Monitoring Evaluation Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Officer -BCPAP

JOB TITLE: Monitoring Evaluation Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Officer -BCPAP Project

TEAM/PROGRAMME: Programme and Operations

LOCATION: Lusaka

GRADE: NAT 4

POST TYPE: National

Safeguarding:

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Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

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INTRODUCTION [PROJECT OVERVIEW]

Save the Children (SCI) is the world’s leading independent non-profit organization for children. Our vision is a world in which every child attains the right to survival, protection, development, and participation. SCI’s Mission is to inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children, and to achieve immediate and lasting changes in their lives. In Zambia, Save the Children has been implementing programmes since 1983 across Child Rights Governance, Health and Nutrition, Child Protection, Education, Child Poverty, and Humanitarian Response.

Save the Children, in partnership with Vayu Global Health and the Ministry of Health (MOH), and with funding from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Charities (LDSC), will implement the Better Care for Small and Sick Newborns in Zambia project. The project aims to reduce facility-level neonatal mortality by improving access to high-quality respiratory care through the implementation of bubble Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (bCPAP), strengthening referral and transfer systems for sick newborns, and enhancing the capacity of health workers across Lusaka, Central, and Southern Provinces. The project will be implemented in ten district-level public health facilities providing maternity services with functional 24-hour inpatient newborn care units. The intervention will strengthen the quality of care for small and sick newborns through evidence-based clinical practice, health systems strengthening, capacity building, mentorship, quality improvement, and sustainable integration of bCPAP services into routine newborn care.

ROLE PURPOSE:

The MEAL Officer role will provide MEAL technical oversight and operational support to data management, use and reporting for the Better Care for Small and Sick Newborns in Zambia project in Lusaka, Southern and Central Provinces. S/he will be responsible for implementation of an effective monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning system for the project, in collaboration with the programmes team and partners. The person will be responsible for overseeing data collection, cleaning/ verifying data, compiling reports for internal and external consumption, coordinating closely with the technical staff to ensure that high quality systems support adaptive management and data-driven programming. Additionally, the person will be responsible for packaging and presenting data in a meaningful way to comply with reporting requirements and expand stakeholder learning. The role will include capacity building programme/partner staff, strategic and annual planning, internal reporting and evidence generation.

SCOPE OF ROLE:

Reports to: BCPAP Project Manager.

Dimensions: The role is expected to deliver strong, consistent, verified program findings which fit program needs and requirements. In addition, the person is expected to liaise with Ministry of Health staff at health facility, district and provincial level, work with country office SCI Programme Development & Quality team, Operations team, advocacy colleagues and technical counterparts in other organisations. The role will engage with internal technical working groups and communities of practice as needed.

Staff directly reporting to this post: None

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

Monitoring & Evaluation:

• Finalize and establish operations for the project defined MEAL plan (includes indicator and performance tracking tools, data collection tools, accountability plan, project quality benchmarks) in close collaboration with the project team, Programme Operations and PDQ Departments in line with SCI’s Quality Framework.
• Coordinate regular monitoring of project implementation and results, ensuring timely data collection, analysis, and reporting in collaboration with the DHIO.
• Lead use of the monitoring framework, tools, and processes to measure performance and quality. This includes supporting the operation of staff and partner staff to finalize monitor Quality Benchmarks adapted to project activities.
• Track core programme indicators using SCI and MOH information and management systems, undertake meta-analysis and communicate this monthly, quarterly or as needed to programme team and implementing partners.
• Collaborate with project partners to organise and conduct joint monitoring and evaluation of the programme activities, to improve attainment of programme/project goals.
• Be responsible for electronic data management systems/ databases, from data collection / gathering, verifying, data entry or migration, data visualization and measures to promote data use.
• Lead quarterly data review of key Better Care for Small and Sick Newborns in Zambia indicators and monthly performance review to inform project programming, other reviews as needed.
• Provide support for annual reviews and periodic reflections with implementing staff and communities and analyse data trends towards objective achievement
• Support the project in conducting surveys, evaluations, and specialized studies as needed. This will include support to conducting service quality assessments (SQA) across supported healthcare facilities.
• Conduct data quality audits (DQA) and use findings to reinforce processes for improved data quality
• Capacity building and mentorship of healthcare providers on data management to improve data quality, accuracy, consistency and timelines.
• Lead the preparation of reports (monthly, quarterly and annually) due to SCI and the donor.

Accountability and Learning:

• Lead routine collection, analysis and use of data using and improving upon existing databases and dashboards, innovate and learn what works for children, and inform management, policy and programme solutions.
• Lead the consolidation of narrative and indicator reports due to SCI and the donor. Champion knowledge management use platforms that store and display evidence and learning that is made accessible and actively used between Save the Children, its partners and donors.
• With guidance and support from the BCPAP Project Manager, implement a comprehensive programme MEAL and knowledge management system to enhance impact monitoring, quality control and evaluation to improve programme processes and results delivery.
• Lead the documentation of best practices and human-interest stories during the implementation of BCPAP interventions to inform scale up.

SKILLS AND BEHAVIOURS (our Values in Practice)

Accountability:

• Holds self-accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values
• Holds the community structures accountable to deliver on their responsibilities - giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved

Ambition:

• Sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves (and their team), takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages others to do the same
• Widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others
• Future orientated, thinks strategically

Collaboration:

• Builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, members and external partners and supporters
• Values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength
• Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to

Creativity:

• Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions
• Willing to take disciplined risks

Integrity:

Honest, encourages openness and transparency

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

A minimum of degree bachelor’s degree Statistics, Demography, Economics, or related field in social sciences

• Minimum 5+ years of experience in MEAL role in NGO sector. Experience in managing M&E for MNH & Nutrition related projects is an added advantage
• Hands on experience managing MEAL frameworks (results framework; log-frame etc.) and operationalization of MEAL efforts
• Knowledge and hands on experience of using HMIS/DHIS2 is highly desirable.
• Experience in qualitative and quantitative research methods, analysis and report writing.
• Experience in managing databases and computer skills (Excel, Word)
• Experience in supporting the roll out of online or digital data management system platforms and data quality assurance systems (Kobo collect, Survey CTO etc).
• Experience & knowledge of social research analysis software (both qualitative and quantitative, examples SPSS, Stata, NVIVO, ATLAS, MAXQDA, etc.).
• Demonstrated diplomacy in building relationships and working with diverse cultures and audiences and sensitive situations and subject matter
• Experience in strategic planning approaches – including, needs assessment and programmes design, logical framework development, selecting indicators, implementing monitoring plans, supporting evaluations and data analysis.
• Excellent report writing and presentation skills for external audiences.
• Experience with donor reporting requirements (highly preferred
• Hands on experience in leading assessments e.g. baseline assessments, endline assessment and health facility assessments etc
• Experience of working with local/national governments and capacity strengthening of systems, partners and staff
• Strong results orientation, with the ability to challenge existing mindsets
• Demonstrated problem solving skills, collaboration, creativity and willingness to innovate
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with others in a remote work environment

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
QUALIFIED APPLICANTS SHOULD ONLY ATTACH A COVER LETTER AND AN UPDATED CV.
The closing date for receipt of applications is Friday 14th August 2026. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Save the Children reserves the right to re advertise if suitable applicants are not found.
Save the Children is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer that does not engage in any practices which discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on race, colour, religion, gender, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status and we will never ask that you pay for anything as part of the selection process or thereafter