Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Manager

Save the Children is no ordinary not-for-profit

We’re ambitious, collaborative and creative. We want all children to be educated, healthy and live a life free from violence. We are seeking experienced, ambitious and professional individual to join our organisation for the vacancy of Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Manager.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Manager

The National MEAL Manager, based out of SCiPNG’s head office in Port Moresby, is responsible for the overall design and implementation of MEAL systems (including MEAL Information Systems or MIS) to ensure that all SCiPNG programs are of expected quality, have accountability mechanisms (e.g., share information, are participatory, and have feedback and reporting mechanisms relevant for PNG), and that learning is institutionalized for continuous program improvements. Working with relevant staff, the National MEAL Manager will ensure comprehensive frameworks are in place to support program quality; enhance donor and stakeholder accountability; report on progress; and measure impact.

The National MEAL Manager will be expected to lead the design and improvement of MEAL frameworks, systems, and tools for existing and new SCiPNG program/project designs. This includes orienting, supporting, and mentoring all relevant staff across SCiPNG to deliver on projects’ MEAL requirements (e.g., data validation, analysis, and visualization), improving internal accountability and donor reporting.

This role reports to the Director of Program Development and Quality, requires close collaboration with the Program Operations team, and will advise the senior management team on issues relating to MEAL. The role will have direct line management of the MEAL team. The responsibilities below are not exhaustive; other tasks may be required according to changing operational and contextual needs.

Key Responsibilities

PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT, DESIGN, AND QUALITY

• Identify needs and opportunities for potential programs through situational analyses, feasibility studies, networking, and leveraging research and evaluation findings.
• Catalyze MEAL engagement in all new program designs, both humanitarian and development responses, including development and responsibility for MEAL workbooks.
• Ensure consistent MEAL methodology and quality benchmarks/assurance across thematic programs; ensure that all programs have effective MEAL practices throughout the program cycle.
• Act as the focal point for all situation analyses, designing study methodologies, tools, and sampling strategies.

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

• Provide technical support for developing, reviewing and updating the Country Strategy Plan.
• Participate in the Country Annual Planning and Country Annual Reporting, providing oversight and compiling of reports (e.g., Total Reach, strategy goal indicators).
• Provide thought leadership and links with Save the Children Australia’s (SCA) regional initiatives, including participation in Pacific MEAL Community of Practice.
• Lead the compilation of Program Quality Key Performance Indicators, reporting on a quarterly basis.
• Work with the Senior Management Team to guarantee that SCiPNG’s mandate, values, and policies are reflected throughout all operations and activities (e.g., PSEA, child safeguarding, anti-corruption, anti-fraud).

MONITORING, EVALUATION, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND LEARNING

Monitoring:

• Lead in the development, implementation, and maintenance of MEAL workbook, databases, trackers, and tools, ensuring standardization of disaggregated data.
• Coordinate with relevant program and partner staff on the most viable data collection method(s) for each project targets/research agenda and on providing timely inputs (i.e., data collection that documents progress against targets) required for all SCiPNG and donor reporting (e.g., Total Reach, global outcome indicators, performance trackers, databases). Ensure that all reporting is of high quality and submitted in a timely manner.
• Work with program and partner staff to develop selection of project participants; develop and supervise systems to maintain confidential project participant records.
• Support program and partner staff to use digital data collection methods (i.e. Kobo).

Accountability:

• Ensure that MEAL, program, and partner staff have a clear understanding on program accountability to children and communities through training and coaching.
• Ensure that Feedback and Reporting Mechanisms (FRMs) are functional; provide follow-up and support for the investigation of serious complaints and feedback as needed per the established protocols.
• Meet with partner organizations to request feedback and follow-up on critical issues and/or complaints from project participants.
• Ensure that periodic MEAL reports are stored and debriefed at different levels, and that action plans for addressing quality gaps are developed and followed up.

Evaluation and Learning:

• Take lead in conducting/facilitating strategic program evaluations and after-action reviews.
• Work with MEAL, programs, and partner staff to develop evaluation (e.g., baseline, mid-term, final) Terms of Reference, methodologies, tools, and sampling strategies. Oversee surveys of program/project impact to ensure that deliverables are on target. Act as the focal point for all evaluations – both internal and external.
• Promote cross-thematic and cross-program learning; establish quarterly reflection, reviews, and consolidation of feedback across all programs.

MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM

• Manage automated data pipeline (SC system) for PNG and scale-up of projects with PowerBI Dashboards.
• Provide data analysis to the relevant program staff to support improvements to program quality and contributions to donor reporting.
• Analyze and present data to senior management to be able to make strategic programmatic decisions.
• Analyze and present client feedback data to ensure the organization's program is client centered.

CAPACITY BUILDING

• In coordination with Program Operations, provide ongoing and one-off technical MEAL support and advice to programs and partners.
• Ensure that core MEAL training modules and approaches are effectively rolled out.

COORDINATION AND REPRESENTATION

• Liaise with MEAL focal persons from Pacific Regional Office, Save the Children Australia and other Save the Children members for sharing, learning, and updates on new developments on MEAL and related requirements.
• Identify relevant technical assistance providers and pull technical assistance as needed for strengthening MEAL systems in PNG.
• Represent the SCiPNG through participation in national, regional, and global MEAL initiatives as needed.

General

• Comply with Save the Children policies and practices with respect to child safeguarding, code of conduct, health and safety, equal opportunities, and other relevant policies and procedures
• Undertake any other reasonable duty as may be assigned by the line manager.

Person Specification

Mandatory Qualifications and Experience

• Minimum bachelor’s degree in political science, social sciences, development studies, communications, or other relevant field of study. Master’s level education is preferred.
• Minimum of eight (8) years of relevant experience with NGOs in monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning reporting – with progressively more responsible positions.
• Documented experience in successfully leading and implementing MEAL activities – system design, programmatic quality audits, systematic tracking and analysis, surveys, assessment systems and evaluations.
• Thorough knowledge of results-based monitoring frameworks.
• Extensive experience in working with digital data collection (i.e. Kobo), data analysis (e.g., Excel) and data visualization (e.g., PowerBI) applications. High level of computer proficiency with a particular focus on MS Word, MS Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint.
• Experience integrating quality standards in programs and implementing accountability initiatives, such as child participation, information sharing, and feedback and reporting mechanisms.
• A good understanding of and experience in addressing gender-related challenges in monitoring and evaluation of programs.
• Ability to think strategically, prioritize, and meet deadlines in a complex and challenging environment; must be culturally sensitive.
• Exhibit a strong work ethic with a high degree of flexibility with respect to working hours; ability to effectively plan and manage own time under pressure.
• Excellent writing and verbal skills in English for reports and communications documents. Ability to write clear reports including data analysis and triangulation.
• Proven ability to supervise, train, and coach staff. Previous experience in managing consultants is desirable.
• Documented experience in supporting successful funding proposals to donors.

Desirable Knowledge and Experience

• Experience with international donor (e.g., DFAT, MFAT) regulations, project design, and reporting requirements.
• Experience of different evaluation approaches (e.g., RCTs, quasi-experimental designs, Most Significant Change, outcome harvesting).
• Experience with quantitative and qualitative data analysis software (e.g. STATA, SPSS, NVivo, Atlas.ti).
• Previous experience of working within a Payment by Results framework.

Skills/Abilities

• Strong analytical, relationship building, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• High level of attention to detail and quality.
• High level strategic planning skills.
• Willingness to travel to regional areas of PNG.
• Strong time management and organizational skills.

CHILD SAFEGUARDING

This position may require the post holder to have regular contact with children or access to children and young people either frequently or intensively. S/he may have access to children directly through their data or direct visits. The holder will undergo police checking and vetting for their suitability to work with children.

How to Apply:

Your application should include a cover letter (2 pages maximum) together with a current CV and contact details of two recent referees, Certificates and current Police Clearance Certificate obtained in the last 12 months.

Interested Candidates are invited to submit their applications via email to: [email protected]

Please address your application to:

The People & Culture Manager, Save the Children, PNG

PO Box 503, Port Moresby, NCD

Applications close on Wednesday June 17, 2026, please note applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and the vacancy may close prior to the deadline. So, we encourage you to apply soon

Kindly note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.