MEAL COORDINATOR

ABOUT THE STRUCTURE…

Solidarités International is an International NGO working with vulnerable populations, mainly victims of armed conflicts and natural disasters. Specialized for nearly 40 years in the coverage of vital needs, S.I. takes charge of emergency and reconstruction programs.

With respect for cultures and close to the people, Solidarités International implements its programs by combining its skills with those of its employees and local managers.

In 2021, the SI Lebanon mission has undergone an extensive Strategic Development exercise to (re)orient the mission given the contextual evolution and transition from a status-based towards a needs-based approach to it’s programmatic strategy. This transition entailed an internal analysis on the current programming and geographical coverage to determine the impact (both positive and negative) SI’s programming has had on the population of Lebanon over the last years.

With this, the programmatic strategy for 2022-2025 has been designed and will revolve around the following (3) axis:

• Respond to the acute needs of vulnerable populations in the aftermath of sudden shocks;
• Ensure delivery of basic services and strengthen coping capacities of vulnerable populations through a community-based integrated approach;
• Build resilience of communities and systems through strengthening capacities of local stakeholders

The above will consider the integration of the following sectors - at both household and community level - considering the needs along the time continuum between Emergency and Development:

• WASH
• Public Infrastructure
• Disaster Risk Management
• Food security and Livelihoods including Agriculture

For 2022, SI Lebanon annual portfolio is an estimated 12 M USD from Unicef, ECHO, AFD/Danida, DFID/EU, GSMA, CIAA.

ABOUT THE JOB

General objective:

The MEAL Department at SI plays a key role in promoting a culture of accountability, evidence-based decision making and learning. The MEAL Coordinator will be responsible to develop and set-up strong MEAL systems and processes both for specific project cycles and for overall SI programming. Her/his efforts will be focused on establishing a valuable synergy and collaboration with programme and technical teams, for the design of MEAL plans, quantitative and qualitative data collection, measure of outcome indicators, feedback and complaint response mechanism, “do no harm” analysis and context assessments. The MEAL Coordinator will lead on design, planning and execution of project evaluations, as well as thematic studies and research activities to promote and share learning among SI teams and with external actors. The MEAL Coordinator will supervise a MEAL team in Beirut, Tripoli/Halba and Beqaa offices, provide technical training and capacity building to MEAL staff and programme/technical teams. Moreover, she/he will contribute to the design of SI’s strategy by providing evidence-based context analysis, and integration of cross-cutting issues, namely gender, conflict sensitivity, accountability, do-no-harm and community participation.

The main challenges:

• Capacity building of MEAL teams in Zahle and Tripoli/Halba office; full integration of MEAL Managers in bases and shift of responsibilities and ownership of specific MEAL responsibilities from coordination to base teams;
• Update learning plan and design ToRs for internal/external evaluations;
• Coordinate with technical coordinators of different sectors (WASH, Shelter, DRR and FSL), programme teams of multiple projects and consortia SI is part of;
• Manage significant workload and conflicting priorities

Priorities for the 2/3 first months:

• Full integration of MEAL Managers in base teams
• Provide technical support to context and needs assessments
• Review and operationalize learning plan for SI mission
• Design ToR for internal and external evaluation, ensure high quality of data collection and analysis
• Review FCRM and Referrals SOPs and ensure proper implementation of processes and tools at base level

Responsibilities and main activities:

Strategic orientation

• Propose and develop sector-based action plans (M&E, accountability, gender, do-no harm) in accordance with SI’s policies and priorities for the intervention country.
• In collaboration with technical coordinators, produce an overall analysis of SI’s programs’ effects/outcomes through internal and external M&E as well as orientations, lessons learnt and recommendations
• Contributes to the development of SI yearly and multi-yearly strategies by providing evidence-based context analysis, in collaboration with technical and programme team, and indicators to measure overall outcome of SI intervention
• Make sure collected data are used to take appropriated operational decisions and to address contractual engagements with donors.
• Participate actively in programming work.
• Participate actively in the technical coordinators week.
• Participate in M&E working groups and sector/inter-sector working groups when deemed relevant

Training and technical support

• Develop program teams’ capacities in his/her field of expertise: data collection and analysis (method, format, software etc.), measure of indicators, complaint response mechanism, do-no harm analysis, etc. Develop training modules along with DTQP.
• Provide program teams with a technical and methodological support for M&E activities, data management (questionnaire design, sampling, data entry, extraction of useful data and interpretation) and integration of cross-cutting issues.
• Support program teams in creating or adapting tools for: indicators monitoring, impact monitoring (MEAL or M&E plan and survey tools), needs and context assessments or risk analysis.

Monitoring and Evaluation of SI programs

• Propose and organize M&E missions in collaboration with technical coordinators, field coordinators and program managers:

• Post-intervention Monitoring;
• Internal Evaluation (interim of final);
• Follow up mission with program teams to integrate cross-cutting issues (gender, do-no harm, etc);
• Needs assessments and situation analysis;
• Do-no-harm analysis;
• Thematic studies;
• Operational audits;
• Follow up of accountability monitoring framework.

These missions will be learning-oriented and will not only look at accountability to donors (falling under the responsibility of technical coordinators).

• Elaborate or contribute to the elaboration, review and harmonization of M&E tools, data management, especially in MEAL Plans.
• Validate relevance of reports, analysis, maps and recommendations produced by the MEAL department or PMs before their dissemination. Liaise with HQ if external publication.
• Propose adjustments, new activities to improve the quality of the operations or approaches, in consultation with technical coordinators.
• Contribute to terms of references for external evaluations and studies.

Accountability

• Design and roll out of feedback and complaints response mechanisms (FCRM)
• Ensure that the key principles of the mechanism are respected.Ensure that regular analysis of the complaints and feedbacks received are done.
• • Ensure that complaint response mechanisms are established and are accessible to all stakeholders.
  • Ensure that complaints are registered and logged into a formal database.
  • Ensure that complaints are addressed and that an appropriate and timely response is given to the complainant.
• Ensure that effective referral system for inter-agency and internal referrals is in place
• Promote participation of communities in all phases of project cycle, including assessment, design, implementation and M&E
• Provide regular analysis of feedback and inputs received by communities to promote evidence-based decision making processes by senior management and programme teams

Promote awareness on PSEA among communities and ensure that SI staff is aware on how to receive and report sensitive complaints, in particular related to protection concerns, namely GBV and SEA

Institutional Knowledge Building (IKB)

• Make sure that all IKB tools are disseminated and used on the mission.
• Build on institutional knowledge on M&E activities and missions’ results (lessons learnt and recommendations) and make sure these are known by technical and field coordinators.
• Support recommendation tracking process (internal and external) and work together with technical coordinators on action plans.
• Participate into centralizing and disseminating procedures, guides and tools with HQ.
• Build on an expertise network in his/her field and, if possible, develop partnerships with counterparts.
• Use SI’s IKB tools to document MEAL tools and methodologies/approaches; sharing with relevant HQ departments.
• Produce a detailed handover report in the approved SI format at the end of the employment contract, validated by the HoM and Desk Program Manager.
• Writes minutes of his/her work meetings.

Coordination and operational monitoring

• Ensure consolidation and validation of the department’s activity work plan.
• Ensure achievement of the department’s objectives.
• Actively participate in the mission’s coordination meetings.
• Take part of the monthly review of programs (budget, operational, logistics…) and of budget follow up for his/her department.

HR management/Capacity Development

• Together with the Head of Mission, defines the MEAL set up and HR needs.
• Ensure that communication schemes, roles and responsibilities and procedures inside the MEAL department (if any) are coherent and relevant. If needed, propose improvements.
• Make sure that new staffs from program and MEAL departments are briefed on MEAL’s roles and responsibilities.
• Evaluate and assess the performance of collaborators under his/her direct supervision.
• Lead workshops, coordination meetings and/or technical exchange programs
• Supervise adherence to security regulations by personnel under his/her supervision.
• Supervise and support MEAL teams in implementing their action plan and achievement of their objectives.
• Identify technical training requirements and the resources available in the work area
• Makes sure that handover reports are produced by all staffs and are shared with HQ (if relevant).
• Actively participate in organization of Regional Technical Weeks;

Reporting / communication / representation

• Validate and disseminate final versions of M&E reports, studies and analysis produced by the department.
• Support the Head of Mission for fundraising, negotiation and review of project proposals in his/her field.
• Write project proposals and reports’ paragraphs on crosscutting issues and MEAL.
• Convey information to the relevant authorities on security matters or any event having a possible consequence on Solidarités International activities and the security of the teams.
• Ensure that all reports are delivered on time and in the correct format
• Represent SI when asked and/or delegated to do so.
• Ensure that SI is represented at all meetings or forums concerning his/her department
• Upon request, develop articles, case studies and success stories.
• Reply to headquarter (DTQP, Desk) requests regarding specific needs

YOUR PROFILE

Specific skills and experience:

• A University degree in a relevant subject area (statistics, data management, social science, international relations, public health, economic development, or a related field) 
• At least four years of management experience within MEAL functions
• At least three years of experience with INGO/NGOs
• Solid experience in at least one of the following sectors: WASH, Shelter, Livelihood, Protection
• Demonstrable experience in the design and use of both quantitative and qualitative data collection tools, data coding, cleaning, analysis and presentation
• Strong writing and reporting skills
• High skills in Excel (mandatory); skills in Power BI, SPSS and NVivo (preferrable)
• Strong understanding and experience in the Core Humanitarian Standards

Soft skills:

• Ability to independently organize work and prioritize tasks
• Strong diplomacy skills, patience and clear communication skills
• Ability to coordinate teams and provide guidance and leadership
• Demonstrate an understanding of the international humanitarian response and coordination mechanisms, and humanitarian reform

Language:

• English, Arabic required. French is an asset.

SI WILL OFFER YOU

A salaried post: 3090 USD as a basic salary

Vacation: 1.5 paid leave/month

Social and medical cover