Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability Learning (MEAL) Officer at Borno Women Development Initiative (BOWDI)

Job Title: Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability Learning (MEAL) Officer

Position Overview

• The main purpose of this role is to lead on ensuring the quality and accountability of our work, bringing immediate and lasting changes in the lives of refugees, returnees and vulnerable populations.
• Ultimately, s/he will ensure that the programme has evidence-based knowledge to inform the direction of the programme from assessment and regular programme monitoring documents.
• Special attention should be paid to the positive and negative impact that interventions have in communities, marginalized and disabled persons. This analysis will need to be made available to all BOWDI staff and external stakeholders where appropriate.

Responsibilities
Design and Manage Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning Systems:

• Support design and implementation of systems to collect and analyze program performance data for evidence-based programming decisions.
• Develop or adapt project specific MEAL tools.
• Guide field testing of MEAL tools with BOWDI and partner staff and modify as necessary.
• Work closely with Project Managers and Project Officers to process, analyze and use information collected to improve management, make necessary adjustments, and assess trends.
• Perform regular MEAL System reviews.
• Orient BOWDI and Partner staff on MEAL tools and roles and responsibilities.
• Track donor and BOWDI reporting requirements and deadlines and provide MEAL information to Program Managers and Project Coordinators for drafting reports.

Develop and Maintain an Enabling Environment for MEAL:

• Develop good working relations with sectorial unit managers to ensure that MEAL remains a high priority in the program.
• Coordinate with MEAL teams across larger BOWDI projects to ensure consistency of standards, harmonization of information and input from beneficiaries and sharing of learnings.
• Work to enhance capacity for quality programming through training and capacity development of BOWDI staff in MEAL including areas of program assessment, design, monitoring & evaluation methodologies.
• Liaise with each project manager to check progress on the implementation of MEAL activities and MEAL Policies and Procedures.
• Participate in project learning and reflection events.
• Ensure adherence to the implementation of MEAL plans across all projects.
• Design and implement annual MEAL work plans that support the BOWDI Emergency Strategy and the Agency Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning strategy.

Strengthen Management Information Systems:

• Develop and maintain project MEAL SharePoint site containing all evaluations and M&E tools for each project.
• Regularly audit MEAL tools to ensure compliance with donor requirements.
• Ensure Program’s MEAL systems are responsive to changing donor requirements.
• Roll out ICT4D/E programming in the signature program areas, transfer knowledge to staff and partners.

Provide Direct Technical Support:

• Support Program Managers in conducting regular MEAL field visits to collect data with the help of partners, assess the application of MEAL tools, and assist in preparation of monthly/quarterly report to donors.
• Review baseline, midterm review and final evaluation TORs with RTA – MEAL support, and assist with project evaluations or other assessments, including rapid or in depth sectorial assessments, in new or existing project areas as needed.
• Identify bottlenecks in the program MEAL systems, recommend appropriate solutions and ensure follow-through.

Coordinate the Overall Country Accountability and Learning Systems:

• Facilitate operational research for contextual understanding, identifying opportunities, vulnerabilities, capacities and resources.
• Work to ensure that lessons learned and best practices are incorporated into new program design.
• Support knowledge management through ensuring the use of the agency knowledge management portal, Gateway.
• Build BOWDI and partner staff capacity to increase beneficiary accountability in programs by providing guidance, training and/or resources.
• Contribute to the larger MEAL related Communities of Practice and disseminate Agency-wide learning and innovations in the area of MEAL across the Country Program.

Key working relationships:

• Internal: Head of Programs, Project Managers, 
• External: International and local partners, The ACF partners, program beneficiaries.

Requirements
The following knowledge, skills, and abilities may be acquired through a combination of formal schooling, self-education, prior experience, or on-the-job training.

• A Bachelor’s degree or higher in relevant field (Development or Social Studies).
• At least 4 years  field experience in a relief or development environment.
• Demonstrated experience in program design monitoring and evaluation or management, having served at such a position before for at least one year.
• Must be conversant with both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods and analysis.
• Capacity building experience in project monitoring, reporting, and evaluation.
• Experience in implementing Information and Communication Technology for Development and Emergency (ICT4D/E) activities.
• Computer knowledge including Word, Excel, and Power Point (additional experience with Access or SPSS is preferred).
• Strong skills in written and spoken English; Knowledge of the local language is preferred.

Competencies:
Agency-wide Competencies (for all BOWDI Staff):

• These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of BOWDI and used by each staff member to fulfil his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.
• Serves with Integrity
• Models Stewardship
• Cultivates Constructive Relationships
• Promotes Learning

Emergency Competencies:

• These are rooted in the mission, values, and principles of BOWDI and used by each staff working in emergencies to fulfil his or her responsibilities and to achieve the desired results.
• Communicates strategically under pressure
• Manages stress and complexity
• Actively promotes safety and security

MEAL Competencies:

• MEAL in Design: Develops Proframes and MEAL Narratives for proposals that identify key indicators of change and appropriate methods for data collection and use.
• Evaluation: Facilitates the use of evaluation and review results with partners and other stakeholders to inform decision-making and to identify lessons learned and promising practices.
• Accountability: Optimizes partner participation and capacity development in the design and implementation of MEAL systems and other project activities.
• Learning: Promotes the application of learning to improve program quality and to strengthen agency influence among external stakeholders.
• ICT for MEAL: Supports agency priorities in the use of ICT solutions to collect, manage, and analyze data based on feasibility in specific project contexts and a cost-benefit analysis.
• MEAL Management: Secures and supports the development of human resources to implement quality MEAL processes.

Required Travel: 

• Field based position

Disclaimer:

• This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.
• BOWDI’ talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

Eligibility:

• Kindly read the job description and criteria of the position you are applying and ensure you meet the job requirement.
• Female candidates are highly recommended to apply.

Application Instructions:

The application deadline is on 10th December, 2024. Therefore, qualified and interested candidates can “CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT APPLICATION” It is important to visit the official website (link found below) for detailed information on how to apply successfully for this vacancy.

Official Job Website: https://bowdi.org/