Meal Officer at Blantyre Synod Health and Development Commission (BSHDC)

INTRODUCTION

Blantyre Synod Health and Development Commission (BSHDC) is implementing the project titled, Program for Reproductive Health, funded by the German Government through Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW) Development Bank. The Action by Churches Together (ACT) Alliance consortium of the project is led by the Norwegian Church Aid and Dan Church Aid (NCA/DCA).  The aim is to promote sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR) among the youth in 6 districts across the country. BSHDC is implementing the project in Blantyre and Thyolo. The German Government through KfW has been funding the project since 2014.  The project is commonly known as N’zatonse and will be starting Phase V. BSHDC therefore, seeks to recruit suitably qualified, experienced, and results-oriented and God fearing person to fill the post as below;

Position:                     MEAL Officer

Reporting to:             Program Manager

Location:                   Blantyre

Duration:                   2  Years 

 ROLE PURPOSE:

The MEAL Officer will play a crucial role in ensuring the effective implementation of the project focusing on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) advocacy. The successful candidate will possess advocacy knowledge on SRHR and will lead national advocacy engagement on SRHR as part of his/her responsibilities.

ROLE DIMENSIONS:

Smooth functioning of MEAL system within the project. Ensure compliance & feedback mechanisms are well functioning. Maintain good coordination and collaboration with all program team and partner staffs. Ensure quality reporting shared through proper channel.

 Key Duties/Responsibilities

• Develop/review Monitoring Checklist of project activities.
• Capacity building of program staffs on project related M&E format/template/form of data collection; Output tracker (OT) and Indicator Performance Tracking Table (IPTT).
• Organize frequent field visit to monitor program activities / interventions against Quality Benchmarks/Quality Checklists and produce & share reports to concerned project team as well as management team based on quality and accountability findings and incorporate inputs from program team in action agreed plan.
• Review & reflect whether the DIP is followed as per the plan or not during all staff meeting.
• Lead the coordination of field data collection and the flow of reports from the field to the management team and provide regular feedbacks to field workers and key stakeholders of progress in program implementations.
• Work in liaison with Project Manager in updating M&E plans, guidelines, tools, frameworks and systems and consolidation of reports of the project.
• Conduct regular field visits to track progress against indicators and put in place systems for routine data quality checks and validation.
• Work with project staff to ensure M&E tools and processes are utilized effectively.
• Support the projects teams in ensuring effective and efficient management and delivery of projects activities through annual planning, budgeting, reporting and day-to-day project operations consistent with project cycle management and the projects goal with highest standards of programmatic quality.
• Ensure accuracy of entered data and compare it with the existing filling systems to make sure all records are consistent and aligned.
• Ensure that information from M&E activities is properly analyzed and documented for reporting and learning.
• Collection and analysis of M&E data (surveys, wed statistics, interviews, case studies and reports) and analyzed against outcomes to draw out learning and implications.
• Triangulation of findings using different types of data and analysis of trends over time
• Provide technical advice to staff and stakeholders on M&E decisions, such as the identification of priorities, needs and indicators; the design, setup and use of M&E systems to collect data; and the design of evaluation and learning studies.
• Actively participate in M&E meetings with key stakeholders
• Prepare monthly/quarterly progress reports and statistics as well as mid/final reports to stakeholders
• Establish an effective functional system for complaints/feedback handling and response mechanisms at community level.
• Ensure the Complaint Feedback Mechanism (CFM) are functional and accessible to
• SRHR advocacy focusing on, but not limited to the following:

1. 1. Engage Religious mother bodies on the adoption of the CSE Christian/Muslim Teaching guide in their youth department.
   2. Support dialogue meetings between religious mother bodies and Government on Health Emerging Issues and commodity stock outs.
   3. Advocacy with SRHR and youth line ministries for improvement of resource allocation and Health Services delivery systems Conduct interface meetings with Officials from Health and Youth line ministries, Parliament and other influential leaders with youths on health services to youth both at National and district level
   4. Participate in National and district SRHR and GBV Commemoration events e. g Commemoration of the Day of African Child and 16 days of gender activism.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university in any of the following fields: statistics, demography, mathematical sciences, computer science, Economics, Development Studies, Social Sciences or any other related field.
• At least 5 years of experience in monitoring, evaluation, and learning within the context of development projects, preferably in the field of SRHR.
• Proven experience in designing and implementing advocacy campaigns, particularly in the area of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights.
• Strong understanding of monitoring and evaluation methodologies, including quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis techniques.

Other required attributes

• Advanced computer skills in excel. Electronic database development and management, SPSS and strata
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills, with the ability to effectively train and mentor staff and partners.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multicultural team environment.
• Fluency in English and Chichewa (both written and spoken).
• Familiarity with donor regulations and reporting requirements is an added advantage.

Those interested candidates who meet the above qualifications and experience are requested to submit their Curriculum Vitae with 3 traceable references, cover letter together with copies of certificates to the below listed postal and e-mail addresses, not later than 4:30pm on 23rd April, 2024, (applications will be considered on rolling basis) and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews.

The Executive Director

Blantyre Synod Health and Development Commission (BSHDC)

Post Office Box 413

Blantyre

Or Email to: [email protected]

Take note that;

Blantyre Synod Health and Development Commission recognizes and promotes gender equity, equality and inclusion in all its areas of programming and does not tolerate any form of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.  The successful candidate should be willing to sign our Safeguarding Policy.