MEAL Specialist

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Description

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• With the support of the MEAL Manager, contribute to logframe/indicator development, narrative descriptions of M&E activities, MEAL budget line estimations, during the proposal development process.
• Contribute to the continuous updating of MEAL standard operating procedures, and proactively identify opportunities to improve MEAL systems and processes.
• Develop M&E plans and workplans including mixed-methods and participatory approaches and indicator performance tracking tools to monitor results; and where relevant, draft a continency remote MEAL management plan.
• Participate in and contribute to (as appropriate) project Kick-off meetings, Quarterly Review meetings and Close-out meetings in order to highlight cross-project components aimed at replicating good practices and strengthening synergies between projects or programs. Also, organize MEAL kick off meetings for field staff.
• In close collaboration with the technical unit, design assessment/monitoring and evaluation tools (focus group discussions, key informant interviews, household/individual surveys, post-distribution monitoring, participatory M&E activities, observational monitoring, etc.) and methodologies for activities including the needs assessment.
• Contribute to coding of data collection tools into xls forms for Kobo and other mobile data collection platforms.
• 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.
• Coordinate and oversee data collection for assessments and monitoring and evaluation exercises, including information gathering, sample definition, logistical support, liaising with and overseeing data collection teams.
• Responsibly track M&E field activity budget lines with oversight from the MEAL Manager to ensure proper, timely spending on funds on monitoring and evaluation needs.
• Coordinate and oversee the analysis and reporting of MEAL qualitative and quantitative data collected in line with internal information needs and external reporting obligations.
• Ensure data cleaning and data quality for assessment, monitoring, and evaluation data.
• Conduct analysis, quantitative and qualitative, for program reports, ad hoc requests, evaluations, etc.
• Produce reports (narrative and visual) with the findings of MEAL activities and assessments.
• Provide narrative inputs for donor and other external and internal reports summarizing achievements of MEAL activities.
• Liaise with program staff and the protection and economic recovery unit to ensure close coordination and information sharing is maintained and information needs are being met.
• Carry out the quality assurance checks against reported program implementation which should be carried out at least once per year per project.

• Contribute (as appropriate) to analysis, evaluation, and research for data-driven evidence and use in the area of responsibility.
• Support utilization 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 organizational learning; plan and implement learning events and design appropriate learning products.
• Participate in program review meetings and feed into to institutional learning by contributing best practices and lessons learned from ongoing M&E activities.
• Support the MEAL Manager to implement evaluations in compliance with DRC evaluation policy, from development of ToRs, to advising management on approval of final report, to dissemination of evaluation.
• Perform analysis, interpretation and communication of the MEAL findings.

• Maintain weekly work plans for M&E field teams and ensure quality and efficient work in line with DRC’s standards.
• Hold weekly coordination meetings with MEAL field teams.
• In coordination with the MEAL Manager and Area Managers, plan, prepare and implement staff development trainings as necessary and oversee field M&E team performance evaluations routinely.
• Support in the recruitment process of new MEAL staff in the relevant bases.
• Promote a culture of learning through on-the-job training of national M&E field assistants and officers.
• Build the capacity of all relevant team members to develop, maintain and contribute to M&E learning, including through regular reflection and analysis of project monitoring data.
• Responsible for building the capacity of partner staff based on clear capacity building plans, jointly created with partners and the Partnerships Coordinator.
• Perform other duties as directed by the MEAL Manager.

• University degree (Masters preferred) in relevant discipline (statistics, quantitative/qualitative data analysis, IT, social sciences, management, etc.).
• Demonstrated technical M&E skills and command of methodologies, including working with large data sets and statistical analysis.
• A minimum of 5 years in monitoring and evaluation with NGOs, preferably in a humanitarian context, 2 of which in a senior MEAL position.
• Knowledge of data collection protocols to ensure accurate data collection and verification.
• Strong knowledge of mobile data collection techniques and tools.
• Solid understanding of robust qualitative and quantitative data collection.
• Proven capacity to supervise, train and capacity build staff.
• Strong organization skills with the ability to plan, perform, prioritize multiple tasks under tight deadlines in a dynamic environment and monitor own work plan and those under her/ his supervision.
• Proven experience in a technical capacity involving conducting evaluations, assessments, or research and drafting technical reports.
• Experience conducting interviews and focus group discussions with diverse cohorts of populations.
• Fluency in Arabic.
• Excellent command of English, written and spoken.

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