Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) Officer

ORGANISATION OVERVIEW

• Contribute to the development and design of clear, relevant, and feasible MEL strategies to ensure clearly defined, measurable indicators of outputs, outcomes, and impact for The Collaborative, in line with the SFA Foundation’s mission and strategy.
• Drive quality operationalisation of The Collaborative MEAL strategy, with a focus on continuous improvement, adaptable evidence-based decision-making, and regular knowledge dissemination. This includes but is not limited to continuous review of MEAL tools for data collection, verification, management, reporting, and data audits.
• Develop programme reporting templates that facilitate the acquisition and aggregation of information in programmes, including input for impact-related success stories across The Collaborative.
• Support the maintenance of the MEAL system for the maintenance of the MEAL guidelines, tools, data files, analysis files, reports, and presentations for major activities undertaken.
• Work under the guidance of senior MEAL staff to contribute to strategy development and MEAL planning and delivery across The Collaborative.

• Support the implementation of robust, efficient and effective reporting frameworks that facilitate the acquisition and aggregation of knowledge and impact stories across The Collaborative, in collaboration with the Communications Workstream.
• In collaboration with The Collaborative Programme Management and Workstream Leads, take a lead in reporting programme progress and key lessons, including overall progress on achievement of results.
• Assist in the development of robust evaluations and consultant recruitments as necessary for each relevant activity and process within The Collaborative.
• Support The Collaborative data quality assurance processes, including regular checks, validation exercises, and updates to MEAL databases and dashboards.
• Ensure timely execution of the MEAL Workstream activities by coordinating closely with The Collaborative programme teams to deliver planned outputs.

• Contribute to outcome and evidence-based strategic decision-making and promote a culture of evidence-based learning and adaptation at both The Collaborative and SFA Foundation levels.
• Participate in the development, implementation and evaluation of strategic plans to improve learning approaches across The Collaborative.
• Support The Collaborative teams in developing strategies that enhance programmatic learning based on data collected and experiences noted during the implementation of activities.
• Support The Collaborative teams in reviewing and revising theories of change, where necessary.
• Ensure proper documentation of innovative approaches and best practices for dissemination across The Collaborative stakeholder groups.
• In collaboration with the Communications Workstream, support the translation of technical programme data and evidence into accessible learning formats such as briefs, digests, and outcome snapshots.
• Assist in coordinating cross-programme synthesis and dissemination of key insights to inform decision-making and learning across The Collaborative.

• Build the capacity of project staff in monitoring, evaluation and learning – specifically how to demonstrate impact.
• Support the development of relevant training and coaching material to build the MEL capacity of The Collaborative Programme staff and SFA Foundation grantees.
• Collaborate in developing visual learning tools that support internal knowledge sharing and enhance understanding of MEAL findings across The Collaborative.

• Ably represent the SFA Foundation in various local and international fora requiring liaison with current and potential implementing and funding partners for The Collaborative.
• Support in gathering, summarising and disseminating relevant technical updates on programme planning, monitoring, evaluation and operations research within The Collaborative.
• Contribute to managing The Collaborative knowledge-sharing platforms, including maintenance of the knowledge repository and coordination of content for internal learning calendars and communities of practice.
• Perform any other duties as may be assigned from time to time.

• Bachelor's degree in one of the following (or related) fields: Monitoring & Evaluation, Development Studies, or Public Health, Knowledge Management, Information Science, or Organisational Learning, Statistics, Economics, Social Sciences (with demonstrated training in M&E and learning systems)

• Advanced certificate or training in MEL, statistics, data management or another relevant field.

• Must have a high level of integrity.
• Must understand and demonstrate the SFA Foundation’s values such as respect, accountability, excellence, diversity and inclusion.
• Must demonstrate the ability to build strategic relationships.
• Must be an effective communicator and have excellent problem-solving skills.
• Must be a critical thinker and innovative.
• Must demonstrate the ability to make decisions, plan, organise and manage work.
• Must have a high level of adaptability, engagement readiness and fast thinking.
• Must have the capability to initiate action and be keen on quality.
• Proven success in designing, implementing, and operating project MEL systems from project initiation to closeout stages.
• Experience in managing MEL database systems.
• Expertise in analysing data using statistical software.
• Must be attentive to details.
• Must demonstrate the ability to collaborate and build trust with others.

• Must have proven and demonstrated leadership skills such as delegating responsibilities, developing others, facilitating change and leading through vision and values.
• Must possess the ability to build a successful team.
• Must demonstrate the ability to manage stakeholders.
• Mentor and coach juniors.

• Respect: Demonstrates cultural sensitivity and professionalism in all interactions.
• Accountability: Takes ownership of responsibilities and follows through on commitments.
• Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I): Committed to inclusive practices and equitable decision-making.
• Excellence: Strives for continuous improvement and consistently delivers high-quality outputs.