MEAL Coordinator

Location: Yangon

Line Manager: Head of Programmes

Duration: 1 year with possible extension

Brief description of mission or/and project for which the staff is required:

People in Need (PIN) (www.peopleinneed.cz/en) is an international, non-profit organization providing humanitarian and development assistance around the world. In Myanmar, People in Need started to work in 2002, when it launched the financial assistance to civil society groups and independent media. After 2008, PIN provided humanitarian and relief aid to people affected by typhoon Nargis. Since 2012, PIN has been operating directly from Myanmar, our programs focuses primarily on knowledge transfer, capacity building and support of local initiatives in remote areas. Furthermore, our social cohesion program aims to promote tolerance and acceptance of diversity in different communities. Through these activities, communities are able to find solutions to important problems, alleviate tensions in a non-violent way and secure harmony. In addition, we are working in areas affected by armed conflicts in Rakhine State and in Kachin State providing humanitarian assistance.

Key Responsibilities

Under direct supervision of Head of Programmes and in collaboration with the project staff and partner staff, the MEAL Coordinator is responsible for implementing the monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (MEAL) system of PIN Myanmar.

Together with Project Managers and the Project Development Officer, she/he prepares the MEAL sections of project proposals. At the start of each project, she/he completes the MEAL planning tools in order to ensure that the project fulfils its MEAL responsibilities towards communities and donors.

She/he provides monitoring data collection tools to the project staff and implementing partner staff, supports them to conduct accurate data collection, gathers and safely stores the data that they collect, analyses it, produces reports and facilitates meetings with project staff to enable them to use this evidence to continuously improve project implementation.

She/he facilitates internal or external evaluations of projects as needed.

Specific tasks include:

1) Planning of Monitoring and Evaluation Plan and Capacity Building

• At the project proposal stage, she/he drafts the M&E section of the proposal narrative, describing specific MEAL actions in relation to each project activity. She/he reviews the project’s logical framework to ensure that it includes SMART indicators (https://www.indikit.net/) and PIN global sector indicators where relevant.
• After the project has been approved by the donor, the MEAL Coordinator copies the indicators from the logframe into the Results Framework matrix, and completes it by clarifying the Main Questions in relation to each indicator, as well as the data collection methods, tools and frequency, and the timing and audience for sharing the data. The MEAL Coordinator prepares the Indicator Tracking Table, which includes the time periods when data analysis will be conducted to check progress against project indicators. The MEAL Coordinator prepares the MEAL Workplan – within the project workplan – to detail when MEAL activities (e.g. baseline/endline studies) will be conducted.
• In collaboration with the project staff, and based on the clarification of the project indicators in the Results Framework, the MEAL Coordinator creates a package of data collection tools (attendance sheets, observation checklists, key informant interview and focus group discussion topic guides) for the monitoring of the project.
• The MEAL Coordinator trains the project and partner staff on the data collection tools and methods (e.g. how to conduct a focus group discussion), so that they can accurately collect the data.
• The MEAL Coordinator may be responsible for training the partner organization’s M&E staff in order to conduct data collection accurately.

2) Implementation of M&E Plans

• The MEAL Coordinator is responsible for overseeing data collection for different types of monitoring. She/he informs the project staff about when they need to conduct monitoring activities (e.g. workshop observations, or baseline/endline activities). If external enumerators are used, she/he trains the enumerators to understand the questionnaire clearly, and on how to conduct the interview, by demonstrating and practicing in pairs.
• Once monitoring data have been collected, the MEAL Coordinator reviews the data and clarifies any inconsistencies with the staff who collected it.
• She/he is responsible for conducting data analysis (e.g. of baseline or pre-/post-test or workshop observation checklists). She/he produces short reports, which clearly highlight the most important findings for project improvement.
• The MEAL Coordinator is responsible for safely storing both the electronic and paper versions of the collected data (e.g. data download from Kobo, or the pre-/post tests), as well as the database of monitoring data. Paper forms are stored in a locked cupboard in the office in Yangon. Electronic data are saved in a password-protected folder in ELO and on Sharepoint.
• She/he prepares Terms of Reference for External Evaluations of projects, in consultation with the Project Managers and the Regional MEAL Advisor, as needed.
• The MEAL Coordinator supports mid-term and final evaluation processes, including assessing the methodology and commenting the draft report before finalization.
• The MEAL Coordinator supports with collecting the project’s lessons learned.

3) Assessments:

• To inform the design of new project proposals, the MEAL Coordinator may oversee Needs Assessments (these use the same data collection methods as monitoring (key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and sometimes household surveys). She/he conducts data analysis and prepares the Assessment Report.

4) Coordination, Reporting & Data Utilisation

• Each month (fixed date to be determined) the MEAL Coordinator participates in the Project Review Meetings facilitated by the Project Managers, Head of Programmes and/or Country Director. At these meetings, the MEAL Coordinator presents analysis of the data collected in the past month, and highlights any important findings (e.g. based on workshop observation checklists).
• She/he compiles reports for submission to local authorities as required.

5) Accountability to Affected Populations

Complaints & Response Mechanism

• The MEAL Coordinator trains project teams and implementing partners in how to receive appropriately and report questions and complaints.
• At each Monthly Project Review Meeting, the MEAL Coordinator summarises the complaints and responses from the past month for the team.

6) Other

• Continuously learn about new technologies and methodologies in M&E and share this knowledge with project teams and implementing partners

Carry out any other relevant duties mutually agreed with the Country Director and Project Managers.

Potentially supervising the growing MEAL Team, including M&E Officers, M&E Assistants and other relevant national staff

Requirements:

• BA/BS Degree in international development, humanitarian aid or related field
• Minimum 2 years previous work experience in the humanitarian sector, in Myanmar preferred
• Good inter-personal and coordination skills
• Willingness to live and work in a volatile environment with limited access to the field locations
• Ability to work independently in a challenging context is a must
• Candidate must be flexible, adaptable, and positive
• Excellent written and spoken English required

PIN offers:

• Possibility to work in a well-established and locally recognized INGO
• Reimbursement of costs of visas and vaccinations
• Medical helpdesk and psychological consultation available on line
• Travel medical insurance
• Housing allowance
• 25 days of paid leave per year

How to Apply:

Are you interested in this position? Send us your CV (no longer than 4 pages) and short cover letter via this link. Please note only the shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

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).