MEAL Advisor for Research and Evaluation

ROLE PURPOSE

The MEAL Adviser for Research and evaluation assists the MEAL Director in establishing and managing a Monitoring, evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) system that will enable the organization and partners to ensure that all projects are continually being monitored for their effectiveness and appropriateness and that lessons are documented and communicated to inform on-going implementation and future programming. S/he will guide the Field MEAL Coordinators and Officers in achieving outcome/impact focused projects and accountability to beneficiaries in line with Save the Children's and donor's policies and practices. 

As MEAL Adviser with focus on Research and evaluation, s/he is responsible for establishing and managing the systems for Researches, evaluations and Studies to ensure that all programs are able to establish evidence for ongoing implementation, completed projects, and future programming. S/he will provide technical support to projects and field offices in research and evaluation processes in line with Save the Children's and donor's policies and benchmarks. The adviser will assist the MEAL Director and Program Managers on building capacities of staff and partners for MEAL with specific focus on research and evaluation, especially with children’s participation. 

S/He will drive the use of stronger, evidence-based programming, advocacy and social enterprise more consistently across SCP, leveraging evidence and knowledge among field offices and partners, and align and measure SCP’s contribution to the three Breakthroughs for Children. This will be done by overseeing and leading research, evaluation, accountability and learning efforts, and measuring and demonstrating the impact of SCP programs.  The MEAL Adviser for R&E will provide technical support to maximize evidence generation in proposal development, in the oversight of consultants for high priority studies, in maintaining the SCP evaluation repository, and in the action plan of the evaluation Technical Working Group. 

Together with the evaluation TWG, the role will champion demand for and application of evidence, and nurturing a culture of knowledge within SCP. S/he will strengthen capacities of staff and establish strategic partnerships with other organizations and relevant institutions and will actively engage with regional and global processes related to R&E initiatives of SCI / other members. S/he will lead establishment of SC as a leader in child rights research and evidence, in both humanitarian and development contexts, including through representation in key national, regional and international forums.

In summary, the MEAL Adviser for R&E will be responsible for ensuring that SCP : 

•has evidence on the extent to which our interventions are affecting the lives of the targeted populations;

•has evidence-based knowledge on the positive and negative impact that our interventions are having on children, families and communities where Save the Children Philippines and its partners work. • Build regular, timely and context-specific, "MEAL" -ningul evidence from monitoring, research, and feedback that effectively informs and signals areas where strategic attention is required

The above should be implemented across all projects of the field offices covering the full spectrum of programming from emergency response to early recovery/rehabilitation and development.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Essential

Bachelor's degree in social sciences, education, public health, demography, statistics, international development or related field, master's degree a plusMinimum of five (5) years' experience in monitoring and evaluation, research or impact assessment projects, ideally within a social development contextStrong knowledge in statistics and data processing; experience collecting and analyzing quantitative and qualitative dataProven capacity to train and coach staffAbility to facilitate/conduct large technical trainings for staffExperience of representation and ability to represent Save the Children effectively in external foraAbility to produce technical/academic reportsPolitically and culturally sensitive with qualities of patience, tact and diplomacyGood understanding of Philippine development issues and how various social, economic and political issues affect childrenGood knowledge of any Save the Children's thematic areasStrong analytical and conceptualization skills and ability to think strategicallyAbility to work on own initiative to build on and develop the job, combined with the ability to work effectively as part of a teamHighly developed writing skills; able to write technical reports, situation reports, etc. Strong facilitation and presentation skillsHighly organized, with good attention to detail and developed ability to prioritize multiple tasks to meet tight deadlines and organize workDemonstrated computer skills in Microsoft Office Suite applications and statistical packages such as SPSS, etc.Must have a high sense of urgency and a well-developed work ethicWillingness to travel up to 40% to program field sites 

Desirable

Previous experience working with INGO or UNExperience working in research in social or children’s issuesSpecific experience of managing evaluation Consultants 

The job holder should develop a strong understanding of Save the Children’s vision and mission and should be committed to its principles and objectives. S/He should be willing to adopt the Save the Children methodology and framework in program implementation; and abide by and implement Save the Children’s Agency Policies including the Safeguarding Policy.

Interested applicants are required to apply through this link https://stcuk.taleo.net/careersection/ex/jobdetail.ftl?job=220000SJ&lang=en