With 75 years of experience, our focus is on helping the most vulnerable children overcome poverty and experience fullness of life. We help children of all backgrounds, even in the most dangerous places, inspired by our Christian faith.

Come join our 31,000+ staff working in nearly 100 countries and share the joy of transforming vulnerable children’s life stories!

Employee Contract Type:

Job Description:

Purpose of the Position

The MEAL Officer is responsible for implementing a robust Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) system across the assigned cluster. The role ensures the generation of accurate, reliable, and timely evidence to inform programmatic decision-making, adaptive management, donor reporting, and organizational learning. The MEAL Officer serves as the risk and compliance focal point at cluster level and supports partners in strengthening their MEAL capacity.

Programmatic MEAL Implementation & Systems Documentation

• Roll out MEAL frameworks, logical frameworks, indicator tracking systems, and data collection tools at cluster level
• Deploy and manage digital data collection platforms (e.g., KoboToolbox, mWater) and ensure proper configuration
• Conduct routine data quality assessments (rDQAs), field verification visits, and spot checks
• Maintain and update the cluster-level indicator performance tracking table (IPTT)
• Ensure proper documentation of MEAL processes, tools, SOPs, and datasets
• Verify partner-reported data against source documents and field evidence
• Oversee routine data collection and submission from community structures, Data Volunteers, programme teams, institutions and implementing partners, ensuring adherence to approved tools, indicator definitions and reporting schedules
• Maintain and monitor a cluster-level data quality corrective action plan, ensuring that issues identified through data quality assessments, field verification, audits and partner monitoring are assigned to responsible persons, addressed within agreed timelines and verified as resolved

Risk & Compliance Focal Point

• Serve as the cluster-level focal point for risk identification, assessment, and mitigation
• Ensure program activities comply with WV standards, donor requirements, data protection policies, and safeguarding principles
• Monitor partner compliance with data management protocols, including storage, archiving, and confidentiality
• Escalate significant risks, breaches, or non-compliance issues to the MEAL Manager at National Office
• Support internal and external audits and evaluations by providing required documentation and evidence

 Return on Investment (ROI), Cost Effectiveness & Efficiency Measurement

• Collect and analyze unit cost data (e.g., cost per beneficiary, cost per intervention) across the cluster
• Compare cost efficiency across districts, sectors, and intervention modalities
• Support Value for Money (VfM) analysis covering economy, efficiency, effectiveness, and equity dimensions
• Document and report cases of cost savings, efficiency gains, or value improvements
• Provide cost-related data inputs for donor and internal reports

Impact Measurement & Evidence Generation

• Coordinate the design and implementation of baseline, midline, and endline evaluations
• Conduct outcome monitoring to track short-term and medium-term changes in child well-being
• Facilitate learning-oriented evaluations such as Real-Time Evaluations (RTE) and After-Action Reviews (AAR)
• Collect, analyze, and synthesize qualitative and quantitative data to document success stories, good practices, and evidence of change
• Support the development of impact narratives, case studies, and evidence briefs
• Coordinate on assigned research, assessments and evaluation activities, ensuring that cluster-level support and data are provided in accordance with agreed protocols.

Reporting & Knowledge Management

• Prepare and submit monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, and annual MEAL reports
• Provide MEAL inputs for donor reports, annual reports, and program reviews
• Maintain the cluster MEAL database and filing system, ensuring data traceability and accessibility
• Use standardized reporting templates and adhere to reporting guidelines
• Systematically document lessons learned, data trends, and recommendations for program improvement
• Share MEAL findings and insights with program teams, partners, and National Office  
  

Partner Monitoring & Capacity Building

• Conduct MEAL capacity assessments for implementing partners at cluster level
• Provide technical support and mentorship to partners on indicator definitions, data collection, analysis, reporting, and data use
• Participate in partner monitoring visits, joint verification exercises, and review meetings
• Organize and facilitate MEAL training workshops, refresher sessions, and peer learning events
• Support partners in establishing and managing community feedback and accountability mechanisms
• Coach partners on using MEAL data for decision-making and adaptive management

Program Accountability

• Establish and/or strengthen community feedback and complaints mechanisms that are accessible, safe, inclusive, and responsive.
• Ensure communities understand ADP programming, FCM mechanisms established, implementation progress, beneficiary selection approach etc
• Track, collect, document, analysis and report on feedback and complaints and recommend programmatic improvements
• Maintain confidentiality and ensure sensitive complaints are handled through appropriate safeguarding and referral procedures.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND CAPABILITIES

• Minimum qualification required: Bachelor’s degree in Monitoring and Evaluation, Statistics, Economics, Development Studies, Social Sciences, Demography, Data Management, or any other relevant field
• Experience:   At least three years of relevant experience in MEAL, programme monitoring, data management, research, or reporting, preferably in development or humanitarian programmes
• Skills:  Collaboration, Strong analytical, organisational and problem sloving skills, good interpersonal, facilitation and communication skills.
• Previous experience of working with grassroots development structures including VDC, ADC and School-Based Structures such as PTA, MSG and SMC and organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs)

Additional work experience required

• Basic understanding of transformational approaches in development
• Excellent written and presentation skills in English and any one local languages in Malawi
• Basic understanding community based development/Citizen Voice and Action (CVA) approaches.
• Strong leadership skills including ability to influence a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience managing child-focused development projects
• Professional level of specialized knowledge to manage complex tasks, programs or projects
• Proven sound strategic thinking and planning skills, including ability to think creatively, analyses and be innovative, set priorities, manage work plans and evaluate progress.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision

License, registration, or certification required to perform this position:
Possession of relevant certifications or training in Monitoring and Evaluation and data management

Preferred Skills, Knowledge and Experience:

Digital Data Collection & Management Proficiency: Hands-on experience with digital data collection platforms such as KoboToolbox, mWater, or similar mobile data collection tools, including configuration, deployment, and troubleshooting. Proficiency in managing MEAL databases, ensuring data traceability, and maintaining audit-ready filing systems.

• Data Analysis & Visualization Skills: Strong ability to analyze and synthesize quantitative and qualitative data using statistical software (e.g., SPSS, STATA, R) and/or qualitative analysis tools (e.g., NVivo, Dedoose). Skills in data visualization and dashboard creation to communicate findings effectively to diverse stakeholders.
• Report Writing & Donor Reporting Expertise: Demonstrated experience in preparing high-quality MEAL reports (monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, annual) and providing MEAL inputs for donor reports, annual reports, and program reviews. Familiarity with standardized reporting templates and adherence to donor reporting guidelines.
• Training, Facilitation & Capacity Building Skills: Proven ability to design and deliver MEAL training workshops, refresher sessions, and peer learning events for implementing partners and community stakeholders. Experience in mentoring partners on indicator definitions, data collection, analysis, reporting, and data use for adaptive management.
• Knowledge of Accountability & Safeguarding Mechanisms: Experience in establishing and managing community feedback and complaints mechanisms (FCM) that are accessible, safe, inclusive, and responsive. Understanding of confidentiality protocols, safeguarding principles, and referral procedures for handling sensitive complaints
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Applicant Types Accepted: