MEAL Officer - Katsina

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

Save the Children Nigeria is implementing a two-year ECHO-HIP Funded integrated Education in Emergencies (EiE) and Child Protection response project in Yobe and Katsina States, aimed at restoring safe and inclusive learning opportunities while reducing protection risks for crisis-affected girls and boys, including children with disabilities.

The programme combines Accelerated Basic Education for out-of-school and overage learners with Literacy/Numeracy Boost and Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL) interventions in formal schools to support learning recovery, prevent dropout, and enable children’s re-entry into education. School safety and safeguarding will be strengthened through teacher training, the establishment of child help desks, and the application of risk-informed approaches.

The rehabilitation of classrooms and WASH in Schools infrastructure will enhance safety, ventilation, lighting, and accessibility, including the provision of ramps for children with disabilities. Child Protection case management and Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) will be delivered through group and individual psychosocial support sessions, as well as specialised referrals, alongside strengthened community-based child protection committees.

Caregivers will also be engaged to address harmful attitudes and practices, while Multipurpose Cash Assistance (MPCA), integrated into case management plans, will help address the economic drivers of child labour, exploitation, and school dropout. Implementation will be further strengthened through partnerships with two national NGOs, LABDI in Yobe and PREHYA in Katsina, reinforcing localisation, capacity strengthening, and sustainability.

ROLE PURPOSE:

The MEAL Officer will be responsible for establishing and managing a robust Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) system for the project, in line with Save the Children International (SCI) standards and donor requirements.

The post holder will lead or support key assessments, including ASER and TaRL assessments for learners, as well as baseline, midline, and endline evaluations. S/he will monitor project progress and quality, conduct routine data verification and data quality assurance processes with partners, document lessons learned, and contribute to regular monitoring, reporting, and learning processes.

SCOPE OF ROLE:

Reports to: MEAL Manager

Staff reporting to this post: NIL

Role Dimensions: Work with the program and Support Staff.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Develop, adapt, and implement robust project MEAL plans, systems, and data management processes in line with Save the Children International (SCI) and donor requirements.
• Coordinate with project partners and technical programme staff to conduct routine monitoring visits to project sites and carry out weekly, monthly, and quarterly data collection, validation, and verification exercises, ensuring that all dimensions of data quality are met in a timely manner.
• In collaboration with partners and programme teams, analyse project data and performance indicators to generate actionable insights, support timely decision-making, and inform programme improvement.
• Support the implementation of periodic monitoring, evaluation, and accountability activities, including quality benchmarks, data quality assessments, and project performance reviews, to enhance overall project effectiveness.
• Document data collection and analysis findings and contribute to the preparation of accurate, comprehensive, and high-quality project reports.
• Ensure timely and accurate weekly, monthly, and quarterly updates of the project’s Indicator Performance Tracking Table (IPTT), Detailed Implementation Plan (DIP), and SCI’s Project Reporting, Information Management and Evidence (PRIME) system, and support performance tracking through available dashboards.
• Contribute to the tracking and reporting of relevant country and global strategic plan indicators, as applicable to the project.
• With support from the Country Research and Assessment Focal Point, lead or support the implementation of learner assessments, including ASER and TaRL, as well as baseline, midline, and endline assessments, and out-of-school children mapping in selected communities.
• Support the registration and verification of project participants prior to any distribution and conduct post-distribution monitoring for cash and voucher assistance (CVA), learning kits, and WASH non-food items (NFIs), as applicable.
• Deliver training and capacity strengthening support to project staff, partners, and enumerators/data collectors on MEAL processes, tools, standards, and reporting requirements.

Accountability

• Support the effective implementation of the three pillars of accountability, information sharing, participation, and feedback and reporting, and ensure relevant documentation is maintained.
• Assist in establishing and strengthening accountability mechanisms that ensure project participants, including children and other vulnerable groups, can safely express their views and have those views considered in project design, adaptation, and implementation.
• Collaborate with partners to conduct accountability needs assessments, facilitate child participation activities, and contribute to country-level accountability key performance indicator reporting, and sharing documented Feedback and Responses monthly.

Knowledge Management & Learning

• Support and facilitate periodic Pause and Reflect sessions in collaboration with the MEAL Manager and Knowledge Management and Learning Advisor to review progress, identify lessons learned, and adapt strategies for improved project outcomes.
• Ensure the generation, documentation, and dissemination of evidence and learning by collecting, analysing, and documenting lessons learned, best practices, case studies, and success stories to inform future programming and advocacy.
• Actively participate in programme learning initiatives and facilitate knowledge-sharing and reflection sessions with project teams and partners.
• Provide evidence-based insights and recommendations to support continuous improvement in project design and implementation.
• Ensure all project MEAL documents and evidence are properly organized and stored in the SCI Resource Centre and other designated information management platforms.

Staff Management & Coaching

• Coaching and mentoring of data collectors and feedback and response mechanism field assistants to achieve project deliverables.
• Support the implementation of the SCI performance management system, by supporting, supervising, and reviewing performance of direct reports.

Safeguarding

• Ensure risk assessments are done before any data collection that involves children.

General

• Comply with SCI policies and practice with respect to child protection, code of conduct, health and safety, equal opportunities, and other relevant policies and procedures.
• Undertake any other tasks within the MEAL function as the line manager requires, adapting to project needs and challenges.

BEHAVIOURS (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 their team to do the same
• widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others
• future orientated, thinks strategically and on a global scale.

Collaboration:

• builds and maintains effective relationships, with their 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; demonstrates highest levels of integrity

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum of BSc or equivalent qualification in, Economics, Statistics, Development Planning, Social Work or Demography, Computer Science, or any related courses.

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

• At least 3 years of experience working in MEAL for Humanitarian/developmental organizations.
• Experience in implementing Education and protection programs in humanitarian contexts program is an added advantage.
• Experience in the use of analytical and visualization tools/software.
• Very good communication and interpersonal skills, including ability to communicate technical issues effectively and persuasively.
• Excellent English communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Good Knowledge of local area and local language.
• Commitment to and understanding of Save the Children’s aims, values, and principles including rights-based approaches and children’s participation.

Additional job responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities as set out above are not exhaustive and the role holder may be required to carry out additional duties within reasonableness of their level of skills and experience.

Equal Opportunities

The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the SCI Equal Opportunities and Diversity policies and procedures.

Child Safeguarding:

We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.

Safeguarding our Staff:

The post holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the SCI anti-harassment policy

Health and Safety

The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with SCI Health and Safety policies and procedures.