Senior Advisor MEAL

Save the Children Canada is a member of Save the Children International, a federation that works in more than 120 countries worldwide delivering programs focused on health and nutrition, education, child protection, child poverty, humanitarian response, and child rights governance. As the world’s leading independent organization for children, Save the Children’s vision is a world in which every child attains the right to survival, protection, development and participation. 

Reporting to the Senior MEAL Advisor and MEAL Team Lead, this position leads thematic strategy and technical quality relative to MEAL across a portfolio of projects. The Senior MEAL Advisor supports cross functional teams to achieve thematic strategy, business development and advocacy goals. The Senior Advisor reports on programmatic results, lessons learned, and best practices to produce programming guidance, thought leadership, and compelling fundraising proposals. The Senior MEAL Advisor stays abreast of industry developments and maintains relationships with key players in the MEAL space, both in Canada and at the international level.  

Responsibilities include (but are not limited to):

• Support the development, implementation and monitoring of the organization’s MEAL strategy. 
• Lead the development and implementation of MEAL tools – i.e. Logic Models, Performance Review Frameworks, MEAL plans, diverse data collection tools – for project implementation, including leading project baselines, endlines and evaluations in all Save the Children thematic areas.
• Maintain line of sight on technical quality at the country level through effective relationships with Regional and Country offices, enabling the timely provision of technical input and oversight to ensure the delivery of quality reporting.
• Lead proposal development and provide technical oversight on MEAL, leveraging technical expertise and project learnings from Save the Children programs and RBM principles.
• Design relevant MEAL technical tools for business development – e.g. Beneficiary Calculator, Menu of Indicators – in addition to socializing them with the business development and technical teams while also providing oversight on their use. 
• Cultivate and strengthen relationships with key funders/donors, research institutes, peer NGO agencies, partners, and sector thought leaders as relevant.
• Provide input in the development and execution of advocacy strategies to influence policy changes and resource mobilization, including producing high quality materials and participating in  positioning activities such as presentations to donors, representation at industry panels, participation in external practitioner networks, etc.
• Support the production of high quality thought leadership materials and other products – e.g. project-related briefing papers, project summary reports – to engage the public around Save the Children’s work.
• Lead the design, testing, and evaluation of innovations to advance impactful programming in all Save the Children thematic areas.
• Distill learnings and evidence generated into succinct and compelling programmatic guidance and thought leadership materials for internal and external consumption.
• Monitor developments in the MEAL sector and field to develop and refine program models and identify new research opportunities.
• Lead the translation of SCC’s organizational strategy – e.g. annual operating plan,   multi-year strategic plan – into concrete objectives and initiatives in the area of MEAL and lead the implementation of related strategic initiatives.
• Manage and acquire strategic partnerships with research and technical partners.
• Collaborate globally with Save the Children peers and participate in relevant MEAL initiatives and working groups to achieve thematic outcomes and drive Save the Children breakthroughs.
• Representation on relevant Technical Working Groups within Canada and within Save the Children, in leadership and/or support roles.

Qualifications & Competencies (include but are not limited to):

• Completion of University Degree – Master Degree in International Development, Monitoring & Evaluation or a related field.
• 10+ years’ work experience in international development, specifically in the monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning domain.
• Demonstrated experience in a MEAL technical advisory role, successfully leading the design, implementation and impact measurement of development and/or humanitarian programs.
• Strong knowledge of Results-Based Management (RBM) approach, with significant experience in developing and overseeing Logic Models and Performance Management Frameworks; conducting baseline and endline evaluations; supporting on-going project implementation monitoring.
• Demonstrated field experience working directly on project implementation;
• Prior experience with Global Affairs Canada (GAC)-funded projects; knowledge of GAC policies and procedures.
• Successful proposal development track record.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing strategic initiatives.
• Strong knowledge of GAC’s Results Based Management (RBM) approach, including the design and development of Logic Models, Performance Measurement Frameworks, Output and Activity Matrices.
• Experience conducting baseline, midterm and endline evaluations, including the development of data collection tools (e.g. household surveys, FGDs guides, KIIs guides, health facility assessments, etc.); the design of sample frameworks; and the development of measurement indicators.
• Strong skills in quantitative and qualitative analysis, including gender-based analysis.
• Expertise in the use of SPSS, STATA, ACCESS, Excel and other statistical packages.
• Strong report writing skills across a range of styles; previous experience with GAC reports an asset.
• Ability to synthesize and develop high-quality knowledge products from diverse data sources including programmatic materials and tools.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of gender equality principles and practices.
• Demonstrated thought leadership expertise such as contributions to articles, blogs, academic journals; speaking engagements, leading conference presentations and panels.
• Is a strategic big picture thinker, with the ability to engage at detailed project level.
• Is innovative, develops new ideas, and demonstrates adaptability.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills to develop strong working relationships across cultural and organizational boundaries with internal and external stakeholders, and managing through influence.
• Superior English verbal and written skills; proficiency in French and/or Spanish considered an asset.
• Comfortable working independently as well as with receiving and accounting for direction and engaging as part of a dynamic team.
• A high degree of self-sufficiency and initiative.
• Well-developed organizational skills; ability to manage multiple tasks.
• A willingness to travel to field sites internationally, including in remote areas (when COVID-19 travel restrictions are lifted).

Comment postuler:

If you are interested in this position, please visit https://www.savethechildren.ca/ and submit your resume and cover letter. Internal candidates, please apply via ADP by 3:00 pm EST July 21, 2022. Applications will be reviewed on ongoing basis. We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

SCC is committed to providing accessible employment practices that are in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (‘AODA’). If you require accommodation for disability during any stage of the recruitment process, please notify Human Resources (416) 221-5501 ext. 262.