Head of Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (Head of MEAL) job at GOAL

About the Role

GOAL is currently seeking to hire a Head of MEAL who will be responsible for leading the GOAL Uganda (GU) Country Programme MEAL team, ensuring that an effective Programme monitoring, evaluation, research and learning, and accountability and data management system is in place for diverse program portfolio. The incumbent will be also responsible for a sufficiently resourced department that oversees the collection, storage and visualization of MEAL data through GOAL sanctioned tools and platforms such as COMMCARE and POWERBI. The Head of MEAL is expected to lead the team contributing to improved learning and program quality, enabling adaptive management, promoting efficiency and effectiveness and improving communications to our internal and external audiences. The position will directly manage the Country MEAL, Communications and MIS teams. The MEAL team, housed within the larger Programme Department, provides a crucial function in supporting GU to achieve our impact, improve our programmes and systems and share our successes.

To be successful in this role, you will need:

Essential

• Master’s degree in data science, development economics, Development Monitoring & Evaluation, Monitoring & Evaluation and Statistics.
• 8 years + INGO demonstrated experience in a similar role developing and managing institutional level monitoring, evaluation, research and learning agenda & strategies, as well as complex MEAL systems and large teams.
• Experience in qualitative and quantitative data collection methodologies including outcome monitoring & harvesting and other participatory approaches to monitoring, evaluation and learning.
• High proficiency in MIS tools and databases such as CommCare, PowerBi.

Desirable

• Experience in results measurement of market systems development programs.
• Familiar with cross-cutting themes such as GESI, Participation and Accountability.
• Experience in facilitating learning within organisations and in sharing learning and evidence with internal and external audiences.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to influence perceptions and behaviours in relation to MEAL uptake and usage within wider organisations – change management experience.
• Ability to summarise large sets of data and technical information into concise and tailored reports for various target groups.

The key responsibilities of the role will be:

Strategic Leadership and Partnership

• Lead the development of Country Programme level MEAL budget, annual planning and reporting processes.
• Lead the design and integration of the different donors’ programme portfolios’ MEAL plans, measurement tools, and indicators at country, donor and GOAL Global level reporting
• Lead on the coordination of the timely collection and analysis of all M&E data for periodic reporting (monthly, quarterly, biannual and annual) for all donor reports.
• Contribute to organisational processes, such as the development and implementation of Country Strategic Action Plan, the impact measurement standards and strategy, localisation, longer-term nexus programming and sustainability, as well as contributing to organisational change processes.
• Deliver technical support to SMT in programme design/proposal writing to ensure that programme quality is fully embedded, and more specifically support the development of the theory of change and measurement plans.
• Provide oversight and leadership to GU’s effort in meeting its internal and external accountability commitments through the implementation of sound accountability, client feedback, and response mechanisms.
• Provide technical support and guidance to consultants/partners/stakeholders working with GU on MEAL related services and ensure that all assignments are effectively and efficiently executed with high quality deliverables.

Technical Oversight and implementation of GU’s MEAL Strategy and System

• Lead and provide technical leadership on the design and the implementation of a strong GU M&E Strategy, reporting and related processes, systems/tools that integrate various MEAL requirements for individual projects throughout the project cycle, programme teams, country-level indicators and global GOAL indicators, streamlining monitoring and reporting tools, data capture, databases and monitoring processes on COMMCARE and PowerBi/Score and other GOAL approved tools.
• Lead and coordinate the qualitative and quantitative approaches to monitoring, evaluation, research and learning across Programme teams, including through outcome harvesting/monitoring and participatory approaches to MEAL.
• Lead and coordinate the Programme MEAL teams in the development of individual results frameworks, indicators and data collection plans (monitoring plans) for GU projects and programmes.
• Work with Programme teams to develop and promote the use of standard GOAL Global and GOAL Uganda MEAL guidelines, indicators, tools and forms (as appropriate) and coordinate the collection of information required for country-level management.

Data Collection, Storage, Analysis and Reporting

• Lead and coordinate the development of Terms of References (TORs) and the design, collection and analysis of baselines, annual, mid and end line surveys, assessments and regular monitoring processes. Facilitate feedback and review with Programme teams.
• Lead, oversee and ensure that all programme participants’ and partners’ databases are regularly captured/updated in COMMCARE with uniquely identifiable registry system and in compliance with donor and GOAL requirements.
• Generate regular reports drawing from the database and monitoring tools, ensuring reports/information are available to programme staff as required.
• Closely monitor and report on the results and progress made with regard to projects and programme implementation and prepare monthly reports/provide feedback to the PD and SMT on implementation and progress of the MEAL team workplans.
• Systematically conduct data quality assessments and other data quality assurance measures for GOAL and partner programmes to ensure data collected is accurate and reliable. Documented results and recommendations should be shared with relevant stakeholders.
• Conduct regular field visits to ensure all elements of the MEAL system are being utilized effectively, assessing and identifying breakdowns and areas that require clarifications and improvements.
• Contribute to monthly, quarterly and annual reports and other ad hoc reports to meet donor, GOAL Global and internal requirements.
• Ensure standardisation of MEAL tools used by GOAL and Partners, including monitoring and reporting tools, SoPs, data aggregation tools and guidelines, and take lead on training and orientation sessions to uniform application across teams.

Internal and External Communications and GU Visibility

• Identify, prioritise and participate in relevant thematic fora, platforms and networks for sector coordination, expertise exchange, learning and influencing.
• Work with the wider MEAL team to produce and implement a Communications Plan for both internal and external stakeholders Work with MEAL and programme staff to ensure the regular development and dissemination of high-quality communication and learning materials such as learning briefs, case studies, success/challenge stories, newsletters, blogs, photo journals and videos for GU’s Programmes as per the Communications Plan.
• Ensure compliance with GU and GOAL Global communications and branding protocols and standards.

Quality Assurance and Learning

• Provide input into R&D processes to identify research needs and opportunities within GU which contribute to the Country Programme priorit

• Lead the development of Country Programme level MEAL budget, annual planning and reporting processes.
• Lead the design and integration of the different donors’ programme portfolios’ MEAL plans, measurement tools, and indicators at country, donor and GOAL Global level reporting
• Lead on the coordination of the timely collection and analysis of all M&E data for periodic reporting (monthly, quarterly, biannual and annual) for all donor reports.
• Contribute to organisational processes, such as the development and implementation of Country Strategic Action Plan, the impact measurement standards and strategy, localisation, longer-term nexus programming and sustainability, as well as contributing to organisational change processes.
• Deliver technical support to SMT in programme design/proposal writing to ensure that programme quality is fully embedded, and more specifically support the development of the theory of change and measurement plans.
• Provide oversight and leadership to GU’s effort in meeting its internal and external accountability commitments through the implementation of sound accountability, client feedback, and response mechanisms.
• Provide technical support and guidance to consultants/partners/stakeholders working with GU on MEAL related services and ensure that all assignments are effectively and efficiently executed with high quality deliverables.
• Lead and provide technical leadership on the design and the implementation of a strong GU M&E Strategy, reporting and related processes, systems/tools that integrate various MEAL requirements for individual projects throughout the project cycle, programme teams, country-level indicators and global GOAL indicators, streamlining monitoring and reporting tools, data capture, databases and monitoring processes on COMMCARE and PowerBi/Score and other GOAL approved tools.
• Lead and coordinate the qualitative and quantitative approaches to monitoring, evaluation, research and learning across Programme teams, including through outcome harvesting/monitoring and participatory approaches to MEAL.
• Lead and coordinate the Programme MEAL teams in the development of individual results frameworks, indicators and data collection plans (monitoring plans) for GU projects and programmes.
• Work with Programme teams to develop and promote the use of standard GOAL Global and GOAL Uganda MEAL guidelines, indicators, tools and forms (as appropriate) and coordinate the collection of information required for country-level management.
• Lead and coordinate the development of Terms of References (TORs) and the design, collection and analysis of baselines, annual, mid and end line surveys, assessments and regular monitoring processes. Facilitate feedback and review with Programme teams.
• Lead, oversee and ensure that all programme participants’ and partners’ databases are regularly captured/updated in COMMCARE with uniquely identifiable registry system and in compliance with donor and GOAL requirements.
• Generate regular reports drawing from the database and monitoring tools, ensuring reports/information are available to programme staff as required.
• Closely monitor and report on the results and progress made with regard to projects and programme implementation and prepare monthly reports/provide feedback to the PD and SMT on implementation and progress of the MEAL team workplans.
• Systematically conduct data quality assessments and other data quality assurance measures for GOAL and partner programmes to ensure data collected is accurate and reliable. Documented results and recommendations should be shared with relevant stakeholders.
• Conduct regular field visits to ensure all elements of the MEAL system are being utilized effectively, assessing and identifying breakdowns and areas that require clarifications and improvements.
• Contribute to monthly, quarterly and annual reports and other ad hoc reports to meet donor, GOAL Global and internal requirements.
• Ensure standardisation of MEAL tools used by GOAL and Partners, including monitoring and reporting tools, SoPs, data aggregation tools and guidelines, and take lead on training and orientation sessions to uniform application across teams.
• Identify, prioritise and participate in relevant thematic fora, platforms and networks for sector coordination, expertise exchange, learning and influencing.
• Work with the wider MEAL team to produce and implement a Communications Plan for both internal and external stakeholders Work with MEAL and programme staff to ensure the regular development and dissemination of high-quality communication and learning materials such as learning briefs, case studies, success/challenge stories, newsletters, blogs, photo journals and videos for GU’s Programmes as per the Communications Plan.
• Ensure compliance with GU and GOAL Global communications and branding protocols and standards.
• Provide input into R&D processes to identify research needs and opportunities within GU which contribute to the Country Programme priorit

• Experience in qualitative and quantitative data collection methodologies including outcome monitoring & harvesting and other participatory approaches to monitoring, evaluation and learning.
• High proficiency in MIS tools and databases such as CommCare, PowerBi.
• Experience in results measurement of market systems development programs.
• Familiar with cross-cutting themes such as GESI, Participation and Accountability.
• Experience in facilitating learning within organisations and in sharing learning and evidence with internal and external audiences.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to influence perceptions and behaviours in relation to MEAL uptake and usage within wider organisations – change management experience.
• Ability to summarise large sets of data and technical information into concise and tailored reports for various target groups.

• Master’s degree in data science, development economics, Development Monitoring & Evaluation, Monitoring & Evaluation and Statistics.
• 8 years + INGO demonstrated experience in a similar role developing and managing institutional level monitoring, evaluation, research and learning agenda & strategies, as well as complex MEAL systems and large teams.