The Office of the UNHCR was established on 14 December 1950 by the UN General Assembly. The agency is mandated to lead and co-ordinate international action to pro-tect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safe-guard the rights and well-being of refugees. It strives to ensure that everyone can exer-cise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State, with the option to return home voluntarily, integrate locally or to resettle in a third country (www.unhcr.org).

Mali is facing a complex and protracted humanitarian crisis, marked by insecurity, forced displacement of populations, food insecurity, and the impact of climate change. In this context, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) provides protection and assistance to refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), returnees, and host communities, in close collaboration with the Government, United Nations agencies, NGO partners, and donors.
The position of Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) Officer is based at the UNHCR office in Bamako, which ensures strategic coordination, programmatic monitoring, and technical support to sub-offices and implementing partners across the country. The MEAL Officer works under the direct supervision of the Senior Data Coordinator and in close collaboration with the Programme, Protection, and Supply units, as well as operational partners.
In a dynamic and sometimes volatile operational environment, the MEAL Officer plays a key role in strengthening monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning (MEAL) systems, in order to ensure the quality of interventions, accountability to affected populations, efficient use of resources, and continuous improvement of UNHCR programs in Mali. The position also contributes to the production of data-driven analyses, monitoring of performance indicators, management of feedback and complaint mechanisms, and capacity-building of UNHCR teams and partners in MEAL.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Head of Sub Office in Mopti or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UNV Assistant Public Information will:

Establishment and Management of the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) System
- Design, finalize, and maintain the project results framework / logical framework in alignment with the theory of change validated by the Mastercard Foundation.
- Define, document, and regularly update all MEAL indicators (outputs, outcomes, impact), including cross-cutting indicators related to gender, youth, inclusion, employment, systems change, and safeguarding.
- Develop, budget, and regularly update the MEAL Plan, detailing methodologies, roles and responsibilities, timelines, and required resources.
- Ensure the systematic integration of MEAL into the annual operational planning process and the project’s strategic management.
Implementation and Performance Monitoring
- Design, test, and deploy data collection tools tailored to the project’s different components (questionnaires, monitoring forms, interview guides, digital tools).
- Establish a structured system for the regular monitoring of activities, deliverables, and results in collaboration with field teams and implementing partners.
- Consolidate, analyze, and interpret performance data to identify gaps, trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement.
- Produce and update analytical dashboards enabling real-time tracking of key performance indicators.

Data Management, Quality, and Security
- Establish and manage a centralized, secure MEAL database in compliance with donor requirements.
- Develop and implement robust Data Quality Assurance (DQA) procedures, including consistency checks, internal audits, and field verifications.
- Ensure data traceability, evidence management (means of verification), and archiving in line with the Mastercard Foundation’s standards.
- Train and support teams and partners on MEAL standards, data quality, and ethical data collection practices.

Evaluations and Studies
- Plan and coordinate baseline studies, mid-term evaluations, and the final project evaluation.
- Develop technical terms of reference for evaluations and thematic studies (employability, socio-economic integration, equity, systems change).
- Supervise external consultants, ensure quality control of deliverables, and validate methodologies.
- Support the analysis and strategic use of evaluation findings for decision-making and project adaptation.

Accountability and Feedback Mechanisms
- Design and operationalize accountability mechanisms for beneficiaries (feedback, complaints, suggestions).
- Ensure that beneficiaries—particularly youth and vulnerable groups—have safe, confidential, and effective access to feedback mechanisms.
- Regularly analyze beneficiary feedback and ensure its integration into programmatic decision-making.
- Document and report on actions taken in response to feedback received.

Learning, Knowledge Management, and Adaptive Programming
- Establish structured learning mechanisms (quarterly reviews, strategic reflection workshops, after-action reviews).
- Promote the use of MEAL data for the continuous adaptation of interventions and improvement of programmatic approaches.
- Produce learning briefs, case studies, and knowledge products.
- Document and disseminate best practices, innovations, and lessons learned internally and with the donor.

Reporting and Donor Accountability
- Produce periodic narrative reports (quarterly and annual) in accordance with the Mastercard Foundation’s formats, standards, and timelines.
- Contribute to cost-effectiveness and Value for Money analyses in collaboration with the finance team.
- Provide reliable, verifiable, and auditable data for reviews, audits, and supervision missions.
- Respond to ad hoc donor requests related to results, impact, and learning.

Coordination, Technical Support, and Capacity Strengthening
- Provide MEAL technical support to component leads and implementing partners.
- Strengthen MEAL capacities of internal teams and partners through training, coaching, and field-based support.
- Actively participate in coordination, planning, and performance review meetings.
- Contribute to the harmonization of MEAL practices across the different project components.

Compliance, Ethics, and Safeguarding
- Ensure compliance with ethical standards, personal data protection requirements, and informed consent protocols.
- Integrate gender, youth, inclusion, and safeguarding/protection dimensions across the entire MEAL system.
- Ensure the project’s compliance with the safeguarding and protection policies required by the Mastercard Foundation.
- Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

- Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day);
- Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;
- Provide annual and end of assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.
- Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;
- Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers;
- Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.