MEAL Manager

The Opportunity - MEAL Manager

The main purpose of this role is to lead the process of strengthening MEAL systems and approaches and the application of these for continual programme learning and quality improvement.  The position will provide an overall strategic and operational MEAL framework for the Vietnam Country Office, as well as leading on annual planning and reporting and monitoring of the country strategy plan roll out.

Key Responsibilities

Manage a comprehensive MEAL System that meets SC standards

• Lead use of monitoring frameworks, tools and processes to measure performance and quality, including supporting program staff to develop and monitor Quality Benchmarks.
• Support MEAL Officers and program teams on routine collection, analysis and use of evidence, including disaggregation for gender, disability and the most marginalised and deprived, to document impact, innovate and learn what works for children, and inform management, policy and programme solutions (e.g., baseline assessments, feasibility studies, evaluations and research).
• Lead use of systems that safely and appropriately ensure accountability to children and communities with whom we work by building trusting and collaborative relationships through information sharing and two-way communication, participation, and feedback and reporting mechanisms.
• Work with program teams and TAs to systematically identify, document, share and use learning from Save the Children and others’ work in order to continuously adapt and improve our programming. This includes learning agendas, learning workshops and after action reviews, action planning and tracking of learning uptake. 
• Develop and lead research initiatives in collaboration with thematic TAs, program teams and partners, ensuring that key findings are shared and incorporated into implementation and design.
• Champion knowledge management through the development and use of platforms that store and display evidence and learning that is made accessible and actively used between countries, regions and globally.
• Explore innovative opportunities to pilot approaches that are new or could expand to further areas of programming.
• Ensure that KPIs related to MEAL activities are regularly met through institutionalisation of robust systems for tracking, reporting and following up improvement actions.
• Foster innovation by identifying opportunities to pilot new approaches and to upgrade tools, systems and process based on advances in the aid sector.
• Promote all aspects of MEAL through training and capacity building for multiple stakeholders including MEAL staff and PDQA Leadership to support the creation of an organizational culture which prioritizes MEAL leading to quality programming.
• Participate in relevant MEAL training opportunities and networks in country, region and globally.

Program Development

• Work closely with program and technical teams to ensure MEAL plays an integral role at every stage of the project lifecycle, leading to enhanced quality, accountability, management and impact.
• As a contributor to proposal development, review and improve MEAL technical narrative and budgets within proposals, support development of SMART indicators with technical teams, ensure quality mechanisms are in place, and ensure consistency with the CO strategies.
• Ensure that adequate MEAL resources are included in proposals and work creatively to secure sufficient funding from diverse sources to ensure capacity to deliver MEAL according to SC quality standards.

Reporting

• Ensure accurate data collection and processing for all regular reporting including internal reports such as the Country Annual Report, Country Strategy Plan, Program Quality KPIs, emergency responses.
• Support MEAL Officers in aspects of donor reporting, including review of baseline, mid-term, endline or any other donor/project specific studies.
• Ensure that regularly updated MEAL mechanisms are in place for each project including technical reports and MEAL tracking tools that identify necessary future actions.
• Ensure data quality and accuracy (including for external reporting as needed).

The job duties and responsibilities as set out above are not exhaustive and the post holder may be required to carry out additional duties within reasonableness of their level of skills and experience, including adjustment on job description.

MEAL Staff Management, Mentorship, and Development

• Build the technical expertise and coherency of the team through use of a Community of Practice that includes regular staff exchanges and learning opportunities.
• Manage the performance of MEAL staff by clearly setting objectives, assessing performance, and providing coaching, mentoring, and training.
• Ensure MEAL staff have and understand clearly defined roles and responsibilities that are also understood by program teams and partners.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Graduate degree in Statistics/Social Science/ Social work or related field
• 5-7 years of proven experience developing, implementing and reviewing MEAL systems/strategies
• Ability to work with MS Excel; MS Access and SPSS: Familiarity with ICT advantageous

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

Essential

• Good analytical skills, effective negotiator, with the ability to proactively influence cross sectoral and departmental buy-in.
• Previous experience of successfully securing MEAL resources.
• Experience of conducting and/or commissioning evaluations.
• Solid understanding of quantitative and qualitative monitoring and evaluation methodologies, including skills in analysis, documentation and presentation of complex data/information.
• Good organisational skills, the ability to pay close attention to detail and capable of reporting in a timely manner.
• Ability to analyse information, evaluate options and to think and plan strategically.
• Ability to present complex information in a succinct and compelling manner, and to use innovative forms of communication.
• Proven capacity to train and coach staff.
• Fluency in written and spoken English and Vietnamese.
• Politically and culturally sensitive with qualities of patience, tact and diplomacy; capacity and willingness to be flexible and accommodating in difficult working circumstances.
• Commitment to and understanding of Save the Children's aims, values and principles, including rights based approaches.

Technical competencies:

• Ensures linkages across portfolio ensuring quality and coherence of MEAL systems and evidence gathering
• Manages resources and capacities to develop and maintain quality MEAL systems
• Facilitates strategic alignment of data to global priorities

The Organisation

We employ approximately 25,000 people across the globe and work on the ground in over 100 countries to help children affected by crises, or those that need better healthcare, education and child protection. We also campaign and advocate at the highest levels to realise the right of children and to ensure their voices are heard.  

We are working towards three breakthroughs in how the world treats children by 2030:

• No child dies from preventable causes before their 5th birthday
• All children learn from a quality basic education and that,
• Violence against children is no longer tolerated

We know that great people make a great organization, and that our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children.  We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive workplace where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued.

Application Information

Please apply using a cover letter and up-to-date CV as a single document and use format. Please also include details of your current remuneration and salary expectations. A copy of the full role profile can be found at:

Job Description - Hanoi - MEAL Manager - National Only (210004XK) (taleo.net)

If you have any issues with applying via our system, please send email explaining your troubles to [email protected]

Closing Date for Application: 27^th July, 2021

We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.

All employees are expected to carry out their duties in accordance with our global anti-harassment policy.