I.             Job Summary:  

CARE is one of the world's leading international humanitarian and development organisations, committed to helping people in poor communities improve their lives and alleviate poverty. Founded in 1945, CARE is working across 104 countries to fight global poverty and marginalization. CARE has been active in Bangladesh since 1949 being one of the largest country offices of CARE. CARE works to help people achieve social and economic well-being, while being among the best in their fields. CARE put women and girls at the center of our work because we know that we cannot overcome poverty until all people have equal rights and opportunities. CARE Bangladesh is currently shifting towards a program approach, where it has developed longer-term impact visions to have more sustainable changes in the lives of the extreme poor and marginalized.

CARE Bangladesh seeks qualified MEL Coordinator candidates for an anticipated Multisector Integrated District Development (MIDD) Activity. This is expected to be a $10-25 million, three-year award that aims to strengthen resilience in host communities affected by the Rohingya refugee crisis through fostering economic and social prosperity. The activity focuses on building the capacity of people, communities and local institutions in the host communities in the areas of skill building, livelihood diversification, water and sanitation, and natural resources management. 

The MEL Coordinator is responsible to ensure an efficient and effective MEL system for the MIDD project. S/he is will be responsible to develop the MEL plan in line with the donor guideline with inputs from PEARL and other MEL colleagues in the organization. S/he will directly be accountable and charged to for all MEL related activities including the M&E MEL process, tools and results/ performance in relation to the targets. S/he will be charged to ensure data quality assessment and assurance and maintain a coherent information management flow. S/he will also be responsible for documentation and archiving the project MEL data (back-bone data - final products) and reports for present and future use and keep those readily available to provide as and when needed particularly for project internal and external audits.

S/he will directly supervise MEL and GIS Officers and coordinate with other MIDD team members. The incumbent will require to extend meaningful support to the MEL and GIS Officers, and other MIDD team members to effectively unroll the final MEL plan, timely collection of data and information, processing and validation, prepare donor report with inputs from the program team. The position also requires to undertake DQA, capture learning, sharing analysis on project progress and areas need to be further strengthen with DCoP and others. Due to the complexity and demand by USAID, the MEL Coordinator is expected to play a lead role throughout the Project implementation providing advice/guidance to the COP, DCoP, operational teams and partners. Undertake annual staff performance management as per HR guidance and actively work in emergency response activities aftermath of disaster as and when required.

II. Responsibilities and Tasks:

% of Time

Responsibility # 1:  Development and operation of an effective and efficient MEL system

40%

• Design/ improve MEL framework for the MIDD project in consultation with MEAL Coordinator of refugee program and PEARL team to ensure alignment with CARE 2030 indicators.
• Design and implementing routine, process and outcome monitoring process/system applying both quantitative and qualitative approaches
• Assist MEL and GIS Officers and other project staff to collect required data and conduct surveys; data analysis and interpretations for various reporting and programmatic requirements
• In consultation with DCoP make follow-up visit and re-monitor on-site monitoring, field surveys and review given observation and findings
• Report and share critical findings with strengths (which runs well), key learning and surprises and areas for improvement suggested actions to way forward to reach at height with the MIDD team on a regular basis
• Based on MEL findings work closely with technical and program teams to analyze and review data to get better insight and resolve issue in a quicker manner
• In a regular fashion conduct systematic internal data quality assessment to meet the donor DQA requirements following guidance and share key findings;
• Ensure that project staff follow the PIIRS and other guidance and compliances pertained in the approved MEL plan
• Finalize IPTT indicators, set targets and report progress as per schedule
• Develop a complete set of M&E instruments, analysis plan and methodologies
• Assist in finalizing the tools, process, methodology for the Baseline survey (BL), Mid-Term Review (MTR), Final Evaluation (FE), Thematic studies and new Project designing
• Lead to conduct routine Data Quality Assessment (DQA) for improving data quality and usefulness
• Regularly monitor the M&E system to ensure all compliance issues are being maintained
• Make sure that project MEL system follows the CI MEL standards and principles

Responsibility # 2: Timely reporting to donor and stakeholders

25%

• Produce scheduled reports (Monthly/Quarterly/Annual Program Performance Reports) in line with USAID and Project requirements – data disaggregation suggested by the Donor
• Assist the Deputy Chief of Party and other Project management through submission of timely data and information as requested
• Prepare and update the PIRS (Performance Indicator Reference sheet) and IPTT (Indicator Performance Tracking Table) Matrix aligning with the USAID requirement
• Liaise with project team for establishing effective information sharing/updating/ reporting mechanism.
• Ensure that the projects collect and organize all necessary information to produce substantial evidence against the indicators as was set in the proposal and MEL plan.
• Develop dashboard, infographics, maps, databases for providing basis of planning and strategy.
• Monitor info by self and through sector colleagues, collate, compile and update dashboard to present updated need, gap, constraints, challenges, resources etc.
• Ensure that project submits PIRS and other reporting requirements of CARE Bangladesh and International
• Assist in preparing Annual Work Plan

Responsibility # 3: Setting up suitable Accountability mechanism

10%

• Establish effective feedback mechanism involving project stakeholders such as community people, different committee members, volunteers, students etc. and ensure incorporating feedback in revised program implementation strategy.
• Coordinate proper information sharing mechanism in the project locations; office sites. Ensure that messages are appropriate and relevant for various target groups e.g. women, adolescent, community leaders etc.
• Ensure that an effective system for complaints handling and response mechanisms is functioning at the projects implementation levels.

Responsibility # 4: Knowledge Management and Learning

15%

• Work closely with PEARL team and identify learning agenda relevant for both USAID and strategically aligned to CARE programming niches
• Work closely with the Communication Coordinator and identify initiatives of interest, and to provide information around these areas to produce quality case studies, web updates etc.
• Ensure top-line findings from monitoring activities, anonymized and summarized analysis of Complaint Response Mechanism data and any relevant project updates are communicated in an accessible way to the target communities (according to CHS-Core Humanitarian Standard)
• Mechanisms are in place in the MIDD project to record knowledge and experience, and make it accessible throughout the organization through and/or in coordination with Knowledge Management Coordinator.
• Put system in place to collect project evidence (photos, quote, case study, change story etc.) periodically and share to project management and PEARL team
• Organize periodic review and learning session to capture key lessons, good practices from the project and cross fertilize lessons and good practices with support from PEARL team.

Responsibility # 5: Develop capacities of CARE and other consortium members in the area of MEL

10%

• Initiate actions and apply multiple approaches and modalities for developing staff capacity like on-the-job training, mentoring, distance learning, and rotations in collaborations with PEARL Team
• Organize workshop and refresher courses for capacity-building for existing and new staff members based on the resource availability
• Frequently assess for and identify capacity gaps and provide relevant remedial action to concerned staff/team related to MEL
• Ensure that project staff and specifically M&E team are up to date on key reporting and M&E guidelines from USAID and CARE
• Ensure that M&E staff have sufficient knowledge and skills on all tools, equipment and procedures to effectively implement their work.

Responsibility # 6 Adhere to and support CARE Bangladesh’s Safety and Security policy and systems

As part of this role, the job holder will be expected to adhere to and support CARE Bangladesh’s Safety and Security policy and systems as part of their day to day duties, and comply, at all times, to safety & security protocols and directives, including reporting. Staff must maintain situational and self – awareness and be aware of the safety – security related consequences of their actions upon themselves, their team and the organization as a whole.

Responsibility # 7 Safeguarding

CARE is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behavior at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct and expects staff to promote the welfare of children, young people and adults at all times.  CARE expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our Code of Conduct.  We place a high priority on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate this commitment are recruited to work with us.

III. Reporting to:  

This position will report to the Deputy Chief of Party

IV. Working Condition:  

The position is based at Cox’s Bazar Regional Office with frequent field visit (at least 60%) for monitoring and validation.

V. Qualification:

• At least 6 to 7 years’ experience in the relevant field experiences on similar activities.
• Masters in Statistics, Social Sciences, Economics or equivalent with combination of qualifications and practical experience in relevant field.
• Experience in MEL work in any USAID funded project.
• Proven Skill in statistical and M&E software packages- SPSS, MS Access, and Excel are essential.
• Proven skill in using Kobo tool box for data collection and management.
• Strong commitment to accountability, social justice, promoting gender awareness and equality.
• Ability to work effectively in a culturally diverse organization.
• Ability and willingness to work in stressful situation and travel away from home and stay in the field.
• Proven record of successfully coordinating complex relations, including matrix relations of several posts that do not directly report to the candidate.
• Strong communication skill in both verbal and written in English and Bangla.
• Computer proficiency in MS words, MS-Excel, MS Access, MS PowerPoint.

VI.  Core Competencies:

• Strong analytical and conceptual skills.
• Excellent demonstrable analytical skills in managing data to produce effective information.
• Strong interpersonal skill, networking, liaison capacity.
• Ensure and Promote GEDI and be GEDI sensitive, creating an enabling environment where diversity can flourish and all staff and stakeholders experience inclusion and appreciation.