MEAL Officer

I.  JOB SUMMARY 

Under the supervision of Head of Programme Implementation (HoPI), the MEAL Officer will make sure proper and timely monitoring & evaluation as well as quality & accountability. MEAL officer will look after quality of Advancing Girls Education and Skills (AGES) Project and will have ultimate responsibility in maintaining and strengthening the M&E system over time and building capacity of project staff and implementing partners’ staff in M&E.  The officer will support in setting up the projects M&E systems synchronizing with country office M&E system and will have responsibility for maintaining the data base and strengthening of the system. The incumbent will also document lessons learned as the project evolves. The incumbent will contribute to the organizational commitment to promote quality and diversity at program level. Position will be based in Peshawar and will require extensive travel to Buner and Swat.

II. KEY RESPONSBILITIES:

1. Design & implement M&E system and accountability framework and its implementation
2. Support AGES team in setting up in setting up M&E plan, processes and reporting formats for output/outcomes/impact levels to ensure constant monitoring feedback is being reported to project management periodically.
3. Support in the development and design of monitoring plans and tools and ensure proper reporting and incorporation of M&E findings into project management
4. Carry out both process and progress monitoring of project activities to ensure that IPs are following the agreed SOPs for program implementation to ensure the targets are achieved matching with indicators.
5. Developing action plan on the monthly reporting on M&E plans with Project Manager to ensure quality of the project
6. Conduct field visits periodically to assess progress toward achieving objectives, ensure program compliance and effective implementation according to work plans and timely providing recommendations for improvement.
7. Ensure the project staff are following the methodology of program implementation agreed upon and achieving the indicators set under the parameters set by project standards.
8. Work with program team to ensure proper implementation of the projects on the agreed methodology and ensure the targets are achieved matching with indicators.
9. Ensure program implementation is meeting the needs of target groups together with gender analysis and are consistent with CARE’s accountability framework, ALP guidelines, USAID protocols, and mitigation measures.
10. Understand the basic concepts and standards related to M&E and accountability and quality management in developmental service delivery especially USAID M&E framework.
11. Ensure the complaint mechanism is in place and properly implemented at all levels.
12. Collaborate with HR to monitor and improve staff attitudes, behaviors and competencies to ensure adherence to CARE standards and commitments.
13. Support in developing a comprehensive community participation strategy for the project in consultation with project management.
14. Plan and develop processes for assessing and planning capacity building of project staff and implementing partner staff on USAID indicator frameworks
15. Together with project team, conduct regular lessons learned workshop at project level monthly review meetings of Partner with critical analysis of monthly progress, challenges and extracting lessons learned.
16. Work out ways to promote formal and informal learning at various levels
17. Work with HR and other units/offices to promote appropriate skills and competencies for program quality, accountability and learning.
18. Facilitate the process of After Activity Reviews (AAR), development of evaluation study and facilitate USAID monitoring missions as and when required
19. Ensure proper, regular and timely reporting from field by monitoring receipts of monthly component/activity progress statements and quarterly component/activity progress reports and following up with the field operations and CARE staff.
20. Participate in in coordination meeting with consortium partners, accountability working groups, and facilitates linkages among these group and with project manager in CARE.

Key Internal Contacts

Project Manager, Snr. Education Advisor and Project staff in the field

III. CRITICAL TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Excellent working knowledge of MEAL, principles and practical implementation.
• Demonstrated experience in working with education projects MEAL, preferably community based
• Knowledge of existing good practice and current issues in MEAL work.
• Proven experience in multidisciplinary education projects.
• Excellent report writing and data analysis skills in handling qualitative and quantitative information
• Fluency in written and spoken English, local language is highly desirable.

IV. EDUCATION:

• Master’s Degree preferably Social Sciences / Development Studies/ Statistics.
• Demonstrated 3-5 years of relevant MEAL experience with INGO/NGO. MEAL Experience of Education Programs will be added advantage.
• Pro-active, persuasive, ability to work under stress.
• Sufficient experience field monitoring and report writing.
• Strong assessment, analytical and planning skills
• Strong interpersonal and team building skills and excellence as a team player 
• Fluency in written and spoken English, Pashtu.
• Sufficient experience in education projects
• Strong computer/internet usage skills

CARE believes in equal opportunities for all. Qualified women are encouraged to apply.