Monitoring Evaluation Accountability And Learning Manager - Education Consortium

ROLE PURPOSE:   The MEAL Manager will lead the monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning for the newly established NGO Education Consortium for Lebanon.    Comprising Save the Children (lead agency), the International Rescue Committee and the Norwegian Refugee Council the Consortium will deliver a two year 10m GBP education programme. The programme is focussed on providing multiple components of quality education, and will complement ongoing government and donor efforts to provide education for Syrian refugees, Palestinian refugees from Syria and vulnerable Lebanese children.  Together, all actors are aiming to reach as many children as possible to help prevent a ‘lost generation’.   The MEAL Manager will be a part of the Consortium Coordination Unit based at Save the Children. The post holder with closely liaise with all the consortium partner organisations to develop a comprehensive MEAL system. Once this is established the post holder will be responsible for managing the MEAL system to monitor and document project progress. The post holder will hold all consortium members to account for delivery and reporting   KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:   Programme Design and Quality Programmes Review and revise the logframe in inception phase and during periodic project review meetings, with involvement and buy in from all partners and engagement with the donor Develop a programme MEAL system, including MEAL strategy and Monitoring Information System (MIS) to enable timely and robust tracking against logframe indicators and targets throughout the implementation phase. Lead the development of the programme MEAL framework, ensuring that monitoring and evaluation plans are developed and closely followed up with the consortium partners Develop and maintain a suite of monitoring tools and oversee their rollout. Throughout implementation, monitor progress against implementation plans and programme logframe Ensure data showing the performance and impact of the programme is collected, analysed and clearly presented for decision making, internal reports and quarterly donor reports. Coordinate with partners to establish, or adapt, and implement an accountability system that includes a feedback/complaints mechanisms; a mechanism for sharing programme information with beneficiaries and beneficiaries’ participation system Ensure that evidence is produced and disseminated from data gathered across the programme from all consortium partners to demonstrate successes and learning Ensure child friendly and participatory tools and methodologies are used in data collection Oversee all evaluation studies and research, including baseline and assessments, mid-term review and end of programme evaluation, feeding into design and ensuring consistency in approach and tools utilised across the programme Focus on and respond to requirements of scale up through replicating and ensuring value for money on identified effective programmes and techniques.  Develop programme systems that are flexible and responsive to changing demands   Knowledge Management and Learning Develop frameworks to integrate impact assessment and learning and knowledge management into the programme Provide evidence-based information to the Programme Director and consortium members to enable them to share and engage with the donor and relevant national and global networks. Ensure quality programme M&E is undertaken and the results are appropriately presented to different stakeholders for use in decision making, programme learning and advocacy Ensuring close working relationships and regular communication on MEAL issues with consortium partners at all levels (district and national), including with government and other organisations working in the programme area, to ensure efficient and effective programme implementation; Contribute to representing the principles and evidence-based work of the consortium to donors, UN agencies, NGOs, and INGOs, government and other stakeholders when required.   Staff Management, Mentorship, and Development Provide leadership on MEAL across the programme and technical support to all agencies as needed Build capacity and knowledge of programme staff on MEAL systems, strengthening organisational knowledge and understanding of effective programming through networking, experience sharing and searching for innovative ideas Identify training needs of staff in respect to applying monitoring plans/tools; collect, analysis and report on findings periodically and conduct trainings to address the capacity gaps Lead or participate in regular programme meetings with the PMU and consortium partners to: Review and assess performance against agreed programme outputs and indicators Discuss corrective actions needed Facilitate learning by the programme and consortium from relevant best practice   Advocacy and Representation Represent the Consortium in MEAL fora (M&E learning meeting, assessment working groups etc.) Support interagency coordinated joint MEAL activities for the education sector With support from Programme Director, assist in advocacy activities that target decision-makers in-country. Contribute to communications and media work as required.   Other duties: Comply with and promote all SCI Global Policies such as Child Safeguarding, whistle blowing, fraud and safety Perform other duties as may be requested by the incumbent’s supervisor   QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE: Post-graduate qualification in social science, international development, economics, project management or related discipline   Proven track record in providing MEAL design and management for large-scale programmes Minimum two years’ experience working in MEAL roles, preferably including in a management position, in a both emergency and development contexts. Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, with the ability to operate as part of a team in a multi-cultural, values driven work environment Demonstrated experience in strategic and operational planning processes Ability to manage a complex and diverse workload and to work to tight deadlines Experience of working on all elements of MEAL including designing, rolling out and managing systems Knowledge of design and application of qualitative and quantitative monitoring and evaluation techniques Demonstrated ability in management of complex databases and analysis of quantitative and qualitative data Experience working through systems of community participation and accountability, including previous experience of supporting feedback and complaints mechanisms. Experience of supporting child-focussed programming, in particular education or child protection projects. Experience of capacity building and training on the use of MEAL tools and systems Experience designing M&E systems for education programmes Experience of solving complex issues through analysis, definition of clear way forward and ensuring buy-in Highly numerically articulate with a track record of data manipulation and use of spreadsheets and reporting systems Proven ability to work with consortiums Experience of working with geographically disbursed team, across different agencies. Proven success in managing a team and dedication to staff development Understanding of Save the Children’s vision and mission and a commitment to its objectives.   Desirable Substantial experience of working and living in complex environments, ideally with professional experience in the Middle East Demonstrable understanding of Value for Money and DFID results agenda Ability to coach and mentor partners Fluency in Arabic