UNICEF Ghana is seeking the services of an experienced national consultant to lead the development and roll-out of a Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Framework for Ghana’s National Open Defecation Free and Safely Managed Sanitation Plan. Working under the leadership of the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs and in close collaboration with the National Development Planning Commission, the Office of the Head of Local Government Service and the Ghana Statistical Service, the consultant will design a robust framework, support its nationwide implementation, and establish sustainable systems for monitoring, accountability and continuous learning. NB: This opportunity is open to Ghanaian nationals only.
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In Ghana, UNICEF cooperates with the Government and other partners to defend the rights of children and help them fulfill their potential. With offices in Accra and Tamale, the UNICEF team seeks to achieve results in strategic programme areas. The overall goal is for every child to survive and thrive, to live in a safe and clean environment, to learn, to be protected from violence and exploitation, and to have an equitable chance in life. The current Country Programme of cooperation is aligned with the Government priorities, the UN Sustainable Development Partnership (UNSDP) and Key Results for Children (KRCs) in the West and Central African Region (immunization, nutrition, learning outcomes, ending child marriage and ending open defecation). UNICEF main strategies include evidence-based advocacy, system strengthening, integrated programming across sectors, emergency preparedness and response, and innovation.
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UNICEF has been working in collaboration with the Government of Ghana to develop a National Plan to eliminate open defecation and accelerate the coverage of safely managed sanitation. The Plan comprises a long-term perspective framework which aligns with Ghana’s long term planning documents for 2057 with a detailed implementation plan for the first five years. For the National ODF and SMS plan to achieve its desired impact, a robust Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Framework is expected to be established and operationalized. The MEAL Framework will be supported by a strong data system, an upgraded version of the Basic Sanitation Information System (BaSIS), equipped to provide data and information on Area-wide Climate Resilient Safely Managed Sanitation (CRSMS) including services across the sanitation chain. It will facilitate the use of information from the upgraded BaSIS to support improved planning, monitoring and evaluation, decision making and accountability. The development of the MEAL framework and upgrading of BaSIS are part of the African Sanitation Systems Strengthening Programme and constitute a strategic effort to achieve robust monitoring of progress towards safely managed sanitation. The MEAL Framework will provide a practical way of contextualizing indicators for climate resilient safely managed sanitation (CRSMS) in Ghana, facilitate diagnostics and coordination of information from different sources into user-segregated reports. With the review and discussion of these reports integrated into programme management, the MEAL Framework will make evidence-based decision-making on sanitation more seamless and spontaneous. At the district level where implementation takes place, the MEAL framework will ensure information on the entire sanitation service chain is readily available making it easier to identify exposure risks to guide programming decisions. |
The MEAL framework will cover both sanitation service delivery and systems strengthening with Indicators covering the programme results chain from outputs and outcomes to impact. It will also make provision for clearly formulated indices that enable the sector to undertake process and performance assessments, as well as context, efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability reviews at district, regional and national level. The MEAL framework will also incorporate assessments for determining the maturity of sanitation programmes on a scaling continuum with indicative activities for progressing from one stage of scale to the next. As part of the framework, a plan will be developed covering reports to be generated at defined times for both in-country reporting and engagement in international reporting platforms. It will make provision for
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independent evidence generation activities such as research, studies, assessments and evaluations as well as Annual Joint Sector Reviews, Mid-Term and End of Term Reviews. The MEAL framework will facilitate partnership building for the achievement of the objectives of the National ODF and SMS Plan as it will provide a rallying point for monitoring and reporting of work being done by all stakeholders including Government at both national and sub-national level. As such, extensive stakeholder engagement will be required to enhance collective ownership and use of the framework. As a framework will be owned and driven by Government, the MEAL framework is expected to be aligned with key Government systems for planning, monitoring and reporting. |
In collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs (MLGCRA) UNICEF seeks to procure the services of a consultant to develop and facilitate the roll out of the MEAL framework. Under the leadership of MLGCRA, the selected consultant will undertake this assignment as a joint effort with the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), the Office of the Head of Local Government Service (OHLGS) and the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS). The consultancy contract will be on a long-term basis for three years subject to performance of the selected consultant, continued relevance of the assignment and availability of funds.
Work Assignment:
1. Facilitate the development of a comprehensive MEAL framework for the National ODF and SMS Plan with indicators for monitoring progress for both systems strengthening and service delivery activities.
2. Facilitate the development of an assessment framework for determining the maturity of programme interventions on a scaling continuum.
3. Facilitate the development of a reporting mechanism and platform for the National ODF and SMS plan outlining requirements for quarterly and annual reports and procedures for compiling data from district to regional to national level through integration into existing government systems
4. Prepare and implement a comprehensive plan for building the capacity of the sector to use the MEAL Framework and to make the shift towards integrated sanitation sector performance monitoring
5. Provide support for the development and roll-out of key operational plans with the attendant MEAL activities
6. Provide Technical Support for reporting, performance data analysis and joint sector reviews at all levels (district, regional and national)
7. Develop and facilitate the roll out of a knowledge management plan and facilitate adaptive leadership actions including decision making at all levels
8. Undertake ongoing review of sector sanitation protocols and data systems and provide updates to ensure reports from these systems are aligned with sector needs and systems improved for increased access and use by stakeholders
Please refer to the attached Terms of Reference (TOR) for more details on the assignment
TOR-MEAL Specialist.pdf
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
Minimum requirements:
Education: Advanced Degree in a relevant field with qualification/ training in Monitoring and Evaluation
Work Experience: At least 10 years of relevant work experience in monitoring and evaluation.
Skills :
- Ability to effectively analyse and interpret information from complex information systems transmitting it to various audiences in digestible formats
- Strong communication (written and oral) and presentation skills
- Strong communication (written and oral) and presentation skills
Language Requirements: Fluent in English
Desirables:
- Demonstrates strong technical knowledge of M&E with analytical skills that meet the requirements of assignment
- Direct experience working with Government and/or development partners supporting monitoring and reporting as well as stakeholder reviews
- Experience with development of MEAL and Programme Assessment Frameworks
- Experience with quantitative and qualitative operational research with experience in knowledge management including preparing case studies and other forms of documentation
For every Child, you demonstrate...
UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values
The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…
(1) Builds and maintains partnerships
(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
(3) Drive to achieve results for impact
(4) Innovates and embraces change
(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity
(6) Thinks and acts strategically
(7) Works collaboratively with others
Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.
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Remarks:
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