Monitoring Evaluation Accountability And Learning Technical Advisor

ROLE PURPOSE: The MEAL Technical Advisor plays a key role in assuring programme quality management within Save the Children. They will oversee the entire MEAL system, manage Beirut-based MEAL staff, feed into country office strategy and planning, manage the central MEAL budget, secure resources, participate in proposal development and lead on reporting to Save the Children.   They will lead on the design and implementation of the country MEAL framework, a system for monitoring organisational progress against the Quality Framework. Working with the support of the MEAL team and wider programme the MEAL TA will ensure that the framework is institutionalised within the existing thematic programme cycle.   KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:   Strategic Planning and Leadership:   Provide overall leadership to MEAL within the Lebanon country office and lead the development of country level MEAL strategy and framework. Lead development and / or adaptation of core MEAL systems and their roll out across the country office. Contribute technical MEAL input to the development of country annual plans, area plans, sector strategies and other strategy documents. Develop a master budget for MEAL across the country office capturing costs required to develop, roll out and manage MEAL systems and plan for cross-sectoral / cross-area initiatives. Promote all aspects of MEAL to support the creation of an organisational culture which prioritises quality programming and promotes meaningful participation. Participate in interagency coordinated joint MEAL activities (e.g., inter-agency RTEs or assessments)   Programme Quality and Standards:   Ensure the MEAL framework and systems are in line with Save the Children Quality Framework and ensures accountability to donors and beneficiaries. Lead planning of needs assessments to determine programme approaches in coordination with other external sector agencies, ensuring assessment findings are documented and include an analysis of children’s needs. Lead planning, implementation and follow-up of evaluations (real times, evaluations of humanitarian action etc.). Participate in evaluations were required. Lead internal lesson learning and review processes, working with technical advisors and programme managers where required. Support sector technical leads to develop monitoring & evaluation plans and required tools to ensure programme quality. Capacity build technical field staff in carrying out the work. Review and further develop Save the Children’s accountability framework, ensuring an accountability self-assessment is performed and consultations with targeted communities and other stakeholders are conducted Ensure implementation of accountability mechanisms at field level, such as complaints response mechanisms – working on community assessment, design, implementation, review etc. Ensure child participation mechanisms are embedded at the design, implementation and evaluation phases of projects and programmes, which meet Save the Children’s child participation standards   Programme Development and Resource Mobilisation:   Support proposal development processes by providing inputs to narrative and financial planning, including the development of appropriate (SMART) indicators, costing for MEAL activities and contributing to Performance Management Plans. Develop standard guidance for incorporation of MEAL costs into proposals and linked to country office MEAL master budget. Work with technical advisors to develop standard sector logframes and monitoring and evaluation frameworks and plans. Work creatively to secure funding from diverse sources, to ensure that MEAL is integrated in emergency and development programmes in a sustainable way.   Support to Programme Implementation:   Ensure that the Lebanon country office is able to deliver on all internal MEAL requirements in a timely manner and with high quality information, including reporting on SCI global indicators and quarterly reports, total direct and indirect reach data. Define roles and responsibilities of the MEAL team and expectations around technical support provided by MEAL to technical advisors and field teams. Ensure roles and responsibilities regarding MEAL processes and activities are defined, understood and enforced by MEAL and programme teams. Conduct regular field monitoring visits and provide structured performance feedback and recommendations to field teams and relevant technical advisors / managers. Work closely with the Programme Operations team at Beirut and field level to ensure that MEAL becomes an integral element of project implementation leading to enhanced quality, accountability, management and impact. Support the development of systems to manage complex information generated by MEAL activities, such as complaints databases and qualitative outcome monitoring data systems.   Line Management and Capacity Building:   Oversee the recruitment of appropriate MEAL staffing within SCI and support partners where appropriate to adequately resource their MEAL positions. Manage the MEAL team to ensure that the data management systems operate effectively with the support and resources required and that there are clear links and reporting lines between field and Beirut level and between PDQ and other country office departments. Manage the performance of direct reports in the MEAL unit through performance management, coaching, mentoring, training and development. At the organisational level, devise and manage a MEAL training programme with the goal of increasing capacity and awareness of MEAL for all staff, including child participation.   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 QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE   Essential: Master’s degree in a relevant subject or equivalent field experience Significant experience in emergency response and fragile state contexts. Significant experience of undertaking a MEAL related role in an humanitarian context Experience of, and commitment to working through systems of community participation and accountability Previous experience of managing a team and managing projects Demonstrated strong monitoring and evaluation skills, including planning/participating in evaluations Ability to work both in an advisory and a hands on implementation capacity Proven capacity to supervise, train and coach staff Ability to write clear and well-argued assessment and project reports Excellent communication skills Politically and culturally sensitive with qualities of patience, tact and diplomacy A high level of written and spoken English The capacity and willingness to be extremely flexible and accommodating in difficult and sometimes insecure working circumstances. Commitment to the aims and principles of Save the Children. In particular, a good understanding of the Save the Children mandate and child focus and an ability to ensure this continues to underpin our support   Desirable: Language skills in Arabic highly desirable Experience or knowledge of working and living in Lebanon and/or the region highly desirable Experience in both implementation and programme design highly desirable Prior experience with Save the Children International desirable