Scope of Role:  

Reports to: The post holder will report to the Program Coordination Lead  with a dotted line relation ship with the Grantees; Save the Children and UNICEF and the Ministry of Education led by MYRP Steering Committee but will report administratively to Save the Children.

Staff reporting to this post: None

Budget Responsibilities: None

Dimension: The Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist will be based in Addis Ababa and sits within the Federal Ministry of Education with frequent travel to the field in the areas of program intervention as well as non-intervention areas as required. Anticipate about 50% of the job to be travel away from duty station. 

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

Program Support: MEAL

• Leads the design and development of harmonized monitoring tools and aligned indicator definitions for the project in close collaboration with the ECW MYRP partners
• Puts in place an operational MEAL plan, including setting up of mechanisms to monitor and document the progress of implementation of program activities in close collaboration with the partners.
• Leads the design/ review of MEAL plan, to include the Log frame, Indicator Performance Tracking Table and Activity Tracking Table.
• Maintains an updated program Indicator Performance Tracker (IPT) and Output tracker, in additional to other report requirements as may be requested.
• Provides technical guidance and capacity building of partner staff and stakeholders (including Education Bureau level teams) on implementation of MEAL within the Program; to include capacities for data management: collection, analysis, storage and reporting.
• Leads the development and design of aligned Quality Benchmarks for the program activities to guide monitoring and reporting of the progress of the program. 
• Ensure that Program Output and Outcome monitoring system fulfill the needs of Save the Children, communities, government, UNICEF, relevant agencies, donors and other stakeholders and are in line with MEAL standards and integrates Child Rights Monitoring and Evaluation principles.
• Enhance use of digital data management within the program. Conduct routine data quality assessment and continuous quality improvement of the program to ensure program implementation and quality reporting.
• Develop systems and processes for the implementation of the MEAL framework and practices within the Program and support efforts for the same in the field offices.
• Participate/coordinate the design of quantitative and qualitative participatory Program evaluations (baseline, annual and final evaluations), assessments, reviews and other special studies.
• Facilitate documentation of results, impact, best practices and significant changes. Document learning and best practices; disseminate learnings, reports, publications and participate in learning sessions, and ensuring that the lessons learnt are utilized to inform programming and advocacy.
• Supports implementation of program MIS and integration of   Geographical Information System (GIS) in program   reporting. Support GIS mapping and dissemination of MIS/GIS reports. Provide MIS content/requirements and feedback to MEAL team and document progress on indicators/achievement of targets
• Where applicable, roll-out mobile data collection and monitoring systems and document learning and suggestions for improvement.
• Leads the design and identification of consultancies that may be required for the program evaluation with support from Head of MEAL and   in collaboration with program partners. Design ToRs for the work and provide day to day oversight on tools, and induction to the program.
• Technically lead the process of baseline and end line evaluations of  the program.

Partnerships:

• Provide routine periodic partner monitoring and regular guidance and support to ensure partner’s effective implementation of MEAL according to best practice and donor requirements in collaboration with ECW MYRP Partners and program team.
• Coordinate monthly MEAL Working Group meetings with MEAL representatives from partners, share minutes with key stakeholders and follow-up on recommended action points.
• Share data and information with Grantees, the MoE and the Steering Committee from field monitoring and evaluation whenever required for program and reporting purposes.  

Learning & Documentation:

• Foster and develop a culture of learning within the ECW MYRP Partnership.
• Establish information sharing mechanisms for partner staff to document and share examples of good practice and learning.
• Document learning on working in consortia and pilot innovations and share with key stakeholders.
• Identify opportunities for research and learning questions in collaboration with the partners and Technical Specialists.

Planning, Budgeting and Reporting:

• Coordinate with PCU and Grantees for appropriate allocation of MEAL resources and budget in Program proposals and annual plans.
• Support the design of new proposals for the program, including but not limited to design of log-frame, selection of indicators, needs assessments, and ensuring that learning from previous programs are captured.
• Provide day-to-day direct support to the program and partners in preparation and review program plans and Program reports, ensuring that program reports meet ECW reporting standards.
• Oversee effective MEAL budget utilization to ensure timely implementation of MEAL activities.

Communication and Networking

• Foster a culture of information sharing, learning and collaboration within the ECW MYRP partners.
• Create and sustain positive working relationships internally with other technical staff; externally with the Regional Education Bureaus and CSO partners, and other stakeholders, and also maintain an up to date understanding of key development trends in  Education in Emergencies
• Ensure coordination with government activities and structures in the implementation of the ECW Program 

BEHAVIORS (our Values in Practice)

Accountability:

• Holds self-accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values
• Holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities - giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved

Ambition:

• Sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves (and their team), takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages others to do the same
• Widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others
• Future orientated, thinks strategically

Collaboration:

• Builds and maintains effective relationships with the team, colleagues, members and external partners and supporters
• Values diversity sees it as a source of competitive strength
• Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to

Creativity:

• Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions
• Willing to take disciplined risks

Integrity:

Honest, encourages openness and transparency