Position: Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Advisor Effective Date:  June 20, 2016 Location: Toronto
Department: Program Department Bargaining Unit : Union
Reporting to: Head of Thematic Quality Experienced: Professional
  Save the Children is composed of 30 member organizations and together we are working in more than 120 countries. Our vision is a world in which every child attains the right to survival, protection, development and participation. As the world’s leading independent organization for children and children´s rights, our mission is to inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children, and to achieve immediate and lasting change in their lives. The Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Advisor plays a key role in supporting MEAL technical quality across a portfolio of projects.  The Advisor will work closely with Save the Children staff in Toronto, in Country Offices (COs), and across the global network to design and implement MEAL strategies, systems and frameworks that meet the agency’s needs to develop and document results and learning in a systematic and effective manner. Responsibilities include:  developing and supporting the use of MEAL tools and practices in program development and quality assurance efforts across a range of programs globally; leading or supporting the development of MEAL work pieces such as program baselines, mid-term reviews and endlines; developing and implementing capacity building plans and materials that strengthen staff understanding and use of MEAL; and assisting staff to ensure consistency and quality in reporting to donors. The MEAL Advisor will also ensure that we continually build an evidence base to support our programming growth and impact, and will promote knowledge management and learning strategies within and across the organization. The MEAL Advisor will be engaged in supporting both humanitarian and long-term development programs in the core themes in which Save the Children works.  These themes include: Child Poverty, Child Protection, Education, Health and Nutrition, and Child Rights Governance. Gender and youth are also core strategic areas for Save the Children Canada. The following represent key accountabilities for this position. These accountabilities are to serve as a basis for developing annual work plans. Accountabilities:
  1. Provide quality technical support and advice to Save the Children offices, staff and partners, with a particular focus on the design, implementation and review of MEAL activities to strengthen quality results and shared learning in offices where Save the Children Canada (SCC) has a significant role in programming and/or within the governing, country leadership structure.
  2. Support the strengthening and consolidation of MEAL systems, practices and capacity within SCC, COs and across the global network, in both humanitarian and development contexts.
  3. Support the MEAL components within proposal development processes, ensuring effective engagement with COs, partners, donors and other stakeholders.
  4. Design data collection and reporting tools for COs and project partners to fulfill all project MEAL requirements, including the preparation of data for project reporting.
  5. Oversee input, storage and appropriate use of data to track program performance and to feed forward into the consolidation of a quality program; this includes the ability to design, build and manage relevant data bases (i.e. ACCESS, SPSS)
  6. Provide timely, complete and quality project MEAL reports, and other required documentation for donors, as well as for internal processes (review, analysis, approval and learning), ensuring feedback to all relevant stakeholders.
  7. Indentify technical assistance needs of SCC and COs and training resources as appropriate; deliver MEAL training and technical assistance to SCC, COs and partners to ensure the quality of MEAL approaches and reporting.
  8. Assist COs and relevant partners in conducting self-assessments, and building their capacity in the areas of MEAL including the development of indicators, data collection, analysis and interpretation of data for use by policy makers.
  9. Ensure all MEAL activities are conducted within the scope of project budgets.
  10. Contribute to the preparation of the SCC strategic documents, annual plans, regional and CO plans as well as quarterly reports.
  11. Contribute to MEAL communities of practice and global MEAL networks, including supporting global thematic MEAL working groups to develop indicators, results frameworks, reporting and training tools, and learning questions, among other areas of work.
  12. Support the development of a learning culture within SCC and the global network, contributing to knowledge management and learning frameworks and strategies at a range of levels, including supporting on integration of gender.
  13. Represent SCC in written contributions to agency newsletters and other publications. Represent SCC for branch or media events or other forums in which the thematic work of Save the Children Canada can be shared and highlighted.
  14. Perform other functions as might be required by the Program Department.
  Qualifications and Experience
  • Post graduate degree in monitoring and evaluation, or related international development field
  • 8 – 10 years of experience working in MEAL in international development and humanitarian programming contexts; gender experience an asset
  • 3-5 years field experience preferred
  • Knowledge and understanding of qualitative and quantitative research/evaluation methodologies and statistical sampling methods
  • Strong analytical skills and the ability to interpret data and produce clear and concise reports for internal and external audiences
  • Solid knowledge of Results Based Management (RBM), inclusive of the design and development of Logic Models, Performance Measurement Frameworks
  • Excellent computer skills and familiarity with MS Office, MS Outlook and statistical analysis software i.e. ACCESS, SPSS
  • Experience working with and reporting results to Global Affairs Canada is strongly preferred
  • Proven ability to mentor, motivate, and work as part of a team
  • Demonstrable experience of developing and delivering successful training and staff development initiatives and in coaching teams
  • Good familiarity, networking and working relationships with different donors and other partner organizations
  • Ability to represent Save the Children Canada in external forums
  • Knowledge of rights based approach to programming and child rights
  • Knowledge and ability to work effectively with other cultures
  • Excellent English language skills (oral, written, and comprehension) – French and Spanish considered an asset
  • Valid passport and availability for frequent overseas travel, sometimes on short notice
  • Must be eligible to work in Canada
  • Subject to police check/clearance (child safeguarding requirement)
Competencies
  • Self-driven, organized and results oriented
  • Skills and experience in one or more of SCC thematic areas of focus, including strong experience in gender
  • Substantial people and program management experience
  • Solid experience in MEAL and donor reporting
  • Representational and advocacy skills
  • Good interpersonal skills with ability to communicate effectively at all levels and across cultures
  • Computer literacy
  • Commitment to child protection
  • Capacity for conceptual and analytical thinking
  • Critical information gathering
  • Ability to influence others through good communications skills
  • Adaptability and flexibility
  • Working effectively with others
  • Problem solving
Other Requirements
  • Adhere to Save the Children’s Child Safeguarding policy and protocols
  • Police check vulnerable sector screening
OUR VALUES IN PRACTICE Accountability:
  • Holds oneself accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values
  • Holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities - giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved
Ambition:
  • Sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves (and their team), takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages others to do the same
  • Widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others
  • Future orientated, thinks strategically
Collaboration:
  • Builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, members and external partners and supporters
  • Values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength
  • Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to
Creativity:
  • Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions
  • Willing to take disciplined risks
Integrity:
  • Honest, encourages openness and transparency
Interested applicants are asked to send a cover letter and resume in a one-document format to Human Resources at jobs@savethechildren.ca  referencing “MEAL Advisor” in the subject line. Application deadline is Monday, July 4th 2016. Only those selected for interviews will be contacted. No Agencies please. We thank applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.