Regional Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning Coordinator - Middle East

Contract

This is a DRC - Expatriate or National contract. More about DRC - Expatriate or National contracts.

Are you ready to pursue an exciting opportunity with a progressive humanitarian organisation in a senior management role? Would you thrive working in one of the world’s most challenging humanitarian regions, the Middle East?

Who are we?

Danish Refugee Council is a leading humanitarian agency pursuing our mandate to protect and promote durable solutions to displacement-affected populations based on humanitarian principles. DRC applies a regional approach with operational presence in Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey & Yemen with a Middle East Regional Office (MERO) based in Amman, Jordan, which has 30 staff. Overall in the region DRC Middle East has more than 1,800 staff and an operating budget of USD 120 million.

Background

Enable the development and strengthening of DRC's monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning systems, and capacities across DRC’s operations in the Middle East including through the provision of support to country offices - Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Türkiye and Yemen.

The Regional MEAL Coordinator connects global MEAL standards and practices to the regional and country level. The role contributes to the development of regional strategies, which are translated into action plans and day-to-day tasks – including in monitoring and reporting against the Regional Results Framework and Plan in support of DRC’s organisational strategy in the region. The role provides support and/or technical guidance to strengthen the systems and capacities of country operations and local partners while overseeing activities with a regional scope. The post holder will be required to travel for short durations of time ranging from a few days to a couple of weeks to DRC country and field offices in the Middle East region.

Duties and Responsibilities

Specific responsibilities related to the position include:

Strategic

• Act as the Principal for all elements of MEAL in the region, in line with the MEAL Model and the global Accountabilities and Responsibilities in DRC’s MEAL functions.
• Responsible to ensure translation of global MEAL standards and practices, as defined in the DRC MEAL Model, to the regional and country context, working through MEAL functions at country level for this purpose.
• Work towards a regional strategic MEAL framework, in support of DRC’s global strategy, and in coordination with the Global MEAL team.
• Work closely with relevant regional functions to strengthen programme quality throughout the project cycle.
• Integrate MEAL into a structured process of learning in the project development and implementation cycle, utilising data for evidence-based programming. Guide and support commitment to accountability, including CHS and community feedback and response mechanisms.
• Support strategic evaluations in the region.

Technical support

• Strengthening technical capacity of country office MEAL teams, programme staff and managers through
  • direct one-to-one support and mentoring, training of trainers, trainings, and workshops.
  • remote support and training, direct and via regional webinars.
• Support country offices to strengthen technical capacities of DRC partners including staff in the region in consultation with country teams.
• Support country offices in establishing fit-for-purpose MEAL staffing structure and responsibility matrix (RACI) tailored to the operational context.
• Support Country Offices with accurate implementation of the Global Results Framework and the global reporting system through the promotion of contextually tailored analysis tools that make use of output and outcome data.

• Support Country office in ensuring that data is collected properly, reported accurately, and analysed effectively to support decision-making and other organizational processes.

• Support country MEAL teams in the establishment and/or strengthening of MEAL systems where needed.

• Support Country Offices in the utilization of MEAL tools through the facilitation of assessments and reviews, such as After-Action Reviews (AAR), Programme Quality Reviews, MEAL Compliance Self-Check, Quality Assessments, Lessons learned reviews, as well as software trainings for reporting and analysis.

• Support Country Offices in strengthening accountability practices, in line with CHS commitments, and more specifically in establishing, reviving, and assessing Community Feedback and Response Mechanisms.

• Advise on the use of databases to support work, such as progress and data tracking databases software and on-line platforms, as relevant.
• Provide time-limited gap fill support when country-based MEAL capacity is not present or diminished occasionally. To be accomplished by training and mentoring newly hired MEAL Managers and providing guidance and support with MEAL staffing structure, recruitment, annual budgeting, and strategic planning.
• Create and foster networks of knowledge sharing, and a MEAL community of practice, between Country Office MEAL staff, and in conjunction with existing global networks.
• Provide technical guidance, assistance and direct support for country MEAL systems including IM systems where needed;

Regional office-specific tasks

• Coordinate MEAL activities for regional projects, ensuring harmonisation in quality and reporting across countries.
• Monitor and support reporting against the Regional Results Framework and Plan.
• Be the regional focal point for monitoring and advising on the implementation of DRC’s commitments in accordance with the CHS.
• Participate in project Kick-off meetings, Review meetings and Close-out meetings to highlight cross-project components aimed at replicating good practices and strengthening synergies between projects or programmes.
• Regularly present key MEAL findings to the Senior Management Team for further development.
• Support DRC’s aim for further strengthened integrated programming and actively propose ways of achieving this using MEAL findings.
• Support strategic evaluations in the region (either in the regional or country offices)
• Support planned and on-going research, analysis, and evidence initiatives in line with the strategy 2025 and Grand Bargain commitments.

Experience and technical competencies:

• Minimum of 5 years of work experience within the field of MEAL
• Experience working with International NGO’s, UN agencies, line ministries and/or local authorities in displacement settings including complex emergencies.
• Experience of working with or providing support to partners and/or a partnership model of working.
• Demonstrable experience in the nurturing of organisational learning in programmes.
• Proven facilitation and training skills with diverse audiences of NGO practitioners.
• Proven understanding of the management of knowledge within NGOs or development organisations and an ability to link this to system development.
• Proven understanding of research methodologies and the nature of evidence for influencing key decision makers in the area.
• Experience in participatory assessment and community-based monitoring approaches.
• Clear understanding of Core Humanitarian Standards (CHS).
• Experience with capacity building of staff, and in convening and facilitating trainings and workshops.

Languages

• English (fluent)
• Arabic (preferred, but not essential)

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: (include certificates, licenses etc.)

  Master's degree in relevant field (development, social research preferably with a focus on monitoring and evaluation as well as compliance issues).

  We offer

Contract length: (24) Months

Start date: April 01st, 2024

Duty station: Amman with frequent travel in the region

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for Expatriates or Nationals. This position will be placed at Non-Management (F) band.

Application process

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

Closing date for applications: March 12th, 2024

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