MEAL Coordinator-SCP

Contextual Background:

The Syria crisis is often described as the worst humanitarian catastrophe since the end of the Cold War. Inside Syria, 7.6 million people are internally displaced and 12.2 million are in need of humanitarian assistance, with 4.8 million in hard-to-reach areas. There are 4 million Syrian refugees in neighboring countries. This is no short-term humanitarian episode. The devastating human consequences to huge numbers of people will endure for decades. The destruction of relationships, communities, livelihoods, homes and infrastructure will take years to repair.

IRC is offering a robust humanitarian response to the Syria crisis. With an annual budget in excess of $140 million and a rapidly expanding portfolio, supported by more than 3,000 staff and workers in the region, IRC is undertaking programs in Syria and the neighboring countries of Turkey, Iraq, Lebanon and Jordan in the fields of health, child protection, education, women’s protection and empowerment, NFI and food distribution, cash assistance, water and sanitation, and livelihood programming. Our work in these challenging settings gives rise to some of the most pressing issues facing contemporary humanitarian action, including questions of access, security, funding and coordination.

Job Overview/Summary

The Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Coordinator will provide the leadership necessary to ensure that the IRC Syria country program develops and meets its monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning commitments, as set out IRC’s Strategy 2020 and partnerships with donors. Core to this will be providing strategic direction to, and harmonization of, MEAL efforts in Syria during IRC’s on-going process of transitioning its Syria operations from multiple management hubs (Turkey, Jordan and Iraq) to a single Syria country program and management structure. The MEAL Coordinator will lead a country program MEAL Unit that contributes to evidence-based program design and continuous improvements of program quality based on data and learning. S/he will be part of the senior program management team and report to the Deputy Director Programs.

Major Responsibilities

Program Management, Technical Quality, and Strategy

• Building on existing practices, establish a coherent Syria MEAL system (approaches, procedures, structures), encompassing both programs implemented by IRC, as well as programs implemented in partnership with Syrian organizations.
• Provide MEAL technical assistance to program teams and inputs into the design stages of program proposals, budgets, logframes, indicators, and measurement methodologies, plans and tools.
• Ensure the country program meets IRC’s global monitoring standards (“Monitoring for Action”) for improved monitoring practices, data quality and use of data within the organization. As part of this, champion an organizational culture shift from a focus on data being primarily for donor reporting or indicator calculation purposes to using data for programmatic course correction and other decisions.
• Ensure continued functioning of, and improvements to, the regional beneficiary feedback and response mechanism, and adherence to regional standards and expectations.
• Ensure continued generation of accurate information about beneficiary reach, as per regional requirements.
• Ensure the effective set-up and use of IRC’s global data platform (COMET), or an alternative centralized way to ensure relevant stakeholders at the country, regional and global levels have timely access to appropriate information about indicators.
• Ensure that the country program has innovative and technology-driven appropriate MEAL systems and tools.
• Develop systems and procedures that measure country program-wide performance and achievements towards outcomes (using the Outcomes & Evidence Framework core indicators and other methods as appropriate) and strategic and organizational commitments.
• In close collaboration with the Partnerships Unit and program teams, develop and execute a coherent strategy and plan for strengthening MEAL capacities of implementing partner organizations, incorporating technical assistance into the design stages of program logframes, indicators, and measurement methodologies, plans and tools.
• Lead on planning and managing internal or external program evaluations.
• Recruit, support and oversee the technical quality of work by MEAL unit team members supporting the unit’s and program teams’ implementation of MEAL systems

Program Development

• Support program sector teams (currently, Integrated Protection, Economic Recovery and Development, and Health), and the Grants Unit in ensuring that MEAL elements support strong proposals for new funding and high-quality reporting on current programs.
• Staff Performance Management, Learning & Development:

• Hire, supervise, and build the capacity of MEAL team members in relevant technical and management competencies.
• Lead collaborative partner relationships focused on mutual learning and capacity building as well as technical guidance in areas of IRC expertise.
• Develop and implement remote management capacity building approaches to build the strengths of the team in Syria.
• Coach, train, supervise and mentor direct-report staff, including communicating clear expectations, setting annual performance objectives, providing regular and timely positive and constructive performance feedback, and providing documented semi-annual performance reviews.
• Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.
• Approve and manage all time, attendance and leave requests to ensure adequate departmental coverage; ensure monthly, accurate timesheet submission and carry out probationary reviews.
• Hold high-quality meetings with each direct report on a regular and predictable basis, at least monthly.
• Provide a measurable development plan including on-the-job learning with the aim of strengthening technical capacity, exchanging knowledge within the team and providing guidance on career paths.
• As required identify staff performance issues and work with Human Resources to document and address these in accordance with the National Staff Employment Policies.
• Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.
• Promote and monitor staff care and well-being. Model healthy work-life balance practices. Support appropriate interventions in response to identified staff care needs of both national and international staff.
• Look for opportunities to support staff in their career growth, where appropriate. As part of succession plan and nationalization goals, identify, train and develop capability and capacity of national staff to successfully transition role and responsibilities, by the end of assignment.
• Adhere to and act in accordance with the IRC Global HR Policies and Procedures, and communicates through word and example a high standard of compliance with all applicable policies and regulations.

Coordination & Representation

• As needed and in coordination with other program sector leads and country program management, represents IRC in inter-agency forums and discussions.
• Participate in relevant working groups both within and outside of the UN cluster system.
• In close coordination with program leads and the Partnerships Unit, engage with Syrian partners with respect to MEAL.
• Actively participate in and contribute to the Syria Resilience Consortium M&E working group

Research, Learning and Analysis

• Identify, monitor and report unmet needs related to MEAL.Explore the potential of the IRC to address those needs within the parameters of the Strategic Action Plan and sector priorities.
• Lead assessments and research aimed at generating a strong evidence base for IRC programming, as well as to inform IRC advocacy.
• Work closely with IRC’s advocacy and media teams, and the Violence Prevention and Response Unit, for the launch and dissemination of research reports and findings.
• Contribute to the advocacy efforts of IRC Syria and the Middle East Region through analysis of the policy environment and trends, staff briefings, and external representation in relevant discussions.
• Support the greater sharing and use of research and learning within IRC’s program sectors, including by contributing to program development and design, to ensure interventions are responsive to needs and informed by a sound understanding of the humanitarian context in Syria.

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to: Deputy Director for Programming

Position directly supervises:M&E and Accountability Managers

Internal: All staff and departments within the Syria Country Program (primarily the DDP andProgram, Partnerships and Grant teams), Regional M&E unit, HQ/Regional Technical Units (Technical Assistants and M&E specialists), HQ Research Evaluation & Learning Unit

External: Partner organizations, other humanitarian actors

BA/BS Degree in international development, social sciences, or a related field; MA/MS a plus.

Work Experience:

• At least 7 years of experience within the international development / humanitarian sector, several of which was at senior management level (some international experience preferred)
• Minimum of 5 years’ specific experience in monitoring and evaluation of multi-sectoral programming in emergency or post conflict settings.
• Experience with multi-sectoral and multi-donor funded programs
• Previous experience with remote management (preferred)
• Prior experience working in remote-management situations preferred, particularly in supporting partners.

Demonstrated Technical Skills:

• Excellent technical understanding of contemporary MEAL methods and practices, with hands-on experience in qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis
• Strong program/technical and budget management skills, planning, reporting, monitoring and evaluation skills.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, effective in representation and liaison with external parties.
• INGO experience required; experience working with the interagency coordination mechanisms desirable.
• Comprehensive knowledge of humanitarian accountability principles and their translation into practice.
• Experience with multi-sectoral and multi-donor funded programs.
• Strong technical and operational knowledge of humanitarian programming in a remote context.
• Proven experience in designing and delivering capacity-building activities.

Demonstrated Managerial/Leadership Competencies:

• An appropriate balance of strategic thinking and doing skills
• Strong methodical planning and organizational skills
• Strong leadership, interpersonal and communications skills
• Strong analytical, presentation, and reporting skills
• Excellent relationship-building, interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively represent IRC at forums and with donors.
• Strong negotiation skills essential with experience in conflict resolution desirable.
• Superior oral and written communication skills, with ability to express ideas and concepts clearly and persuasively with senior internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience of working successfully with local stakeholders such as local and international NGOs, government, etc. with sensitivity and diplomacy.
• Proven ability to design and lead training engagements with staff and partners to enhance skills and adapt to changing program demands.
• Mature and structured approach to team management and project delivery.
• Positive attitude to work, self-reflective, motivated, inspired, collegial.
• Proven ability to work well in and promote teamwork, thrive in a multi-cultural environment, be flexible and handle pressure with professional grace.
• Strong commitment to IRC’s mission, purpose and values

Languages:

• Professional fluency in spoken and written English is required.
• Familiarity with Arabic is an advantage.

Computer/Other Tech Requirements:

• Full professional competency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Experience with statistical and data management software.

Ability to Travel: 10 – 20% within the region and globally for workshops and conferences.

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

Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer 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.

Attention Returning National Candidates IRC strives to attract, motivate and retain qualified national staff in our programs. We strongly encourage national or returning national candidates to apply for this position. If you are a national of the country in which this position is based and are currently located outside of your home country and possess over two years of international work experience, the Middle East Region has introduced an attractive remuneration package. The package includes competitive compensation, return flight to post, shipping allowance, temporary housing and a relocation allowance. Certain restrictions may apply.

Working Environment

The overall security situation in Jordan is relatively calm, especially in Amman. The Jordanian government is stable, and civil unrest is largely peaceful. However, Jordan’s generosity in hosting refugees from Palestine, Iraq and now Syria have created huge strains on the country’s economy and infrastructure. The IRC office is in a modern professional building.

IRC is offering this post as fully accompanied for the successful candidate and accompanying dependents including: rest and relaxation leave, vacation leave, home leave, education allowance, housing, water, electricity, internet connectivity, and other generous benefits. Modern amenities (health care, international schools, etc.) are readily available.

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.