POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT
Rwanda Country Programme, Kigali
Rwanda
BACKGROUND:
Save the Children is the world’s
leading independent organisation for children. We work in 120 countries. We
work together, with partners, to inspire breakthroughs in the way the world
treats child
ren and to achieve immediate and lasting change in their lives.
Save the Children works in thirteen districts in Rwanda with a current staff
complement of approximately 134 staff.
SC Rwanda Country Office seeks to
hire qualified, committed and experienced National to fill the following
position:
Position:Head of
Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL)
Place of Work:
Kigali
Reports to:
Staff directly reporting
to this post:
Time
frame:
Director of Programme Development
and Quality
Line management of MEAL and
Research Specialists
Open
Tentative start date: ASAP
CHILD SAFEGUARDING:
Level 3 – the responsibilities of
the post may require the post holder to have regular contact with or access to
children or young people
PURPOSE OF POSITION:
The Head of MEAL will be
responsible for quality and accountability standards and their integration into
a robust MEAL system throughout the Save the Children Rwanda Programme,
including managing the relationship with Partner Research/Evaluation Institutions.
Key areas of accountability: a) the development of effective and efficient
Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning systems for
programmes/projects (design of MEAL plans/tools etc.); b) the management of
MEAL systems; c) the compilation and analysis of program data and learning and
subsequent reporting at the country level; d) the provision of technical
assistance designing and implementing studies, research, surveys and
evaluations. The main purpose of this role is to bring together programme
learning, innovations, research-based evidence and information for achieving
breakthrough solutions in bringing immediate and lasting changes in the lives
of children.
KEY AREAS OF
ACCOUNTABILITY:
Together with the MEAL Team and
in collaboration with Technical Advisors, Programme Managers and partners, the
Head of MEAL will have a key role in establishing and promoting programme
quality and innovation, which will be achieved through developing and improving
monitoring, evaluation, impact evaluation, research, and learning
methodologies; capacity building, technical advice and knowledge sharing.
The Head of MEAL will be
responsible for establishing and promoting the use of M&E systems to ensure
that Save the Children Rwanda’s Country Office:
- is informed on the extent to which both the emergency
response and development interventions are affecting the lives of the
targeted populations; - has evidence-based knowledge on the positive and
negative impact that both the emergency response and development interventions
are having over the communities where SCI works; and - Receives regular, timely and context-specific,
meaningful feedback from our staff, partners, programme participants (who
are or are not targeted by our interventions), and that feedback
effectively informs and signals areas where strategic attention is
required.
Development,
Implementation, and Management of MEAL Systems
- Lead the development and implementation of the MEAL
strategy and establish an effective and efficient Monitoring, Evaluation
and Accountability system for the Rwanda Programme (MEAL plans, Project
Indicator Performance Tracking Tables, Output Trackers, etc.) - Establish, develop and support the implementation of a
data management system that informs planning, implementation, monitoring
and evaluation of programmes Ensure MEAL budgeting in all programmes,
ensuring the minimum budget is allocated to MEAL activities including
accountability to children and communities - Contribute to ensuring children’s participation, reporting
back to children, and child-led MEAL - Ensure accountability systems to share information
and gather/respond to feedback from beneficiaries to effectively improve
the quality of our programme design and implementation, strengthen the
relationship and acceptance by the communities, reduce the risk of
inefficiency and reduce the risk of harm to children and other
beneficiaries.
Program Design and
Quality Programs
- Ensure that MEAL resources are included in proposal
development and work creatively to secure funding from diverse sources. - Programme design – support the drafting of project log
frames in each project - Programme design – support in proposal development
through provision and/or review of programmatic evidence - Lead on MEAL integrated programming, including
development of cross-project quality benchmarks, accountability frameworks
in all CO and partner projects and engagement with donors’ technical
advisers. - Ensure MEAL standards (log frames, smart indicators,
targets disaggregated by gender and age, baselines and evaluations,
reference to quality standards, participation and accountability, etc.)
are reflected in MEAL checklist during proposal development
Accountability,
Representation, and Programme Reporting
- Ensure that all staff at all levels, including senior
managers and directors, fully understand and promote accountability in
general and to children in particular, through training and coaching. - Ensure that accountability to beneficiaries becomes a
core element and success indicator for all program activities and engage
beneficiaries and stakeholders in evaluations and research activities - Ensure participation of beneficiaries and children in
monitoring and evaluating Save the Children development/emergency projects
and programmes. This includes introduction of context specific and
functioning accountability systems. - Build on progress to date on integrating accountability
to beneficiaries (and particularly children) within programmes through
securing funds, hiring staff and establishing feedback mechanisms and
producing information materials in a way which mainstreams accountability
across all programmes. - Develop a robust system for capturing and reporting
against accountability-related indicators and conduct regular trend
analysis of complaints and feedback for learning and improvement. - Design and implement appropriate feedback mechanisms
that are contextual, effective, accessible and safe for beneficiaries, and
that ensure that feedback is recorded, reviewed and acted upon. - Prepare MEAL portions in programme, donor, CO annual
reports, reflecting compliance with internal SC requirements and any
relevant external donor requirements. - Development and regular sharing of MEAL reports and
complaint/feedback databases with all concerned (SMT, PDQ and Ops) staff
for action - Contribute to representing the principles and
evidence-based work of Save the Children International to donors, United
Nations, NGOs and INGOs, government, media and other stakeholders when
required.
Humanitarian Programme
and Standards
- In collaboration with the MEAL Specialists, ensure and
support integration and implementation of MEAL systems that are compliant
with the Core Humanitarian Standards (CHS) - To ensure that the minimum standards are maintained in
accordance with the CHS Charter for emergency response programmes in
Rwanda Programmes. - Oversee and carry out regular MEAL visits to
humanitarian programme in order to support the development of MEAL tools
and gather evidence that will inform the design of new emergency
interventions and ensure quality programming for beneficiaries
Knowledge Management and
Learning Culture
- Lead the development of a MEAL-focused knowledge
management system - Manage and use all SC Rwanda programme and MEAL data to
support the storage, retrieval, and analysis for improved programming,
participation, and accountability for children and communities - Ensure inclusion of ‘Quality and Innovation’ as a
standing agenda item at SMT meetings for management actions and meeting
the ESARO MEAL milestones - Ensure Rwanda CO is among the MEAL+ hubs which have
institutionalized the MEAL approach, displaying excellence across the MEAL
spectrum, knowledge management and research - Develop frameworks to integrate impact assessment and
learning and knowledge management into the programme and project cycle of
both development and emergency interventions; - Support the PDQ team in the establishment and operation
of a system that will enable SCI staff to access centralized data and
information and ensure the setting up and maintenance of a resource
library - Lead staff towards project research/study to collect and
analyse data, and translate and implement research findings together with
other project team members, partners and consultants; - Promote learning throughout the organisation, particularly
on issues of programme quality, policy analysis and advocacy. Ensure
new/secondary data analysis and information is constantly available. - Develop a countrywide knowledge management system that
facilitates the capturing, storage, dissemination and use of key learning
emanating from various internal and external sources. - Communicate program learning (through document sharing,
presentations, etc.) internally to provide guidance and technical input on
strategic direction and programme design, and externally with key
stakeholders (NGOs, government partners, working groups, etc.). - Coordinate with sectors’ technical coordinators and
programme staff to ensure that lessons learned are properly documented and
are incorporated into programme implementation and design. - Lead and foster learning based on best practices,
lessons and feedback captured from programme participants (adults and
children) to influence and guide the design and implementation of our
programmes and regularly produce and report on best practices and case
studies.
Research, Evaluation, and
Innovations
- Lead on and ensure all research and evaluation are
conducted after securing approvals from relevant bodies such as Rwanda
National Ethics Committee (RNEC), National Institute of Statistics of
Rwanda (NISR), Directorate of Science, Technology and Research (DSTR) at
the Ministry of Education, as appropriate - Lead on programme research and establishing the evidence
base for programme development and advocacy, researching and developing
frameworks for annual project/programme reviews, leading participatory
impact assessments, and advising Senior Management Team and other
appropriate programme staff on the outcomes; - Lead on baselines, evaluations, studies and applied
research by liaising with Save the Children members’ technical advisors
and/or research partners to define scope and TORs, support in identifying
potential consultants, and recruit and train data-collector teams; - Lead on technical assessments in coordination with other
SC thematic areas and/or other external sector agencies, ensuring
assessment findings are documented and that all assessments include a
specific analysis of children’s needs and gender disaggregation. - Compile and analyze quantitative and qualitative program
evaluation data, and learning and subsequent reporting at the country
level - Lead on external reviews, evaluations and documentation,
and identifying resources, including technical resources, both within SCI
and externally - Lead on internal and external program/project
evaluations as necessary and ensure the review of MEAL processes and
methodologies for the provision of sound baseline information, and taking
corrective action where necessary
- Lead in the management of information systems, such as
the development of required formats, key indicators, needs assessments and
frameworks for evaluation, - Identify opportunities for innovative work addressing
issues and promoting programme quality - Contribute to actively disseminating and communicating
programme findings and research outcomes widely, and in particular – to
the Government, donors and to other humanitarian and development actors.
Capacity building and
staff management:
- Ensure appropriate staffing within the MEAL Team and all
staff understand and are able to perform their MEAL roles in both
humanitarian and development contexts - Working closely with the development and emergency
programme teams, lead on identifying technical staffing needs for
integrated programming and MEAL-focused recruitment, induction and training. - Develop learning needs assessment, professional
development, and capacity building plans for both SC and partner staff,
linking capacity building initiatives to wider opportunities identified
via programme coordination and partnership meetings, and coach them
accordingly. - Manage the performance of supervisees through: Effective
use of the Performance Management System including the establishment of
clear, measureable objectives, ongoing feedback, periodic reviews and fair
and unbiased evaluations; coaching, mentoring and other developmental
opportunities; recognition and rewards for outstanding performance;
documentation of performance that is less than satisfactory, with
appropriate performance improvements/ work plans - Support and build the technical capacity of and equip
the MEAL team with relevant data collection, management, and analysis
tools and skills using the state-of-the-art software (STATA and/or SPSS,
ATLAS.ti) to ensure quality and timely analysis of programme and MEAL data
to inform timely decision-making for learning and quality programming - Oversee that all technical MEAL staff proactively build
and maintain technical skills and competencies required for leading and/or
advising programs – both development and humanitarian programs
External Relationships and
Partnerships Management
- Represent Save the Children in selected international
and national initiatives regarding monitoring and evaluation, research,
accountability, and learning - Lead and manage the relationship with Research Institutions
and consultants hired to conduct external evaluations, representing the
organization in technical MEAL and research for a as delegated - Ensuring close working relationships and regular
communication on MEAL issues with project partners at all levels (district,
provincial and national), including with government and other
organizations working in the project area, to ensure efficient and
effective project implementation; - Lead or support on drafting MEAL-focused programme
partnership documents and/or sections in partner agreements or memorandums
of understanding - Take the initiative in documenting lessons learnt, best
practice and case studies to shape in-country MEAL strategies and
evidence-based programme approaches, and contribute to broader
MEAL-focused learning. - Pro-actively identify MEAL opportunities, case studies
and research opportunities which link with wider organisational and
programmatic strategic objectives, and turn these into action. - Play a leadership role in shaping MEAL-focused communications
in line with MEAL-focused knowledge management, acting as a spokesperson
when required. - Contribute to identify the capacity of present and
potential partners in quality programming and ensure that MEAL support is
provided. - Ensure that MEAL aspects of programmes implemented by
existing partners are enforced.
SKILLS AND BEHAVIOURS
(our Values in Practice)
Accountability:
- Holds self-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,
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
QUALIFICATIONS AND
EXPERIENCE:
- At least a Master’s degree in statistics, research,
education or relevant social sciences - Recommended minimum of six years of experience working
in Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, Accountability and Learning including
a senior management position in an NGO setting, preferably with solid
experience in more than one of the Save the Children priority sectors:
education, protection, rights governance, HIV/AIDs, health and nutrition,
and emergencies - Significant senior M&E experience with a minimum of
4-years post-Master’s graduation working in planning, monitoring,
research, and evaluation in an NGO setting or other think-tank
institutions - Proven experience of undertaking evaluations/research or
leading evaluation/research teams, with outstanding skills in qualitative
and quantitative research and data analysis using relevant software such
as STATA or SPSS and ATLAS.ti (to be assessed) - Proven experience with quantitative and qualitative data
collection and analysis and ability to review technical reports using relevant
software such as STATA or SPSS (to be assessed) - Technical expertise in various data analysis software
and proven experience using mobile technology for data collection with
experience of electronic data collection using Tablets or other devices
(to be assessed) - Fluency in English and Kinyarwanda, for effective oral
and written communication (to be assessed) - Knowledge and/or experience of working on accountability
initiatives, such as child participation, information sharing and
complaints response mechanisms (to be assessed) - Ability to lead and drive the organization towards more
action-research focused and child-centred integrated programming by using
participation and listening to beneficiaries, including children, as one
of the main mechanisms for programme implementation.
CHILD SAFEGUARING POLICY:
Any employee, consultant,
contractor or the supplier undertaking an activity on behalf of SCI must sign
the Child Safeguarding – Declaration
of Acceptance Form] and comply with the SCIs Child
Safeguarding Policy which is a statement of SCI’s commitment to preventing
abuse and protecting children with whom it comes into contact.
- This extends not only to children with whom SCI and its
partners work directly, but also includes children whom staff are responsible
for. SCI believes that the situation of children must be improved
through the promotion of their rights supported and demonstrated by all
members of staff. Save the Children International’s Code of Conduct sets
out the standards which all staff members must adhere to.
Interested candidates should send
an application letter plus updated Curriculum Vitae in English, including 3
names of professional referees to HR-Rwanda@savethechildren.org. The deadline
for receiving applications is 22nd
September 2016.
Please mention Head of MEAL as
subject of your mail.
Note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
