Field MEAL & Data Quality (External Collaborator)
Background
Save the Children Indonesia, in partnership with Mars and other stakeholders, is implementing the Mars Impact Fund program across multiple provinces, targeting cocoa farming communities through integrated interventions on livelihoods, gender equality, child protection, and community resilience. The program covers more than 100 villages and involves multiple implementing partners and community structures such as VSLA groups, Community Action Plans (CAP), and Multi-Stakeholder Forums (MSF).
Given the scale and complexity of the program, a robust Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) system is required to ensure data accuracy, track progress, and support evidence-based decision-making.
To strengthen field-level monitoring operations and ensure data quality, Save the Children Indonesia seeks to engage a Field MEAL & Data Quality Associate to support routine monitoring, data management, and verification processes in coordination with the REALM Specialist (internal) and partner MEAL teams.
Objective of the Assignment
To support field-level MEAL implementation by ensuring timely, accurate, and verified data collection, basic data management, and documentation, contributing to improved data quality and effective program monitoring.
Duration and Duty Station
- Duration: 10 months Duty Station: Jakarta/Makassar with regular travel to project areas (if needed)
- Reporting to: REALM Specialist / Project Manager
Scope of Work
The consultant will focus on operational MEAL support, data quality assurance, and field level verification. The consultant will not be responsible for MEAL system design or strategic analysis.
Field Monitoring Support
- Support routine monitoring data collection across key project components (VSLA, CAP, MSF, IGA, etc.).
- Conduct regular field visits to monitor implementation progress and validate reported activities.
- Follow up with partners on missing, delayed, or inconsistent data submissions.
- Ensure data collection aligns with agreed tools and formats.
Data Management and Cleaning
- Compile monitoring data from partners and field sources.
- Clean and organize datasets to ensure completeness and consistency.
- Maintain updated databases (e.g. beneficiary data, activity tracking, VSLA records).
- Prepare datasets for review by the REALM Specialist.
Data Verification and Quality Assurance
- Conduct spot checks to verify accuracy of reported data at field level.
- Cross-check partner-reported data against actual field conditions.
- Identify and flag discrepancies, inconsistencies, or potential data quality issues.
- Submit regular data verification findings to the REALM Specialist.
Documentation and Basic Learning Support
- Collect and organize field documentation (photos, attendance records, activity notes).
- Support qualitative data collection processes (e.g. FGD, KII) including logistics and note-taking.
- Prepare brief summaries of field observations and key issues.
- Support documentation of emerging practices or implementation challenges
Coordination with Partners
- Coordinate with partner MEAL focal points to ensure timely data submission
- Provide basic guidance on data templates and reporting formats.
- Support alignment between partner data and project MEAL requirements.
- Escalate persistent data issues to the REALM Specialist.
Deliverables
The consultant is expected to deliver the following:
- Monthly cleaned and updated monitoring dataset.
- Monthly data verification report, including discrepancies and key findings.
- Updated tracking tools (VSLA, CAP, MSF, beneficiary data, etc.)
- Field visit summaries with key observations and issues.
- Documentation package (photos, notes, supporting evidence).
- Support to quarterly data consolidation and reporting processes All deliverables must be submitted on a monthly basis unless otherwise agreed.
Required Qualifications and Experience
- Minimum 2–4 years of experience in MEAL, data collection, or field monitoring.
- Experience working in community-based or rural development programs (preferably livelihoods, agriculture, or social development).
- Strong skills in data handling (Excel, Google Sheets, or similar tools).
- Experience in supporting field data collection and verification.
- Basic understanding of qualitative data collection (FGD, KII).
- Good communication and coordination skills with partners and field teams.
- Willingness to travel to project locations (if needed).
