Cash Consortium of Iraq (CCI)– Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Manager

In response to the influx and movement of IDPs in Iraq, the IRC provides emergency multi-purpose cash assistance to vulnerable IDPs and host communities through its Economic Recovery and Development Program. The objective of the program is life-saving response to meet urgent basic needs of vulnerable IDPs and host communities; this is expected to ultimately lessen the use of negative coping strategies for survival.

In an effort to harmonize cash transfer programming across humanitarian actors in Iraq, the idea of a consortium-based approach was born in February 2015. After a number of initial discussions on the standardization of unconditional cash programming, the Cash Consortium of Iraq (CCI) was formally formed in March 2015. The CCI now consists of five international organizations: Mercy Corps, serving as the lead agency; International Rescue Committee (IRC), serving as the MEAL lead; Danish Refugee Council (DRC); Oxfam and Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC). The main objective of the CCI is to enhance the impact of multi-purpose cash assistance (MPCA) for conflict-affected households through a harmonized approach and increased reach. Accordingly, the CCI fundraises, advocates for and implement multi- purpose cash programs to immediately respond to the needs conflict-affected households, and promotes learning and coordination among all partners.

Since its establishment, the CCI has worked to harmonize program design for unconditional cash programming including targeting, monitoring and evaluation, accountability and delivery mechanisms. With that, the MEAL Manager – in collaboration with the CCI Director and relevant CCI focal points – will coordinate CCI efforts on harmonization and implementation of M&E tools, methodologies and approaches, in line with reporting requirements. S/he will work in partnership with CCI member organizations to ensure technical input is provided into tool development and coordination efforts.  The main objective of this position is to ensure that data on program beneficiaries, processes, progress and performance are effectively collected, entered, analyzed and documented, in a way to inform timely decision making and the adoption of sound corrective measures, and to ensure coordination of all processes across CCI and interagency processes. A broader objective is to lead on the design and production of information management tools and products to support evidence-based programming across all CCI partners, ranging from household vulnerability assessments to market and price monitoring.  

The ideal candidate will have demonstrated experience in information management, research and humanitarian assessments and monitoring and evaluation, preferably with experience in cash assistance programming, and experience with multi-stakeholder arrangements. The MEAL Manager will be recruited and hosted by the IRC Iraq, but will be seconded, full-time, to the CCI, reporting to the CCI Director.  

Major Responsibilities:

• In consultation with CCI colleagues, ensure the timely and effective implementation of the CCI M&E framework. As and when necessary, refine and adjust the technical specifications of the framework and ensure any changes are communicated properly through structured training and feedback sessions.
• Participate in CCI technical working group (TWG) meetings and other interagency meetings as appropriate, ensuring coordination and communication on tools, processes and troubleshooting. Actively engage with the Cash Working Group of Iraq to share and adopt best practices and aid with the unification and harmonization of tools.
• Take the lead on CCI-wide analytical processes, including vulnerability analyses, post-distribution monitoring, M&E reporting and the like and ensure that these are communicated to donors, cash actors and the wider humanitarian community. Develop and ensure the timely release of analytical reports and other information products using CCI primary data.
• Support the implementation of CCI performance monitoring plans (PMPs) in partnership with CCI members by regularly tracking progress on all targets and indicators, communicating progress, promoting learning, and advising corrective measures where necessary. Take the lead on and/or support robust technical research on cash assistance as part of a broader advocacy strategy to support MPCA interventions in Iraq, the region and globally.
• Help develop baseline and end-line assessment tools and methodologies for each CCI program, including data collection instruments (e.g. survey questionnaires, focus group discussions, and key-informant interviews), analysis plans and analytical reports. Tools shall allow the CCI to track impact on beneficiaries, value for money and spillover effects/the generation of externalities.
• As and when necessary, take the lead on and/or support the development of impact evaluations of the CCI’s work. Act as a constant technical lead on any and all evaluations initiated by the CCI.
• Analyze assessment data, based on the analysis plan and produce statistics and charts and ensure the results feed meaningfully into program design and implementation plans to facilitate evidence-based programming.
• Assist in the improvement and monitoring of databases and ensure that assistance to beneficiaries is timely tracked and information is appropriately shared with other organizations operating in the same geographical areas, in order to develop synergies, avoid duplication and maximize outreach and coverage of affected populations’ needs.
• Conduct trainings for enumerators, M&E and program staff at partner agencies on M&E tools and methodologies, mobile data collection, database management, accountability mechanisms, and related topics.
• Other tasks, as required.

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to:  Cash Consortium of Iraq Director
Indirect Reporting: IRC ERD Coordinator

Management of: CCI Database Manager
Other Internal and/or external contacts:

Internal (IRC): IRC Database Officer, MEAL Manager, M&E Coordinator

External (CCI): CCI technical leads, CCI Grants Manager, CCI Research and Advocacy Coordinator, CCI Grants and Compliance Manager, and other CCI M&E technical staff.

Job Requirements:

• Bachelor of Arts or Science in Economics, Statistics, Computer Science or related field
• Certification or specific training in Statistics and/or Data Management highly preferred, but can be supplemented with practical experience of information management in humanitarian settings.
• Experience using mobile data collection platforms (ODK, Kobo, SurveyCTO) & developing XLS forms
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge in developing and managing databases. Excellent coordination, negotiation, interpersonal and problem-solving skills, ability to collaborate and build consensus.
• Demonstrated experience in the use of statistical methods for socio-economic research in humanitarian settings, with emphasis on advanced and applied quantitative and research methods.
• At least 3 years of relevant working experience in the areas of data science, information management and assessments, M&E, socio-economic research, in humanitarian emergency settings preferred
• Excellent communications skills, experience planning and conducting capacity-building trainings in M&E, mobile data collection, or related topics
• Demonstrated experience in developing and implementation of assessments, with strong emphasis on the research cycle (methodology and sampling design, research question development, questionnaire development, etc.).
• INGO experience in humanitarian settings.  Demonstrated experience and capacity in coordinating field-level data collection and team management and oversight across multiple geographies.
• Excellent writing skills; able to convey complex technical ideas in simple, digestible terms to non-technical audiences.
• Strong ability to work independently, organize work, meet deadlines, maintain composure, prioritize work under pressure, coordinate multiple tasks and maintain attention to detail
• Personal qualities: works well in and promotes teamwork, comfortable in a multi-cultural environment, flexible and able to handle pressure well;
• Fluency in English required, written and oral.

PREFERRED:

• Master’s degree of Arts or Science in Economics, International Development, Humanitarian Studies or related field
• Experience using SurveyCTO for mobile data collection
• Experience working on cash programming in humanitarian settings Experience in or familiarity with programming Access Databases, HTML, and/or SQL
• Experience in writing and maintaining database design and documentation and operating manuals and SOPs

Working Environment: The position is based in Erbil, Iraq; the MEAL Manager will be required to travel to project locations in Iraq to support CCI partners, as required.

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