Regional MEAL Coordinator
Contract
This is a DRC - Expatriate or National contract. More about DRC - Expatriate or National contracts.
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.
Overall purpose of the role
Lead the development and coordinate the implementation of the regional MEAL strategy and workplan; and contribute to DRC strategy, DRC accountability commitments and learning needs and priorities at the regional level.
Ensure effective technical support and ensure the implementation of the monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning strategies and global standards in the region; support mainstreaming MEAL throughout the PCM; reinforce quality programme management and promote the use of evidence by DRC staff in the region.
Duties and Responsibilities:
MEAL strategies, capacities and commitments
- Lead the development and coordinate the implementation of the regional MEAL strategy and workplan.
- Ensure that DRC MEAL guidance is understood, advice and support country office staff in implementation, completing the annual compliance check, and ensuring areas of weakness are addressed in the region.
- Liaise with the HQ MEAL department to support compliance with and understanding of all global standards.
- Apply DRC guidance for MEAL and support roll out of the global MEAL guidance, including the MEAL model building blocks.
- Apply DRC guidance for MEAL and division of labour as per RASCI matrix, support roll out of MEAL workstream at CO, particularly vis-à-vis programme staff, and foster collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders in the region.
- Provide support to ensure resources for MEAL are appropriately budgeted in proposal, including for both country office and area offices, including by providing guidance to the country and area office teams (as appropriate) on minimum staffing and resources required for the implementation of high quality MEAL activities.
- 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. Review and strengthen processes and protocols for MEAL-related data in terms of data protection, storage, sharing, and security in the area of responsibility.
- Lead on capacity building, training and support for programme and MEAL staff in the region.
Results monitoring and programme quality support
- Support quality throughout the Project Cycle Management, in line with DRC guidance and the global MEAL RASCI matrix, accommodating external requirements, including the development of adequate MEAL plans, tools and processes relevant for the area of responsibility.
- When relevant participate in strategically selected project Kick-off meetings, Grant Review meetings and Close-out meetings in order to present on achievements as reflected in the IPTT and highlight cross-project components aimed at replicating good practices and strengthening synergies between projects or programmes.
- Provide advice to mainstream MEAL and support the project managers, programme teams and grants management personnel in developing logframes, MEAL plans, MEAL activities and in project development processes and through capacity building.
- Provide technical support for data collection which combines quantitative and qualitative methods, with adequate quality assurance/control and support the application of ethical principles in the field work, including with regards to DRC Code of Conduct and in line with Protection referral protocols and SOPs.
- Support the global results planning process and data aggregation, provide technical support and quality control as well as support roll out of DRC guidance and liaising/feeding back to HQ, responsible for results reporting for RO.
Accountability
- Support roll out of the global CGM guidance.
- Liaise with HQ and support COs during regular CHS certification audits.
- Support biannual CHS self-assessment at CO/RO level and improvement plan.
- Engage in building of the capacity of staff to plan for and implement accountability measures.
- Provide technical support to strengthen the country programs’ Community Feedback Mechanism and set-up new systems.
- Review, promote, identify, plan for and implement (as appropriate) different mechanisms for community engagement and feedback in monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning in the area of responsibility.
- Act as a regional focal point on Core Humanitarian Standards, ensuring local compliance and reviews across all standards and liaise with relevant internal counterparts.
Evaluation, analysis and learning
- Lead and contribute (as appropriate) to analysis, evaluation, and research for data-driven evidence generation and use in the area of responsibility
- Act as a donor focal point for MEAL components of relevant projects
- Provide technical support on evaluation, manage selected regional evaluations, and supervise consultants implementing external evaluations
- Regularly present key MEAL findings to Regional and Country Office teams to ensure learnings and to inform strategies
- Support knowledge exchange between country offices, support networks and Communities of Practice
- Support innovative methods and approaches, including global MEAL methods or tools such as the SRI, GBV PEF, and other as appropriate.
- Support utilisation of results for better planning and decision making; translate MEAL findings into organisational learning; plan and implement learning events and design appropriate learning products.
Regional office-specific tasks:
- Identify MEAL requirements and commitments for the grants managed in the regional office.
- Perform other duties as directed by the Regional Head of Programmes.
Experience and technical competencies:
- Essential:
- Minimum of 5 years of work experience within the field of monitoring and evaluation, of which 1-2 were in a similar role;
- Experience working with International NGO’s, UN agencies, line ministries and/or local authorities, preferably in migrants/refugee settings in complex emergencies;
- Experience working in the monitoring and evaluation of WASH, shelter, CRI/NFI, Cash/ livelihoods and protection sectors in an emergency context
- Experience in developing/ guiding information management systems for large humanitarian programs
- Experience in managing multi-sector programs
- Experience in managing multiple projects at the same time
- Experience in participatory assessment and community-based monitoring approaches;
- Clear understanding of Core Humanitarian Standards (CHS);
- Experience training national staff in the area of MEAL, and in convening and facilitating trainings and workshops
- Excellent analytical and report writing skills (English)
- Knowledge of the following softwares: KOBO, Excel, and at least one analytical software (SPSS/STATA/R/SAS)
- Knowledge of qualitative research and analytical methods
- Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to establish effective and working relations with local staff and other stakeholders;
- Experience living and working in a cross-cultural, multi-sector, insecure, remote area environment, under team condition
- Desirable
- Knowledge of ArcGIS/QGIS, NVivo (or other qualitative analysis software)
Languages:
- Fluency in written and spoken English
- Local language (desirable)
In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’s 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: Upholding and promoting the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.
Education:
A Bachelor’s degree in relevant field (international development, social sciences, statistics, public health, etc.) + at least 4 years of relevant experience.
A Master’s degree in relevant field + at least 4 years of relevant experience
We offer
Contract length: (24) Months
Position Band: This position will be placed at Non-Management (F) band
Preferable Start date: As Soon As Possible
Duty station: Tbilisi, Georgia
Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment.
For questions regarding the vacancy please contact [email protected]
Application process
Interested to apply? 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.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, DRC reserves the right of conducting tests and interviews before the closing date, and can close the advertisement earlier in case of finding a suitable candidate.
Closing date for applications: March 21, 2024
For further information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult our website drc.ngo.