Role Purpose
- The Global Programme on Protection for Migrant Children is a pilot joint initiative of IOM, Save the Children and UNICEF to strengthen systems and services that protect migrant children’s rights along key migration routes while generating evidence on effective, scalable approaches. The programme has funding from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and from Sida which jointly covers programming in Egypt, Ethiopia, Libya, Somalia and Tunisia and will run until June 2029, with plans for further expansion to other routes.
- Save the Children leads the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) component across all agencies and countries. During the inception phase, the MEAL Advisor will develop a multi-year MEAL framework with partners, establish a robust and harmonized MEAL system, design common indicators and reporting mechanisms, and coordinate the MEAL Working Group. The role will strengthen results-based planning, ensure high-quality data collection, facilitate stakeholder learning and validation processes, promote accountability, and contribute to the programme’s long-term evidence generation agenda.
Principal Accountabilities
- Lead the development and implementation of the programme's MEAL framework, ensuring alignment with donor requirements and organisational standards.
- Lead the interagency MEAL working groups (CO WG and Global focal points WG)
- Establish and maintain systems, tools and processes for monitoring programme performance, outcomes and results across implementation locations.
- Support the collection, analysis and interpretation of monitoring data to inform programme adaptation, decision-making and reporting.
- Monitor and support the ongoing quality, consistency and integrity of programme data, promoting compliance with agreed data management standards.
- Facilitate regular learning, reflection and review processes to identify lessons learned and support continuous programme improvement.
- Support the generation, documentation and dissemination of evidence, learning products, case studies and promising practices from programme implementation.
- Support the integration of accountability mechanisms and beneficiary feedback processes within programme implementation and monitoring activities.
- Contribute to donor reporting requirements, evaluations, reviews and other accountability processes, ensuring timely and high-quality submissions.
- Provide MEAL technical advice and capacity strengthening support to programme staff, partners and relevant stakeholders as required.
- Contribute to programme development, resource mobilisation and proposal design processes by providing MEAL-related technical input and evidence.
Experience and Skills
Essential
- Demonstrated experience of leading or coordinating MEAL function across multiple agencies, partners and/or countries would be considered as an asset.
- Experience of working in all aspects of planning, monitoring and evaluation, including system design, programmatic quality audits, systematic tracking and analysis, evaluations, surveys, assessment systems, capacity building and training.
- Thorough knowledge of results-based monitoring frameworks, and a proven ability to translate broad outcome statements into measurable indicators, clear definitions and realistic targets.
- Strong analytical skills across both quantitative and qualitative data, including systematic analysis of secondary and documentary sources (such as policies, standard operating procedures and case documentation) to assess quality standards against.
- Experience of integrating quality standards in programmes, including adherence to minimum standards, technical guidance and safe programming for children.
- Ability to write clear and well-argued assessment and project reports including data analysis and triangulation.
- Strong coordination and facilitation skills, with proven experience of convening and driving a working group or network of focal points, including across organisations or consortiums, to deliver shared outputs.
- Proven capacity to supervise, train and mentor staff, and to work in both an advisory and a hands-on implementation capacity.
- Previous experience working with external consultant(s), including commissioning and quality-assuring their work.
- Experience of preparing successful funding proposals for, and reporting to, institutional donors.
Desirable
- Significant experience of undertaking a similar MEAL related role for, ideally cross-border, migration and/or child protection programming in the Central Mediterranean and/or Horn of Africa / East Africa migration routes.
- Working knowledge of Arabic will be considered as an asset.