MEAL Specialist

The Danish Refugee Council assists refugees and internally displaced persons across the globe: we provide emergency aid, fight for their rights, and strengthen their opportunity for a brighter future. We work in conflict-affected areas, along the displacement routes, and in the countries where refugees settle. In cooperation with local communities, we strive for responsible and sustainable solutions. We work toward successful integration and – whenever possible – for the fulfilment of the wish to return home.

The Danish Refugee Council was founded in Denmark in 1956, and has since grown to become an international humanitarian organization with more than 7,000 staff and 8,000 volunteers. Our vision is a dignified life for all displaced.

All of our efforts are based on our value compass: humanity, respect, independence and neutrality, participation.

DRC is looking for an experienced MEAL Specialist to Provide support in developing and implementing monitoring, evaluation, and learning plans, provide capacity building related to monitoring, evaluation, and learning and contribute to the coherent and inclusive MEAL system for DRC Jordan’s operations in the South. The MEL Specialist acts as the MEL project focal points for roughly half of the portfolio of DRC projects.  The MEAL specialist will also have technical management responsibilities, ensuring that all under his technical line management are provided with technical support clear communication and follow up on tasks and deadlines.

About the job

The individual will report directly to MEAL Manager. Your main duties and responsibilities will be:

M&E planning and implementation:

• With the support of the MEAL manager, contribute to logframe/indicator development, narrative descriptions of M&E activities, MEAL budget line estimations, during the proposal development process.
• Develop ToRs for assessments and monitoring and evaluation activities.
• Contribute to the continuous updating of MEAL standard operating procedures.
• Proactively identify opportunities to improve MEAL systems and processes and lead change within the unit.
• Develop monitoring and evaluation plans (MEPs) and MEAL workplans (shared monthly) for projects assigned to.
• Organize MEAL kick off meetings for field staff.
• In close collaboration with the technical unit, design assessment/monitoring and evaluation tools (focus group discussions, key informant interviews, household/individual surveys, post-distribution monitoring, participatory M&E activities, observational monitoring, etc.) and methodologies for activities.
• Contribute to coding of data collection tools into xls forms for Kobo and other mobile data collection platforms
• Coordinate and oversee data collection for assessments and monitoring and evaluation exercises, including information gathering, sample definition, logistical support, liaising with and overseeing data collection teams.
• Responsibly track M&E field activity budget lines, with oversight from the MEAL Manager, to ensure proper, timely spending on funds on monitoring and evaluation needs;
• Ensure data cleaning and data quality for assessment, monitoring, and evaluation data.
• Conduct analysis, quantitative and qualitative, for program reports, ad hoc requests, evaluations, etc.
• Produce reports (narrative and visual) with the findings of MEAL activities and assessments.
• Provide narrative inputs for donor and other external and internal reports summarizing achievements of MEAL activities.
• Represent the MEAL department in project kick-off, review, and closure meetings.
• Liaise with program staff and the protection and economic recovery unit to ensure close coordination and information sharing is maintained and information needs are being met;

Learning

• Support the bases to prepare for and implement quarterly learning events, including any logistical or technical support needed, and ensuring proper documentation and information sharing post-events.
• Design, organize, and implement other learning events and methodologies.
• Contribute to the proactive dissemination and to the use of knowledge gained through MEAL activities among project teams and other relevant departments throughout life of the program.
• Participate in program review meetings and feed into to institutional learning by contributing best practices and lessons learned from ongoing M&E activities;

Capacity Building and Technical Line Manager

• Directly technically supervise M&E assistants and officers who are working on projects for which the MEAL Specialist is the project focal point
• Maintain weekly work plans for M&E field teams and ensure quality and efficient work in line with DRC’s standards;
• Hold weekly coordination meetings with MEAL field teams.
• In coordination with the HR Officer and program managers, plan, prepare and implement staff development trainings as necessary and oversee field M&E team performance evaluations routinely.
• Support in the recruitment process of new MEAL staff in the relevant bases.
• Promote a culture of learning through on-the-job training of national M&E field assistants and officers;
• Build the capacity of all relevant team members to develop, maintain and contribute to M&E learning, including through regular reflection and analysis of project monitoring data;
• Responsible for building the capacity of partner staff based on clear capacity building plans, jointly created with partners and the Partnerships Coordinator.
• Work closely with program team and HR to ensure that M&E skills are incorporated into all program position descriptions and necessary positions are budgeted for;
• Encourage a positive work environment of mutual respect where team members are committed to achieving their best and collaborate efficiently and effectively.

About you

• University degree (Masters preferred) in relevant discipline (statistics, quantitative/qualitative data analysis, IT, social sciences, management, etc.)
• Demonstrated technical M&E skills and command of methodologies, including working with large data sets and statistical analysis;
• A minimum of 5 years in monitoring and evaluation with NGOs, preferably in a humanitarian context, 2 of which in a senior MEAL position
• Knowledge of data collection protocols to ensure accurate data collection and verification;
• Strong knowledge of mobile data collection techniques and tools;
• Solid understanding of robust qualitative and quantitative data collection;
• Proven capacity to supervise, train and capacity build staff;
• Strong organization skills with the ability to plan, perform, prioritize multiple tasks under tight deadlines in a dynamic environment and monitor own work plan and those under her/ his supervision.

• Proven experience in a technical capacity involving conducting evaluations, assessments, or research and drafting technical reports;
• Experience conducting interviews and focus group discussions with diverse cohorts of populations.
• Fluency in Arabic and excellent command of English, written and spoken

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’ five core competencies: 

Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process. 

Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback. 

Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation. 

Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly. 

Demonstrating integrity: You act in line with DRC’s vision and values. 

Designation of Duty Station: Amman

Start date: Jan 2023

Application process

All applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages) in English. Applications sent by email will not be considered.

Closing date for applications: 8 December 2022

If you have questions or are facing problems with the online application process, please visit drc.ngo/jobsupport.

For further information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult our website drc.ngo.