Overview
The MEAL/IM Specialist is responsible for capacity strengthening and monitoring of local partners' MEAL and IM activities under the "Localized RRM project" in the NW region of Cameroon. The role ensures effective implementation of monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning, as well as information management for partner activities, and contributes to the DRC CMR overall strategy.
Tasks Summary
- Ensure MEAL plans are in place, outlining activities, methodologies, timelines, responsibilities, and budgets.
- Coordinate with partners for timely updates of Indicator Trackers and participate in project review meetings.
- Ensure data quality checks are carried out regularly and support periodic donor report preparation.
- Review data collection tools and methods for output and result-level measurements.
- Lead the development of outcome and impact-level measurements.
- Assist program teams in conducting trend analysis.
- Ensure feedback received through FCRM is acted upon and adjustments are made.
- Ensure all MEAL deliverables are accomplished by project closure and datasets are centralized, digitized, and archived.
- Ensure project evaluation is carried out according to donor requirements and DRC policy.
- Facilitate end-of-project learning events.
- Verify the scope of needs assessments and provide quality assurance for the process and tools.
- Develop methodologies for needs assessments in cooperation with the DRC team and/or partners.
- Oversee primary data collection and the quality of final reports for needs assessments.
- Contribute to the development of the Theory of Change (ToC), identify relevant indicators, and draft MEAL technical activity designs, narratives, and budgets.
- Review logframes, budgets, and narrative proposals for quality, consistency, and realism.
- Design tools and methods for data collection and train project teams.
- Analyze data to identify trends and patterns, and interpret multiple datasets.
- Develop and maintain databases and spreadsheets to store data.
- Perform quality assurance checks to ensure data accuracy and completeness.
- Generate reports, dashboards, and infographics to share data.
- Ensure the security of collected, stored, and shared information.
- Provide technical guidance and support.
- Manage user access to data collection tools and platforms.
- Identify technical gaps and implement solutions.
- Monitor the humanitarian situation and report alerts.
- Draft alert sheets in the event of population displacement.
- Ensure and support regular reporting on monitoring and alert activities.
- Participate in the identification of new intervention areas.
- Participate in the preparation and implementation of assessments.
- Regularly monitor activity indicators, program/project results, and contextual monitoring.
- Organize and supervise the collection and reporting of information relating to population movements.
- Consolidate/update RRM, monitoring, and alert tools.
- Ensure mastery of data collection and reporting tools.
- Support DRC project and partner teams.
- Strengthen the capacity of focal point relays within the framework of RRM interventions.
- Ensure partner capacities are assessed and MEAL expectations are factored into projects.
- Lead the assessment of partners' capacities and ensure the development of training plans.
- Organize capacity building and training with support from technical staff.
- Support partners with tools and systems required for them to comply with donor and DRC MEAL technical requirements/standards.
- Carry out regular monitoring and quality checks to ensure partners are adopting required standards.
- Support partners in adapting and applying the Core Humanitarian Standards.
- Ensure partners complete all MEAL requirements for projects before closure.
- Ensure partners communicate to communities about project end and partnership transition.
Experience Requirements
- Minimum 5 years of relevant work experience in monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning of humanitarian and development programmes.
- Experience working with International NGO’s, UN agencies, line ministries and/or local authorities in migrants/refugee settings and/or emergencies.
- Proven experience in effectively working with a variety of donors’ requirements including ECHO, SIDA, EU, DFAT, GIZ, OFDA and UN agencies (as required).
- Strong understanding of monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning principles and processes, including database management, reporting etc.
- 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.
- Advanced skills in design, implementation and quality assurance throughout data collection process and specifically software, such as Kobo Toolbox, ODK, ComCare and others as relevant.
- Very good skills in analysis frameworks, with data analysis for quantitative and qualitative data and communicating evidence.
- Experience of working with or providing support to partners and/or a partnership model of working, when relevant.
- Good skills in supporting organisational learning in programmes.
- Proven facilitation and training skills with diverse audiences of NGO practitioners.
- Demonstrated ability to work and deliver under pressure, within budget and time constraints and to manage team priorities.
- Excellent skill in MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint and Office365.
- Ability to inspire and apply critical thinking in everyday work; promote and contribute with constructive critique.
- Demonstrated experience and motivation to learn on the job and advance in the role.
- Very good verbal and written communication skills, ability to adjust communication to various stakeholders and audiences.
- Knowledge of ArcGIS/QGIS, NVivo (or other qualitative analysis software) is desirable.
- Experience of working in insecure environments and of security management; when relevant is desirable.
- Experience in developing/ guiding information management systems for large humanitarian programs, as relevant is desirable.
- Familiarity with the relevant data collection software, preferably Kobo Toolbox, Activity info, Commcare, ODK, DEEP, Nvivo is desirable.
- Experience in statistical software, SPSS, R and visualisation tools such as PowerBi is desirable.
- Certification in Advance MEAL programme/course is desirable.
Qualification Requirements
- A Bachelor’s degree in relevant field (international development, social sciences, statistics, public health, etc.) + at least 4 years of relevant experience or
- A Master’s degree in relevant field
