Program Officer – MEAL
Duty Station: Nairobi, Kenya
Expected start date: As Soon as Possible
Oxfam Novib (ON) is part of Oxfam International (OI), a world-wide confederation of 15 organizations working together in 92 countries to find lasting solutions to poverty and injustice.
Oxfam’s vision is a just world without poverty and is driven by a conviction that people are capable of building a livelihood without poverty on their own, provided they are given the chance to do so.
We respond to humanitarian needs in more than 120 countries and
work with hundreds of thousands of supporters and volunteers who make up our
international network of concern, action and solidarity.
We support local projects in developing countries, and lobby
governments and companies to take into account the interests of the poorest
people, and to increase our impact on development and humanitarian issues.
Job Purpose:
The Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning
Programme Officer (MEAL) will support Oxfam and its partners in monitoring,
evaluation, accountability and learning.
The job will support implementation of MEAL systems for all
country programme pillars (i.e. Education, Conflict Management and Peace
building, Policy governance and Advocacy and Humanitarian response).
The primary responsibility of the role will be to establish then
manage the MEAL system and ensure programme quality in areas.
The post holder will develop relevant data collection and
reporting tools, to ensure that there is standardization of monitoring and
evaluation activities.
Candidate’s demonstrable skills and experience in either or all
of the above sectors are encouraged to apply.
Key tasks and responsibilities
- To
provide technical input as required for the design of the programme(s) and
identify and participate in partner appraisal and selection processes.
- To
initiate the planning and implementation of Oxfam Novib MEAL activities.
- Conduct
interviews (face-to-face and telephone) with beneficiaries to seek
feedback on satisfaction with the projects for alternative monitoring in
limited access areas of Somalia
- Provide
technical support to the partners in the monitoring and evaluation of the
activities including regular field visits as security may allow..
- Maintains
a complaints database and manage the complaints referral system
- Responsible
for writing regular reports, documenting feedback received from
beneficiaries and other stakeholders - highlighting positive and problem
areas.
- To
analyze collected data and make recommendations to Programme Team and MEAL
Coordinator on project quality and desired improvement areas.
- To
work with the Oxfam Novib Information officers and ensure that the
(digital) archiving of the project activities is correctly done and
maintained.
- To
assist in the drafting of new country specific programme/project
proposals;
- To
maintain sound relationships with communities, partners and donors at
operational level, including Oxfam International and other agencies
- To
collect and present information in order to meet the donor requirements on
reports, for the ON management and planning cycle and for any other demand
for information.
- Assist
in the Translation of interview questionnaires into Somali language.
- Compile
monthly write-ups and reports tracking the progress of alternative
monitoring system; including mobile phone complaints and beneficiary
feedback system, staff mission trip
- Together
with Oxfam and partner staff, develop appropriate and user friendly data
collection tools against project indicators, leading on data collection,
entry, analysis and report writing.
- Make
programme recommendations to Programme Manager and partner staff on
project quality and desired improvements based on monitoring data to
enhance effectiveness of program implementation and steps needed to
achieve desired outcomes.
- Ensure
program implementation is in compliance with agreed-upon MEAL plans.
- Develop
clear and user-friendly reporting formats in collaboration with program
implementation units at different levels.
- Provide
support in the preparation of reporting requirements including program
updates, grant mid-year and annual reports, monitoring, evaluation and
impact assessment reports.
- Support
in documentation of impact through Case studies, Human Interest stories
and Success stories to ensure evidence based decision making by teams.
- Monitor
status and progress of program implementation based on performance
indicators and the MEAL Plan.
- Take
responsibility for other MEAL related tasks assigned by line manager.
Required knowledge
- Bachelor’s
degree in International Development, Project management, Disaster
Management, Statistics or closely related fields, with specialized
training in monitoring and evaluation, or a combined professional
qualification and sound experience
- A
minimum of 4 years of direct, “hands-on” working experience in building
and operating monitoring and evaluation of projects/programs.
- Humanitarian
programme experience with international NGOs or other international
organizations as well as understanding local languages
- Experience
data capturing for humanitarian work humanitarian work in the contexts
that range from emergency to development.
- Extensive
experience and recognized expertise in the full range of evaluation models
and tools
- Excellent
interpersonal skills and verbal and written communications skills.
- Strong
Team working skills
- Flexibility
in tasks undertaken and exposure of working in remote and insecure
environments
- Ability
to work under pressure, ability to prioritize and to meet deadline
- Good
report writing skills, strong writing and communication skills and
analytical abilities, particularly in the areas of learning, and capacity
development/transfer.
- Excellent
working knowledge of computers. Knowledge of Access databases, spreadsheet
and SPSS will be an advantage.
- Able
to take initiative and exercise sound judgment.
- Ability
to manage multiple tasks in an effective, pro-active and timely manner.
Desirable:
- Sympathy
with the aims and objectives of Oxfam
- Good
appreciation of gender equality , social justice and HIV/AIDS issues
- Commitment
to humanitarian principles and action
- Knowledge
of Oxfam approaches to accountability in humanitarian programmes
- Experience
with the Somali context be an advantage
- Willingness
to travel to insecure area of Somali as security permits
This position is offered for one year with a possibility for
further renewal.
Application procedure
Applications (full curriculum vitae and motivation letter) to: vacancy@oxfamnovib.or.ke
Application deadline is Wednesday 24th October 2012; COB. ONLY short listed candidates will be contacted.
