The role leads the development and operationalisation of War Child’s global MEAL framework, data strategy and quality assurance systems, with a strong focus on Evidence‑Based Methods (EBMs), Quality of Care (QoC) indicators, and continuous learning. The Head of MEAL manages a global team of MEAL, knowledge and data specialists, supports country offices and partners through mutual capacity strengthening, and positions MEAL as a core enabler of programme excellence, scaling and localisation.
- Set and steward War Child’s global MEAL, knowledge and data strategy, ensuring it drives programme quality, organisational learning and evidence‑based decision‑making.
- Ensure effective implementation and continuous improvement of the Global MEAL Framework, aligned with organisational strategy, Theory of Change, thematic priorities and Evidence‑Based Methods (EBMs).
- Guarantee that MEAL systems enable accountability, learning and adaptive management at global and country levels, strengthening programme relevance and impact.
- Lead the integration of MEAL across the EBM portfolio, ensuring consistent application of Quality of Care (QoC) indicators, evidence standards and learning processes.
- Provide organisational oversight of evidence and QoC data, ensuring consolidated analysis informs leadership review, strategic direction and scaling decisions.
- Enable continuous adaptation, localisation and scale‑up of EBMs, using MEAL evidence to guide improvement and contextual relevance.
- Uphold alignment with international MEAL and quality standards, strengthening organisational credibility, consistency and best practice.
- Provide authoritative technical leadership in MEAL, knowledge and data, guiding global, country and partner teams to strengthen quality and coherence of practice.
- Ensure robust MEAL data governance and digital enablement, safeguarding ethical, secure and effective use of programme data while strengthening digital tools, dashboards and insight generation.
- Build and lead a high‑performing global MEAL function, ensuring strong team leadership, capacity strengthening across countries and partners, and positioning War Child as a credible sector leader in evidence, accountability and learning.
- Ensure MEAL systems serve organisational priorities across programming, fundraising, advocacy and accountability.
- Act as a strategic partner to senior leadership by translating complex MEAL data into actionable organisational insights.
- Support localisation by promoting proportional, partner‑appropriate MEAL approaches and mutual capacity strengthening.
- Embed accountability to children and communities through feedback mechanisms and learning loops.
- Align MEAL processes with donor requirements without compromising organisational learning priorities.
- Strengthen internal collaboration between MEAL, Programme Quality, R&D, Advocacy, Communications and Funding teams.
- Support organisational change processes by ensuring learning and evidence guide adaptation and decision‑making.
- Represent War Child in global MEAL, learning and accountability networks and initiatives.
- Promote a learning culture that values reflection, curiosity, and continuous improvement.