Role overview
What you'll be stepping into
The MEAL Officer will provide MEAL support to the UNICEF SHINE Project . The project aim to ensure that all children and adolescents in Karamoja, particularly girls, children with disabilities, pastoralist children, adolescent mothers, and other marginalised groups, will have increased access to equitable, inclusive, safe, and quality education; improved school readiness, retention, transition, and learning outcomes; and enhanced opportunities to progress through education and into productive adulthood.
Your main tasks and responsibilities
Monitoring
The MEAL Officer works closely with the project and other MEAL teams as well as partners to create and operate a functional MEAL framework, system, tools and processes in alignment with ZOA guidelines, standards and localized MEAL contexts to gather performance data at output, outcome and impact level based on objectives and indicators contained in the MEAL Frameworks.
Leads in the drafting and development of the project MEAL plan, Indicator tracking table, field Data Protocols/SOPs, ToRs, and data collection tools to facilitate field procedures and execution.
Work with Project staff to ensure the collection of relevant and appropriate data for Knowledge Management and Learning.
Organise joint project monitoring with other stakeholders, partners and project teams
Strengthen the utilization of technology and where feasible enhance data collection, analysis, and reporting considering the limited infrastructure and internet connectivity challenges of ZOA operation areas.
Lead and facilitates local analysis, visualization, presentations and interpretation of contextualized MEAL information as inputs to regular narrative reports covering progress.
Facilitate capacity building initiatives on MEAL for project staffs and partners ensuring they have the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively apply and implement MEAL system, frameworks, tools, and other MEAL processes to enhance activities, data collection, analysis, application of data and information for measuring progress, reporting, making necessary adjustments and improving programme impact(s).
In coordination with MEAL Coordinator, plan and undertake Data Quality Audits and Assessment exercises to ensure data quality.
Ensure visibility materials (pop ups, team clothing, project sheets, flyers, leaflets) to be used for meetings, contact with communities, donors, and partners are produced to high quality.
Evaluation
Get involved in the drafting and design of ToRs for project assessments, evaluations and other studies
Participate in the evaluation of proposal bids and selection of individual consultants and firms for consultancy assignments.
Coordinate internal and external assessments, studies, evaluations and other research for the project in close collaboration with the MEAL Coordinator , PM, DPM, Coordinators, and PQ team.
Drafting and/or reviewing evaluation reports for internal and external use.
The MEAL Officer acts as the main contact person for the MEAL related support in the UNICEF project
Accountability
Oversee ZOA’s commitments to the Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS) in line with the project, ensuring that the Feedback and Complaints Mechanism (FCM) operated either at ZOA or project partner is fit for purpose and that complaints and feedback received are monitored and followed up appropriately.
Promote participatory approaches and methodologies, engaging affected population to ensure their voices and perspectives are captured in order to address specific needs and expectations.
Sensitize and educate team members and stakeholders (beneficiaries, service providers, partners, government authorities and others) on Feedback and Complaint Mechanisms implemented by ZOA Uganda.
Ensure appropriate documentation of feedback and complaints received following correct reporting procedures and tools.
In coordination with MEAL Coordinator conduct regular analysis and presentation of feedback and complaints portraying context and trends in the project implementation to guide necessary improvements.
Promote understanding to ZOA’s Code of Conduct and Safeguarding policies, ensuring adherence to these policies at all times and that project activities are implemented with a “Do No Harm” approach.
Learning
Lead drafting and development of Project level Learning Agenda and Questions to guide relevant data collection and learning activities.
Promote a culture of learning and knowledge sharing through utilization of project/programme data collected, key assessments, evaluations, any other study findings and lessons learned for adaptive management, adjustments and improving impact(s).
Documentation of good practices, success stories, innovative approaches and learning products to be utilized for programming, advocacy and other dissemination.
Planning and organising joint project monitoring, reviews, and learning workshops/events internally and externally sharing results with programme teams and other stakeholders.
Convene and chair regular meetings with project team involving other MEAL colleagues as well as partners using available platforms to collectively analyse and interpret MEAL information, discuss MEAL related issues, exchange MEAL expertise and experiences.
Foster coordination and collaboration between project and MEAL teams as well as with key stakeholders (government authorities, UN agencies, NGOs, and implementing partners) in order to enhance MEAL practices such as MEAL coordination mechanisms, networks, and working groups.
Any other
Africans & Diaspora
Perform any other duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills & Experience:
Bachelor degree in a relevant discipline (e.g., Statistics, Quantitative Economics, Development Studies, Social Sciences, Population Studies, Anthropology, etc.)
Postgraduate diploma in Monitoring and Evaluation is advantageous
At least three (3) years’ of experience in: MEAL system design, rollout and implementation in education projects with International organizations
Ability to coordinate with local government stakeholders
Experience with online data collection tools such as Kobo collect, Commcare, ODK, etc.
(Computerized) data processing and analysis, e.g. statistical software such as SPSS, STATA, etc) and report writing tailored to suit donor requirements and other stakeholders.
Training of team, individuals and groups (e.g. for data collection)
Participatory assessment and monitoring
Training of individuals and groups (e.g. for data collection)
Good understanding of the Uganda context; experience in donor such as UNICEF and Karamoja operations is an added advantage.
Excellent facilitation and communication skills, knowledge of the local languages (Ngakarimojong and Pokot) is desirable
Ability to organise and train MEAL staff in ZOA, and within partner organisations
Experience working with vulnerable people.
Attitude/behaviour:
High level of networking capacities, with interpersonal, organizational and intercultural sensitivity
Commitment to inclusion for People with Disabilities
Able to plan and coordinate and work in an organized manner
High level of integrity
Motivated to work independently / self-managing
Be a self-starter
Special conditions/circumstances
The MEAL Officer will be based in ZOA field office, Moroto with field visit within the Project locations to provide real time monitoring.
The MEAL officer may also visit other ZOA programme Offices and Country Office for learning purposes and or interaction with other MEAL staffs within the organization for information sharing, training etc.
The role is 1.0 FTE (40 hrs/ week). Working hours are outlined in the ZOA Uganda Employee Handbook. Some flexibility on working hours may be required, e.g. for travel at weekends, or during reporting times.
Our offer
ZOA offers a challenging role in a dynamic context, and you will be part of an inspiring and motivated team.
We offer good benefits and remuneration which suits the NGO sector.
Do you need more information?
How to apply