The purpose of Monitoring, Evaluation, Adaptation and Learning (MEAL) Director is to lead the establishment and implementation of the MEAL system of anticipated BHA-funded Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM), including obtaining, analyzing, organizing, and interpreting project data and ensuring compliance with MEAL requirements as specified by USAID/BHA. The Monitoring, Evaluation, Adaptation and Learning (MEAL) Director will provide technical expertise and leadership to generate and analyze quality evidence and data through monitoring, assessments, and evaluations. The MEAL Director is required to build and manage monitoring systems, lead mixed methods measurements such as baseline and evaluations and effectively promote evidence-based program management. The MEAL Director will also provide technical expertise on learning agendas, consortium learning practices, and provide input to senior management for program adaptation based on key learnings. S/he will also provide technical guidance and supervision of sub-grantees and/or sub-contractors on Monitoring and Evaluation related issues.

Major Responsibilities.

20% Implementation/Execution

• Oversee and execute M&E activities with particular focus on results and impacts as well as in lesson learned
• Undertake regular visits to the field to support implementation of M&E and to identify where adaptations might be needed
• Lead the development of the MEAL plan, including the identification of key performance indicators, MEAL standard operating procedures and MEAL tool of the project.
• Lead the roll-out and implementation of the project’s MEAL system, strategies, requirements and country-level activities; roll-out orientation/training sessions to MEAL and relevant program staff of World Vision Ethiopia and its RRM implementing partners.
• Maintain MEAL systems and tools used to track project implementation progress and analyze information on inputs, outputs, outcomes, and impact of the project for learning and adaptive management.
• Ensure data quality through the implementation of effective data verification mechanism and undertaking routine data quality assessments at all levels.
• Undertake/coordinate periodic joint field supportive supervision to project implementation and implementing partners’ sites.
• Ensure a strong beneficiary feedback mechanism is implemented.
• Contribute to GoE M&E system strengthening efforts at national and local level including supporting the use of data for decision making at all levels
• Utilize qualitative and quantitative methodologies, as appropriate and necessary.

30% Learning and Collaboration, and Knowledge Management 

• Build a database system for managing project-related data and evidence.
• Lead the implementation of Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) mechanism to ensure intentional learning, collaboration, and adaptive management.
• Lead the research initiative of the project with other partners
• Ensure that relevant project documentation is well organized and best practices, lessons, success stories, case studies, etc. are well captured, synthesized, packaged, produced and shared to relevant stakeholders using different technologies and methods.
• Ensure MEAL evidence is available to management for decision making and continuous performance improvement.
• Plan and manage any research-focused deliverables or other evaluations throughout the life of the program and oversee any MEAL-related consultancies.
• Organize/facilitate regular project implementation and performance review sessions and learning events.
• Define MEAL-related inputs required from partners and oversee the quality of deliverables.

15% Management and Leadership

• Serve as part of the project’s leadership team, contributing to the development and implementation of annual program work plans, performance milestones, and project monitoring.
• Provide overall leadership and supervision on the MEAL function, supporting successful delivery of the project.
• Ensure that the required budget allocates appropriately for the implementation of MEAL activities and provide oversight of the MEAL budget, ensuring its effective and timely utilization.
• Manage MEAL staff, including handling ongoing coaching, supervision and performance management and annual evaluation; develop the capacity of the team and facilitate their professional growth.
• Encourage a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
• Represent the project and participate in different MEAL related forums bringing together like governmental and non-governmental organizations working on the same or related themes.

20% Reporting

• Guide staff and executing partners in preparing their progress reports in accordance with approved reporting formats and ensure their timely submission.  This includes quarterly progress reports, annual project reports, inception reports, and ad-hoc technical reports.
• Prepare consolidation progress reports for grant management including identification of problems, causes of potential bottlenecks in the project implementation, and providing specific recommendations
• Identify strengths and weaknesses in existing data collection and management systems and propose solutions to improve knowledge management activities
• Lead and coordinate the development of required program reports, in accordance with World Vision Ethiopia and donor requirements and standards.
• Draft tools and their revisions as well as data collection procedures (e.g. logical framework, project performance tracking, indicators, data flow chart, M&E manuals)

15% Capacity Building/Continuous Learning

• Design and implement a system to identify, analyze, document and disseminate lessons learned.
• Identify MEAL capacity gaps and facilitate training opportunities for project staff.
• Check that monitoring data are discussed in the appropriate forum and in a timely fashion in terms of implications of future action. If necessary, create such discussion forums to fill any gaps.
• Monitor the follow up on evaluation recommendations
• Support project/program staff on ways to properly document, organize and capture program progress
• Facilitate, act as resource person, and join, if required any external supervision and evaluation missions
• Organize (and provide) refresher training in M&E for grants staff, implementing partners, local organizations and primary stakeholders with view of strengthening local M&E capacity
• Network with external and WV internal partners to promote learning and achieve M&E excellence.