Meal Coordinator ( Beirut, South )

Save the Children is the leading independent organization creating lasting change in the lives of children in need around the world. Save the Children has been operating in Lebanon since 1999 and is recognized for its commitment to accountability, innovation and collaboration.  Save the Children currently implements programs in Child Protection, Education, CRC, Health and Nutrition, Food Security & Livelihood, Shelter, and Emergency Response throughout Lebanon.   Save the Children is seeking qualified candidates to fulfill the following positions, for its Lebanon Country Office, in the following locations Beirut, Tripoli, Akkar and Bekaa:   INTRODUCTION Save the Children International is a 'dual mandate' organisation and as such equal priority will be given to both humanitarian and development work.  This is the only way we will be able to ensure that some of the fundamental rights that we believe children have, such as survival, safety and constant access to protection and education can be guaranteed. As part of a commitment to work with children through humanitarian interventions Save the Children will support programmes in both sudden onset and chronic emergency situations.   Since March 2011 the violence that erupted in Syria has affected over a million people inside and outside the country. As the situation worsens, refugees continue to flock into Lebanon and require immediate humanitarian assistance. We estimate that currently just under 200,000 (197,771) people in Lebanon are affected by the crisis, including Syrian refugees, Lebanese returnees, Palestinians from Syria, and Lebanese host communities. Seventy-eight percent of the registered refugee population are women and children (with 51% being children), most of whom are living in appalling conditions. The majority have been very affected by both their experiences in Syria as well as their displacement here in Lebanon. Most have limited means to provide for themselves and are entirely dependent on humanitarian assistance.     ROLE The   Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability & Learning (MEAL) Coordinator will support the Field Manager and MEAL Advisor in ensuring quality and accountability standards are integrated into the regular MEAL of the Save the Children’s Emergency Response in their field site. Together with the MEAL Team  based in the capital the  MEAL Coordinator will have a key role in establishing and promoting use of MEAL systems to ensure that our programme staff and strategies are:   Sufficiently informed on the extent to which the emergency response is affecting the lives of the targeted populations and in particular, children. Facilitating the gathering of evidence-based knowledge on the positive and negative impact that the emergency response is having over the communities we work with Receiving regular, timely and context-specific, meaningful feedback from our staff, partners, programme participants (who are or are not targeted by our interventions), and that feedback effectively informs and signals areas where strategic attention is required.   S/he will accomplish this through the implementation of the integrated MEAL framework for Save the Children in Lebanon, focusing on building the capacity of relevant programme staff, as well as promoting and fostering a culture of shared learning and accountability, and promoting innovation within the country programme. This includes supporting in the development and integration of accountability, learning and programme quality standards in programme assessments, design, monitoring, review and evaluation (ADM&E), as well as consistent documentation of learning and progress in this area.   MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES Programme Support (typically will be at field level): Support coordination of needs assessments in coordination other external sector agencies, ensuring assessment findings are documented and include an analysis of children’s needs. Lead development of SC programme baseline surveys where required. Working with senior technical colleagues, support sector specialists in their development of sector log frames, plans, and monitoring and evaluation frameworks and plans.  Contribute to development of programme plan/strategy and master budget. Support in the development of M&E systems (inc. output trackers) and their roll out to field staff. Support more senior technical staff to develop and rollout systems. With support from senior technical colleagues, support fundraising, including contributing to proposal writing and review to ensure MEAL activities and costs are adequately covered. Support planning, implementation and follow-up of evaluations, for instance writing TORs, preparing literature review packs, recruiting evaluators, planning evaluator itineraries, planning staff workshops, leading report review. Participate in evaluations where required. Set up simple systems to manage information generated by MEAL activities, such as complaints databases.  Conduct simple data analysis and present and disseminate information to inform programme management. Seek solutions for more complex data management requirements by working with IT colleagues. With support from senior MEAL and programme staff, with the HR team, identify MEAL staffing needs for emergency programmes, and support rapid recruitment, induction, performance management and training. With support from the MEAL Adviser and/or other senior programme staff, identify MEAL supply needs and coordinate with the logistics team to ensure materials arrive in good time. Implement accountability mechanisms at field level, e.g. complaints and feedback response mechanisms –assessment, design, implementation, and review. Implement activities to raise awareness of prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse and handling of serious complaints in line with child safeguarding policy. Support technical sector specialists to ensure that projects are carried out with participation from all disaster-affected communities (including children), that information is shared with affected communities (through traditional and high-tech solutions) and that they solicit and respond to community feedback. To ensure that the minimum standards of humanitarian relief are maintained in accordance with the Sphere Charter and Red Cross Code of Conduct. Capacity Building: Identify learning and training opportunities for staff and work as a mentor for less experienced staff. Conduct training and awareness raising activities for operations and programme technical staff at field level regarding MEAL priorities and quality standards. Representation & Advocacy & Organisational Learning: Ensure that Save the Children's work is coordinated with efforts of other agencies and Government, and support Interagency Coordination forums, advocating for the specific needs of children. This may involve supporting coordination working groups.  Participate in Interagency coordinated joint MEAL activities (for instance, inter-agency RTEs). With support from the MEAL Adviser and/or other senior programme staff, assist in advocacy activities that target decision-makers in-country. Support senior technical specialist with learning activities.  For instance, support planning of After Action Review workshops, prepare lessons learnt reports and conducting accountability mechanism pilots. Contribute to communications and media work as required. General: Comply with Save the Children policies and practice with respect to child protection, code of conduct, health and safety, equal opportunities and other relevant policies and procedures   CORE BEHAVIOURS Understanding humanitarian contexts and application of humanitarian principles: Ensures that programme goals and activities uphold the principles of the key national and international humanitarian frameworks, codes and commitments Integrates beneficiary accountability principles into the approach Participates in disaster coordination mechanisms and interagency cooperation Achieving results effectively: Ensure efficient and transparent use of resources in accordance with internal controls Establishes staff engagement mechanisms. Addresses difficult situations and makes tough decisions confidently and calmly Considers the wider impact of decisions to be made in the short and long-term. Continuously provides feedback and updates to achieve improved results Coordinates with stakeholders to avoid duplication and maximise resources Documents lessons learned and applies them to future projects Maintaining and developing collaborative relationships: Actively listens to different perspectives and experiences of stakeholders Actively participates in networks to access and contribute to good practice Establishes and maintains clear communication and dialogue with disaster and conflict affected people and other stakeholders Establishes clear objectives with teams and individuals and monitors progress and performance Operating safely and securely: Identifies and communicates risk and threats and minimises these for oneself and the agency Reduces vulnerability by complying with safety and security protocols set by the organisation Takes measures to do no harm and to minimise risks for partners and the communities Demonstrates an understanding of wider UN/NGO security coordination and how the organisation can benefit from, and contribute to, those mechanisms Managing yourself in a pressured and changing environment: Helps team members to practise stress management through prioritisation of workloads and modelling of appropriate self care Remains effective and retains perspective in the face of difficult or demanding situations Demonstrates personal integrity by using one’s position responsibly and fairly Maintains ethical and professional behaviour in accordance with relevant codes of conduct Plans, prioritises and performs tasks well under pressure Takes responsibility for own work and for the impact of own actions Leadership: Action; Thinking; Self; Inspiring; Developing Others: Builds own awareness of the bigger global picture by using a broad range of sources to gather data Demonstrates managerial courage by confronting difficult situations and seeking resolution, and stating willingness to champion ideas Demonstrates approachability and trust by listening carefully to others and valuing their contribution, and making others feel comfortable by being open and honest about their thoughts and feelings Demonstrates self-development and management by taking responsibility for own development, and actively seeking out feedback to better understand their own strengths and weaknesses Makes positive statements about work Effectively influences others by understanding their interests and show how they will be met by own solution Gives constructive feedback to enhance capabilities and responsibilities to another for the purpose of his/her development   QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE Essential A high level of written and spoken Arabic and English Significant years experience of working internationally in humanitarian programmes Dedication to humanitarian principles and willingness to be based in the field for long periods of time Education to BSc/BA/BEng level in a relevant subject or equivalent field Significant experience of undertaking a MEAL related role in an humanitarian context Previous experience of managing a team and managing projects Experience of and commitment to working through systems of community participation and accountability Demonstrated strong monitoring and evaluation skills, including planning/participating in evaluations Experience of training and capacity building Some experience of representation and ability to represent SC effectively in external forums. Knowledge of institutional donors and experience of developing proposals Ability to write clear and well-argued assessment and project reports Excellent communication and influencing skills Politically and culturally sensitive with qualities of patience, tact and diplomacy The capacity and willingness to be extremely flexible and accommodating in difficult and sometimes insecure working circumstances. Commitment to the aims and principles of SC. In particular, a good understanding of the SC mandate and child focus and an ability to ensure this continues to underpin our support Desirable Experience or knowledge of working and living in Lebanon Knowledge of consortia working     APPLICATION PROCESS   Please note that the closing date for applications is : For External applicants on August  17th   .                    The selection committee will review all applications as they are received. All applicants must meet the minimum requirements described above, and those unable to meet these requirements will not be considered. No further information will be given over the phone.   Please note: due to the critical nature of this recruitment, applications will be reviewed as they are received and successful candidates contacted on an on-going basis.  Internal Applicants are given priority in the recruitment process.   STARTING DATE: Immediate.  We’re looking for people who can start as soon as possible or within the next few weeks.   Each application package should include the following: •           Job title for the role you are applying for in subject header of the email •           Cover letter with the applicant’s current contact information •           CV (including detailed work experience, education/degrees)  –  3pages maximum •           Professional References (minimum of three, with complete contact information) •           Kindly do not send supporting certificates and documents at this stage •           Letter and CV should be saved into one Word or PDF document and sent to Lebanon.vacancies@savethechildren.org   Applications not including all of the above information will not be reviewed. Only short listed candidates will be contacted.   We need to keep children safe so our selection process reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.  All applicants will also be subject to Save the Children’s usual Child Safeguarding Policy and reference checking process.