ROLE PURPOSE:

The MEAL Coordinator is a technical role and heads the MEAL function in the DCA Kenya Country Office (CO). The MEAL Coordinator will lead on the development and strategic direction of DCA’s Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) systems, policies, and procedures. The position will lead in developing, implementing, and maintaining effective and appropriate M&E systems for DCA-led projects and providing technical support to partners. The post will involve coordination with project management teams and partner focal points in line with donor reporting requirements, and with DCA guidelines and best practices.

Key responsibilities:

• Take the lead in implementing the DCA MEAL policy and guidelines, coordinating with and providing technical support to field-based DCA MEAL staff on the same.
• Participate and play a leading role in the development and roll-out of a MEAL strategy for the DCA Kenya CO.
• Offer technical guidance for a strong MEAL system and processes throughout the project cycle from the design, start up, implementation to close-out and learning.
• Drive the use of learning and evidence from internal and external sources including previous projects to advise innovative proposal designs, Theory of Change (ToC) and program adaptation. Lead MEAL team proposal inputs including the development of proposed log frames, indicators, and MEAL approaches.
• Developing and operationalizing, logical frameworks, MEAL plans, data collection tools, processes for data management, complaints handling and feedback, quality checks and audits, and data visualization.
• Produce high-quality data, analysis, reports, presentations, and dashboards of key findings that foster learning and decision-making and share in key meetings such as project learning meetings and strategic senior leadership team (SLT) meetings.
• Analyse partner project data and reports, draw lessons learned and propose corrective measures to partners and DCA staff where necessary.
• Collaborating with DCA and partner project staff and the DCA Programme Development, Grants & Partnerships Coordinator, review donor reporting in advance of submission to ensure quality and accuracy and working closely with MEAL teams in field sites to ensure proper reporting of data.
• Working closely with the HoP, coordinate and facilitate inputs to the annual Country Programme report compilation.
• Supporting project and / or grant closeout and learning meetings to ensure sharing and capturing of lessons learnt.
• In close consultations with the HoP, plan and undertake monitoring visits to partners / projects and document actions / learning via monitoring reports.
• Provide technical leadership for the design, methodology, and conduct of surveys such as baseline and endline, and the commission of evaluations and any other assessments as required in coordination with DCA and partner MEAL & project staff where applicable.
• Provide ongoing support to project teams, partners, and rights holders to mainstream M&E systems; identify skill gaps that can be addressed through targeted organizational capacity support. Plan, organize and conduct MEAL capacity assessments & develop and implement capacity building plans for both partner & DCA project and MEAL staff.
• Serve as the DCA Kenya Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS)/Accountability focal point. Leading on reviewing and enhancing DCA and partner complaints handling and feedback mechanisms, and providing technical leadership on periodic ‘Listen, Learn, Act’ surveys.
• Contribute to evidence-based decision-making on programme design and implementation, notably through making monitoring, review, and evaluations findings accessible, developing innovative, user-friendly, and informative products.
• In cooperation with the Communications & Events Assistant and project staff, produce human interest stories, case stories, periodic SITREPs, quarterly newsletters, and other visibility materials communicating DCA and partner’s work, achievements and learning.

Required Education, Experience & Skills

• A University degree in a relevant subject area (statistics, monitoring & evaluation, data management, social science, public health, economic development, or a related field) – a technical degree together with additional relevant work experience may substitute for education.
• A minimum 6 years of working experience within Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning-related functions.
• Experience in conducting research.
• Leadership experience and validated technical skills in setting up quality MEAL systems that lead to evidence-based decision-making.
• Knowledge of MEAL for international donors including EU, ECHO, Danida, NORAD and other institutional donors.
• Knowledge of and experience in working with local and international partners and the private sector.
• Enjoys and is good at liaison, building relations and networking.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills with experience in engaging with people of different cultures and backgrounds.
• Flexible, pro-active, self-motivated and good at coordinating and organizing own work as well as that of the team, while managing several processes at a time. This should be combined with a strong attention to detail.
• Knowledge of DCA’s programmatic areas is an advantage.