Job Information
Save The Children Senior Advisor, Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL), Read to Learn Basic Education Activity, Laos in Vientiane, Laos
Description
Summary
Save the Children seeks a Senior Advisor, Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) for the anticipated, follow-on USAID-funded Read to Learn education project in Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR). The forthcoming project is expected to contribute to the Government of Lao PDR's Education and Sports Sector Development Plan (ESSDP) 2026-2030, building on the accomplishments from the USAID-funded Learn to Read Project, and continuing to foster equitable learning outcomes for students in the early grades of primary school.
The MEAL Senior Advisor will report to the Chief of Party (COP) and will lead this function for the project, ensuring development and operationalization of high-quality MEAL systems and reporting. They will strengthen the results framework, develop indicator definitions, lead monitoring and evaluation planning and execution, and co-develop a learning agenda.
This is a Key Personnel position, subject to USAID approval. It is also subject to project award and funding. This position will be based in Vientiane, Laos.
National candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
What You’ll Be Doing (Essential Duties)
Design and adapt MEAL plan, ensure USAID approvals, and manage preparation and submission of timely work plans and donor reports according to donor and SCI requirements.
Manage and ensure success of USAID Data Quality Assessments (DQAs) and other donor reviews.
Conceptualize and maintain the MEAL database for the project.
Develop instruments for data capture and ensure that these instruments work well with the database and indicators defined in the approved MEAL plan.
Provide MEAL support, quality assurance, and reporting in coordination with technical teams.
Coordinate the development of a learning agenda together with the MEAL team and technical team to ensure an aligned and informative research strategy.
Develop and manage tools and systems to track fidelity of implementation to support project performance and evaluations.
Report on progress toward achieving the project targets, translating strategic information into improved programming and delivery of services.
Responsible for providing overall leadership, supervision, training, and guidance on MEAL activities, and facilitating MEAL strategy implementation in support of sub-awardees and SC staff.
Ensure that all project MEAL documents, data, and other information required for program strategic planning and reporting are documented, prepared and submitted on time and in compliance with the requirements of USAID.
Provide oversight, with support and guidance of the project Finance Director and COP, of MEAL budget and ensure effective and timely utilization for the appropriate MEAL activities.
Support establishment of protocols, incentives and coordination, to ensure clarity and efficiency.
Support the establishment, maintenance, and improvement of active and regular working relationships with: Lao PDR government authorities, partner agencies, USAID, and local and international NGOs.
Participate and provide input on M&E issues at technical, policy and strategic planning meetings, including meetings with partners, local government and USAID.
Provide advice, guidance, and coordination to SC, the Ministry of Education & Sports (MOES), and other collaborating organizations in the implementation and strengthening of M&E systems for the education program activities supported by USAID.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree required from an accredited college or university with at least seven (7) years of research and/or MEAL experience in education, literacy or other related field .
At least Seven years’ experience designing and implementing MEAL programs in complex settings.
Experience evaluating student learning outcomes in language and literacy and/or STEM
Prior experience overseeing and ensuring the success of MEAL systems on USAID education projects including ensuring approval of the MEAL plan, reporting on approved indicators, collecting and analyzing learning outcomes data, and successfully completing annual DQAs.
Demonstrated success developing and managing MEAL databases for USAID projects.
Substantial experience with digital data collection systems/platforms (e.g., KoBo, ODK, Tangerine) and statistical analysis software.
In-depth knowledge of USAID approaches and regulations.
Experience developing and implementing CLA strategies.
Experience working towards sustainability of program priorities.
Excellent training and facilitation capability.
Strong analytical and conceptual skills and the ability to think and plan strategically.
Excellent communication skills, including fluency in written and spoken English, and strong interpersonal skills.
Preferred Qualifications
Master’s degree is preferred.
Prior work experience assessing student learning outcomes.
Experience developing dashboards visualizations using platforms such as Power Bi.
Experience in systems thinking and application of complex and adaptive systems methodologies.
Working proficiency in Lao language preferred.
About Save the Children
Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. In the States and around the world, we give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. We do whatever it takes for children – every day and in times of crisis – transforming their lives and the future we share.
Our work for children and their families requires that we commit—at every opportunity—to work together to identify and dismantle persistent systemic and structural racism, inequality, and any other forms of discrimination in this country and beyond. As an anti-racist organization, Save the Children will not tolerate discrimination in any form—in our employment practices, amongst our staff, in our leadership or toward the people we serve. We stand in solidarity with all people to fight for equal rights, justice, inclusion, and belonging.
Save the Children is committed to conducting its programs and operations in a manner that is safe for the children it serves and helping protect the children with whom we are in contact. All Save the Children representatives are explicitly prohibited from engaging in any activity that may result in any kind of child abuse.
Save the Children is committed to minimizing safety and security risks for our valued employees, ensuring all are given training, support and information to reduce their risk exposure while maximizing the impact of our programs for children and families. Our shared duty, both agency and individual, is to seek and maintain safe working conditions for all.
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Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)
