Ireland: Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability & Learning (MEAL) Regional Coordinator

Organization: GOAL
Country: Ireland
Closing date: 06 Dec 2014

Reporting to: Global MEAL Advisor Dublin
Contract Length: 12 months

Summary of the Role
Since 2008 GOAL has made significant investment in building its Monitoring, Evaluation Accountability and Learning (MEAL) function. We are now expanding this function with further investment in a senior Coordinator position. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the strategic development of evidence based practice across the organisation and to drive innovation and excellence in evidence gathering and learning. The MEAL Regional Coordinator will give technical support to the systematic gathering and documentation of evidence from GOAL’s programmes in order to improve programme quality through learning as well as to address accountability (upward/downward) requirements. The role will include significant travel to GOAL country programmes. (approximately 60%)

In particular the role will focus on:

System Improvement, Capacity Building & Learning
• Contribute to development of MEAL strategy development in GOAL and act as a champion for excellence in MEA&L practice with colleagues across the organisation
• Support GOAL’s country offices in implementing GOAL’s approach to MEAL systems;
• Contribute, often at short notice, MEAL support and advice to GOAL emergency / humanitarian interventions
• Roll out GOAL’s second round of MEAL system and capacity audits/assessments. This informs the annual in-country systems improvement action plan as well as MEAL staff capacity building plan;
• Review and provide detailed follow up and support to in-country M&EAL activity plans on a monthly basis;
• Providing capacity building of in-country MEAL staff and identify further training needs and opportunities;
• Support data analysis at the country, regional and global levels to assist in reporting, decision making, accountability, and lessons learning;
• Coordinate with in-country MEAL Coordinators and MEAL technical team in developing best practices and sharing lessons learned and experiences between fields;
• Development and updating of GOAL’s internet based shared learning resource.

MEAL Framework, Tools and Evaluation Design
• Support revision/update of GOAL’s MEAL framework including associated toolkits detailing GOAL’s M and E system minimum standards;
• Give technical support to in-country teams and participate in the design and completion of both in-country and organisational evaluations & research;
• Liaise with universities and research institutes;
• Assist in development of GOAL’s corporate Research Strategy and ensuring effective roll out of same against organisational standards.

Coordination
• Work collaboratively with the survey coordinator to support survey roll outs and reviews as requested;
• Assist, in collaboration with other global MEAL staff, in facilitation of an annual MEAL workshop for MEAL focal points to discuss common issues and support learning across countries;
• Carry out other duties as requested by GOAL’s Global MEAL Advisor in Dublin.

Requirements
• Post graduate level qualification in studies relating to research and statistical analysis and/or thematically experience in public health, nutrition, community development, livelihoods, WASH and child protection.
• 4+ years field experience applying quantitative and qualitative/participatory research methods, including implementing surveys and other research activities within an International NGO in a developing country.
• Proficiency in using industry standard analytics packages such as SPSS, SAS, Stata (or experience in utilizing Excel for the same purpose).
• Demonstrated experience in utilising community based and participative monitoring and evaluation approaches.
• Working knowledge of theory of change, results chains, results frameworks.
• Experience of accountability initiatives and procedures and knowledge of accountability standards and accreditation systems
• Capacity for peer facilitation and to build research and MEAL skills of colleagues and community members.
• Operational knowledge of gender, child protection, HIV and environment principles as they apply to development work.
• Good communication skills, including fluency in oral and written English.
• Ability to write clearly and concisely and to translate complex concepts into non-technical language.
• Confident presentation and facilitation skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and to meet deadlines under pressure.
• Commitment to GOAL’s child protection and HIV workplace policies.

Desirable

A post graduate qualification in statistics.

GOAL is an equal opportunities employer.

Due to the nature of our work, we aim to fill roles as promptly as possible and therefore may fill posts prior to the advertised closing date. Potential applicants are therefore advised to submit their details as soon as possible for consideration.

How to apply:

To apply for this role please visit the GOAL website
http://www.candidatemanager.net/cm/Micro/JobDetails.aspx?&mid=YGTYD&sid=BEVGTAZ&jid=UEVUAZYGT&site=Goal