About the Role

Start Network is seeking a highly experienced FemaleMonitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Advisor to coordinate and advise on the joint MEAL for Start Network initiatives in Pakistan.  This role will cover MEAL on anticipation, early action and risk financing across the Start Network Members in Pakistan. The role will closely work with the DRF Advisor of Start Network and the Start Network MEAL team to support and ensure consistency of approach for MEAL on anticipation, early action and risk financing initiatives across the network. 

MEAL Coordination and technical advice  

• Lead the development and implementation of MEAL systems to track programme progress and quality benchmarks as well as facilitate the generation of evidence and learning on Anticipatory and early action as well as overall DRF systems in Pakistan. 

• Lead the design of appropriate MEAL tools and frameworks for Start Network’s finance mechanism to determine the effectiveness of the system and generate evidence and learning.

• Contribute to integration of the regional MEAL learning to the organisation overall learning.

• Lead on undertaking internal and external evaluations to inform programme learning and support the delivery of donor related MEAL requirements. 

• Contribute to annual reporting of progress of Start Ready and Disaster Risk Finance Systems in Pakistan.

• Contribute to the stakeholders reporting i.e. NHN, PHF, Cluster, NDMA/PDMA and other government departments on the Start Network initiatives. 

• Support quality assurance of analytical methods in anticipation, early action and risk financing initiatives and provide advice in the development of initiatives.

• Lead on completing the framework for quality assurance of Disaster Risk Finance. 

• Stay updated on emerging trends, methodologies, and tools in monitoring and evaluation, crisis anticipation, and disaster risk finance, and apply relevant innovations to improve MEAL practices.

• Support the setting up of Accountability to Affected Populations mechanisms (Community Feedback and Response Mechanisms, participatory needs assessments etc.) and ensure that members' organizations report on accountability to affected people.

• Support MEAL activities on the Anticipatory Action protocols and Early Action contingency plans.

• Support on the review of Start Ready National reserves and activation final reports from members.

Joint Evidence and learning 

• Inculcate a team approach among members to enhance the joint MEAL and evidence gathering from the different bodies of work advance through the membership.

• Support the country decision making structures with relevant information to inform decision making on the Start Network funding instruments as required.  

• Facilitate learning in country between members and with READY Pakistan Hub during post-implementation and post-season reviews. 

• Regularly feed learnings emerging from regional Start Ready activations and Disaster Risk Financing systems post-season reviews back to the global MEAL teams as well as members in-country

• Support the Evidence and Learning Advisor to manage consultancy in case of a Start Ready activation evaluation in Pakistan.

Advocacy and Communications 

• Contribute to advocacy and communication through in country, regional evidence and learning generated for the regional programmes. 

• Contribute to enhanced visibility and awareness of anticipatory, early action and DRF systems and the role they play in effective management of DRF systems and timely humanitarian action. 

• Support the communications team in disseminating learning around anticipation, early action and disaster risk financing.  

• Support communications and digital teams with content creation as required.

• Be an internal and external champion of learning for anticipation and risk financing in Pakistan and in the region.

• Participate in relevant forums prioritized for the country, region and contribute in conference panels and seminars to raise the profile of the issues addressed in Pakistan. 

Programme partnerships and Network Development 

• Provide support to READY Pakistan with any DRF MEAL requirements, evidence and learning generated. 

• Support with tailored capacity strengthening to the programme partners and Hubs to bring them up to speed on the programme.

• Contribute to the development of partnerships with research organisations and other aligned humanitarian actors to enhance the generation of credible evidence on the added value of anticipation, early action and disaster risk financing work.

• Provide systematic and tailored MEAL-related institutional capacity-building support to Start Network members.  

Qualifications:

•  Post graduate or higher qualification preferably in economics, development studies or relevant Social Sciences discipline.

• Minimum of 5 years  working experience in MEAL in national and/or international multi agency initiatives in the humanitarian and development sector. Experience in anticipatory action would be desirable.

• Strong experience in information management systems and database management with ability to write clear and well-argued assessment and reports

• Multi-country/multicultural/multi-agency work experience is desirable. 

• Proven capacity to supervise, train and coach multi-agency teams.

• Experience with coordinating MEAL in a network, consortium, or other multi agency/multi-stakeholders initiatives, exercising maturity, sound judgement and meeting deadlines. 

• Demonstrated analytic and data management skills with training and experience of some statistical applications.

• Passion for anticipatory action, early action, and disaster risk finance in general.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 

• Proficient in written and verbal English

• Strong critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills with ability to make sound judgment.

• Strong relationship management skills and the ability to work effectively with culturally diverse groups.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills with ability to write clear and concise reports

• Proactive, results-oriented, and service-oriented

• Politically and culturally sensitive with qualities of patience, tact and diplomacy

• The capacity and willingness to be flexible and accommodating in difficult and sometimes insecure working circumstances.