The role
In the DRC, at the national level, only 8% of children aged 7 to 14 have a functioning reading level, and 1% can calculate (MICS 2018), while the attendance rate at the provincial level ranges from 57% to 92%. Among all these children, there are disparities in access, quality of education, experiences in and out of school, and demands and risks in communities. Sexual violence, early marriage or childbirth, mine work, and recruitment and use for armed groups are among the most severe risks for children in the DRC.

The Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning Advisor (MEAL) will support an anticipated five - year USAID-funded Child and Youth Education Response Activity (CYERA) program in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The program focuses on increasing access to responsive education services for crisis- and conflict-affected Congolese children and youth as well as improving the delivery of quality, gender- and crisis-responsive foundational education instruction for communities of Ituri, North, and South Kivu.

The MEAL Advisor develops, implements, and continuously improves all MEAL systems for all project activities. S/he is responsible for ensuring development and operationalization of high-quality MEAL systems and reporting on a large-scale USAID education project. S/he incorporates best practices to ensure information collected is accurate, timely and disseminated appropriately in high quality reports. The MEAL Advisor will use these findings to improve the program and achieve the objectives. She/he will also be actively involved in promoting learning through documentation of lessons learned and developing approaches for community analysis and using data for making decision.

Qualifications and Experience
* Bachelor’s degree in MEAL, Statistics, Mathematics or related field is required; Master’s degree preferred.
* Advanced training in quantitative methodologies, including database management; experience in qualitative research techniques in addition preferred
* Minimum five years’ experience in monitoring and evaluation related to: education, literacy or other related fields
* Prior experience overseeing and ensuring the success of MEAL systems in USAID education projects including ensuring approval of MEAL plan, reporting on approved education projects, and successfully completing annual data quality assessments.
* Strong analytical skills and an understanding of monitoring, evaluation and assessment tools to promote evidence-based learning;
* Ability to analyze complex data and summarize it for a range of audiences;
* Demonstrated experience and capacity in coaching, mentoring and capacity building
* Sound strategic thinking and planning skills, including ability to think creatively and innovate and to set priorities, manageable work plans and evaluate progress;
* Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to lead and work effectively in team situations
* Experience of working within a complex national program in the context of an emergency intervention or in contexts of conflict or fragile state
* Experience with and commitment to approaches of accountability to populations, including children, affected by crises or conflicts.
* Excellent written and oral communication skills in French and English.
* Sensitive to political and cultural issues, and able to demonstrate patience, tact and diplomacy.
* Ability and willingness to be very flexible and accommodating in difficult and sometimes dangerous working circumstances.
* Commitment to SC goals and principles. A perfect understanding, in particular, of SC's mandate and the priority given to children, and the ability to ensure that it remains at the heart of the assistance we provide.

Desirable
* Language skills in Swahili, Nande or other eastern languages of the country an advantage.
* Knowledge of gender equity and transformative concepts
* Prior work experience assessing student learning outcomes user EGRA or ASER
* Experience in systems thinking and application of complex adaptive systems methodologies would be advantageous

Contract length: 05 Years

The Organisation
We employ approximately 25,000 people across the globe and work on the ground in over 100 countries to help children affected by crises, or those that need better healthcare, education and child protection. We also campaign and advocate at the highest levels to realise the right of children and to ensure their voices are heard.

We are working towards three breakthroughs in how the world treats children by 2030:
* No child dies from preventable causes before their 5th birthday
* All children learn from a quality basic education and that,
* Violence against children is no longer tolerated

We know that great people make a great organization, and that our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children. We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive workplace where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued.

Application Information:
Please apply using a cover letter and up-to-date CV as a single document. Please also include details of your current remuneration and salary expectations.

We need to keep children safe so our selection process reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.

Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply

Applicants are advised that Save the Children International does not require any payment or expense during the entire recruitment process. Any request in this direction should be immediately reported as contrary to the values and practices of our organization.