MEAL Coordinator

Background/IRC Summary:

The International Rescue Committee responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, IRC offers life-saving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in more than 40 countries and in 22 U.S. cities, IRC restores safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted by conflict or disaster. IRC leads the way from harm to home.

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 5 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 1,250 staff in the region. IRC is undertaking programs in Syria and the neighboring countries of Iraq, Lebanon and Jordan in the fields of health, child protection, education, women’s protection and empowerment, NFI and food distribution, cash assistance, 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.

CONTEXTUAL BACKGROUND

Job Overview/Summary

The Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Coordinator will provide the leadership necessary to ensure that the IRC Jordan country program develops and meets its related MEAL commitments within the IRC’s Strategy 2020, Jordan MEAL Strategy, and in current donor-funded programming. The MEAL Coordinator leads a country program department comprised of two main components (Monitoring and Evaluation, and Client Responsiveness and Accountability) that contributes to evidence-based program design, high-quality donor reporting and continuous improvement of program quality based on data and learning. The position provides technical leadership and input to evaluation and accountability activities across sectors and pro-actively develops shares high quality, informative analysis to inform senior leadership decision-making.

The MEAL Coordinator reports to the Deputy Director of Programs and holds close working relationships with Grants, Partnerships, and program coordinators and staff in Women’s Protection and Empowerment, Child Protection, Health, Economic Recovery & Development, and R&D. 

Major Responsibilities

Program Management, Technical Quality, and Strategy

• Develop and implement an IRC-Jordan Measurement strategy in line with the global and regional measurement strategy encompassing Monitoring and Evaluation as well as Client Responsiveness and Accountability
• Follow up and monitor the implementation of the SAPIP FY2020 O&E and client responsiveness’ commitments to reach the good standards.
• Ensure the country program meets and work within the IRC’s ‘Monitoring for Action’ to improve program monitoring practices, data quality and use of data for action.
• Support the program leads to focus on data being used for evidence and decision making through learning and reflection sessions.
• Continue strengthen client feedback and response mechanisms practices, approaches and the use of the feedback data to enhance programs activities and institutional responsiveness culture.
• Ensure continued generation of accurate beneficiary reach data as per regional requirements
• Ensure the effective support to set-up and use of data platforms (Kobo/CommCare, PowerBi, COMET) by relevant stakeholders and to have timely access to appropriate information
• Support the program leads and TAs to strengthen the systems, procedures and tools that measures program performance and achievements towards committed outcomes.
• Collaborate in the development and execution of coherent plans for strengthening MEAL capacities of implementing staff and partners’ 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
• As needed and in coordination with other program sector leads and country program management, represents IRC in inter-agency forums and relevant working groups

Research, Learning and Analysis

• Lead assessments, research and evaluations aimed at generating a strong evidence base for IRC programming, as well as to inform IRC advocacy.
• Work closely with IRC’s advocacy, media teams, and the technical Units, for the launch and dissemination of research, assessments and research reports and findings.
• Contribute to the advocacy efforts of IRC Jordan through analysis of the policy environment and trends, staff briefings, and external representation in relevant discussions.
• Support the programs leads to Identify, monitor and report unmet context, programmatic or priorities within the parameters of the Strategic Action Plan and sector commitments.
• Support the greater sharing and use of learning within IRC’s program sectors, 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 Jordan.

Staff Performance Management, Learning & Development

• Develop and implement capacity building activities to support the team and the broader M&E and IM teams across the IRC Jordan Country program;
• Coach, train, supervise and mentor MEAL department 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.
• Lead collaborative partner relationships focused on mutual learning and capacity building as well as technical guidance in areas of IRC expertise, including through recruitment, training/mentoring support and performance management that fully reflects the skills and attitudes required to work effectively in partnership.
• 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.
• Promote and monitor staff care and well-being. Model healthy work-life balance practices. Support appropriate interventions in response to identified staff care needs.
• 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.
• As required identify staff performance issues and work with Human Resources to document and address these in accordance with the National Staff Employment Policies.

Key Working Relationships

• Position Reports to: Deputy Director of Programs
• Position directly supervises: M&E Manager, IM Manager, Accountability Team Leader
• Internal: All staff and departments within the Jordan Country Program (primarily Program, 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