MEAL Coordinator- Damascus- National

JOB TITLE: MEAL Coordinator - Damascus- National
TEAM/PROGRAMME: Program Development and Quality (PDQ)LOCATION: Damascus Syria

GRADE: 4
Type of Contract: Fixed term 1 year

CHILD SAFEGUARDING:

Level 3: the post holder will have contact with children and/or young people either frequently (e.g. once a week or more) or intensively (e.g. four days in one month or more or overnight) because they work country programs; or are visiting the country programs; or because they are responsible for implementing the police checking/vetting process staff.

TEAM PURPOSE:

The Monitoring Evaluation Accountability and Learning (MEAL) department plays a central role in ensuring the Syria Country Offices (SCO) programming and operations are evidence-based and focused on quality programming. The department is accountable for tracking the progress of SCOs projects against their outcome and output targets and meeting donor commitments conducting evaluations of projects to determine their success and impact against key areas integrating learning into all aspects of the project cycle to ensure adaptive programming and a culture a continuous learning and improvement and ensuring accountability to affected communities through information sharing feedback and reporting mechanisms and that the voices of those we serve are incorporated into our programs and decision making processes.

Within the department are 4 sub-teams: MEAL Information Management Accountability and Research. The MEAL team is responsible for tasks associated with the implementation of programs including key parts of the data lifecycle (collection storage analysis usage archiving and destruction) regular internal and donor reporting managing relationships with partners including through capacity building and engaging directly with beneficiaries for information sharing and accountability activities.

ROLE PURPOSE:

The MEAL Coordinator leads the MEAL team at the Field Office (FO) level directly managing all the FO MEAL Officer(s) IM Officer(s) and Accountability Assistant(s). They are primarily responsible for ensuring the implementation of the all individual projects MEAL Frameworks according to the agreed MEAL Plan and Performance Indicator Reference Sheet (PIRS) throughout the project life-cycle. This includes ensuring IPTTs and trackers are created and updated according to project activity timelines that monitoring and evaluation activities activities are completed and Means of Verification are collected validated and verified that regular field visits are conducted and that accountability and IM systems are accessible and used by staff and beneficiaries. The MEAL Coordinator is ultimately accountable for the timely and high-quality completion of all project-based MEAL activities in the Field Office and the review and sign-off of project data produced by the FO and compiled into internal and donor reporting supported by the Whole of Syria (WoS) MEAL Coordinator. They are also ultimately accountable for the capacity and professional development of the FO MEAL team and local partners supported by the MEAL Manager. In addition they work with other members of the CO MEAL department including the IM Manager Accountability Coordinator and Research Evidence and Learning (REL) Coordinator on defining and achieving strategic priorities and designing improving and maintaining the policies procedures and systems that constitute the SCO MEAL Framework.

SCOPE OF ROLE:

Reports to: MEAL Manager

Staff directly reporting to this post: MEAL Officers x2 IM Officer x1 Accountability Assistant x1

Staff indirectly reporting to this post: N/A

Budget responsibilities: Yes

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

Team Management
Accountable for leading the Field Office (FO) MEAL team including Information Management (IM) and Accountability staff in implementing all project-based MEAL activities in a timely consistent principled and high quality manner.
Lead the performance management process for the FO MEAL team including establishing clear measurable goals providing on-going feedback and periodic performance reviews.
Support the MEAL Manager on the development and implementation of capacity building plans related to quality MEAL activities for MEAL and non-MEAL staff including implementing partners to build their capacity in line with personal and organisational objectives and/or goals.

Activities During Project Implementation
Advise and support the development of quality MEAL approaches in the CO in line with the SRO MEAL Framework.
Support the MEAL Manager in preparing FO MEAL budgets for individual projects and ultimately accountable for on-time compliant and complete spending during the project cycle.
Actively participate in program design during the proposal development process in collaboration with other program staff and the MEAL Manager and ensure Save the Childrens MEAL technical standards are upheld from the very beginning in the design of projects.
Support the MEAL Manager in drafting the MEAL Plans for individual projects during the kick-off and set up phase ensuring quality standards are met.
Oversee Field Office MEAL team work plans for individual projects ensuring that quality monitoring and evaluation activities are conducted and regular field visits take place.
Conduct regular meetings with implementing partner MEAL staff to ensure MEAL activities are on track and being implemented according to Save the Childrens quality standards.
Ensure that MEAL and non-MEAL staff are aware of and trained in the proper use of MEAL tools and methodologies in line with the project-based MEAL plan in collaboration with the WoS MEAL Coordinator.
Represent MEAL at the FO level in project meetings ensuring the consistent and systematic integration of MEAL data into programs including helping to identify gaps in implementation and facilitating identification of solutions to enhance quality implementation.

Accountable for the final review and sign-off of all MEAL products created by Save the Children and partner staff at the FO level (such as IPTTs trackers etc).
Accountable for the final review and sign-off of all internal and external report MEAL inputs contributed by Save the Children and partner staff at the FO level including donor reports and the 4Ws.
Support the MEAL Manager and IM Manager to prepare routine analysis tools such as dashboards coverage analysis etc to enable CMT to analyse and inform strategic decisions.

Promote a culture of learning and adaptation through documented evidence generation within the Field Office and across all departments.
Support the CO Research Evidence and Learning (REL) Coordinator in designing and implementing the SRO Research and Learning Agenda through the provision of field level contextual knowledge.
Support the REL Coordinator in planning and running regular project and non-project based learning events for Save the Children and partner teams.
Support the collection sharing and usage of data to encourage evidence-based learning including through regular reviews of project progress and learning events to improve the design and implementation of projects.
Regularly analyse and present relevant evidence generated by REL activities at FO meetings.
Support the Whole of Syria (WoS) MEAL Coordinator in encouraging project staff to implement Save the Childrens quarterly Quality Benchmarks including completing assigned actions and utilising findings to improve program quality.

Contribute to the drafting of the Partnership Assessment Tool (PAT) in collaboration with the Partnerships Manager and conduct regular partner capacity assessments for MEAL.
Build and roll-out partner capacity building plans in collaboration with the MEAL Manager.

Management
Collaborate closely with the WoS IM Manager to manage the time of the IM sub-team within the FO efficiently.
Support IM teams to review data processing procedures in order to maximise their quality and effectiveness.
Ensure that MEAL teams and the wider office are using approved data storage and knowledge management systems in line with SCOs procedures (including SharePoint PRIME KoBo etc).
Support the IM team and WoS IM Manager in promoting innovative digital solutions for FO project implementation including Technology for Development (T4D) initiatives.
Support the Data Protection Committee and FO Data Protection Focal Point in implementing the annual Data Protection Workplan and ensure compliance with Save the Childrens policies and procedures when completing MEAL activities.
Support the IM team and WoS IM Manager in capacity building for implementing partners on IM topics and promote data quality and data protection as key concepts and activities when interacting with implementing partners.

Collaborate closely with the WoS Accountability Coordinator to manage the time of the Accountability sub-team within the FO efficiently.
Ensure that accountability and participation are integral elements of all aspects of the organizations approach to MEAL in the FO.
Ensure that FRM channels are functional and accessible to all beneficiaries in implementation locations and that the FRM is being administered in a timely quality and principled manner by the Accountability team.
Ensure a monthly trend analysis of feedback is being produced supporting the FO Accountability team and WoS Accountability Coordinator where necessary.
Ensure the full and meaningful integration of accountability data including from the FRM into FO level project implementation processes and decision-making.
Support the Accountability Coordinator in adapting the associated tools required to implement the accountability and participation minimum requirements to ensure that roll-out is standardized across operational areas (e.g. information posters complaints database child-friendly methodology guidance).
Support the Accountability team and Accountability Coordinator in capacity building for implementing partners on accountability topics and promote accountability and participation as key concepts and activities when interacting with implementing partners.

Contribute towards the integration of MEAL within SCI as a core component of the programs and operations teams.
Contribute to safe and ethical MEAL and SCI activities ensuring compliance with policies on child safeguarding PSEA anti-harassment and bullying health and safety security equal opportunities and non-discrimination.
Contribute to age gender and disability sensitivity and child-focused programme implementation promoting these methodologies across MEAL and SCI activities.
Contribute to an approach of applied learning and adaptation based on evidence across MEAL and SCI activities.
Contribute to people centred MEAL and SCI activities that ensure that we respond to the needs of affected populations maintain contextual relevance act in an ethical manner and Do No Harm.
Contribute to accountable and participatory MEAL and SCI activities ensuring that accountability and participation are integral elements of all aspects of SCIs approach to MEAL in SRO.
Contribute to data protection and security by design as a core approach to MEAL IM and SCI activities ensuring that key international and local legislation SCI policies and industry best-practices are followed.
Any other tasks as requested or approved by your Line Manager.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS:
Internal (excluding direct team and manager)
Operations (including Awards and Partnerships)
HR
Finance
Supply Chain
Safety and Security
External
Implementing Partners
Consultants
Clusters and Working Groups
Local Authorities
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 (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 other 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

Required
Masters degree in relevant subject and/or equivalent field experience (at least 5 years) with a bachelors degree in a relevant subject;
Minimum of 3 years experience undertaking a senior MEAL role with line management responsibilities;
Fluency in written and spoken Arabic and English; Kurdish language is an asset;
Excellent planning and coordination skills with the ability to organise a substantial personal and team workload comprised of complex and diverse tasks and responsibilities;
Experience implementing MEAL frameworks for large-scale humanitarian and/or development programs;
Demonstrable budget development and financial management skills;
Proven capacity to supervise train and coach staff;
Excellent communication and presentation skills;
Ability to facilitate/conduct technical trainings for staff and partners;
Ability to write clear and effective reports;
Proficient in MS Office (Outlook Word PowerPoint Excel)
Politically and culturally sensitive with qualities of patience tact and diplomacy;
Strong influencing skills and experience in leadership;
The capacity and willingness to be extremely flexible and accommodating in difficult and sometimes insecure working circumstances;
Commitment to the aims and principles of Save the Children. In particular a good understanding of the Save the Children mandate and child focus and an ability to ensure this continues to underpin our support.

Desirable:
Experience of and commitment to working through systems of community participation and accountability;
Experience or knowledge of working and living in relevant regions/contexts;
Additional job responsibilities
The duties and responsibilities as set out above are not exhaustive and the role holder may be required to carry out additional duties within reasonableness of their level of skills and experience.
Equal Opportunities
The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the SCI Equal Opportunities and Diversity policies and procedures.
Child Safeguarding:
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.
Safeguarding our Staff:
The post holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the SCI anti-harassment policy.
Health and Safety
The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with SCI Health and Safety policies and procedures.