Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Coordinator

Oxfam is looking for a qualified candidate to be Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Coordinator with Mekong Water Governance Program. Position Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) Coordinator Reporting to Mekong Inclusion Project 2 Manager Location Based in Phnom Penh, Cambodia or in an agreed Mekong country Contract Type 1 year, with possible extension Category C2 National in line with National Staff Term and Condition Start Date As soon as possible CONTEXT Oxfam is an international confederation of 19 organizations networked together in 97 countries. As part of a global movement for change, we are working together to end world poverty and injustice. We work with thousands of partners in countries around the world and employ staff in a wide variety of posts. We work directly with communities and we seek to influence the powerful to enable the most marginalized to improve their lives and livelihoods and have a say in decisions that affect them. Working at Oxfam is so much more than just a job. As an Oxfam employee, consultant, or volunteer, you will join a team of dedicated and passionate professionals working to save lives, help people overcome poverty, and fight for social justice. THE MEKONG REGIONAL WATER GOVERNANCE PROGRAM Oxfam has been implementing the Mekong Regional Water Governance Program in the Mekong region over the last decades. The governance of water resources is of critical importance to the future of the Greater Mekong region, which covers Cambodia, Thailand, Lao PDR, Vietnam, Myanmar and China (Yunnan Province). Decisions over how the water resoruces are developed, managed and shared will influence whether growth will be inclusive and equitable, or will further marginalise millions of people. Oxfam’s Asia Water Governance Program has multiple projects that contribute to sustainable development of water resources in key river basins, in South Asia, Mekong and the Salween basins. The Mekong Water Governance Program aims to have more inclusive, equitable water governance that reduces the impact of climate change and increases social accountability to citizens in the Greater Mekong Basin. The program envisions that communities living along the Mekong and Salween River basins are able to realise their rights to sustainable livelihoods. The Mekong Inclusion Project (IP-1), which was funded by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) implemented between 2014-2020 with over AUD 9 million investment. The project has been implemented across five countries in the Lower Mekong and Salween River basins. Building on the achievements gained through the IP-1 project, the Mekong Water Governance Program is well-positioned to deliver the second phase of the Inclusion Project (2020-2024) to bring more sustainable livelihoods to riparian communities through access to river resourcs and the environmental services they provide. The Inclusion Project 2, with a total DFAT investment of AUD $5.4 million, is jointly delivered by Oxfam and International Rivers. The project has three key domains of change: 1. Social inclusion, Gender equality and women’s leadership 2. Civil society engagement and networking 3. Government and the Private Sector The program aims for regional impact at country, regional and institutional levels. It is managed by the Mekong Project Management Unit (PMU). This work seeks to influence changes at the community and civil society level, as well as changes in policies and practices at the national and trans-boundary level regarding water resource governance and sustainable energy. JOB PURPOSE The position is responsible for coordinating and leading on Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) function for the Mekong Regional Water Governance Program and the Inclusion Project 2 in particular. The post holder will ensure MEAL is compliant with the Oxfam’s Common Approach to MEL and Social Accountability (CAMSA) and back donor (DFAT) performance standards. S/he will work closely with the regional program MEAL/Knowledge Management postholders to strengthen regional programs are delivered with high quality, identify synergies and maximise efficiencies. The MEAL Coordinator will be part of the Mekong Project Management Unit (PMU) and a core team member of the IP2 consortia project team comprised Oxfam and IR. S/he will work closely with members of the regional PMU, IR and national coordinators to establish and advise on processes to collect and analyse project and program data; to monitor and record activities and evidence of outcomes in the three domain of change of the Inclusion Project phase 2 (including outcomes in Inclusion, gender equality and women’s leadership; civil society capacity and networking; the practices and policy of targeted actors in government and the private sector). Based on this monitoring, the MEAL coordinator will propose, coordinate, and write relevant case studies and analyse reports to document project outcomes. The position will work closely with the Communications team and other project staff to ensure that clear messaging and evidence of project results are demonstrated in a range of communication outputs consistent with the Communications Strategy and MEAL framework for the IP2 project. S/he will work closely with the Inclusion Project Manager and the Regional Manager to ensure quality reporting. CORE RESPONSIBILITIES Technical leadership

Provide leadership within the Mekong Regional Water Governance Program to ensure program quality, monitoring and evaluation, accountability and learning in the program implementation.
Ensure the IP2 Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (M&E) framework build upon the MEAL framework and key learning from IP1 and adhere to Oxfam’s CAMSA
Lead on the operationalization and implementation of MEAL framework; conduct periodic revision of the M&E framework and ensure the framework is effective and relevant to context at each level (national and regional) and compliant with DFAT and Oxfam standards and guidelines.
Undertake and provide MEAL capacity building, technical support and training to the program team at regional and country level, as program partners.
Coordinate between regional and country-level M&E frameworks to ensure coherence.
Provide leadership in managing all aspects of the project information management for accurate and accessible filing and record-keeping of all data collected in the projects
Work collaboratively with and support the technical consultants on the Inclusion Project MEAL framework update and project baseline.

Program Quality

Work closely with the project team and partners to ensure that all M&E activities adopt a capacity strengthening approach that balances capacity development for partners and staff and delivery of project outputs, outcomes and impact.
Ensure scientific and statistically valid use of a range of qualitative and quantitative data collection tools and methodologies to measure the project and program outputs, outcomes and impact and provide leadership in managing all aspects of the project information management for accurate and accessible filing and record-keeping of all data collected in the projects
Provide advice to project management staff on the analysis of data and effective integration of monitoring activities into project activity plans and field management work ensuring that all project staff contribute to and assist in implementing the M&E activities.
Make monitoring and support visits to the project sites and work with the project team to analyze the project progress against the milestones and provide support to the project teams, partners and stakeholders in effectively meeting the requirements of the M&E framework.
Ensure that project MEAL links to and informs communications in the project; aligning MEAL and communications visits and information gathering and, where possible, produce case studies and blogs for the program communications based on field visits and contributing to the MRWGP and Inclusion Project Communications Strategy
Ensure that program and project MEAL data, indicators incorporate gender equality, social and disability inclusion during the development, implementation, assessment and evaluation of the project.
Work closely with the Consortia project team, Program Manager and technical advisors to strengthen the process and analysis of data to develop program learning materials including case studies, contextual analysis, evaluations and policy briefs

Learning

Coordinate the learning activities and processes within the program; supporting national events and coordinating regional and project wide events.
Identify, plan and implement learning and review events for other program functions (training, policy dialogues) as part of the M&E frameworks.
Support and identify communication strategies to disseminate program learning to staff, partners and other stakeholders.
Coordinate with Regional Program MEL (TROSA, FFA, GRASIA, EI) to leverage learning and identify opportunities for alignment towards an Asia Regional Program quality programming.

Business Services

Advise on project budget development to ensure adequate resourcing for M&E and learning activities and manage the respective budgets.
Identify and manage the procurement of consultancies for baselines, training, research and evaluations
Lead on the regular reviews of the MRWGP and Inclusion Project 2 and contribute to external reviews by DFAT and/or other funders and play a key role in designing the scaling up/exiting/plan for in the program.
Manage and ensure the integration and compliance of Oxfam’s policies and relevant sector codes of good practice.

Management

Accountable for the MEAL aspects of the projects; including providing oversight to national level MEAL processes and events
Accountable to the Inclusion Project Manager
Mitigate against risks and report incidents to supervisor.

Representation and Relationships

Determine, in collaboration with key staff in IP2 consortia project team at regional and national level, partners and stakeholders, the content and systems to manage and share knowledge to internal and external audience
Liaise with and communicate with government officials and DFAT project team
Attend relevant Oxfam and external meetings and provide technical backstop support to the senior management on an as needs basis
Build networks and collaborate with local and international organizations working in the same scope of work.

PROFESSIONAL ATTRIBUTES

Ability to work both independently and as a member of a team and set own work-plan, meet deadlines and balance competing priorities.
Ability to balance capacity strengthening and delivery, to coach and mentor staff.
Ability to communicate project learning and evidence base to diverse stakeholder group
Ability to translate complex issues into simple messages able to be understood by a range of individuals.
Ability to work to deadlines with colleagues and manage both upward and downward accountability.
Ability to network and represent Oxfam and the IP2 Consortia project to a wide range of internal and external stakeholders
Ability to achieve results by working alongside the team and inspiring them to deliver high-quality program standard
Capacity to work under pressure, recognize and manage personal stress
An understanding of and commitment to Oxfam’s values and to promoting gender equality, social and disability inclusion in programming
Ability to spend significant periods of time in the field.
Ability to balance organizational and program needs and priorities.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

Degree in Social Science, Development Studies, Environment or relevant disciplines
At least 7 years relevant experience working in regional program, or within INGOs on technical MEL positions, preferably incomparable organisation and program contexts.
Experience in developing and operationalize the MEAL Framework for regional program on water governance (preferred) or related sectors.
Experience in promoting gender equality, social inclusion in the development and implementation of project MEAL.
Demonstrated knowledge on baseline, review, evaluation and impact assessment methodologies and how to translate these into practical tools and processes.
Research skills required in data collection and analysis, learning through a variety of channels for specific topics; an understanding of qualitative and quantitative data gathering methodologies; and development and maintaining databases
Strong influencing, negotiating and networking skills, conceptual and analytical skills and experience in promoting evidence-based programming.
Team player but able to work independently and with self-motivation
Proven analytical and decision-making skills in a challenging context.
Excellent communication skills both in written and verbal with strong proven skills in English language.
Experience working in environments with political sensitivities
Relevant computer skills, which include experience in using project management software tools, PowerPoint, Word and Excel and other quantitative and qualitative data analysis software