Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability & Learning (MEAL) Officer – Kakuma

JOB OPENING Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability & Learning (MEAL) Officer – Kakuma Action Africa Help International (AAH-I) is a regional African-led non-governmental organisation that supports livelihood-challenged communities in East and Southern Africa to sustainably improve their well-being and standard of living. With Country Programmes in South Sudan, Kenya, Somalia, Uganda and Zambia, AAH-I has over 25 years’ experience working with communities in conflict and post-conflict situations, including refugees, internally displaced people and host communities. More recently AAH-I has expanded its activities to work with other marginalised communities, including pastoralists and people living in informal urban settlements. Purpose of the role: The MEAL Officer will be responsible for Developing and implementing a robust monitoring and evaluation system that will ensure tracking of project/ programme results at different levels (outputs and outcomes). S/he will be responsible for the monitoring of project activities against implementation documents and ensure high quality and timely inputs on deliverables from staff for the purpose of documentation. The individual will ensure that the project maintains it’s strategic vision and that its activities result in the achievement of it’s intended outputs in a cost effective and timely manner. The MEAL Officer works in close collaboration with Project Leads, Government officials, private sector, non-government and civil society organizations. Duties and Responsibilities MEAL Tool Development and Data Management a) Develop/ Adopt an integrated database of all Kakuma projects and ensure accountability through regular data updates, data integrity and working in collaboration with the LMIS/ICT Officer. b) Work with Project Leads to ensure the collection of relevant and appropriate data needed for an effective M&E system which will be utilized in monitoring strengths, weaknesses and gaps in existing projects and services and for reporting on donor commitments. c) Review existing data collection tools for Kakuma programme. d) Timely update and share data on the 4W matrix to the cluster management system Monitoring and Reporting a) Develop M&E plans for all projects and proposals and ensure the same is followed up during implementation; b) Ensure all grants have updated work-plan and performance management plan (PMPs) in tandem with all approved proposals, regularly reviewing and updating as needed c) Carry out data quality assessments/ audits regularly for MEAL data based on agreed indicators to guide decision making d) Provide alert to the respective programme officers/Leads, on corrective actions required to avoid delays in implementation, including flagging operational issues and risks requiring timely actions. e) Collate/prepare Projects reports related to internal reporting such as the weekly sitreps, quarterly and annual reports. f) Ensure that cross-cutting issues such as participation, gender, age and disability are effectively addressed/mainstreamed in all project implementations as part of ensuring accountability according to AAHI framework. Assessments, Surveys and Evaluation a) Liaise with the Livelihood Coordinator, Area Manager and Project Leads to ensure all new and ongoing projects adhere to accountability requirements by initiating baseline surveys for new projects/ programmes and conducting relevant evaluations for ongoing projects to meet AAH-I standards. b) Ensure that the Livelihood Project learns from all final evaluations of completed projects for decision making and improvement of project designs. c) Assist in the development of TOR for external surveys and consultant recruitments/ selection d) Coordinate the review of all survey reports prepared to ensure quality and accurate reporting. e) Timely plan and initiate all pre and post-intervention assessments, KAP surveys, After Action Reviews, Post Distribution Monitoring and Real-Time Evaluation of emergency programmes. Learning, Accountability and Capacity Building f) Provide relevant evidence for learning from projects. g) Share learning and provide constructive comments to colleagues in order to ensure programme quality h) Ensure Sex, Age, Disability Disaggregated Data (SADD), Accountability and Gender standards are consistently adhered to in programme delivery. i) Build capacity of staff through training to ensure adoption of new data monitoring tools and quality of data collected j) Keep abreast of new approaches and tools on M&E, and provide training to staff as requested. Enable staff to monitor and evaluate their own efforts, gather relevant data and produce required progress reports; k) Regularly collect data on and analyse the Complaints Reporting and Feedback Mechanism (CRFM) accountability data to the team to facilitate quality improvement. MINIMUM PERSONAL SPECIFICATIONS Minimum qualifications required a) Bachelor’s Degree in Statistics, Economics, Monitoring & Evaluation, Demography, Population Studies; b) Demonstrated experience of statistical packages and/ or data analysis software (e.g. SPSS, Excel, Epi Info, SMART, STAT 01) and advanced computer skills (word-processing, spreadsheets, and databases) are a must; c) At least 3 years of progressive responsible programme Monitoring and Evaluation, of which at least 1 years closely related to implementing camp management activities or community settlements. d) Intermediate to advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel including knowledge of Excel functions and experience in routinely collating and summarizing large datasets in Excel. Experience managing large and complex data sets will be very vital for this position. e) Demonstrated ability to automate data processes to reduce turn-around time for routine data requests and working knowledge of various donor MIS systems reporting on livelihoods and other related sectors. Measurable Outputs and Performance Indicators  Development and management of M&E system and framework for projects in line with AAH-I vision and mission;  Preparation of Weekly/Quarterly/Annual reports on project progress with accurate quantitative and qualitative data;  Developing and maintaining up-to date M&E Information System of the Project with interpretable data for decision making on project activities;  Be responsible for the collection & analysis of various data in relation to the project activities.  Regularly organize and conduct training on the M&E MIS for project staff;  Assist supervisor in the preparation of reports on the findings and lessons learned from project innovations;  Provide input and update information related to project outcomes on AAH-I website; Competencies and Desirable Skills  Demonstrates integrity by modelling the AAH-I and UNHCR’s values and ethical standards.  Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of AAH-I.  Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability. Functional Competencies:  Organises and accurately completes multiple tasks by establishing priorities while taking into consideration special assignments, frequent interruptions, deadlines, available resources and multiple reporting relationships.  Plans, coordinates and organises workload while remaining aware of changing Priorities and competing deadlines.  Establishes, builds and maintains effective working relationships with staff and clients to facilitate the provision of support. Knowledge Management and Learning  Excellent knowledge of monitoring and the application of methodology: Good understanding of capacity assessment methodologies; excellent ability to identify significant capacity building opportunities.  Excellent communication skills (written and oral): Sensitivity to and responsiveness to all partners, Respectful and helpful relations with donors and project staff.  Ability to lead implementation of new systems (business side), and affect staff behavioural/ attitudinal change. Self-Management  Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.  Remains calm, in control and good humoured even under pressure.  Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.  Responds positively to critical feedback and differing points of view.  Solicits feedback from staff about the impact of his/her own behaviour. Additional Skills & Competences  High level of self-supervision and ability to take initiative.  Degree of accuracy and attention to detail.  Technical side of the job (numeracy, report-writing, critical thinking, leadership, etc.).  INGO experience and understanding of humanitarian sector. Application Instructions Interested candidates should email application letters and CVs (with 3 referees) addressed to recruitkenya@actionafricahelp.org/a> to be received by 16 th July, 2021. The email Subject Line must show the job title of the position applied for. AAH-K is an equal-opportunity employer. We thank candidates for their high interest in the opportunities we publish on our website. Due to the high number of applications we receive, we will only get back to shortlisted candidates. AAH-K does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process nor does it use recruitment agents.