Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) Manager

I. Introduction

The Danish Refugee Council assists refugees and internally displaced persons across the globe: we provide emergency aid, fight for their rights, and strengthen their opportunity for a brighter future. We work in conflict-affected areas, along the displacement routes, and in the countries where refugees settle. In cooperation with local communities, we strive for responsible and sustainable solutions. We work toward successful integration and – whenever possible – for the fulfillment of the wish to return home.

The Danish Refugee Council was founded in Denmark in 1956 and has since grown to become an international humanitarian organization with more than 7,000 staff and 8,000 volunteers. Based in Copenhagen (Denmark) and present in forty countries, the Danish Refugee Council is a non-profitmaking, politically independent, non-governmental and non-denominational relief organization.

Our vision is a dignified life for all displaced. All our efforts are based on our value compass: humanity, respect, independence and neutrality, participation, and honesty and transparency.

II. Background

Danish Refugee Council (DRC) has had an operational presence in Nigeria since 2015. DRC Nigeria is the largest DRC country mission in the West Africa region and one of the largest DRC country missions globally. Currently, DRC delivers life-saving assistance and protection to vulnerable, conflict-affected populations including internally displaced persons, returnees, and host communities in the areas of armed violence reduction, humanitarian mine action, livelihoods, nutrition and food security, protection, shelter, and non-food items (NFI) and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) in 30+ Local Government Areas (LGAs) across Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states in northeast Nigeria.

Purpose

Under the line management of the PDQ Manager, the MEAL Manager is responsible for leading and managing the MEAL unit, while ensuring compliance to DRC procedures and guidelines within the country. S/he also ensures effective implementation of the monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning strategies and global standards, supports mainstreaming MEAL throughout the PCM, and reinforces quality programme management. The MEAL Manager is responsible for providing support and/or technical guidance to country operations while overseeing country activities, overseeing, and working closely with Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) Coordinator, Accountability & Learning (A&L) Specialist, and Information Management (IM) Officer.

III. Duties and Responsibilities

Country Office MEAL capacities and commitments

• Participate in country-level strategic planning and annual reviews and assist programme staff and senior management in the development of annual plans, strategies, and program design using strong evidence and pursue strategic research initiatives.
• Lead the development of MEAL strategies and tools; and ensure leadership in MEAL strategy, advancing MEAL technical, human, and financial capacities and in meeting DRC institutional commitments.
• Apply DRC guidance for MEAL and division of labour as per MEAL workstream RASCI, particularly vis-à-vis programme staff, and foster collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders within the area of responsibility.
• Lead in adapting and applying the DRC’s MEAL model and the relevant Building Blocks and guidance to the local circumstances and corresponding projects and programmes, in the area of responsibility.
• Identify and plan for the human resources, financial resources, and time needed to carry out MEAL activities in the area of responsibility in line with DRC guidance.
• Apply DRC guidance with regards to GDPR and data protection in the area of responsibility, specifically for MEAL related data. Liaise with relevant internal counterparts responsible for data protection.
• Lead on capacity building, training and technical support for MEAL, programme, sectors, field staff, and partners to advance evidence agenda.

Results monitoring and programme quality support

• Engage in and support quality throughout Project Cycle Management, in line with DRC guidance and division of labour, accommodating external requirements and internal evidence needs, including the Global Results reporting. Specifically, ensure development and adequate maintenance of MEAL plans, indicator tracking tools and other relevant tools for the area of responsibility.
• Participate in and contribute to (as appropriate) project Kick-off meetings, Review meetings and Close-out meetings to highlight cross-project components aimed at replicating good practices and strengthening synergies between projects or programmes.
• Establish and roll-out results frameworks and monitoring processes and tools at the right level (Global, RO, CO, field and project levels) in the area of responsibility.
• Ensure the development of appropriate monitoring, tracking and reporting systems, tools and templates that enhance monitoring of program outputs and quality, Value for Money, generate quality evidence on program outcomes and promote the use of data for decision-making processes.
• Design, refine and deploy data collection which combine quantitative and qualitative methods and tools and oversee field visits, baseline, mid and end-lines, in the area of responsibility.
• Plan for, manage and quality assure the field data collection and field monitoring processes and tools.
• Ensure the application of ethical principles in the field work, including with regards to DRC Code of Conduct and in line with Protection referral protocols and SOPs.
• Plan for and perform data quality assurance in data collection, data entry and data processing in the area of responsibility.
• Establish and maintain processes and protocols for data protection, storage, sharing, and security in the area of responsibility.
• Lead the analysis and reporting of MEAL qualitative and quantitative data (e.g. baseline and endline assessment reports) collected in line with internal information needs and external reporting obligations.
• Support, guide, and train DRC’s partners with result monitoring and data collection by providing them with appropriate advice, tools, and capacity-strengthening.

Accountability

• Identify, plan for and implement different mechanisms for community engagement, participatory monitoring and integrate feedback mechanisms in monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning.
• Assess, design and improve accountability mechanisms, including Community Feedback Mechanism processes, tools and SOPs and adapt global CFM guidance to the local context for efficient feedback mechanisms management.
• Together with SMT members, ensure that all staff are trained in DRC CFM and accountability approaches, as well as in DRC Code of Conduct Reporting Mechanism and PSEAH safeguarding measures; and accountability commitments and mechanisms are communicated and known among community members and the People of Concern.
• Liaise with HQ, coordinate with CO management and support COs team during CHS certification audits, CHS self-assessment processes and follow-up to the improvement plan.
• Ensure harmonization and/or provide specific guidance, support or capacity-strengthening to DRC’s partners to ensure they develop/maintain community response and feedback mechanisms aligning with DRC’s minimum standards.

Evaluation, analysis, and learning

• Lead and contribute (as appropriate) to analysis, evaluation, and research for data-driven evidence and use in the area of responsibility.
• Support utilisation of results for better planning and decision making; and share knowledge and learning for improved programming within DRC and beyond, within the area of responsibility.
• Translate MEAL findings into organisational learning; plan and implement learning events and design appropriate learning products.
• Regularly present the key MEAL findings and feedback to the supervisors, and when relevant to the Senior Management Team for further development.
• Design and manage evaluations in compliance with DRC evaluation policy, from development of ToRs, to advising management on approval of final report, to dissemination of evaluation.
• Lead on or engage in (as appropriate) analysis, interpretation, and communication of the MEAL findings externally, in the area of responsibility.
• Lead on/support DRC’s partners with organizing evaluation, analysis, and learning meetings and provide capacity-building so that DRC’s partners can contribute to DRC’s evaluations.

As Manager the post-holder is responsible for the following        

• Accountable for achieving DRC’s strategic goals and objectives within the area of responsibility.
• Accountable for making significant decisions on what the unit does: its purpose, functions and role, and for making commitments and decisions that require the expenditure of significant unit resources.
• Accountable for people management of direct reports, generally at least 3 employees. This includes hiring & firing, objective setting, probation, performance appraisal, development of staff, managing performance, including poor performance, etc.
• Accountable for making sound decisions based on DRC policies, SOPs, standards, and the advice of technical experts in DRC.

In addition to the above, the MEAL Manager may be asked to carry out other duties requested by the Programme Development and Quality Manager but always in the scope of this job description.

IV. Qualifications

Required:

• Minimum 4-5 years of relevant work experience in monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning of humanitarian and development programmes.
• Experience working with International NGO’s, UN agencies, line ministries and/or local authorities in migrants/refugee settings and/or in emergencies.
• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field (international development, social sciences, statistics, etc.)
• Proven experience in effectively working with a variety of donors’ requirements including ECHO, BHA, SDC, and UN agencies (as required).
• Strong understanding of monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning principles and processes, including database management, reporting etc.
• Demonstrated experience with DRC Core Sectors.
• Mastered understanding of mix-methods approach, research methodologies and the use of evidence, including participatory methodologies.
• Demonstrated understanding of Core Humanitarian Standards (CHS) and ability to apply accountability and ethical standards in everyday work.
• Mastered skills in design, implementation, and quality assurance throughout data collection process and specifically software.
• Mastered competencies in working with analysis frameworks, with data analysis for quantitative and qualitative data and communicating evidence.
• Demonstrable experience in the nurturing of organisational learning in programmes.
• Demonstrated ability to work and deliver under pressure, within budget and time constraints and to manage priorities.
• Ability to inspire and apply critical thinking in everyday work; promote and contribute with constructive critique.
• Mastered ability and motivation to learn on the job and advance in the role.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, ability to adjust communication to various stakeholders and audiences.
• Full professional proficiency in English

Desirable

• Hausa (fluent)

Required Skills & Qualities

• Core Competencies of DRC:
  • Striving for excellence
  • Collaboration
  • Taking the lead
  • Communication
  • Demonstrating Integrity
• Ability to work in a multinational and multicultural environment.
• Excellent writing, proof-reading, and communication skills
• Excellent organizational and multi-tasking skills
• Strong ability to adapt, take initiative and work in a multicultural environment.
• Interest for humanitarian sector and donor’s environment
• Listening, analytical and synthesis skills
• Excellent communication skills, as well as patience and politeness
• Exemplary sense of ethics in the workplace

V. General Regulations

• The employee shall follow DRC instructions on safety, confidentiality, and ethical guidelines, including the Code of Conduct and the Humanitarian Accountability Framework.
• The employee should not engage in any other paid activity during the DRC contract period without prior authorization.
• The employee should not engage in any activity that could harm the DRC or the implementation of any project during the DRC contract period.
• The employee should not give interviews to the media or publish project-related photos or other material without prior authorization.
• The employee shall return all borrowed equipment for the project to DRC after the end of the contract period or upon request.

VI. Application Process

Are you interested? Then apply for this position online: www.drc.dk/about-drc/vacancies/current-vacancies. All applicants must send a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages). Both must be in English.

DRC provides equal opportunity in employment and prohibits discrimination in employment based on race, sex, color, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or disability.

DRC encourages all applicants to apply and does not practice any discrimination in any recruitment process.

Applications close on the 27th of May 2024 at 11:59pm (GMT-time). Applications submitted after this date will not be considered.

Due to the urgency of the position, DRC has the right to recruit a candidate who matches the required profile before the above deadline.