MEAL Coordinator

South Sudan

GOAL has had a long and successful history of humanitarian operations in South Sudan since 1985. Currently GOAL is implementing projects in 4 States: Upper Nile (Ulang, Melut and Baliet counties), Abyei Special Administrative Area (ASAA), Central Equatoria (Kajo keji) and Warrap (Twic, Gogrial East and West) with the head office located in Juba. Most field sites have been key conflict areas with population displacements from time to time in the last five years. The main donors for the programme include Irish Aid, HPF, ECHO, WFP, USAID and FCDO.

The current programme focuses on five main sectors: primary health care, nutrition, economic and food security, small scale water & sanitation and hygiene promotion (WASH), and women’s literary and empowerment (REFLECT). All interventions are carried out in coordination with the local authorities and line Ministries as well as with local and international partners as appropriate.

General Description of the Role

The primary responsibility of the MEAL Coordinator is to support the Assistant Country Director-Programs (ACDP) and Program Coordinators (PCs) by ensuring robust and well-structured monitoring databases (including remote monitoring and management systems and process for each sector); and on time submission of high quality donor and government reports.

The MEAL Coordinator will provide leadership and technical expertise to ensure that GOAL’s MEAL system is implemented effectively. S/he will be the focal point in the programme for all aspects of MEAL. A key part of the role will be capacity building and remote support to the MEAL team inside South Sudan.

Reporting into the ACD-P, the MEAL Coordinator will assist the ACD-P and PCs in the development of donor proposals; and assist in program implementation, monitoring, and evaluation and donor reporting across all grants. The MEAL Coordinator is expected to contribute to harmonization of approaches, and countrywide strategies for program implementation.

Advocating for accountable programmes will be key to this role which should ensure evidence-based programming and donor compliance in a remote management context. initial contract for a duration of 12 months.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership and Management

Oversee the activities of GOAL’s MEAL team in South Sudan, which includes GOAL-direct M&E, Accountability, Data Entry, Verification and Partner Monitoring, providing technical support and oversight..
Oversee the MEAL budget, ensuring appropriate grant budgets are developed and spending is in line with those budgets.
Provide capacity building, technical support and training to the MEAL team based in South Sudan as well as the Programmes team and GOAL’s local partners on all areas of MEAL
Work with the Global MIS advisor to roll out MEAL Management Information Systems (CommCare + Power BI) for new and existing grants.

Support to Program Quality

Work with Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) teams for timely data collection, data entry into CommCare, analysis, surveys, development of log-frames, indicators
Work with MEAL teams to ensure systematic monitoring and evaluation of programmes, and compilation and sharing of lessons learnt.
Maintain and update the M&E Framework for the country programme, bringing together tools and outlining systems. Develop new tools as required.
Feed into the overall programme strategy, providing data and analysis as required for strategic purposes and new programme design, including proposal development
Develop or update M&E plans, and ensure that routine project monitoring take place on time
Roll out of Power BI software to facilitate near real-time analysis for each sector, promote learning, and work with the ACDP to initiate timely evidence-based corrective action where required
Maintain all type of information and produce situation analysis on regular basis especially while developing new proposals or donors reporting as agreed with the line manager
Work with ACDP on keeping updated information for programme mapping and ensure stakeholder analyses are completed from time to time.
Coordinate the continued review and feedback process using the online recommendation tracker system
Coordinate, supervise and review all assessments, evaluations and research – Initiate and work with Program Coordinators in designing and conducting KAP, LQAS, MICS, SQUEAC, Barrier Analysis and other programmatic surveys, assessments and evaluations.
Work with the ACDP and Program Coordinators to ensure that remote monitoring and management tools are in place, information is collected, analysis carried out, and feedback shared in a timely manner for all grants and programme activities.
Be an advocate for learning in the programme ensuring that learning is captured and shared effectively
Liaising with donors and other project stakeholders as required

Proposal Input

Support the ACDP and Program Coordinators in the development of strong data collection and monitoring & evaluation plans within each proposal, including work on log-frames and indicators, and ensure that project indicators are regularly and systematically monitored and reported.
Ensure that all grant proposals and reporting include solid M&E components and work with the Programmes team to develop appropriate results frameworks, log frames and indicators.

Accountability

Oversee the roll-out of activities and training within the GOAL South Sudan Accountability Framework and update the framework as needed.
Oversee the activities of the independent beneficiary selection and verification team, ensuring beneficiary verification processes are independent and consistent.
Ensure effective oversight and smooth running of GOAL South Sudan’s complaints and response mechanism.
Continue to develop and improve on GOAL’s independent monitoring systems meant to ensure accountability, both to beneficiaries and to donors.
Oversee the work of the Data Entry team and ensure the Program Database is up-to -date and accessible to relevant departments
Any other tasks at the request of the Line Manager

Crossover with Grant Management

Participate in and / or co-facilitate grant opening, closing and other management meetings in collaboration with the ACDP, Financial Controller and respective Program Coordinators
Liaise with the ACDP and Financial Controller to highlight and when necessary troubleshoot problems identified in project reports or data.
Ensure compliance to donor reporting and proposal requirements
Maintain and update the filing system for donor reports, proposals, and other documentation that will provide secure and back up of all donor related files for ease of access and retrieval whenever needed. Work with Program Coordinators to ensure strong database for Health, Nutrition, WASH, REFLECT, Economic and Food Security.

Other Duties

The post holder may be requested to undertake other activities as mutually agreed with the ACD-Programs. This Job Description is intended as a guide to the position and is subject to change at GOAL’s discretion.

Essential Requirements:

Formal qualifications at graduate or postgraduate level in project management, business administration, international development, or other relevant subject
A minimum of three (3) years’ overseas practical working experience in a managerial capacity with M&E or Accountability activities within a humanitarian programme with an International NGO, including experience in an African context
Strong knowledge of and demonstrated practical experience M&E methodology (particularly appropriate quantitative and qualitative/participatory research methods), data analysis and report writing.
Excellent communication skills, written and spoken: strong writing skills in English, including previous proposal and report writing experience is required.
Experience working with major institutional donors and agencies such as ECHO/EC, USAID, UN agencies, FCDO, and Irish Aid Experience in proposal development and report writing
Good communication, interpersonal and motivational skills and a proven ability to lead a diverse team under challenging field conditions
Good team player, flexible and capable of working with and supervising a multinational country team, and capable of working under pressure and in harsh environments.
Demonstrated experience with staff management; experience in distance management a plus
Proven capacity to build the M&E skills of colleagues, partners and community members.
Confident presentation and facilitation skills, proven record in provision of trainings a plus
Advanced skills with MS Office (particularly Excel).
Experience designing applications/forms with ODK-based digital data collection software (e.g. CommCare, SurveyCTO, ODK, iFormBuilder, Kobo, etc.)
Understand relational data models (one to one vs. one to many).
Experience working with Power BI preferred.
Knowledge of statistical software packages, such as SPSS, Stata and/or R preferred.
Good understand of monitoring and evaluation basics – including tracking progress against objectives, preparation of Log-frames, indicators etc., and analysis of quantitative and qualitative data.
Knowledge of Sphere and Core Humanitarian Standards.
Fluent oral and written English
Oral and written (Nuer & Dinka) communication skills a distinct advantage
Ability to travel up to 40% from base (Juba) within South Sudan.

Accountability within GOAL

A commitment to GOAL values and GOAL’s integrity framework is critical to working with GOAL. Any candidate offered a job with GOAL will be expected to adhere to the following key areas of accountability: 1) 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; 2) Report any concerns about the welfare of a child or vulnerable adult or any wrongdoings within our programming area; 3) Report any concerns about inappropriate behaviour of a GOAL staff or partner.

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.

Equal Employer Statement

Consistent with GOAL’s core values of humanitarianism; integrity; respect; partnership and courage, we place a significant emphasis on equality in our working environment.

GOAL is committed to treating all its employees with dignity and respect and values diversity, which it believes enriches an organisation. To reinforce this commitment, all company activities, policies, practices and procedures are to be carried out in accordance with this global standard.

All employees share in the responsibility for fulfilling GOAL’s commitment to equal employment opportunity and equal treatment. GOAL does not discriminate against any employee or volunteer; or any applicant for employment or volunteering on the basis of age, gender identity, ancestry, political opinion, civil status, medical condition, ethnic background, disability, race, religion, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.

GOAL believes that our strong commitment to equal opportunity and equal treatment helps to ensure that there is no unjustified discrimination in the recruitment, hiring, training and development, promotion, compensation, benefits, retention, and discipline of staff and volunteers.

GOAL aims to provide a work environment that fosters fairness, equity, and respect for social and cultural diversity, and that is free from discrimination, harassment [and vilification] as determined by applicable laws.

General Terms and Conditions

This Job Description only serves as a guide for the position available. GOAL reserves the right to change this document.

Our package includes a competitive salary, 20 days annual leave and the possibility to join our Health care scheme. Additional benefits are available after 12 months of service.

GOAL has a Staff Code of Conduct and a Child Protection Policy, which have been developed to ensure the maximum protection of programme participants and children from exploitation. GOAL also has a confidentiality policy ensuring the non-disclosure of any information whatsoever relating to the practices and business of GOAL, acquired in the course of duty, to any other person or organisation without authority, except in the normal execution of duty. Any candidate offered a job with GOAL will be expected to adhere to these policies any job offer made is also subject to police clearance. GOAL is an equal opportunities employer.

This Job Description only serves as a guide for the position available. GOAL reserves the right to change this document. Any published closing dates are estimated. Due to the nature of GOAL’s work we aim to fill vacancies as quickly as possible. This means that we will close adverts as soon as we have found the right candidate and this may be before the published closing date. We would therefore advise interested applicants to submit an application as early as possible.

More Information