Senior MEAL and Innovation Officer

Lindii Peace Foundation (LPF) is a Non-Profit and Non-governmental Organization in Nigeria which was registered as a corporate body with the Corporate Affairs Commission on the Eleventh (11th) day of July, 2014.ABOUT THE ROLE Lindii Peace Foundation (LPF) is seeking a qualified, analytical and innovative Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) and Innovation Officer to strengthen evidence-based programming, programme quality, accountability to affected populations and continuous learning across its humanitarian and development interventions. The MEAL and Innovation Officer will be responsible for developing and implementing monitoring and evaluation systems, tracking programme performance against approved indicators and targets, conducting field monitoring and assessments, supporting data collection and analysis, facilitating learning processes and identifying innovative approaches to improve programme effectiveness. The post holder will work closely with programme managers, project officers, field teams, community representatives and other relevant stakeholders to ensure that programme implementation is informed by reliable data, community feedback and documented lessons learned. The successful candidate will support the design and implementation of MEAL plans, results frameworks, data collection tools, accountability mechanisms and learning initiatives. The role will also promote the use of digital solutions, participatory approaches and practical innovations to improve data quality, programme efficiency and service delivery. This position requires strong analytical skills, attention to detail, excellent communication, sound understanding of humanitarian accountability principles and the ability to translate monitoring findings into practical recommendations. The post holder must demonstrate a commitment to ethical data management, inclusion, safeguarding, accountability and continuous programme improvement in a humanitarian setting. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES MEAL System Development and Implementation Support the development, implementation and continuous improvement of organizational and project-specific MEAL frameworks, plans and procedures. Develop and maintain results frameworks, logical frameworks, theories of change, indicator tracking tables and performance monitoring tools in collaboration with programme teams. Ensure that project objectives, outputs, outcomes, indicators, baselines, targets and means of verification are clearly defined and aligned with approved project documents. Support the development and review of monitoring plans, evaluation plans, data collection schedules and reporting calendars. Establish practical systems for tracking programme progress, measuring results and identifying implementation gaps. Ensure that monitoring activities are aligned with approved project proposals, donor requirements, organizational standards and relevant humanitarian guidelines. Work with programme teams to identify appropriate quantitative and qualitative indicators for measuring programme performance and results. Monitor progress against approved work plans, budgets, targets and implementation timelines, highlighting variances and areas requiring management attention. Support the integration of MEAL activities into programme planning, implementation, review and close-out processes. Ensure that MEAL tools and processes are appropriate to the operational context, accessible to affected populations and feasible for field teams to implement. Monitoring, Field Verification and Assessments Conduct routine field monitoring visits to verify programme implementation, assess service quality and document progress against approved targets. Develop and use structured monitoring checklists, observation tools, interview guides and other appropriate data collection instruments. Monitor project activities, beneficiary reach, service delivery, distribution processes and other programme interventions against established standards and indicators. Conduct or support baseline studies, needs assessments, rapid assessments, post-distribution monitoring, outcome monitoring and endline assessments as required. Collect and analyse information from beneficiaries, community members, frontline personnel and other relevant stakeholders to assess programme relevance, effectiveness and quality. Verify reported programme achievements through field observations, source document reviews, beneficiary consultations and other appropriate verification methods. Identify implementation challenges, emerging risks, gaps in service delivery and unintended programme effects, and communicate findings to relevant programme managers. Prepare field monitoring reports containing key findings, evidence, recommendations, responsible persons and proposed follow-up actions. Track the implementation of recommendations arising from monitoring visits, assessments, reviews and evaluations. Support joint monitoring visits with donors, government representatives, partners and other authorized stakeholders when required. Ensure that monitoring activities are conducted respectfully and safely, with due consideration for the security, privacy and dignity of affected populations. Data Collection, Management and Analysis Design, adapt and maintain appropriate quantitative and qualitative data collection tools for programme monitoring, assessments and evaluations. Support the use of digital data collection platforms, including KoboToolbox, ODK or other approved systems, where applicable. Develop data collection forms with appropriate validation rules, skip logic, mandatory fields and other quality controls to minimize errors. Train and guide field personnel, enumerators and programme staff on data collection procedures, indicator definitions and reporting requirements. Conduct routine data cleaning, validation, verification, consolidation and analysis to ensure that information is accurate, complete, consistent and reliable. Identify missing information, duplicate records, inconsistencies and unusual data patterns, and coordinate corrective action with relevant personnel. Maintain organized databases, indicator tracking sheets, beneficiary records and other approved monitoring information systems. Analyse programme data to identify trends, compare results against targets and highlight performance gaps, emerging needs and opportunities for improvement. Produce clear tables, charts, dashboards and summary analyses to support programme planning and management decisions. Ensure that data is disaggregated by relevant categories, such as sex, age, disability and location, where appropriate, safe and required by programme indicators. Maintain proper documentation of data sources, calculation methods, indicator definitions and assumptions to support traceability and verification. Ensure that personal and sensitive data are collected only when necessary and managed in accordance with approved data protection procedures. Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) Support the establishment, implementation and strengthening of accessible, safe and context-appropriate accountability mechanisms across programme locations. Ensure that affected populations are informed about programme objectives, eligibility criteria, available services, entitlements, selection procedures and feedback channels. Support the operation of appropriate feedback and complaints mechanisms, including designated focal persons, help desks, telephone channels, suggestion boxes and community consultations, as applicable. Ensure that beneficiaries and community members can provide feedback and raise concerns through channels that are accessible, confidential and appropriate to their circumstances. Maintain secure and organized records of feedback, complaints, referrals, responses and resolution status in accordance with established procedures. Categorize and analyse feedback to identify recurring concerns, service delivery gaps, community priorities and opportunities for programme improvement. Coordinate with relevant programme managers and designated safeguarding or complaints focal persons to ensure that feedback is referred and addressed appropriately. Monitor the timeliness and effectiveness of responses to routine feedback and complaints, escalating unresolved concerns through established channels. Ensure that sensitive safeguarding complaints, allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), fraud and other serious misconduct are referred promptly through designated confidential reporting mechanisms. Protect complainant confidentiality and ensure that sensitive cases are not included in routine reports in ways that could identify affected individuals or compromise their safety. Promote meaningful participation of women, children, persons with disabilities, older people and other groups who may face barriers to accessing feedback mechanisms, using safe and appropriate approaches. Support community consultations and feedback sessions to ensure that programme decisions reflect the priorities, experiences and concerns of affected populations. Document how community feedback has informed programme adjustments and communicate appropriate responses to communities through safe and accessible channels. Learning, Evaluation and Programme Quality Improvement Facilitate learning activities, including programme review meetings, reflection sessions, after-action reviews and lessons-learned workshops. Document good practices, implementation challenges, success stories, lessons learned and recommendations from programme activities. Support the development of case studies, learning briefs, success stories and other evidence-based knowledge products. Promote the use of monitoring findings, evaluation results and community feedback in programme planning, adaptation and decision-making. Support internal and external evaluations by preparing relevant documentation, coordinating data collection and facilitating access to appropriate programme information. Track management responses to evaluation findings and follow up on agreed recommendations. Work with programme teams to identify what is working, what requires improvement and what approaches should be adapted, expanded or discontinued. Facilitate the sharing of lessons learned and promising practices across projects, field offices and programme teams. Support the development and maintenance of an organizational learning repository containing approved reports, tools, assessments and other relevant knowledge products. Encourage a learning culture in which programme teams use evidence constructively to improve performance and service delivery. Ensure that lessons learned are documented in practical formats that can inform current implementation and future programme design. Innovation and Adaptive Programming Identify opportunities to improve programme delivery, monitoring systems, beneficiary engagement and organizational processes through practical innovation. Work with programme teams to identify operational challenges and develop feasible, evidence-informed solutions appropriate to the local context. Support the design, testing and documentation of innovative approaches, tools and methods that can improve programme effectiveness, efficiency and accountability. Explore appropriate digital technologies and data management solutions to improve monitoring, reporting, information sharing and decision-making. Promote the responsible use of technology in programme implementation, ensuring that proposed solutions are accessible, cost-effective, secure and appropriate for affected populations. Support pilot initiatives and small-scale tests of new approaches before wider implementation, where feasible. Establish clear objectives, success criteria and monitoring arrangements for innovation pilots to assess their usefulness and potential for replication. Document the results, costs, limitations, lessons learned and recommendations arising from innovation initiatives. Facilitate collaboration between programme teams, community representatives and relevant stakeholders to generate and refine practical solutions. Identify opportunities to simplify processes, reduce duplication, improve data quality and strengthen programme responsiveness. Support adaptive management by sharing emerging evidence and recommending adjustments to activities, delivery approaches and implementation strategies. Ensure that innovation initiatives comply with organizational policies, donor requirements, safeguarding standards and data protection principles. Reporting, Visualization and Donor Compliance Support programme teams in preparing accurate, evidence-based MEAL contributions for internal reports, donor reports and other approved reporting requirements. Consolidate monitoring data, indicator achievements, beneficiary figures and relevant qualitative findings for periodic reporting. Review reported programme results against source documents and approved indicators to ensure consistency and accuracy. Prepare routine MEAL reports highlighting achievements, performance gaps, challenges, emerging trends, corrective actions and lessons learned. Develop simple dashboards, charts, tables and other visual reporting products to communicate programme performance clearly. Ensure that reported figures are supported by verifiable records and consistent with approved indicator definitions and calculation methods. Support the timely preparation of monthly, quarterly, midterm, annual and final programme reports, as applicable. Maintain an organized archive of monitoring reports, assessment findings, data collection tools and supporting evidence. Respond to authorized requests for MEAL information from management, programme teams, donors and other relevant stakeholders. Support the preparation of evidence for donor monitoring visits, project reviews, audits and programme evaluations. Ensure that reports are clear, accurate, appropriately disaggregated and compliant with relevant reporting requirements. Capacity Building and Technical Support Provide practical guidance and technical support to programme staff on monitoring frameworks, indicators, data collection, documentation and reporting. Conduct training and orientation sessions for field personnel, enumerators and community-based staff on MEAL procedures and tools. Build staff capacity in data quality assurance, accountability to affected populations, learning and the responsible use of evidence. Support programme teams to understand indicator definitions, data sources, reporting timelines and verification requirements. Provide feedback on the quality of monitoring records, beneficiary data, activity reports and other programme documentation. Identify capacity gaps and recommend relevant coaching, mentoring and training interventions. Support the standardization of MEAL tools and procedures across projects while allowing for appropriate adaptation to specific programme requirements. Promote collaboration between MEAL, programme, finance, logistics and other relevant units to improve data consistency and programme accountability. Encourage programme personnel to integrate monitoring, feedback and learning into routine implementation rather than treating MEAL as a separate activity. Coordination, Compliance and Professional Conduct Work closely with programme managers, project officers, field teams and organizational management to strengthen programme quality and results measurement. Coordinate with relevant government institutions, community structures, implementing partners and other stakeholders on approved monitoring and learning activities. Participate in programme coordination meetings, technical working groups and relevant sector forums when assigned. Ensure compliance with LPF policies, procedures, donor requirements, humanitarian principles and applicable data protection standards. Maintain independence, objectivity and professional integrity in data collection, analysis, verification and reporting. Report suspected data manipulation, misrepresentation of results, fraud, ethical violations and other serious concerns through established organizational channels. Protect the confidentiality and security of beneficiary information, especially information relating to children, survivors of abuse and other vulnerable individuals. Perform other MEAL, learning and innovation duties assigned by the supervisor, consistent with the position\'s responsibilities and organizational priorities. KEY DELIVERABLES The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to the following: Functional project-specific MEAL plans, results frameworks and indicator tracking tools. Regular field monitoring reports with evidence-based findings and actionable recommendations. Completed baseline, needs assessment, post-distribution monitoring, outcome monitoring and evaluation activities, as applicable. Updated databases, indicator tracking sheets and beneficiary monitoring records. Improved data quality through documented verification, cleaning and validation procedures. Regular performance dashboards and analysis comparing actual achievements against approved targets. Functional and documented accountability and feedback mechanisms, including appropriate follow-up on routine complaints and feedback. Timely referral of sensitive complaints through designated safeguarding and confidential reporting channels. Documented learning sessions, after-action reviews, lessons learned and programme improvement recommendations. Innovation pilot documentation, including objectives, results, lessons learned and recommendations for adaptation or scale-up. Accurate MEAL contributions to monthly, quarterly, midterm and final donor reports. Training and technical support provided to programme and field personnel on MEAL tools and procedures. Documented follow-up on monitoring findings, evaluation recommendations and agreed corrective actions. Secure and organized MEAL records, assessment reports, data collection tools and supporting evidence. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE Minimum Qualifications Bachelor\'s degree in Monitoring and Evaluation, Statistics, Economics, Development Studies, Social Sciences, Public Health, Information Management or another relevant discipline. Minimum of three (3) years of relevant experience in monitoring and evaluation, accountability, programme quality, research or related functions, preferably within humanitarian or development programmes. Demonstrated experience developing or implementing MEAL plans, results frameworks, indicator tracking systems and data collection tools. Practical experience conducting field monitoring, assessments, data verification, data analysis and programme performance reviews. Demonstrated ability to analyse quantitative and qualitative data and translate findings into practical recommendations. Experience preparing monitoring reports, analytical summaries, dashboards and other programme reporting products. Working knowledge of accountability to affected populations, complaints and feedback mechanisms, and humanitarian accountability principles. Familiarity with digital data collection tools such as KoboToolbox, ODK or equivalent platforms. Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, for data management, analysis and reporting. Strong report-writing, communication, facilitation and presentation skills. Excellent attention to detail, analytical thinking, problem-solving and organizational skills. Ability to work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams and undertake field visits as required. Desirable Experience Experience working with NGOs, INGOs or donor-funded humanitarian and development programmes. Experience in health, nutrition, WASH, protection, food security or other humanitarian programme sectors. Experience supporting accountability mechanisms and community engagement initiatives in emergency-response settings. Familiarity with Power BI, advanced Excel, statistical software or other data visualization and analysis tools. Experience using digital platforms to improve monitoring, data management or programme reporting. Experience facilitating learning workshops, after-action reviews, programme evaluations and lessons-learned exercises. Demonstrated experience testing innovative approaches, supporting pilot projects or applying adaptive management practices. Familiarity with donor reporting requirements, results-based management and common humanitarian monitoring standards. Experience working in complex, insecure or resource-constrained operating environments, preferably in northeastern Nigeria. Knowledge of local languages relevant to the programme\'s operational areas is an advantage. CORE COMPETENCIES The successful candidate should demonstrate: Analytical thinking: Ability to interpret complex information, identify trends and draw evidence-based conclusions. Data quality and integrity: Commitment to accurate, reliable, complete and verifiable programme data. Monitoring and evaluation: Ability to track programme performance and assess progress against approved indicators and targets. Innovation and problem-solving: Ability to identify practical solutions, test new approaches and support continuous improvement. Accountability: Commitment to meaningful community participation, safe feedback mechanisms and responsive programming. Learning orientation: Ability to document lessons, facilitate reflection and translate findings into programme improvements. Communication and reporting: Ability to present technical findings clearly through reports, dashboards and presentations. Digital proficiency: Ability to use appropriate data collection, analysis and visualization tools effectively. Integrity and confidentiality: Ability to manage sensitive information ethically and protect beneficiary data. Collaboration: Ability to work effectively with programme teams, communities and other stakeholders. Planning and organization: Ability to manage multiple monitoring activities, reporting deadlines and competing priorities. Adaptability: Ability to respond constructively to changing programme needs and humanitarian operating conditions. SAFEGUARDING, CODE OF CONDUCT AND ORGANIZATIONAL VALUES The post holder is required to: Adhere to LPF\'s policies, procedures, Code of Conduct and organizational values. Demonstrate commitment to safeguarding, gender equality, diversity, inclusion and respect for human rights. Maintain zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), harassment, fraud, corruption and abuse of position. Report safeguarding, SEA, fraud or other serious misconduct concerns through established organizational reporting mechanisms. Protect the privacy, dignity, safety and confidentiality of affected populations during monitoring, assessments, interviews and feedback collection. Obtain appropriate informed consent before collecting information, photographs, testimonies or other personal data, in accordance with organizational procedures. Ensure that participation in assessments, interviews and feedback processes is voluntary and does not expose individuals to unnecessary risks. Apply appropriate data protection measures when collecting, storing, analysing, sharing and disposing of programme information. Demonstrate sensitivity to diverse cultural contexts and the needs of affected populations. Comply with applicable health, safety and security requirements during field monitoring and other programme activities. Use organizational resources responsibly and maintain professional independence and integrity in reporting programme findings.