarding our intended beneficiaries, their communities, and all those with whom we work. Managers at all levels have responsibilities to support and develop systems that create and maintain an environment that prevents harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse, safeguards the rights of beneficiaries and community members (especially children), and promotes the implementation of Habitat for Humanity’s code of conduct.
