Job Description

Description of the unit/program.

Trócaire works in partnership with local and church organisations, supporting communities in developing countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East to bring about lasting change. Trócaire envisages a just and peaceful world where people’s dignity is ensured, and rights are respected; basic needs are met, and resources are shared equitably; people have control over their own lives; and those in power act for the common good. The Zimbabwe Programme Team is headed by the Programme Manager. The MEAL Officer will support the work of the Programme Team in-country.

Background to the role

The MEAL Officer, reporting to the MEAL Advisor, will be responsible for providing support on MEAL for Trócaire’s country programme, helping to ensure that Trócaire and its partners are implementing high quality programmes, adequately, monitors, evaluates and earns from its work, develops quality reports, and ensures accountability to all stakeholders.

Safeguarding policy

Trócaire is committed to safeguarding people within our programmes from exploitation and abuse and has specific policies on this commitment (including a Global Code of Conduct) which outlines the expected behaviour and the responsibility of all staff, consultants, and other organisational representatives.

Any candidate offered a job with Trócaire will be expected to sign Trócaire’s Safeguarding Policies and Global Code of Conduct as an appendix to their contract of employment and agree to conduct themselves in accordance with the provisions of these documents. All offers of employment will be subject to pre-employment checks including satisfactory references and appropriate screening. Trócaire also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme and all employees will be subject to this as part of contract of employment.

Scope of the role

The role will be a member of Trocaire Zimbabwe’s Programme Team responsible for routine monitoring of projects, data collection, quality assurance, implementation of key MEAL tools and establishment of community complaints and feedback mechanisms. The MEAL Officer will be responsible for recording and monitoring feedback, ensuring that the feedback mechanisms loop is closed, and that partners are informed of decisions taken.

Duties and Responsibilities

Key duties and requirements

Programme development, Implementation, learning, and reporting

Support MEAL and Programme Advisors in effective data collection, entry, storage, and analysis for regular programme monitoring and evaluation at country office level, ensuring coherence across approaches and aggregate all data at a programme and country level.
Support the management of data collection surveys, client satisfaction surveys, and client feedback collection systems. Perform initial data review for projects and support Advisors in the compilation of reports.
Participate in regular data verification and audit exercises to assess the quality of data reported and address any anomalies identified.
Support the MEAL Advisor in preparing for and conducting project evaluations.
Capture project learnings during implementation of project, including facilitating partner capacity strengthening interventions on project learning.
Participate in the partner review meetings.
Support the implementation of the Feedback and Complaints Handling Mechanism (FCHM) as well as safeguarding programme participants policy, ensuring that the accountability mechanisms are in place and works.
Support the MEAL Advisor in designing and documentation of data collection and analysis tools for all project indicators and ensure they are in line with internal best practices and standards.
Support the Programme Team to champion the importance of gender sensitive data collection and sex, age and disability disaggregated data and analysis, including the use of the Washington Group short set practical indicators and monitoring tools.
Actively participate in the in-country MEAL cluster meetings to learn and share experiences.
Participate in wider organisational learning opportunities, planning, and review work where appropriate.
Undertake any other duties as may be assigned by the MEAL Advisor that are consistent with the nature of the job, its level of responsibility and requirements of the country programme
Capacity strengthening to Partners staff

Support the MEAL Advisor with providing support to partners on improving their internal M&E systems, coaching and accompaniment to partner staff in MEAL capacities, skills, and tasks.
Assist the MEAL Advisor in the development and implementation of a partner M&E capacity building plans, generating training materials and resources where needed but also utilizing the global available where possible.

Qualifications and Experience

Requirements
A minimum of a Degree in Development Studies, Social Sciences, Monitoring and Evaluation or any other relevant field.
At least 5 years’ experience in programme monitoring, evaluation and/or development work.
Experience in implementing results focused monitoring, evaluation and learning systems, and using results or logical frameworks;
Previous experience of quantitative/ qualitative data management and analysis including digital data collection;
Experience with digital data collection software, such as CommCare or similar software.
Experience in participatory MEAL approaches.
Previous experience working with local partner organizations and in facilitating trainings.
Demonstrated commitment to international development work.
Some knowledge of institutional donor grants policies, procedures, project management, and reporting requirements. Experience with FCDO, SIDA, EU, or Irish Aid grants would be an advantage.
Skills

Technical skills to implement M&E in a gender-sensitive manner, including tool design, sampling, data collection, analysis, participatory rural appraisal, and report writing.
Proposal development and writing skills.
Computer Skills: High level of proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint. Good knowledge of IT systems such as cloud platforms, apps, Excel, databases, and online data collection systems such as CommCare
Facilitation, coordination, and communication skills, with an ability to communicate to a variety of audiences.
Ability to synthesize large amounts of data into different formats (e.g., reports, short summaries, presentations);
Experience leveraging performance monitoring data for improving ongoing project management.
Qualities

A leader, but a team player with strong commitment to working with others to achieve mutual objectives.
Availability to travel extensively within the country and to work outside normal hours when necessary.
Strong commitment to respect of human rights, democracy, women’s empowerment, and gender equality.
Understanding of and empathy with the ethos of Trócaire as a Catholic organisation.
Knowledge
Understanding of programme cycle management and Programme Quality theories, including MEAL systems and Results Based Management and impact assessment.
General understanding of development issues and contexts, preferably in the areas of Humanitarian, Sustainable Livelihoods, Resource Rights, SGBV, and Women’s Empowerment.
Person Specification - Desirable Requirements

Flexibility
Initiative
Coordination Skills
Excellent organiser
Behavioural competencies in line with Trócaire’s Competency Framework

Supporting: Reflecting our values of Participation & Accountability, demonstrating Trócaire’s values with integrity to achieve our organisation’s objectives.
Communicating: Reflecting our value of Participation, being one organisation, communicating clearly and transparently across, teams, units, divisions, locations, and other external organisations. Getting our message across with impact.
Collaborating: Reflecting our values of Participation & Solidarity, partnering effectively as One Trócaire organisation and, in solidarity, maintains positive relationships built on trust and respect.
Stewardship of Resources: Reflecting our value of Accountability and decision-making around the best use of resources. Using our resources transparently, sustainably, ethically, fairly & with integrity; acknowledging Trócaire’s reputation in the use of resources.
Delivering Results: Reflecting our values of Accountability & Perseverance, getting a quality job done through effective performance, planning, and decision-making.
Continual Improvement and Learning: Reflecting our values of Participation & Courage, constantly looking to learn and develop self, employees, and partners to better fulfil Trócaire’s’ mission.
Flexibility and Change: Reflecting our values of Participation & Courage, adapts positively to change and to different ways of doing things; manages or takes part in change processes in a way that is appropriate to the role in the organisation.
Closing date for applications is Tuesday 19 March 2024