Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, Learning (MEAL) Team Leader

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, Learning (MEAL) Team Leader

Duty Station [North Area- Hodeida, Hajjah and Sa áda]

Who are we?

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 fulfillment 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, and honesty and transparency.

DRC has been operating in the Middle East (ME) region for over a decade, running a combination of emergency, livelihood, protection and advocacy programmes through Country Offices (COs) in Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey with a Regional Office (RO) in Amman.

DRC Yemen’s response

Throughout its nine field offices and a workforce of 450 staff, DRC upholds its main programmatic objectives to provide immediate and life sustaining assistance, to strengthen the protective environment, and to reduce displacement related risks and vulnerabilities by promoting self-reliance at household and community level.

About the job

The Meal Team Leader will lead the implementation of the MEAL strategy and work plan within the the DRC Area of operation. The MEAL TL will support the implementation of program activities in the area through the collection, analysis, and uses of monitoring and evaluation data for programme improvement, learning and demonstrating impact.  The MEAL TL will coordinate MEAL activities (across the area MEAL team) for every project, ensuring that project indicators have quality data and are reported in a timely manner. The MEAL TL will also be responsible for ensuring that activities in the locations meet CHS standards, including establishment of CFMs, and advising on the area MEAL budget, work plan and all aspects of team management.

Geographic scope: North area ( Hodeida, Hajjah and Sa áda) with frequent travels to the field locations.

Reporting to: Country MEAL Manager / Area Manager

Duties and Responsibilities

MEAL capacities and commitments

• Apply DRC guidance for MEAL and division of labour as per MEAL workstream RASCI, particularly vis-à-vis programme staff, and foster collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders within the area of responsibility.
• Identify and plan for the human resources, financial resources, and time needed to carry out MEAL activities in the area of responsibility in line with DRC guidance.
• Apply DRC guidance with regards to GDPR and data protection in the area of responsibility, specifically for MEAL related data. Liaise with relevant internal counterparts responsible for data protection.
• Lead on capacity building, training and technical support for MEAL, programme and sectors and field staff to improve the field monitoring or any other MEAL needs, in the area of responsibility.

Results Monitoring and programme quality support

• Engage in and support quality throughout Project Cycle Management, in line with DRC guidance and division of labour, accommodating external requirements and internal evidence needs, including the Global Results reporting. Specifically, ensure development and adequate maintenance of MEAL plans, indicator tracking tools and other relevant tools for the area of responsibility.
• Lead the collection and analysis of performance data against defined indicators from various programme activities and compile regular performance updates for sharing with teams.
• Manage project indicator trackers and ensure that they are updated on a monthly and quarterly basis as required.
• Participate in and contribute to (as appropriate) project Kick-off meetings, Quarterly Review meetings and Close-out meetings in order to highlight cross-project components aimed at replicating good practices and strengthening synergies between projects or programmes.
• Ensure the development of appropriate monitoring, tracking and reporting systems, tools and templates that enhance monitoring of program outputs and quality, Value for Money, generate quality evidence on program outcomes and promote the use of data for decision-making processes.
• Design, refine and deploy data collection which combine quantitative and qualitative methods and tools and oversee field visits, ODMs, verifications, baseline, mid and end-lines, in the area of responsibility.
• Plan for, manage and quality assure the field data collection and field monitoring processes and tools, in the area of responsibility.
• Ensure the application of ethical principles in the field work, including with regards to DRC Code of Conduct and in line with referral protocols and SOPs, in the area of responsibility.
• Plan for and perform data quality assurance in data collection, data entry and data processing in the area of responsibility.
• Establish and maintain processes and protocols for data protection, storage, sharing, and security in the area of responsibility.
• Lead the analysis and reporting of MEAL qualitative and quantitative data collected in line with internal information needs and external obligations.

Evaluation, analysis and learning

• Lead on or engage in (as appropriate) analysis, interpretation, and communication of the MEAL findings externally, in the area of responsibility.
• Regularly present the key MEAL findings and feedback to the supervisors, and present in Grants Review Meetings.
• Promote learning in the project, particularly on issues of programme quality. Regularly analyse data and produce reports on best practices and case studies. Facilitate area based lessons learned reviews, and compile and consolidate key learning and recommendations.
• Design and manage evaluations in compliance with DRC evaluation.
• Lead and contribute (as appropriate) to analysis, evaluation, and research for data-driven evidence and use in the area of responsibility.
• Ensure that necessary reporting components are lined up and completed in advance of report deadlines.
• Provide programme teams with timely data to enable programme planning and reporting.
• Maintain accurate records of all area MEAL activities, and back up all files on the team’s data storage system.

Team Management

• Accountable for achieving DRC’s strategic goals and objectives within the area of responsibility.
• Accountable for monitoring and ensuring timely, relevant spending of the Area-level MEAL budget.
• Directly manage the Area MELA team (including remotely based team members), conducting performance reviews.
• In consultation of MEAL Manager, lead the recruitment process of MEAL staff and casual labors (casual) as well as build their capacity building.
• Set clear and consistent expectations for team members on job tasks/responsibilities and providing regular feedback to ensure improvement of work standards.

Accountability to beneficiaries

• DRC staff members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to their beneficiaries and to international standards (including for CHS and data protection).
• Identify, plan for and implement different mechanisms for community engagement and feedback in monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning in the area of responsibility (including overseeing the Accountability Assistant).
• Assess, design and improve accountability mechanisms, including Community Feedback Mechanism processes, tools and SOPs and adapt global CFM guidance to the local context for efficient feedback mechanisms management.
• Ensure that all staff are trained in DRC CFM and accountability approaches, as well as in DRC Code of Conduct Reporting Mechanism and PSEAH safeguarding measures; and accountability commitments and mechanisms are communicated and known among community members and the People of Concern.

Other:

• Ensure adherence to DRC’s Age, Gender, and Diversity policy and AGD minimum standards for data disaggregation.
• Ensure compliance with zero-tolerance to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse policy.
• Ensure compliance with GDPR and data protection policies including beneficiary confidentiality.
• Perform other relevant tasks as requested by the line manager.

About you

To be successful in this role you must have:

Experience and technical competencies: (include years of experience)

a) Essential

• Minimum 4 years of relevant work experience in monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning of humanitarian and development programmes with large international or national NGO. Two years of staff management experience preferred.
• Proven experience in effectively working with a variety of donors’ requirements including ECHO, EU, BHA, and UN agencies (as required).
• Demonstrated experience with DRC Core Sectors.
• Proven understanding of mix-methods approach, research methodologies and the nature and use of evidence, including participatory methodologies.
• Demonstrated understanding of Core Humanitarian Standards (CHS) and ability to apply accountability and ethical standards in everyday work.
• Mastered skills in design, implementation and quality assurance throughout data collection process (including skills with the IM platforms).
• Mastered competencies in working with analysis frameworks, with data analysis for quantitative and qualitative data and communicating evidence.
• Demonstrable experience in the nurturing of organisational learning in programmes.
• Strong interpersonal and team building skills.
• Demonstrated ablity to work and deliver under pressure, within budget and time constraints and to manage team priorities.
• Willingness to travel to the field locations and support MEAL / program teams as required.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, ability to adjust communication to various stakeholders and audiences.
• Understanding of, commitment to international standards for data protection and AGD mainstreaming standards.
• Full professional proficiency in English.

b) Desirable

• Experience in developing/ guiding information management systems for large humanitarian programs, as relevant.
• Familiarity with the relevant data collection software, preferably Kobo Toolbox, Activity info, Commcare, ODK, DEEP, nvivo.
• Experience in statistical software, SPSS, R and visualisation tools such as PowerBi.

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 our vision and values. 

Moreover, we also expect the following:

Education: (include certificates, licenses etc.)

• A Bachelor’s degree in relevant field (international development, social sciences, statistics, public health, etc.) + at least 4 years of relevant experience required.
• A Master’s degree in relevant field + at least 4 years of relevant experience perferable .

Languages:

English – Fluent

Arabic – Fluent

Key stakeholders: (internal and external)

• MEAL Manager
• Area Management
• Technical Coordinators, Area PMs

We offer

DRC will offer the successful applicant a contract till the end of the 2024, renewable dependent on both funding and performance. You must be available to start work approximately in September 2024 and be willing and able to work in North area ( Hodeida, Hajjah and Sa áda)-Yemen.

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s National Terms of Employment; This position will be placed at level (manager, G).

Application process

Interested? Then apply for this position by clicking on the apply button.
All applicants must send a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages). Both must be in the same language as this vacancy note. CV only applications will not be considered.

If you have questions or are facing problems with the online application process, please contact HR.

Applications close on 31 July 2024 the written test /interviews are expected to take place, maximum two weeks after the closing date.  

Please note that applications sent directly to the email will not be considered.