MEAL Specialist at CARE Ghana

CARE  is a global leader within a worldwide movement dedicated to ending poverty. Our mission around the world is to save lives, defeat poverty and achieve social justice. Our Core Values describe who we are, what we do, and how we do it.

Transformation
We believe in urgent action, innovation, and the necessity of transformation – within the world and our own organization.

Integrity
We are accountable to the people and partners we humbly serve, transparently sharing our results, stories and lessons.

Diversity
We know that by embracing differences, actively including a variety of voices, and joining together we can solve the world’s most complex problems.

Equality
We believe in the equal value of every human being and the importance of respecting and honoring each individual; we know that change happens through people.

Excellence
We challenge ourselves to the highest levels of learning and performance, tapping the best of human spirit to create impact.

Job Description

• Develop the overall framework for the project’s MEAL systems, including requirements, reporting, baseline, and evaluation surveys. Develop and monitor the project’s Performance Management Plan (PMP) to systematically document outcomes for project technical leads and leadership team.
• Ensure alignment of MEAL activities with program goals and contribute to the development of annual work plans to identify project targets and ensure inclusion of M&E and Learning activities.
• Monitor project activities and track these activities against the results framework.
• Conduct field visits for data validation, to monitor the quality and completeness of data sets. Coordinate data collection at project sites to monitor program development and ensure timely compilation and reporting of data. Capture and document lessons learned, and champion scaling up of best practices.
• Generate monthly indicator reports and track progress against key indicators.
• Ensure timely and accurate submission of project activities to donors, including progress against targets set in the award agreement and annual work plan, quarterly, and annual reports.
• Provide technical leadership and support to project and partner staff in planning and implementing MEAL systems and activities, data-based program decision-making, and results reporting.  Supervise, mentor, and build the capacity of project MEAL staff.
• Develop and implement effective monitoring tools and approaches to demonstrate the effectiveness of project interventions.
• Support the Chief of Party in coordinating the mid-term and final project evaluations.
• Ensure implementation of continuous community feedback mechanisms and training.
• Develop and lead knowledge management programs, facilitate communities of practice and social networking, as well as facilitate organizational learning, change, and advancing foreign aid effectiveness.

Required Skills or Experience

Knowledge

• Knowledge of ICT for MEAL and data visualization skills is a plus.

Experience

• Minimum of 8 years of MEAL experience, with experience in technical areas relevant to the solicitation.
• Previous experience managing MEAL on USG-funded programs of a similar size and scope.
• Proven leadership experience in organizational and peer-to-peer learning, capacity strengthening, and the USAID Collaborating Learning and Adapting (CLA) framework. Familiarity with Participatory Learning and Action and other qualitative and quantitative research approaches.
• Experience leading Developmental Evaluation (DE) approaches.

Competencies

• Ability to translate complex ideas into easily accessible and understandable concepts and/or messages for diverse, non-technical audiences; knowledge of tools for communicating program learning.
• Experience leading Developmental Evaluation (DE) approaches.
• Demonstrated presentation skills that can influence decision makers and foster organizational change strategies, and experience implementing them within a complex organizational setting.
• Strong oral and written communication skills; excellent demonstrated interpersonal skills.
• Track record of a strong commitment to sharing knowledge, documenting experiences, supporting creative initiatives, and sharing credit.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain partnerships and productive working relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders.
• Fluency in English (spoken and written) is required.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a relevant field preferred; additional years of experience in lieu of a master’s is acceptable.