MEAL Officer

Organization Description

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC works with people forced to flee from war, conflict and disaster and the host communities which support them, as well as those who remain within their homes and communities. At work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we improve outcomes in the areas of health, safety, economic wellbeing, education and power. Given the disparity faced by women and girls, IRC seeks to narrow gender inequalities and also ensure social inclusion of all vulnerable groups in broader policies, processes and actions affecting their lives.

The IRC has been working in Uganda since 1998 supporting refugees, vulnerable host communities and various institutions in the country notably the government, community-based organizations, the civil society and the private sector. Currently, the IRC in Uganda has presence across six sub-regions and six refugee settlements, implementing programming in the sectors of health, Protection and Rule of Law (PRoL), Women’s Protection and Empowerment (WPE), Economic Recovery and Development (ERD), and education. IRC Uganda also implements cross-cutting programming focused on systems strengthening and accountability to affected persons.

Program Overview

The IRC led consortium has been awarded a four-year project – PROSPECT SRHR by the Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands (EKN) to be implemented in the West Nile region. The PROSPECT SRHR aims at improving the sexual reproductive health and social wellbeing of adolescents, youth, and women in West Nile by reducing maternal mortality, number of teenage pregnancies, instances of SGBV and child marriages, and rates of new HIV infections. The project will be implemented in 6 districts with three cluster offices in Yumbe, Adjumani and Terego. IRC as the lead, will work in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education and Sports, and the Ministry of Gender, Labor and Social development, and district local governments. More coordination and collaboration efforts will focus across development and Implementing partners especially in the region including USG and non-USG partners especially those implementing Regional Health Integration to Enhance Services.

Job Overview

The MEAL Officer leads activities of Monitoring, Evaluation Accountability and Learning in the assigned districts. Implements methodologies and scopes of work for project monitoring, evaluating, accountability and learning in collaboration with all project staff, district officer, and sub partners based in the districts.

Major Responsibilities:

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Support overall management of MEAL System in selected districts.

• Provide day-to-day management and high-quality delivery of PROSPECT SRHR MEAL operations in the selected districts.
• Participate in the planning and implementation of research activities and Data Quality Assessments (DQAs) as requested by the MEAL Manager and Team Leader.
• Provide accurate and updated feedback on data collection.
• Coordinate closely with the program team and CSOs to guarantee MEL and program work are aligned.
• Support health facility QI teams to organize, compile, and report CQI data to identify trends, establish priorities, and recommend improvement activities.
• Work closely with the district Biostatisticians, MCH district focal persons, and other regional teams to organize and implement health facility and district level health focused data feedback, learning and review meetings.
• Support the monitoring of overall implementation SRHR program activities in the districts, identify gaps or challenges both with regards to the technical components of the M&E system, and with regards to the capacity of its users.
• Assist in the training and capacity building activities relating to MEAL, (i.e., conducting learning sessions, provide regular coaching and support during the action period for implementing and testing changes. Adapt training materials and tools. Develops and builds the capacity of key staff and skills for coaching).
• Work closely with the district HMIS Mentors and Biostatisticians to ensure that health facilities are compiling and submitting complete and accurate HMIS 105 reports in a timely manner.
• Provide support to regional level data capturing, analysis, and quality assurance processes.
• Support Monitoring, Reporting and Evaluation.
• Monitor the progress of sub partners program activities in relation to their program milestones and meet with CBO program teams regularly to adjust/validate program data accordingly.
• Support the implementation of quality assurance mechanisms and monitoring checks at district level enabling improved capturing and narration of programmatic results and impact.
• Work with the respective district biostatisticians to support timely and complete HMIS reporting
• Monitor availability of HMIS tools and support districts to quantify and replenish required tools.
• Assist the Regional MEAL Manager in the production of high-quality progress reports with support from technical officers.
• Any other duties that may be delegated to you.

Minimum Qualifications:

Job Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field with at least 3 years’ experience Software Applications: Foundational knowledge of MS Excel, PowerPoint, Word and Outlook.
• Languages: Proven writing and speaking skills using local languages and English language
• Communication and Influencing Skills: Ability to influence others, including donor agencies and local partners, through diplomacy and proven oral and written communication skills.
• Passion for Sexual and Reproductive Health: Commitment to family planning, reproductive health services, gender-based violence, maternal, child health services, and HIV prevention
• Matrix Management: Ability to thrive in a matrixed organization.
• Confidentiality: Ability to maintain confidentiality on work-related matters.
• Demonstrated collaborative approach including working with Government officials with good negotiation skills, diplomacy and tact

Demonstrated Skills and Proficiencies:

• Knowledge of the local government health care system.
• Highly organized self-starter with proven success prioritizing multiple tasks, making critical decisions, and delivering results in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to prioritize and manage time effectively.
• Demonstrated understanding of coaching and service provider mentorship.
• Good community mobilization skills
• Possesses initiative, patience, tact, and able to work with minimum supervision
• Able to work under pressure
• Good interpersonal and communication skills
• Demonstrates adaptability and flexibility in all aspects of working.
• Ability to work effectively in a team and support others in their work.
• Excellent computer skills in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, internet etc.
• Fluency in English and any of the local languages.
• Familiarity with the political, social, economic and cultural context of working in the district.

Gender Equality & Equal Opportunity

We are committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer generous benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances. We welcome and strongly encourage qualified female professionals to apply.

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we value diversity in our organization. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided with reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request reasonable accommodation.

Professional Standards

IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – Standards for Professional Conduct.  These are Integrity, Service, Accountability and Equality.  In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

NB: This advert will close on 4^th December 2024.