• Framework): Establish and operationalize ACF’s Country MEAL framework
  • Develop, adapt, or update and improve the Country MEAL framework, including specific guidelines and tools.
  • With the support of the Regional MEAL Advisor, design the MEAL strategy of ACF Sierra Leone in line with the regional and global MEAL strategy.
  • Train and build the capacities of program teams on ACF’s MEAL guidelines and tools.
  • Ensure that MEAL activities are implemented as defined in these plans.
  • In collaboration with the program team, develop and ensure the regular update of Roles and Responsibilities (R&R) distribution documents between program and MEAL teams.
• Provide technical support to implementing partners when needed and in line with partner capacity building plans.

• Contribute to donor reporting on MEAL aspects (e.g. data review and analysis as well as lessons learnt)
• Contribute to proposal development by advising on the inclusion of MEAL activities and ensure all new projects have a MEAL plan from the start.
• Provide relevant inputs in the development of indicators and means of verification in the project’s proposal design and planning phases (log frame, indicators definition, MEAL, and Accountability Plans) ensuring that MEAL is an integral part of the project life cycle and that resources are included in proposal development.
• Contribute to project kick-off, review, and closure meetings.
• Provide recommendations to improve MEAL practices within the Country program.
• (If relevant) Support the recruitment, capacity building (formal and on-the-job training), and management of qualified staff to carry out regular MEAL functions.
• In collaboration with ACF’s Program Managers, represent ACF externally in relevant forums and working groups at national level on issues related to project monitoring, evaluation, Learning, and accountability.
• Train and manage the MEAL Officers to carry out regular MEAL functions, ensuring that all ACF procedures and policies are respected.

• Monitoring and Evaluation): Coordinate and support all monitoring and evaluation activities

• Undertake regular field visits to support the implementation of MEAL and to identify milestones and challenges where adaptations might be needed.
• Ensure due processes are followed, output, and outcome level monitoring is carried out across all the components of the program using effective qualitative and quantitative methods.
• Support the PMs on monthly activities progress reports (APR), ensure they are submitted timely, review and provide feedback on areas of concern.
• Compile and report the Annual Beneficiary count and progress report.
• Centralize and compile information on the performance of the projects implemented in the mission and share it monthly with the country coordination team.
• Provide quarterly feedback to senior management team on standard ACF indicators while comparing information over time and between sectors.
• Develop and update Sierra Leone programmatic progress dashboard to support the monitoring of Action Against Hunger’s Country Strategy.
• Ensure the APR and other ACF MEAL tools are adapted in way that support the county level information management, while maintaining the standard ACF MEAL information management requirement.
• Lead and manage the program evaluation process by developing Terms of Reference (TORs) for internal assessments (baseline, endline) and external evaluations, producing tools, and coordinating the assessments/evaluations.
• Provide technical support in the definition and use of appropriate methodologies in the conduct of assessments and ensure the review/validation of all assessment reports.
• Work with technical HoD/Managers and program managers to ensure findings are followed-up and incorporated into both qualitative and quantitative Activity Progress Report (APR).
• Participate to regular meetings with program team to follow-up on program implementation and adapt MEAL activities accordingly.
• Follow-up with the MEAL Officers on the timely implementation of the surveys (PDMs and other surveys/exercises, etc.) in the field locations as per the MEAL plans

• Data management): Ensure quality and efficiency of data collected
  • Manage Kobo platforms for the mission; lead on roll-out of mobile data collection within the Mission, to include training, troubleshooting, and support for ODK/Kobo use in the field.
  • Support survey process and quality review of data from surveys (e.g. KAP, SMART, NCA, baseline/endline), Post-Distribution Monitoring and mapping exercises as needed.
  • Facilitate the analysis by producing visual summaries (maps, graphs) upon request of the coordination team.
  • Ensure rigorous application of procedures based on sampling methodology.
  • Ensure that MEAL Officers conduct rigorous training for internal and external enumerators incorporating ACF mandate, key project information, and application of ethical and rigorous data collection procedures.
  • Provide technical support to the MEAL team in conducting data quality assessments (DQA) and resolving reported quality issues.
  • Provide permanent support for the use of data management tools (collection, processing, analysis, visualization, etc.), make corrections and provide regular feedback to improve the utilization, especially the tools to be filled monthly by the MEAL team.
• Revise and approve project Database (DB) designed by the MEAL Officer at the beginning of each project.
• Accountability: Roll-out the Country Office’s accountability framework and feedback and complaint mechanism

• • Lead the development and implementation of accountability mechanisms, such as ensuring that feedback from beneficiaries and stakeholders is actively sought and used for program improvement.
  • Roll-out and manage ACF’s Feedback and Complaint Mechanism (FCM) to ensure program accountability towards the project stakeholders at all levels.
  • Monitor and report on the accountability to the affected people, community and other stakeholder feedback and participation throughout the implementation period
  • Ensure respect of cross cutting themes (gender, vulnerable categories, data protection, etc.) across MEAL activities and that the community engagement is done in an appropriate and respectful manner, managing expectations, and providing a transparent beneficiary-oriented service.
  • In collaboration with other MEAL staffs, ensure staffs are regularly trained on AAP and the available Feedback and Complains Mechanism (FCM).
  • Support the development of standardized methodologies and tools for community consultations on their preferences according to the operational context for the implementation of the FCM to ensure that the channels used within programs are safe, accessible, and preferred and preferred by the communities supported.
  • Contribute to the improvement and harmonization of accountability tools (training modules, community mobilization tools, FCM information collection and management tools, briefing manual for new staff, etc.).
• Manage the FCM’s country database, compile monthly data from all projects, analyze it and produce a summary report of trends to be shared with the coordination and the program to draw out learning elements (categories of complaints, sectors and projects concerned, profile of complainants, channels used, response times, satisfaction, etc.)

• Learning: Document and disseminate good practices to improve learning within the Country Office
  • Facilitate learning sessions and knowledge-sharing forums within the mission to promote a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
  • Provide technical support to MEAL Officers and program teams in the design or adaptation of tools to collect and manage information generated by the learning initiatives.
  • Facilitate and centralize documentation of lessons learned, best practices and case studies produced in the mission for internal and external sharing.
  • Organize and coordinate mid-term reviews, learning workshops, review of program work plans with program teams and heads of technical departments.
  • Ensure that lessons learned and recommendations in planning, monitoring, evaluation, and accountability are documented, shared, and considered/addressed in the design of new projects and technical plans and discussed during periodic reviews workshop and ultimately fed into current work and future program development.
  • Ensure accurate information management, documentation of the progress, the lessons learned and the proper filing of the Mission MEAL information system.
• Support the quality, timeliness, and dissemination of MEAL outputs internally and externally.

Gender Action

Activities:

• Ensure the inclusion of youth and women in the project in all project implementation especially in AAH supported communities;
• Help ensure all aspects of Action Against Hunger activities adhere to program quality standards and policies (accountability and mainstreaming) in a coherent and integrated manner.
• Work closely with other MEAL and project staff to enhance synergy
• Ensure that gender considerations are made with participants of projects to have clear statistics on gender inclusion.

Others

• Help ensure all aspects of Action Against Hunger activities adhere to program quality standards and policies (accountability and mainstreaming) in a coherent and integrated manner.
• Ensure the highest stands of accountability through ensuring good communication and information sharing within the organisation.
• Be aware of, understand, and comply with all of Action Against Hunger’s policies and procedures.
• Contribute to ongoing security management and planning as necessary.
• Actively participate in any emergency response if called upon to do so (within the existing programme area or in a new one).
• Undertake other related duties as may reasonably be assigned by the MEAL Manager, Field Manager, Health and Nutrition Program Manager, Food Security and Livelihood Manager.
• Ensure timely filling and submission of ACF timesheets

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor of Arts/ Science (or higher) in International Relations/Affairs, Humanitarian Affairs, International Development, Public Health, Monitoring and Evaluation, Statistics, Epidemiology, Demography, or related field
• At least 5 years of proven experience in the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning of humanitarian or development programs.
• Demonstrated knowledge of MEAL concepts and international humanitarian quality standards.
• Excellent proficiency and experience using Excel, one or more statistical software packages (e.g. Epi Info, SPSS, Stata, R, Sphinx, NVivo, etc.), of information management systems and data visualization applications (e.g. Power BI, Tableau, etc.).
• Solid knowledge of the Logical Framework approach
• Proficiency with Open Data Kit (ODK), Kobo Toolbox and/or other mobile data collection tools (CommCare, DataWinners, ONA)
• Proficiency in the use of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods in conducting surveys.
• Proficiency in the use of geographic information processing software is a major asset (e.g. QGIS, ArcGIS, etc.)
• Ideally knowledge of ACF intervention sectors: Health & Nutrition, WASH, Mental Health & Psychosocial support, Food Security & Livelihoods
• Facilitation of training and workshops (e.g. planning workshop, tool development workshop, capacity building workshop, etc.).
• Diplomacy and good interpersonal skills, with the ability to remain calm under pressure and not lose sight of strategic priorities.
• Excellent planning communication, writing and analytical skills.
• Excellent verbal and written skills in English.
• Knowledge of local languages spoken in the area of intervention.
• Flexibility – Dynamism – Perseverance – Analytical mind
• Willingness and ability to travel to program areas
• Experience working in WASH, Health & Nutrition and Food Security & Livelihood.
• Ability to work with and support different teams.
• Send Motivation Letter, CV saved in your name – for example (Joe Blue CV) for your CV, and (Joe Blue Motivation Letter) for your motivation letter, with names of three (3) referees by EMAIL, under the Subject  “MEAL Manager”  to email.