MEAL Manager

People in Need (PIN) is a Czech nonprofit, non-governmental organization that has been implementing relief and development projects in crisis regions around the globe and has been supporting human rights and democracy in countries repressed by totalitarian regimes over its twenty-year history. In Cambodia, People in Need (PIN) has been working in Cambodia since 2008. PIN operates programs in Livelihoods, Climate Change and Disaster Management, and Emergency Response. Learn more about PIN in Cambodia.

Position: MEAL Manager (paid, full-time)
Line Manager: Head of Programmes
Starting date: ASAP
Location: Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Duration: 12 months (with the possibility to extend based on performance).

Responsibilities:

The MEAL Manager will be responsible for the overall management of the MEAL implementation of the Cambodia Mission. S/he will also supervise the activities assigned to and/or implemented by partners/co-facilitators in Projects lead by PIN.

Program level: TheMEAL Manager will have the overall responsibility of project MEAL activities and will support MEAL coordination to ensure project quality and information dissemination. S/he will lead the development of a full-fledged MEAL strategy in coordination with the HOP, Programme Managers, and donor’s staff. S/he will develop tools for quantitative and qualitative data collection, oversee the initial stages of data collection, supervise data validity and quality of analysis. S/he will build capacity of MEAL staff (Officers, Assistants etc.) and together with them, s/he will facilitate capacity building of all project staff on MEAL topics, including partner staff, to ensure consistent and systematic data collection that can be compared throughout the project.

Country Program (CP) level: MEAL Coordinator will develop MEAL standards, procedures and strategic priorities for improvement of the MEAL system in line with the global PIN MEAL priorities. S/he will promote programmatic learning to improve the quality of programs at PIN Cambodia. This role will focus on strengthening internal coordination and robust information management in the country program and building capacity of staff in MEAL to ensure technical quality, effectiveness and cost-efficiency of MEAL activities and processes. MEAL Manager will lead and supervise the MEAL unit, composed of 2 - 4 employees in Cambodia. The MEAL manager will further collaborate closely with PIN’s International MEAL Advisor.

At the country program level, the MEAL Manager will also support the team in developing their capacities in streamlining the Project cycle management process, development of new proposals, and in building strategic partnerships in regards to MEAL related aspects, such as knowledge management, assessments, indicator setting, etc.

Duties:

Program level

• Review project MEAL plan in coordination with local Program team members and donor
• Oversee the design and implementation of project MEAL activities and tools
• Develop the projects results framework and indicator tracking tables
• Support the CFRM Officer to develop standard procedures and protocols for CFRM, establish an effective CFRM that is accessible to all project stakeholders
• Provide training and support to the CFRM officer if required
• Oversee capacity development of all project staff, including partner staff, to ensure consistent and systematic data collection that can be compared throughout each project
• Coordinate with PIN’s partners and donors on a technical level to harmonize information reporting as needed by the donor
• Promote a culture of “learning from mistakes” and “evidence-based adaptive programming” in the project team as well as among partners
• Develop internal feedback channel between MEAL and project team to utilize data generated by MEAL team for decision-making and corrective measures
• Network with external stakeholders to promote wider learning
• Review ToRs for studies and evaluations
• Ensure quality of data of all project partners as well as external evaluators by developing and implementing standard Data Quality Assurance (DQA) protocol
• Ensure quality of all MEAL reports, including studies and evaluations

CP level

• Planning, implementation, progress tracking and reporting:
• Provide technical support during project MEAL planning, including guidance on developing the Results Framework, Indicator Tracking Table (ITT), and methodologies and MEAL tools
• Maintain an overview/calendar of planned MEAL related activities (baselines, mid-term, endline surveys, other data collection and research activities, and evaluations) to be undertaken in ongoing projects
• Provide technical support in activity and results-based monitoring (surveys, FGDs, KIIs, etc.) in the field, including ensuring that MEAL unit, project teams, implementing partners and enumerators follow the instructions/agreed methodology
• Support project teams in the interpretation of findings, formulation of recommendations and reporting
• Support project teams in preparation for regular project review meetings, including regular update of ITT and reporting on indicators, and organization of dedicated MEAL meetings as needed
• Support consultants and research partners in conducting commissioned evaluations/activities (e.g. interpretation, conducting FGDs or interviews, etc.)
• Provide technical support in evaluations and other research activities, including engaging in ToR preparation, selection of consultants, review of evaluation design and data collection methodology, data quality assurance, data analysis, involvement of stakeholders and dissemination plan
• Support Program Managers in setting up and maintaining the project database

Accountability, learning, dissemination and use of findings

• Support Program teams in planning for and implementation of Beneficiary Feedback Mechanisms (BFMs) providing opportunity for beneficiaries to receive information about PIN commitment and standards, raise suggestions and recommendations for improvements, and understand protocols for action to be taken in response
• Provide technical support in developing and managing Complaints Response Mechanism (CRM) tools to ensure accessibility by beneficiaries and stakeholders
• Support Program teams in the identification and documentation of lessons learned and best practices
• Facilitate dissemination of assessment and MEAL findings to stakeholders via preparation of learning/MEAL briefs, fact sheets, and presentations

Capacity building

• Identify MEAL capacity development needs of CP staff, and provide tailor-made, practical trainings to project staff based on capacity needs assessment
• Ensure that all MEAL unit, project team members and implementing partners’ staff understand and know how to use MEAL tools. This is to be achieved through intensive, direct on-job-training with a focus on practical application of MEAL tools
• Train MEAL unit, related project team members and implementing partners in assessment methodologies and tools Orient project team members, partners, and key stakeholders on PIN Cambodia’s approach to CRM, existing CRM protocol, and CRM tools
• Business and Programme Quality development:
• Strengthen the CP´s ability to conduct integrated assessments through improving existing tools and ensuring mainstreaming of key issues, such as gender, protection, environment
• Support the CP´s capacity to develop good quality proposals and work efficiently with the Programme Quality Standard Checklist
• Further the CP´s coherence regarding all aspects of the Project Cycle management, such as data gathering and analysis, program development, implementation and MEAL
• Strengthen the mission in knowledge management, support team members attending cluster meetings to ensure the collection of relevant information, especially in regards to ongoing or recently completed assessments which are available in PIN priority sectors.
• in collaboration with Program Team, develop a database and system for the collection and analysis of secondary information
• assist the CP in networking and partnership building efforts in order to create stronger a long-lasting strategic engagements

Desired qualifications:

• Demonstrated technical skills in results-based monitoring, development of CRM (Complaint Response Mechanism) procedures, data quality assurance, capacity building of staff on M&E, as specified in the Duties and Responsibilities above
• 3 - 5 years of work experience in managing Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning on development or humanitarian projects
• Experience working with UN and/or EU projects, and knowledge of the context of Cambodia are considered an advantage
• Willingness to travel to project sites within Cambodia
• Enthusiasm about fostering a culture of learning and evidence-based adaptive programming

PIN Offers:

• Possibility to work in well-established and locally recognized NGO
• Flexible and challenging working environment with room for personal growth
• Salary and benefits according to PIN’s salary scale and HR policies
• Housing allowance
• Reimbursement flight ticket to the country of residence once per every 6 months of completed work (with a minimum contract period of 12 months)
• Reimbursement of costs of visas and vaccinations; assistance with visa application procedure
• Medical helpdesk and psychological consultation available on line
• Travel insurance
• 25 days of paid leave annually

How to apply:

Are you interested in this position? Send us your CV and short cover letter in English via this link. Please note only the shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Interviews will be conducted on rolling basis and the vacancy will be closed when filled.

People in Need staff are expected to perform job duties and responsibilities in accordance with People in Need Code of conduct and key policies (available at: www.peopleinneed.cz/policies).