Job Posting Save the Children Canada is a member of Save the Children International, a federation that works in more than 120 countries worldwide delivering programs focused on health and nutrition, education, child protection, child poverty, humanitarian response, and child rights governance. As the world's leading independent organization for children, Save the Children’s vision is a world in which every child attains the right to survival, protection, development, and participation.  
Position Title: Senior Advisor, MEAL Status (FT/PT/Contract): FT
Department: International Programs Job Level Classification: 6
Reporting to: Head, Thematic Quality Bargaining Unit (Y/N):  N
Location: Toronto People Manager (Y*/N): N
*Number of Reports: N/A
Primary Job Purpose This position plays a role in leading thematic strategy and supporting technical quality across a portfolio of projects. The Senior MEAL Advisor supports cross functional teams to achieve thematic strategy, business development and advocacy goals. The Senior Advisor distills learnings from this portfolio to produce programming guidance, thought leadership, and compelling fundraising proposals. The Senior Advisor stays abreast of industry developments and maintains relationships with key players in the thematic space. Accountabilities
  •  High quality thematic knowledge, advice and support:
    • Accountable to ensure that Monitoring and Evaluation constituents of Save the Children Canada’s proposals, programs and communication reflect leading practice and high quality of Save the Children.
    • Lead and actively manage Monitoring and Evaluation knowledge capital management on behalf of Save the Children Canada both internally and externally through
      • Develop and on-going management of effective MEAL systems and practices to capture and report on project deliverables to expected outcomes
      • Leadership and active participation in industry forums, panels, conference
      • Actively contribute to SCC’s intranet / knowledge forum with relevant, recent material to support knowledge sharing within SCC
      • Adhere to principles of OCAP ( ownership, control, access and possession) as it relates to working with Indigenous communities
    • Support efforts to translate desired outcomes into tactical plans for program execution
  • Advocacy & Business Development
    • New opportunity generation and assessment for funding programs in alignment to global and strategic plan and growth targets
    • Support proposal development, leveraging technical expertise and project learnings from Save the Children projects to review concept notes and proposals in partnership with Country Offices and Resource Development & Business Development teams
    • Support execution of advocacy strategy to influence policy changes and resource mobilization, including producing high quality thought leadership materials and leading positioning activities such as representation at industry panels, presentations to donors, participation in external practitioner networks, and global Working Groups
    • Cultivate and strengthen relationships with key funders/donors, research institutes, peer NGO agencies, partners, and sector thought leaders in respective thematic sector
  •  Program Learning & Innovation:
    • Support Country Offices in the design, testing, and evaluation of innovations to advance programming
    • Distill learnings and evidence generated into succinct and compelling programmatic guidance and thought leadership for internal and external consumption
    • Monitor developments in the sector and field to develop and refine program models and identify new research opportunities
    • Partner with the Communications team to develop and disseminate technical and project materials
  • Matrix Leadership, Mentoring, and Management of Field Resources
    • Maintain and update website (current BlackBaud NetCommunity), upload content into the Content Management System and manage technical support to ensure the website is as up to date and accurate as possible, while adhering to Save the Children branding standards and guidelines.
  • Data Analysis and Reporting: 
    • Lead matrixed cross-functional teams of Advisors and Program Officers to implement thematic strategy and achieve business development and advocacy objectives, providing expert guidance on thematic area
    • Provide mentoring and coaching, actively supporting the professional development of Programs employees and their efforts to build knowledge of relevant program theory and practice
    • Manage field thematic resources representing Save the Children Canada, adopting effective people management strategies to manage the performance of remote team members
    • In compliance with HR policies and the Collective Agreement, lead employees using a performance management process that includes performance goal setting, timely feedback, and recognition
    • Manage new employee onboarding, ensuring employees receive relevant training and tools to be successful in their roles
    • Model behaviours consistent with Save the Children values, actively creating an organizational culture that reflects values
    • Managerial responsibilities of ensuring health and safety, proactive risk management through organizational policy enforcement and maintaining currency of organizational policies and procedures, and integrating Child Safeguarding practices across our work
  • Capacity Building:
    • Support development and implementation of training technical support workshops to build capacity of Country Offices and partners to design and implement quality programs
    • Educate Country Offices on Canadian donor priorities, providing advice on fundraising approaches and donor-specific language and terminology
Qualifications and Experience
  • PhD in relevant area of expertise; or Master degree with 10+ years’ relevant work experience in International Development / Relations or related field
  • 10+ years’ MEAL work experience (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning) design and implementation experience
  • Solid knowledge of Results Based Management (RBM), inclusive of the design and development of Logic Models, Performance Measurement Frameworks
  • Experience with child rights programming in areas of Health, Education, Child Protection, and Livelihoods
  • Knowledge of gender equality principles and practices
  • Demonstrated thought leadership expertise such as contributions to academic journals, books, articles; speaking engagements, leading conference presentations and panels
Competencies, Skills and Behaviours
  • Is a strategic big picture thinker, with the ability to engage at detailed project level
  • Is innovative, develops new ideas, and demonstrates adaptability
  • Ability to synthesize and develop high-quality knowledge products from diverse data sources including programmatic materials and tools
  • Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills to develop strong working relationships across cultural and organizational boundaries with internal and external stakeholders, and managing through influence
  • Superior English verbal and written skills; proficiency in French/Spanish/Arabic considered an asset
  • Comfortable working independently with no supervision
  • Ability to travel internationally on occasional basis
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
If you are interested in this position, please e-mail a letter of application and a resume by Tuesday, September 19th 2017 to jobs@savethechildren.ca with Subject heading “Senior MEAL Advisor”. We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.