Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEAL) Officer

Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEAL) Officer

Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEAL) Officer

 

GOAL is currently seeking to hire a competent Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEAL) Officer who will be based in Agago under the anticipated Uganda Youth Engine (UYE) project. This is an exciting opportunity for you to join an extremely dynamic International NGO and to use your skills. If you are familiar with working within the international development aid sector and have a strong background in the areas mentioned, then you are the one we are looking for!

 

About the Project

This 2-year project targets 10,000 rural young women and men to increase their engagement in income-generating activities within the cassava and soya value chains in Northern Uganda. At least 70% of the youth targeted will be young women. As a result of the project, young entrepreneurs will have the information, skills and coping mechanisms needed, will have networks in, and access to agro-input and output markets to engage actively and sustainably, and will have access to and are using formal and digital financial services to invest in and grow their businesses in the agricultural market system.

GOAL Uganda is a results-focused and digitally driven organization that reflects and communicates its learning internally and externally through delivery of high quality, evidence-based case studies, impact stories, and learning briefs using both qualitative, quantitative methods. We use CommCare and PowerBi to help track and monitor data over time, providing real-time visualization of our impact. The main objectives of our MEAL team are to embed high quality MEAL processes across the organization, promote Results Based Management, instill a culture of reflection, documentation, and application of learning – internally and externally – in partnership with donors, academia and beneficiaries and lastly, drive the standards for accountability and transparency in the organization.

 

Key Duties and Responsibilities: The key responsibilities of the role will be:

Support the implementation of the GOAL MEAL strategy and project MEAL systems

• Participate in the design and implementation of a GU Monitoring and Evaluation Strategy and related systems/tools that integrate various MEAL requirements whilst streamlining monitoring and reporting tools, data capture, databases and monitoring processes.
• Develop/Draft results frameworks, indicators, and data collection plans in line with donor and GOAL requirements.
• Participate and contribute to quarterly MEAL team meetings, quarterly HQ MEAL meetings, monthly project review meetings and quarterly Programme Review Meetings.
• Support in the development of proposals, specifically theories of change and measurement plans.

Support the design and monitoring of partner MEAL plans, results chains and deliverables

• Provide support in the development of MEAL Plans (project MEAL plan and private sector partner MEAL Plan), tools, survey design, methodology, data analysis, and other services as may be required for project monitoring and evaluation.
• Develop the monthly partners’ deliverables tracker.
• Work together with the Market Systems Officers (MSO) and Local Business Mentors to assist partners and youth to design business preposition with focus on generating SMART deliverables.
• Participate in the design and review of program results chain and partners intervention results chain.
• Support sharing of participant information, safely and security, across project partners.
• Coordinate and support field teams, agents, partners enumerators etc. in implementation of MEAL activities.
• Liaise regularly with the Project Manager, and MDOS to check and support progress on implementation of MEAL activities.

Data collection, analysis and reporting

• Design data collection tools using CommCare, supervise data collection, conduct data analysis and write high quality reports for baselines, annual follow ups surveys, end line surveys, assessments and regular monitoring.
• Recruit, train and supervise enumerators where needed.
• Support field staff (including agents and Local Business Mentors), in the quality collection of data about the program participants- including attendance registers, tracer and longitudinal studies or barrier analysis.
• Maintain an up-to-date partner deliverables tracker that reflects progress of activities implementation with disaggregated data.
• Generate internal monthly and quarterly and other ad hoc reports drawing from the databases and monitoring tools, ensuring up to date and accurate reports and information are always readily available to programme staff, meeting internal and donor reporting requirements.
• Closely monitor and report on the results and progress made in the implementation of project activities in line with Implementation plan and budget.
• Ensure that the databases developed captures data according to GOAL indicators and in line with the project and programme objectives and results frameworks.
• Together with MEAL manager design and carry out (baseline/midline/end line) surveys, assessment, research exercises, etc as appropriate and possible to support programme development, monitoring, evaluation and/or learning.

Data storage, quality assurance and compliance

• Manage the registration of partners in CommCare and ensure that the tools are regularly updated.
• Conduct data quality assurance to ensure data collected is accurate, reliable and within high integrity
• Undertake regular field visits to monitor the implementation of activities and ensure that MEAL tools and protocols are being utilized effectively, assessing and identifying breakdowns and areas that require clarifications and improvements.
• Ensure database and monitoring information is regularly reviewed, cleaned, updated and shared, and the data is stored in accordance with GOAL Global policies, data protection and compliance measures.

Internal and external communications and learning

• Promote internal organizational learning based on baselines, annual follow up surveys, end line surveys, assessments and regular monitoring
• Support GOAL’s knowledge development and management by capturing, storing and disseminating lessons learned from project implementation as well as ensure data utilization for improved program quality.
• Document lessons learned and best practices for knowledge sharing and learning.
• Suggest and share innovations based on lessons learned.
• Work with MEAL and program staff to ensure the regular development and dissemination of high-quality communication and learning materials such as learning briefs, case studies, success/challenge stories, newsletters, blogs, photo journals and videos for GU programs as per the communications plan.
• Ensure compliance with GU and GOAL Global communications and branding protocols and standards.

Capacity Building

• Develop training materials and conduct trainings for GU and partner staff on identified areas including Results Based Management and creating effective monitoring indicators, plans, processes and systems to improve performance monitoring.
• Disseminate and train staff and partners on the use of any new tools developed for monitoring, evaluation and learning.

Community feedback and accountability

• Act as the community feedback and accountability focal point in your given office location.
• Promote accountability by constantly disseminating information to the participants about the availability of community feedback mechanism (CFM) during meetings, training or any other events
• Assist in the design and distribution of community feedback mechanism brochures to the project participants.
• Actively collect feedbacks from the community using the CommCare
• Produce monthly reports, shared with the Safeguarding Manager and MEAL DPD, raising up issues and coordinating community responses as needed.
• Make follow up to ensure that all feedbacks are responded to and ensure that the staffs are using the feedbacks mechanism.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience: To be successful in this role, you will need:

Essential:

• Degree in social sciences, development studies, public health or related field
• 4 years + work experience
• At least 2 years’ experience in Research, M&E with an NGO
• Excellent computer skills (MS Word and Excel)
• Strong analytical skills
• Experience with the computer package SPSS or similar
• Good communication skills (written, spoken)
• Experience in digital data gathering using CommCare, SurveyCTO, ODK or any other packages
• Must be able to ride a motorbike and possess a valid rider permit.

Desirable

• Post graduate certificate in M&E or other research methods from a reputable organisation
• Good knowledge and experience in qualitative data collection and analysis
• Experience with result chain M&E system and understanding of systems approach
• Experience in implementing systemic Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) approach.
• Fluent in Luo, Acholi

 

Safeguarding

Children and vulnerable adults who come into contact with GOAL as a result of our activities must be safeguarded to the maximum possible extent from deliberate or inadvertent actions and failings that place them at risk of abuse, sexual exploitation, injury and any other harm. One of the ways that GOAL shows this on-going commitment to safeguarding is to include rigorous background and reference checks in the selection process for all candidates.

 

Accountability within GOAL

Alongside our safeguarding policy, GOAL is an equal opportunities employer and has a set of integrity policies. Any candidate offered a job with GOAL will be expected to adhere to the following key areas of accountability:

• Comply with GOAL’s policies and procedures with respect to safeguarding, code of conduct, health and safety, confidentiality, do no harm principles and unacceptable behaviour protocols.
• Report any concerns about the welfare of a child or vulnerable adult or any wrongdoings within our Programmeming area.
• Report any concerns about inappropriate behaviour of a GOAL staff or partner.

 

General description of the country programme:

First operational in Uganda in 1979, the current GOAL Uganda country programme focuses on Health (including WASH, Health Accountability and Nutrition programing); and a market-based systems approach to improving agricultural livelihoods and WASH. GOAL Uganda mainstreams gender, child protection, social behaviour change and resilience strategies across all programming. GOAL works on a district focused approach and uses a mixture of direct implementation and partnerships with national and international civil society organizations, local government, the private sector and communities to give effect to our mission.

GOAL Uganda has a skilled team of approximately 150 personnel and manages an annual operating budget of approximately €8.7 million (2018). GOAL is currently operational in the North, South, East and West of Uganda with six established offices in Kampala, Lira, Kasese, Hoima, Bugiri, Abim, Kaabong and Agago Districts. GOAL Uganda country programme is funded by a number of donors who include Mastercard, charity water, Irish Aid and some small foundations.

 

Details of remuneration package and benefits

Our package includes a competitive salary, health insurance cover for up to 3 dependents, comprehensive 24 hour personal accident cover, terminal benefits equivalent to one month for each completed year of service and our working hours provide for a half day on Fridays.  GOAL promotes a learning and development environment with training & study opportunities aligned to our staff development policy.

 

How to Apply:

All Interested applicants who meet the requirements should submit their applications by email with 3 reference contacts who must be Current or former line managers, a copy of the riding permit and daytime contact number to; recruitment@ug.goal.ie   indicating the title ‘MEAL Officer’ in the subject line PLEASE DO NOT ATTACH CERTIFICATES.

 

 

Deadline: 18^th August, 2021

 

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