Background

NRC’s Monitoring, Evidence, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Unit is one of two units within NRC’s Global Programme Section. The function is responsible for ensuring the development, operationalization, oversight and support for implementation of NRC’s MEAL framework across the organisation.  This includes policy, guidance, systems, processes, minimum standards and technical support to ensure NRC’s accountability for organisation wide results, and programme quality including a system for measuring organisational response impact and effectiveness.  It also ensures that processes, products and support for the utilisation of evidence are available at all levels of the organisation, including directly providing regular and tailored analysis on NRC’s programme results. MEAL is responsible for ensuring that guidance, tools and technical support for Community Feedback Mechanisms (CFMs) are in place. 

The MEAL CO support team is a pool of staff in one common team which is organised and managed (but not necessarily physically located) at Head Office.  The purpose of the team is to support NRC’s COs in achieving MEAL minimum standards, strengthening data quality and institutionalising global systems. 

Find out more about NRC https://www.nrc.no/  and Watch this short video to see NRC in action https://vimeo.com/736782633

What we are looking for 

As part of a Global Team, the role shares a collective responsibility to deliver the services expected by the organisation.  Being part of a global team gives the team members flexibility to support each other and reallocate tasks based on their expertise and shifting workload/ priorities.  Ultimately, the Global Lead decides how tasks and responsibilities are divided between team members. 

The CO support team has a responsibility to support MEAL for multi-CO grants.  They closely cooperate with regional teams and the global grants function, and will work directly to support country offices to ensure:

1. Standards, guidelines, tools and approaches to support MEAL for multi CO grants – including during proposal, implementation and reporting phases

2. A coordinated and predictable support for regional and multi CO grants 

3. Provides regional teams and the global grants team with timely and appropriate support on MEAL in multi-CO proposals

4. Global grants funded with MEAL positions receive the support agreed according to the dedicated % and plan.

What you will do 

1.Multi CO grants processes, tools and coordination: 20% of worktime:

• Gather and document standard tools for multi country grants, also by donor, as relevant, under the supervision of the global lead 

• Support the Grants team to develop a calendar of MEAL needs in Regional and above country level grants and track staffing allocations to this.  Work with the Global Lead MEAL Country support to ensure that staff are available to meet grant and PCM deadlines.

• Keep an overview of all active regional grants (e.g., MEAL focal person for each grant, key MEAL support tasks and their timelines, updates on status of implementation of MEAL support tasks, etc.)

• Facilitate periodic updates on regional grants within the Pool and inform the grant MEAL focal person of upcoming deadlines.

• Document lessons learned and best practices for NRC’s donors 

2.Focal point for selected multi country grants: 50% of worktime

• Support multi country grant proposals with results framework design, reviewing project log frames and developing Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Plans.  

• Be the focal person for MEAL support for selected regional grants, including the ongoing CWA regional grant.  This will involve supporting MEAL processes across NRCs Programme Cycle Management (PCM) framework, assisting in the consolidation of MEAL data for reports and Project Review Meetings and supporting other MEAL and Learning processes as agreed. 

3.Provide direct support to NRC Cos: 30%:

• Provide MEAL technical guidance and support for NRC COs (with a priority on French speaking countries in the CWA region and other francophone COs, as applicable) under the supervision of the relevant global adviser. This includes:

  1. Oversight of reporting quality and compliance

  2. Support on capacity building and training 

  3. Development and implementation of CO learning agendas; including supporting Cos with analysis and facilitating learning workshops 

  4. Support to strengthen outcome monitoring

  5. Support the development of Power BI dashboards

  6. Data quality audits, health checks, action planning for CO follow up and support

  7. Deployment/ surge support to Cos including in start-ups or emergencies

  8. Support the roll out of the CFM handbook and serve as the primary focal point for COs requesting CFM helpdesk support in French. 

4.Contribute to the global MEAL team

• Contribute actively to a MEAL learning community within NRC, support efforts to enhance MEAL systems and standards across the organization, as well as identifying and highlighting innovation and good practice

Please download the detailed job description to learn more about the positionGlobal MEAL Country Support Coordinator.docx

What you will bring 

1.Professional competencies 

• University degree preferably in statistics, operations research, quantitative analysis, public policy, economics, or other social science fields. Advanced training in rigorous empirical research and evaluation methodologies is an advantage.

• Experienced professional with a minimum of 4-6 years working at intermediate level of MEAL design and implementation, using both quantitative (a must) and qualitative (preferred) methods. 

• Demonstrated significant experience in monitoring and evaluation for large and complex programmes, providing specific, sound, and rigorous MEAL technical assistance 

• Demonstrated experience in establishing and managing CFMs in humanitarian or development contexts

• Extensive experience in developing baseline, endline quantitative surveys, logic models, data collection and analysis

• Understanding of donor expectations and trends in MEAL

• Demonstrated ability to transfer knowledge to diverse audiences through training, mentoring, and other formal and non-formal methods 

• Extensive experience in donor MEAL requirements and supporting proposal writing as well as multi country grants

• Excellent skills in facilitation, communication and supportive attitude, builds trust easily.

• Solid experience of work with windows based computer software, SSP, GIS, excellent at Excel and use of Digital Data Gathering (DDG) technology, as well as experience in utlising NRC’s GORS system or DHIS2 other global results monitoring programmes.

• Experience in conducting MEAL activities in highly insecure context and a deep understanding of the complexities of undertaking MEAL activities in a global humanitarian organisation

• Experience in designing survey tools, organizing and delivering training workshops

• Ability to work closely with field based national staff and experience in various staff training 

• Documented results related to the position’s responsibilities 

• Fluency in English and French, both written and verbal 

Context related skills, knowledge and experience

• Experience of setting up MEAL systems in a start-up or emergency setting is an advantage

• Knowledge and experience of working in an NRC country office is desirable

• Experience in setting up MEAL systems is an advantage as well as working to support one or more of NRC’s programme areas 

• International experience in and knowledge about one or more NRC’s regions highly desirable

2.Behavioural competencies

• Skilled in influencing and obtaining cooperation of individuals not under supervisory control and manage long-distance relationships to achieve results 

• Ability to engage and motivate staff and partners in a challenging new area. 

• Self-motivated and able to work without close supervision 

• Able to prioritize work, multi-task and meet deadlines 

• Excellent organization and planning skill 

• Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills   

• Goal oriented with ability to work under pressure, independently and with limited supervision 

• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks in a fast paced and complex environment. 

• Prior experience in the regional context preferred. 

What we offer 

• Duty station: Dakar, Senegal
• Contract: Fixed term up to 31 December 2026
• Salary&Benefits: grade 7 on NRC’s Senegal National salary scale 
• NRC is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to diversity without distinction to age, gender, religion, ethnicity, nationality, and physical ability. 
• We think outside the box, encourage ideas, and give responsibility to all employees at all levels. You will have many opportunities to be heard and take the initiative. 
• Find out more about the benefits of working for NRC https://www.nrc.no/career/what-we-offer/   
• Kindly send any questions about the application process to: cwa.recruitment@nrc.no. Applications sent via email will not be accepted. Please check your application status on your NRC application profile.

At NORCAP, we work to better protect and empower people affected by crises and climate change. With expertise in the humanitarian, development and peacebuilding sectors, we collaborate with local, national and international partners on finding solutions to meet the needs of people at risk. NORCAP is part of the Norwegian Refugee Council.

---