Job Purpose:-
The Area Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Manager is responsible for the efficient implementation of all MEAL activities in the area under his/her responsibility according to the guidance provided by the Country MEAL/Database manager including managing the MEAL team in his/her area.
Duties & Responsibilities:
1. Implementation of MEAL Systems:
• Contribute to the development and regular update of consolidated MEAL work plan covering all ongoing projects and planned assessments in the area;
• Oversee the development, measurement, and reporting of qualitative and quantitative input, process, output, outcome, impact, and objective performance indicators for all projects in the area, in coordination with the Country MEAL/Database manager;
• Identify and design innovative practices to improve organizational efficiency and effectiveness in MEAL in the area;
• Implement the MEAL policies and procedures in the area as described in the Acted MEAL standard guidelines and make sure that the tools are followed as applicable;
• Ensure an effective roll-out of MEAL data collection and reporting systems to all staff and partners in the area through training, site visits, manuals, and other technical support as needed. Ensure systems are well understood and properly implemented by staff and partners in the area;
2. Database and GIS Management:
• Oversee the development, on-going modifications, strengthening and functioning of the area-level data management, in coordination with the Country MEAL/Database manager;
• Monitor roll out and functionality of Database Management Systems (DBMS) and GIS across users including implementing partners in the area as required;
• Develop strategies to increase data use and demand amongst relevant staff and other data/information users in the area, in coordination with the Country MEAL/Database manager;
• Design and maintain electronic and paper-based MIS/GIS systems for tracking and reporting all quantitative (spatial and non-spatial) data and information in the area, in coordination with the Country MEAL/Database manager;
• Facilitate trainings for MEAL and non MEAL staff in the area (e.g. PMs, DPMs, AC, Base managers, etc.) on the use of project databases and database related reporting;
3. Learning and Knowledge Management:
• Contribute to the proactive dissemination and to the use of knowledge gained through MEAL activities in the area among Project Managers, Deputy Project Managers, Area coordinator and base managers, etc.;
• Organize and facilitate learning events in the area in order to capture best practices and lessons learnt when a project closes or as required;
• Document and share the lessons learnt and best practices gathered in the area;
• Support project implementation and improvement by providing timely information around project successes to be scaled up as well as challenges to allow ‘course correction’ throughout life of the programs in the area.
4. Accountability and Feedback Mechanism (AFM):
• Implement effective beneficiary feedback and complaint response mechanisms in the area.
• Build capacity and understanding among Acted staff, partners and contractors in the area of beneficiary accountability and CRM.
• Analyze and respond to beneficiary feedback to improve project outcomes.
5. Team Leadership and Capacity Building:
• Provide a weekly and monthly working plan including all MEAL activities planned for the area to the Country MEAL manager.
• Ensure that MEAL officers in the area have the necessary means to accomplish their duties if the issue cannot be solved at the base-level (including field missions, stationary, phone credit, computers, etc.) by liaising with logistics, security, HR/Admin and other department, as required.
• Ensure that MEAL staff in the area understand and are able to perform their roles and responsibilities, in coordination with the Country MEAL manager;
• Manage MEAL and Database staff delineating their responsibilities and follow-up the work plans and day-to-day activities in the area;
• Ensure a positive working environment and good team dynamics in the area;
• Manage interpersonal conflicts between departmental staff members in the area;
• Undertake regular appraisals of staff and follow career management in the area;
• Ensure that the team in the area retains all that is distinctive about Acted including the organizations values and beliefs, global identity, coherence and consistency, and independence and impartiality.
• Identify the MEAL training needs of MEALU staff in the area, discuss plans with the coordination and HR for both internal and external trainings, and implement them according to MEAL strategic and operational priorities, in coordination with the Country MEAL/MIS manager;
• Coach, train, and mentor MEAL Officers in the area with the aim of strengthening their technical capacity, exchanging knowledge within the MEAL team and providing professional development guidance.
6. Representation:
• Represent Acted in external MEAL-related forums and technical working groups.
• Stay updated on best practices and innovations in MEAL to improve organizational performance.
7. Other Duties:
• Provide regular updates on progress and challenges to the Country MEAL Manager.
• Perform additional tasks as assigned by the line or functional manager.
