MEAL Manager (London)
Employer: SPANA – The Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad
Location: UK based, hybrid working with regular attendance (approximately 1-2 days per month, or more if preferred) in our London office
Working hours: Full-time (34.5 hour per week), permanent
Salary: c £45k per annum subject to skills and experience
Closing date: 23:59 GMT on Sunday 16 November 2025
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Purpose of the role
Over the past two years, SPANA has made significant investments in Monitoring,
Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL), culminating in the establishment of an
independent MEAL team within the Global Programmes Directorate. Led by the Head of
Data Insight and MEAL, this team works collaboratively with the Programme Quality and
Development, Animal Health and Welfare and Education, Community Education and SBCC teams to strengthen evidence-based programming and impact measurement.
The MEAL Manager plays a central role in advancing SPANA’s MEAL systems, providing
technical expertise and support to SPANA UK staff and over 20 global partners. The role
contributes to the design and implementation of MEAL frameworks that effectively measure the organisation’s impact on the health and welfare of working animals. In addition, the MEAL Manager promotes innovative approaches to data use, supports evidence-based learning and line manages the Data Insights Officer.
Key responsibilities
Area 1: MEAL system development and oversight
• Support the Head of Data Insights and MEAL in developing the next iteration of
SPANA’s MEAL framework, ensuring it is contextually appropriate and enables
effective measurement of SPANA's impact on working animal welfare.
• Design, test and manage the roll-out of MEAL systems and approaches to staff and
partners, ensuring thorough implementation through testing, training and ongoing
support.
• Promote the understanding and uptake of MEAL among stakeholders through
training, coaching and mentoring, embedding systems and practices across the
organisation and partners.
• Oversee the collection, analysis and reporting of data to ensure it meets SPANA’s
internal standards and complies with UK General Data Protection Regulations
(GDPR).
• Work collaboratively with partners and across departments to ensure MEAL initiatives
are informed by local contexts and thematic expertise.
• Ensure evidence is captured in accessible formats that support organisational
learning and meet the needs of diverse audiences.
Area 2: Programmatic MEAL support
• Collaborate with SPANA’s programme teams and in-country partners to integrate
effective MEAL approaches into programme design, ensuring activities are
appropriately resourced and tailored to context.
• Support innovation and pilot initiatives by identifying and applying suitable MEAL
methodologies that reflect the unique nature of emerging programming.
• Champion the use of data and insights across the organisation to strengthen
programme quality and inform strategic decision-making.
• Design and lead regular reviews to assess the effectiveness of MEAL
implementation, identifying opportunities for learning, improvement and adaptation.
• Monitor programme data submitted by partners, supporting the Data Analysis Officer
in identifying gaps, errors and ensuring consistency and reliability.
• Commission and manage independent evaluations of projects and programmes, in
consultation with the Head of Data Insight and MEAL.
Area 3: Knowledge management
• Promote a culture of evidence-based learning within the wider organisation.
• Support other technical teams and partners to incorporate and adapt programmes
based on learnings as they emerge.
• Ensure that evidence-based learnings are captured and communicated in engaging
and creative ways for programme teams.
• Ensure data quality through the implementation of effective data verification
mechanisms and undertaking routine data quality assessments at all levels.
Area 4: Leadership and reporting• Provide effective line management to direct reports, including overseeing workplans
and personal development reviews to identify capacity gaps and key deliverables.
• Provide wider technical leadership to the organisation and partners.
• Coach and mentor team members as appropriate to allow them to develop their skills
in key areas.
International travel may be required based on business needs. The frequency and duration of travel will vary depending on project demands and organisational requirements.
In addition, undertake any other duty or responsibility that may reasonably be allocated by management. It is a requirement of the company that all staff work in a flexible manner compatible with their jobs and in line with the company objectives and values.
Please note that the job description for this position may be reviewed and amended to incorporate the future needs of the department and the organisation.
Person specification
Knowledge and education
• Undergraduate degree in the fields of public health, environmental, international
development, animal health and welfare or a related subject area, or equivalent
professional experience.
• Strong knowledge of up-to-date and good practice MEAL systems and solutions, with
the ability to apply them to SPANA’s work.
• Strong knowledge of innovative data management solutions and evidence-based
learning.
Experience and skills
• Demonstrable professional experience in designing, implementing, evaluating and
improving MEAL systems within different countries and contexts.
• Experience with working in partnership with national NGOs to implement MEAL
systems, including training, mentoring and coaching.
• Able to produce MEAL outputs (reports, briefs and summaries) that are clear and
accessible to different audiences.
• Experience of capacity development and able to explain and simplify technical MEAL
terms and approaches for a range of colleagues and partners.
• An effective line manager who is able to develop excellent working relationships with
colleagues and partners remotely.
• Able to develop and maintain excellent cross functional working relationships within
an organisation and to support others in developing those relationships.
• Ability to manage own workload while also responding and meeting additional
deadlines and demands.
• Ability to write to a high standard and produce high-quality internal reports.
• Knowledge of safeguarding best practice.
Personal attributes
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to confidently establish
and maintain strong working relationships with colleagues and external partners.
• Strong attention to detail and a commitment to high-quality programming.
• Cultural sensitivity and the ability to work effectively in diverse environments.
• Proactive and solution focused, while maintaining flexibility.
• A commitment to SPANA’s mission to transform the welfare of working animals.
Desirable criteria
• Working knowledge or proficiency in French or Arabic.
• Experience of designing MEAL systems for a variety of contexts/countries and a solid
understanding of how to adapt to the different challenges this might present.
• Specialised certification in MEAL DPro or PHAP, or be able to demonstrate extensive
professional experience of working within MEAL in a relevant international context.
Applicants must have the right to work in the UK currently and for the duration of the contract.
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