• Supervisor: Program Director
• Location: Dili with possible travel to municipalities and international travel as required
• Contract Type: Full time
• Duration: Fixed term 4 months with possibility to extend based on performance and funding.
• Category: Open for local and international applicants
• Starting Date: 1 March 2023

CONTEXT

Oxfam has been supporting development and humanitarian work in Timor-Leste for more than 20 years. Oxfam’s vision is a Timor-Leste that is just, sustainable, and inclusive Oxfam currently implements a multi-sectorial program by working in partnership with civil society and community development organisations and constructive engagement with government. Under the 2021-2025 Oxfam Country Strategy, OiTL’s country programs are embedded in Oxfam global and Asia strategy frameworks focusing on three pillars: Economic Justice, Climate Justice and Gender Justice. A feminist approach to working and leadership, Inclusion and Influencing are cross cutting themes and approaches that go across all of Oxfam’s work in Timor-Leste.

PURPOSE

The Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Senior Manager role is to ensure the development and implementation of an effective and coordinated MEAL framework and systems across Oxfam in Timor-Leste country program in accordance with Oxfam standards under the supervision of Program Director. S/he will provide leadership in the development of a knowledge-based organisation and ensure evidence-based programming across country programs. In doing so, s/he is responsible for the development, strengthening and implementation of monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (MEAL) tools, systems, processes and methodologies.

This includes, but not limited to, working closely with program and partnership teams in conducting, managing, and documenting key MEAL milestones, events and processes, MEAL internal and external reporting, and knowledge management between project team and partners. S/he is also responsible for leading/conducting different surveys, assessments, evaluations, learning and knowledge management. Furthermore, the MEAL Senior Manager role will also build and strengthen the capacity of Oxfam staff and partners and provide specialist advice and support to establish/strengthen their respective MEAL mechanisms, including accountability and knowledge management.

CHILD SAFEGUARDING

As an agency undertaking work both nationally and internationally and in humanitarian response, Oxfam Timor Leste takes its duty of care seriously to safeguard children and recognises that it must meet community expectations and the trust placed in its personnel to maintain the highest standards of conduct with children. Therefore, all positions within Oxfam Timor Leste are required to comply with the Child Safeguarding Policy and Child Safeguarding Code of Conduct.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Project planning, MEAL system development and implementation

• Provide technical leadership and coordinate the development and implementation of MEAL systems, MEAL framework, tools, processes, and methodologies for identified projects and partners.
• Oversee the program teams and partners in timely implementation of monitoring framework and tools developed to ensure quality reporting and consistent information is available on program performance and impact.
• Oversee and manage quality data collection for project deliverables to demonstrate qualitative and quantitative changes overtime in collaboration with the programs and partnership teams through primary data collection, as well as secondary sources.
• Oversee and coordinate program quality assurance activities such as periodic program reviews, field monitoring and evaluation visits, and supporting the staff and partners with use of Airtable.
• Support and contribute to timely and quality reporting on partners’ projects in target locations of the response, demonstrating accountability and learning.
• Assist program teams and partners in the development of theory of change and logic models for new proposals.
• Develop and continuously update accountability process and lead on implementation of programme-wide feedback and complaint mechanisms in line with Oxfam and Core Humanitarian Standards (CHS) and share accountability findings with programme teams and the country leadership as appropriate.
• Work closely with the Communication and Media team in the country office to collect positive impact stories and photos from projects and prepare them to be used for shared learning.

2. Staff and partners’ MEAL capacities

• Provide technical support to program and MEAL teams and strengthen their capacities through, among others, ongoing mentoring, coaching, and training.
• Provide technical support and guidance to partners staff in the development and implementation of MEAL plan, tools and strategy.

3. Guide Knowledge Management and Learning

• Manage a knowledge management framework, ensuring evidence-based programming through capture of programme knowledge and feeding learning into programme design and implementation.
• Coordinate on and produce key learning documents, and processes in country to drive partnerships and donor engagement.
• Translate lessons learned at programme level to inform country leadership team
• Track assessments, research, and knowledge generation throughout the organisation to feed into program designs.

4. Management and Accountability

• Support OiTL’s program managers, MEAL staff and partners with effective capacity building, mentoring and professional development.
• Develop and continuously update accountability strategy and lead on establishment of a feedback and compliant mechanisms in line with Oxfam standards.
• Oversee and ensure quality assurance of feedback and compliant mechanisms.
• Ensure the implementation of strong accountability and community-level feedback.
• Share accountably findings with project teams and country leadership team

5. Representation and Relationships

• Working closely with colleagues to continually strengthen relationships among teams and with OiTL’s partners and stakeholders.
• Working with partners to ensure proper MEAL coordination and streamlining structures between Oxfam and partners are in place.
• Participate in and contribute to relevant inter-agency efforts to agree and develop coordinated / joint M&E and accountability frameworks and mechanisms.
• Ensure that Oxfam’s MEAL system is linked to wider inter-agency M&E initiatives and developments and liaise with technical teams to ensure coordination with sectoral working groups.
• Engage with professional peers, academia, and like-minded organizations to share knowledge and to identify best practice in other countries/agencies relevant to Oxfam which can contribute to our own understanding and development of MEAL.

Professional Attributes

• Ability to work both independently and as a member of a team and set own workplan, meet deadlines and balance competing priorities.
• Ability to negotiate deadlines with colleagues and hold others to account
• Ability to network and represent Oxfam to a wide range of internal and external stakeholders
• Ability to achieve results by working alongside staff and inspiring teams to deliver to a high standard
• Ability to work under pressure, recognise and manage personal stress and support staff to manage their own stress
• An understanding of and commitment to Oxfam’s values and to promoting diversity and gender equality
• Ability to live and thrive in a developing country and spend regular periods of time in the field.
• Ability to coach and mentor staff
• Ability to develop and manage programs and projects effectively within an overall strategic framework

Skills and Experience

• Significant relevant experience working with INGOs/NGOs in developing countries or equivalent experience within Timor-Leste.
• Master’s degree in relevant area (e.g., social sciences, statistics) from a recognised university.
• At least 5 years’ experience of work in humanitarian and/or development context programmes.
• Good knowledge and strong demonstrated experience in monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning, including participatory approaches
• Well-developed conceptual, critical, analytical thinking and planning skills
• Proven experience in supporting strategic thinking and quality improvement on partnership
• Experience in and the ability to facilitate training at different levels
• Significant experience working with partners and in strengthening programmatic and organisational capacities of civil society organisations.
• Effective oral and written communication skills with a range of people working in different situations.
• High quality written and spoken English language skills. Tetum skills highly desirable.
• Experience using Airtable and or similar database tools desired.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Oxfam is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behaviour at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct; and committed to promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. Oxfam 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 our values are recruited to work for us. Oxfam is a child safe organisation and successful applicants will be required to sign the Oxfam International Employee Code of Conduct and submit a Criminal register certificate or “Bom Comportamento” from the Ministry of Justice.

Oxfam is an equal opportunity employer. Woman and Persons with Disabilities are encouraged to apply.