Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability And Learning (Meal) Officer

  OXFAM PURPOSE: To work with Oxfam and Partners’ staff to find lasting solutions to poverty and suffering.   TEAM PURPOSE: To work with the Programme Quality team in Lebanon for strengthened Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) of projects implemented in locations across Lebanon, specifically those under the Economic Justice and Active Citizenship and Governance programme. JOB PURPOSE: Under guidance of the Oxfam Lebanon PMEAL coordinator, provide technical support and tools to Oxfam Lebanon’s programmes, ensuring effective, coordinated MEAL systems to drive programme quality and implementation. The MEAL Officer will support the development and implementation of a systematic approach to MEAL, ensuring that Oxfam and partner teams are able to effectively track outputs and outcomes and manage data effectively for reporting and learning purposes, as well as ensure programmes are in line with Oxfam minimum standards.       REPORTING LINES:      Post holder reports to: PMEAL Coordinator   Close working relationship with the Technical Coordinators and Project Managers working on the Economic Justice and Active Citizenship and Governance programmes, as well as field-based project staff   Staff reporting to this post: N/A     BUDGET RESPONSIBILITY: None     DIMENSIONS: Work pattern is a mixture of reactive and project work. Short, medium and long term planning is required in the context of changing priorities Required to make sound judgements regularly within agreed processes using a good understanding of the programmatic requirements and the abilities of the team. Work patterns are not routine and often high pressure. Problems vary and include a combination of routine and some complex. Requires the ability to analyse and communicate complex information to a wide range of stakeholders.     KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:   MEAL System development and implementation: Provide support to the PMEAL coordinator and programme team in project design and proposal development Support, and where applicable lead on the development and updating of relevant MEAL frameworks, working closely with relevant programme staff, the PMEAL Coordinator and Technical Coordinators. Independently develop MEAL plans and review/update on a regular basis, in close coordination with the programme team and Oxfam’s partners. Work with the field project team in implementing MEAL plans, processes and tools, ensuring quality and consistency with Oxfam standards   Programme monitoring, Information management and Reporting: Develop/improve/update tools for data collection, processing and analysis Lead on data collection exercises and data management, involving: -  Recruitment and training of data collectors -  Carry out and supervise data collection (baseline and endline surveys, focus group discussions, key informant interviews etc.) and data entry. Perform analysis of quantitative and qualitative data, draft reports presenting the results of the analysis, and share the findings in an appropriate format. Investigate and conduct analysis of diverse secondary data sources. Report/alert to the project team on a regular basis any anticipated project issues, risks and any emerging opportunities and threats to the project implementation related to this role. Act as a focal point for the team on Oxfam’s beneficiary counting methodology and processes. Support in the establishment of programme and beneficiary databases as per programme requirements. Ensure all MEAL-related data and files are properly organized and stored.   Accountability: Set up / strengthen and manage complaint and feedback mechanism for the programme Share feedback and complaints with field teams and track follow-up.   Capacity building for Oxfam and Partner staff: Provide training and technical assistance for capacity building of partners and programme teams to implement MEAL and reporting. Undertake periodic monitoring and technical support visits to partners to assess progress against agreed MEAL system and recommend corrective actions as appropriate. Work closely with partner MEAL staff or focal points and provide support as appropriate Provide training to partners on  accountability and provide support in strengthening complaints and feedback mechanisms   Evaluation, Review, and Learning: Share relevant MEAL findings with projects teams in an appropriate format and follow-up their implementation. Support in the design and management of evaluations, including:  the coordination of field-based data collection activities, review of evaluations reports, sharing of evaluation findings and recommendations with intended audiences. Support the implementation of evaluation recommendations at field level Assist the programme team and partners in documenting lessons learnt Collecting best practices, case studies which demonstrate qualitative and quantitative changes over the period. Organize/support field-based reviews and learning events   Coordination and Networking: Participate in and contribute to relevant inter-agency efforts to agree and develop coordinated / joint M&E and accountability frameworks and mechanisms as relevant Delivering any other responsibility related to MEAL assigned by the line manager.       SKILLS AND COMPETENCE:   Strong commitment to the aims and objectives of Oxfam, including to social justice and gender equality Bachelor degree in a relevant field from a recognised university. At least 3 years  of relevant professional experience working in MEAL or an associated field Demonstrable experience of gathering, analysing and presenting quantitative and qualitative data Fluency in written and spoken English and Arabic Proven ability to work effectively with others - including in a multicultural team – and strong interpersonal skills Detail-oriented, able to organise and manage various programme files Good organisational and coordination skills Proven knowledge of computerised systems; high degree of computer literacy, particularly with Microsoft Office (strong Excel skills essential) Ability to work under pressure, ability to prioritize and commitment to meet deadlines. Potential and flexibility of attitude to learn.   Desirable: Experience with mobile data collection technology and software - Survey CTO or any of the ODK tools Experience working on the development, management and/or maintenance of databases Practical experience using participatory approaches in MEAL