Readvertisement – Regional MEAL Coordinator

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. Our vision is a dignified life for all displaced.

All of our efforts are based on our value compass: humanity, respect, independence and neutrality, participation, and honesty and transparency.

About the job

Lead the development and coordinate the implementation of the regional MEAL strategy and workplan; and contribute to DRC strategy, DRC accountability commitments and learning needs and priorities at the regional level.

Ensure effective technical support and ensure the implementation of the monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning strategies and global standards in the region; support mainstreaming MEAL throughout the PCM; reinforce quality programme management and promote the use of evidence by DRC staff in the region.

Your main duties and responsibilities will be:

MEAL strategies, capacities and commitments

• Lead the development and coordinate the implementation of the regional MEAL strategy and workplan.
• Ensure that DRC MEAL guidance is understood, advice and support country office staff in implementation, completing the annual compliance check, and ensuring areas of weakness are addressed in the region.
• Liaise with the HQ MEAL department to support compliance with and understanding of all global standards.
• Apply DRC guidance for MEAL and support roll out of the global MEAL guidance, including the MEAL model building blocks.
• Apply DRC guidance for MEAL and division of labour as per RASCI matrix, support roll out of MEAL workstream at CO, particularly vis-à-vis programme staff, and foster collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders in the region.
• Providing support when country based MEAL capacity is not present or diminished occasionally. To be accomplished by training and mentoring newly hired MEAL Managers and providing guidance and support with MEAL staffing structure, recruitment, annual budgeting and strategic planning
• 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. Review and strengthen processes and protocols for MEAL-related data in terms of data protection, storage, sharing, and security in the area of responsibility.
• Lead on capacity building, training and support for programme and MEAL staff in the region.

Results monitoring and programme quality support

• Support quality throughout the Project Cycle Management, in line with DRC guidance and the global MEAL RASCI matrix, accommodating external requirements, including the development of adequate MEAL plans, tools and processes relevant for the area of responsibility.
• When relevant participate in strategically selected project Kick-off meetings, Grant Review meetings and Close-out meetings in order to present on achievements as reflected in the IPTT and highlight cross-project components aimed at replicating good practices and strengthening synergies between projects or programmes.
• Provide advice to mainstream MEAL and support the project managers, programme teams and grants management personnel in developing logframes, MEAL plans, MEAL activities and in project development processes and through capacity building.
• Provide technical support for data collection which combines quantitative and qualitative methods, with adequate quality assurance/control and support 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.
• Support the global results planning process and data aggregation, provide technical support and quality control as well as support roll out of DRC guidance and liaising/feeding back to HQ, responsible for results reporting for RO.

Accountability

• Support roll out of the global CGM guidance.
• Support biannual CHS self-assessment at CO/RO level and improvement plan.
• Integrate MEAL into a structured process of learning in the project development and implementation cycle, utilising data for evidence-based programming. Guide and support commitment to accountability, including CHS and community feedback mechanisms
• Act as a regional focal point on Core Humanitarian Standards, ensuring local compliance and reviews across all standards and liaise with relevant internal counterparts and support during regular CHS certification audits.

Evaluation, analysis and learning

• Lead and contribute (as appropriate) to analysis, evaluation, and research for data-driven evidence generation and use in the area of responsibility
• Provide technical support on evaluation, manage selected regional evaluations, and supervise consultants implementing external evaluations
• Regularly present key MEAL findings to Regional and Country Office teams to ensure learnings and to inform strategies
• Support knowledge exchange between country offices, support networks and Communities of Practice
• Support innovative methods and approaches, including global MEAL methods or tools such as the SRI, GBV PEF, and other as appropriate.
• Support utilisation of results for better planning and decision making; translate MEAL findings into organisational learning; plan and implement learning events and design appropriate learning products.

Regional office-specific tasks:

• Responsible for MEAL requirements and commitments for the grants managed in the regional office.
• Responsible for annual results reporting and quality
• Perform other duties as directed by the Regional Head of Programme.

About you

To be successful in this role we expect you to have minimum of 5 years of work experience within the field of monitoring and evaluation.

Moreover, we also expect the following:

Required

• A Bachelor’s degree in relevant field (international development, social sciences, statistics, public health, etc.)
• Experience working with International NGO’s, UN agencies, line ministries and/or local authorities, preferably in migrants/refugee settings in complex emergencies.
• Experience working in the monitoring and evaluation of WASH, shelter, CRI/NFI, Cash/ livelihoods and protection sectors in an emergency context
• Experience in developing/ guiding information management systems for large humanitarian programs
• Experience in managing multi-sector programs
• Experience in managing multiple projects at the same time
• Experience in participatory assessment and community-based monitoring approaches;
• Clear understanding of Core Humanitarian Standards (CHS);
• Experience training staff in the area of MEAL, and in convening and facilitating trainings and workshops
• Excellent analytical and report writing skills (English)
• Knowledge of the following softwares:  KOBO, Excel, and at least one analytical software (SPSS/STATA/R/SAS)
• Knowledge of qualitative research and analytical methods
• Experience living and working in a cross-cultural, multi-sector, insecure, remote area environment, under team condition
• Fluent in English

Desirable

• Knowledge of ArcGIS/QGIS, NVivo (or other qualitative analysis software)

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’ five core competencies: 

Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process. 

Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback. 

Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation. 

Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly. 

Demonstrating integrity: You uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to our values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

We offer

Contract length: 24 months

Band: Non-Management F

Duty Station: Tbilisi, Georgia

Start date: ASAP

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for Exptraite or Nationa; please refer to drc.ngo under Vacancies. For questions regarding the vacancy please contact So Jeoung Hong, [email protected]

Application process

All applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages) in English. Applications sent by email will not be considered.

DRC reserves the right to review, test and interview candidates on a rolling basis and close the advertisement before the deadline if a suitable candidate is found.

Closing date for applications: 08 July 2024

For further information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult our website drc.ngo.