Save the Children International (SCI) is the world’s leading independent organization for children, working tirelessly in over 100 countries to improve the lives of children through better education, healthcare, and protection from harm. We are currently seeking to recruit a qualified, passionate, and committed individual to fill the position of Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Assistant for our Dadaab Field Office in Kenya.
This role presents a unique opportunity for an individual who is passionate about data, community engagement, and driving improvements in humanitarian programming. The selected candidate will play an essential role in ensuring that our projects in the Dadaab refugee camps maintain high standards of monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning (MEAL), thereby contributing meaningfully to the overall impact of our interventions.
If you are a results-oriented professional with proven experience in M&E systems and are looking to make a tangible difference in the lives of children and communities affected by crises, then this role could be the right fit for you.
Position: Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Assistant
Location: Dadaab Field Office, Kenya
Reports to: MEAL Coordinator
Department: Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL)
Contract Type: Full-Time
Organizational Background
Save the Children has operated in Kenya since the 1950s, implementing development and humanitarian programs that support children and families. Our work spans several sectors including child protection, education, health, nutrition, WASH, livelihoods, child rights governance, and emergency response. In Kenya, we have a direct presence in locations such as Bungoma, Dadaab, Garissa, Mandera, and Wajir, and we also partner with local organizations to extend our reach.
In response to the ongoing drought in Kenya, Save the Children has intensified humanitarian programming in the most affected counties, focusing on critical services like food security and livelihoods (FSL), health, nutrition, education, WASH, and child protection.
Role Purpose
The M&E Assistant will serve as a core member of the Dadaab project team, providing technical and operational support to ensure program quality, effectiveness, and accountability. Under the general guidance of the MEAL Coordinator and working closely with the Programme Manager, the M&E Assistant will be responsible for implementing and maintaining effective M&E systems at the field office.
The role involves regular field data collection, verification, analysis, and reporting. The M&E Assistant will also facilitate community accountability mechanisms and contribute to institutional learning through case studies and stories of change.
In times of humanitarian emergencies, the role holder must be prepared to adapt quickly and provide support outside the normal job profile.
Key Responsibilities
1. Data Management and Reporting
- Support the MEAL Coordinator and program team with efficient project data management systems, including collection, organization, verification, and capturing of quality data into relevant databases.
- Carry out data entry, generate summaries, and support trend analysis to inform program decision-making.
- Maintain well-organized filing systems for data collection forms, reports, and other MEAL documents.
- Regularly update and share project databases to support timely reporting and information retrieval.
2. Project Monitoring and Evaluation
- Participate in the routine monitoring of program activities, including conducting Post Distribution Monitoring (PDM) visits, and prepare accurate reports with actionable insights.
- Ensure Monitoring Action Tracker and Indicator Performance Tracking Table (IPTT) are regularly updated on PRIME and other relevant platforms.
- Assist in planning and supervising baseline surveys, evaluations, and operational research as required by the program.
3. Accountability and Community Engagement
- Lead and facilitate community feedback sessions, Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), and semi-structured interviews to gauge beneficiary satisfaction and collect valuable insights.
- Record and follow up on feedback received from beneficiaries, ensuring timely referrals to relevant departments.
- Maintain and analyze the Complaint and Feedback Mechanism (CFM) database regularly to inform project design and implementation.
- Ensure accountability mechanisms are aligned with Save the Children’s Accountability Framework and effectively reach target populations.
4. Documentation and Learning
- Support the documentation of human interest stories, success stories, and best practices for internal and external communication products such as newsletters and donor reports.
- Contribute to learning efforts by highlighting lessons learned, challenges, and successful approaches during implementation.
- Assist in on-job training and mentorship for health facility staff and community health units to enhance capacity in data collection and reporting.
5. Technology and Innovation
- Support the testing and adoption of innovative digital technologies to improve data collection, analysis, and visualization.
- Utilize mobile-based data collection tools (e.g., ODK, KoboToolbox) and digital dashboards for effective monitoring.
- Collaborate with the team to introduce modern platforms for data visualization and real-time analytics for improved decision-making.
6. Compliance, Safeguarding, and Ethics
- Adhere to Save the Children’s policies on Equal Opportunities, Diversity, Child Safeguarding, and Health and Safety.
- Ensure that all MEAL activities are carried out in compliance with internal and external quality standards.
- Uphold the organization’s commitment to protecting children from all forms of abuse by following rigorous background checks and safeguarding procedures.
Qualifications and Experience
- A Bachelor’s degree or diploma in Social Sciences, Public Health, Development Studies, Population Studies, or a closely related field with coursework in M&E, statistics, or organizational development.
- Minimum of 1–3 years of practical experience in program monitoring and evaluation within an NGO or humanitarian context.
- Certification in M&E from recognized institutions such as the University of Nairobi (UoN), AMREF, or Kenya Institute of Management (KIM) is an added advantage.
- Demonstrated experience in conducting qualitative and quantitative evaluations using tools such as STATA, SPSS, and ATLAS.
- Experience working with mobile technology for data collection (e.g., ODK, KoboCollect) and digital data management platforms.
- Strong understanding of community-based approaches to monitoring and accountability.
Skills and Competencies
- Proven analytical, problem-solving, and report-writing skills.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work in multicultural environments.
- Technical proficiency in using Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, and data visualization tools.
- Capacity to work under pressure, manage multiple priorities, and deliver quality results within tight deadlines.
- Willingness to work in challenging field locations such as refugee camps and arid/semi-arid lands.
- Familiarity with Save the Children’s mission, values, and approach to child rights programming is desirable.
Additional Attributes
- Experience in arid and semi-arid land (ASAL) contexts is an added benefit.
- Background in training and capacity-building initiatives will be an advantage.
- Previous experience in handling donor-funded projects (private or international donors) is preferred.
- Knowledge of local languages spoken in Dadaab is a plus.
Equal Opportunity and Commitment to Safeguarding
Save the Children is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Female candidates are especially encouraged to apply. We uphold the highest standards of safeguarding and child protection, and all recruitment is subject to rigorous reference and background checks.
All duties will be performed in adherence to Save the Children’s policies on Equal Opportunities, Child Safeguarding, and Health and Safety. Our organization does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process and does not act through third-party recruitment agents. Please report any suspicious activity to: [email protected]
About Save the Children International
Globally, Save the Children employs approximately 25,000 people and operates in more than 100 countries. We respond to the world’s most pressing challenges facing children—those affected by conflict, natural disasters, poverty, or disease. Our mission is anchored in three breakthroughs we aim to achieve by 2030:
- No child dies from preventable causes before their fifth birthday.
- All children receive a quality basic education.
- Violence against children is no longer tolerated.
By joining our team, you will be playing a vital role in achieving these breakthroughs and ensuring that every child has the chance to grow up healthy, educated, and safe.
How to Apply
If you believe you are the right candidate for this role and are committed to Save the Children’s vision, values, and objectives, kindly submit your application following the instructions provided in the job listing. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and early applications are encouraged.
Please Note: Save the Children does not request any form of payment during the recruitment process. Should you be approached by individuals requesting payment in exchange for employment, do not engage with them and report the incident immediately to [email protected].
We look forward to receiving your application and working together to make a lasting difference in the lives of children.
