Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability & Learning Manager (Pmeal Manager)

DIMENSIONS: Programme Information sources are diverse, ranging from academic research to data collection in programme and non-programme areas and often requires a judgement on credibility and accuracy of the information. Makes complex programme technical information accessible and usable by non-specialists. Diverse and complex problem-solving, requiring professional knowledge, field experience and an understanding of development and humanitarian work. Short, medium and long term planning is required in the context of changing priorities Work patterns are not routine and often high pressure Advice and problem-solving often given over distance with limited information The role is variable with well-defined targets and/or minimum standards and is both proactive and reactive Decision-making requires significant levels of judgement based on technical and management experience, generally actively supported within line management or the regional programme quality team. Communication largely with internal staff, also with some external contacts / target audiences to support operational work. Impact and influence of the job is mostly within the job holder’s own programme unit in line with the Oxfam Minimums Standards for MEAL and other key methodological guidelines Specific competencies and skills are required to achieve the job’s objectives eg geographical, thematic, managerial, methodological Key Responsibilities Oxfam GB's Regional Gender Justice Programme (RGJP) manages regional gender programmes implemented in the MENA region with a strategy currently centred on 4 pillars: legal protection, ending violence against women, political participation, and active citizenship. It is envisaged that this post will lead a broad spectrum of internal actions that focus on ensuring that programmes and projects are technically sound in terms of their design and that their implementation is in adherence to Oxfam’s programme quality standards related to PMEAL. The role will provide specialist advice and support to strengthen Planning and MEAL mechanisms. In particular, it is envisaged that this post will contribute to building programme, country offices and partners teams’ capacities in strong programme design and effective programme MEAL for RGJP programmes.   Programme Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning Proactively support programme teams and partners, in designing and ensuring the operationalisation of effective and participatory programme/project monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning strategies at all levels of the Oxfam RGJP. Oversee and support MEAL and project staff in timely implementation of MEAL strategies, to ensure quality and consistent information is available on programme performance and impact. Oversee and quality assurance of all field data collection exercises, data management, and analysis. Review and approve reports with qualitative and quantitative MEAL findings. Support identification, testing and rolling-out of new monitoring approaches and methods (e.g. mobile data collection, participatory methods). Act as focal point for Oxfam’s RGJP beneficiary counting methodology and lead on the establishment of an improved beneficiary database system including leading on the Global Output Report (GOR), which is a yearly corporate exercise for counting Oxfam’s beneficiaries. Work closely with gender advisor in ensuring that all MEAL processes, methodologies and tools are gender sensitive. . Lead on the Oxfam Common Approach to MEL and Social Accountability (CAMSA) roll out in the RGJP including support of design and implementation of programme improvement plans Provide oversight in ensuring that Programme Management Information Systems (including but not limited to OPAL) are up to date and contain accurate information that supports decision making by SMT and programme teams. Share relevant MEAL findings with programme teams and management in appropriate format to ensure the whole organisation benefits from and applies program learning. Work with programme teams to effectively generate learning and use it for decision-making at project, programme and RGJP levels. Support and guide the design of evaluations in compliance with Oxfam’s evaluation policy, from development of ToR, to advising management on approval of final report, to dissemination of evaluation findings and recommendations with intended audiences. Monitor and ensure that a management response to the findings and recommendations of evaluations is completed, recorded, and followed up for implementation. Support the project team and partners in extracting lessons learnt and good practices, and documenting case studies which demonstrate qualitative and quantitative changes over the period. Promote and support the organization of reviews and learning events. Support programme managers in the identification, selection and quality implementation of consultancies related to Planning, MEAL and partnership.   Programme development, planning and design Support Oxfam and partners’ teams in initiating information gathering and analysis at the community, local and national levels to facilitate informed programme and project designs. Proactively support programme and project development processes, particularly on logic of intervention (Theory of Change, logical frameworks and MEAL plans), with an emphasis on ensuring sound understanding of how changes happen and sound programme logic and objective setting that is informed by contextual information and contribute to ensuring adherence to Oxfam’s programme quality standards. Lead on the development of MEAL plans in project proposals and on estimating and setting MEAL resources in proposals’ budgets, in consultation with the Funding Coordinator and program teams. Promote and support active participation of partners and beneficiaries in programme and project development and design  Contributes to proposal development as part of fundraising processes in collaboration with other programme staff and partners.   Partner and Oxfam staff capacity development: Support programme teams and partners to develop a culture of high quality work across all programmes and projects – building a culture of downward accountability, commitment to continuous improvement, openness to learning from mistakes, drive for demonstrating impact and drive to increase programme impact. Provide timely and high-quality advice to programme managers and partner staff as required. Facilitating capacity building process of Oxfam RGJP and when relevant country offices and partners staff on knowledge, skills and competencies necessary for effective PMEAL through training and coaching with particular sensitivity to gender relations. Build programme teams’ and partners’ capacity in programme & project design processes Train project teams on using analysed data to inform program, document lessons leant and future project development. Act as focal point for Oxfam’s Programme, Accountability and Learning System (OPAL) for managing information and programs including providing technical support and training program staff on OPALProactively support and advice on recruitment and induction of RGJP MEAL and relevant programme and project staff Provide technical supervision of MEAL staff and ensure that staff receive adequate training, mentoring and coaching. Provide effective performance management support to supervised staff by facilitating the development and monitoring of personal performance objectives that are consistent with the team’s programme PMEAL needs. Management of staff and consultants Provide effective performance management support to supervised staff in the programme quality unit by facilitating the development and monitoring of personal performance objectives that are consistent with the programme quality needs of the country team. In collaboration with relevant programme managers/colleagues, facilitate the development of high quality and clear TORs for programme consultancies. Active engagement in RGJP, regional quality team and global initiatives Be proactive in ensuring that Oxfam develops and maintains a positive profile. Represent Oxfam at meetings, conferences, etc as required. Proactively engage with (support and learn from) other MEAL and PQ team in the MECIS region and in Oxfam HQ Identify and promote RGJP good PMEAL practices within the region and globally Contribute to and support implementation of Oxfam PMEAL strategies, policies and initiatives Proactively exchange with other PMEAL staff in Oxfam   Delivering any other responsibility assigned by the line manager.   SKILLS AND COMPETENCE: Essential Passion for improving programme quality for greater and tangible impact and outcomes for poor and vulnerable women and men At least 5 years experience of work in humanitarian and development context preferably with an International NGO. At least 3 years of strong demonstrated experience in planning, monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning, in both development and humanitarian programmes Strong technical competence and experience in development of MEAL systems and strategies, quantitative and qualitative monitoring and evaluation methods, data analysis, reporting and understanding of contemporary trends and debates in the field including innovative M&E Practical experience of M&E of gender transformative change and gender equity mainstreaming gender in development or humanitarian work Proven experience in participatory programme or project design including theory of change and logframes  Sound understanding of project cycle management in international development Understanding and ability to develop and use indicators – input, process, output and outcome in particular for gender programmes Proven knowledge and experience of upward and downward accountability approaches and mechanisms Understanding of and commitment to Oxfam’s ‘one programme approach’ (linking humanitarian, development & advocacy work) Excellent communication skills and proven ability to inspire colleagues in a diversity of contexts and functions; strong inter-personal skills and self-awareness Proven ability to advise, train and coach others on programme quality issues Demonstrable ability to think creatively and practically to improve Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning Ability to plan workload, prioritize, commit to meet deadlines and demonstrate accountability for outputs with minimal direct supervision Good organisational skills including accuracy, consistency, attention to detail, tenacity and the ability to work under pressure  Effective communication skills including fluency (speaking and writing) in Arabic and English Desirable Previous experience of working on projects related to women’s empowerment and gender justice Previous experience in monitoring and evaluating advocacy project / initiatives Previous experience in assessing, strengthening, monitoring and evaluating partners and local NGOs capacity OTHER: Willingness to travel in the MENA region and other as needed (travel to constitute at least 40%).