Overview
The MEAL Specialist will play a leading role in developing, implementing, and managing the MEAL Strategy and workplan, contributing to DRC’s accountability commitments, learning needs, and priorities. The role supports the mainstreaming of MEAL throughout the project cycle and provides technical support to MEAL staff.
Key Responsibilities
- Apply and adapt DRC’s Global MEAL Model to local circumstances.
- Identify gaps and required amendments to standard processes and MEAL systems.
- Plan for human resources, financial resources, and time needed for MEAL activities.
- Apply DRC guidance for GDPR and data protection.
- Identify, adapt, and apply accountability and ethical frameworks.
- Contribute to capacity building and provide technical support for staff.
- Support the adaptation of MEAL systems to partnership modalities.
- Contribute to the development of joint MEAL plans with national partners.
- Lead in the development of M&E tools and guidelines for data collection.
- Engage in and support quality throughout the project cycle.
- Promote participatory and community-based monitoring approaches.
- Ensure development and adequate maintenance of MEAL plans and indicator tracking tools.
- Support Technical Coordinators and Grants personnel in designing Logical Frameworks and MEAL activities.
- Design, refine, and deploy data collection instruments.
- Maintain and support processes and protocols for data protection, storage, sharing, and security.
- Participate in Grant Opening, Review, and Close-out meetings.
- Develop appropriate data collection instruments and monitoring systems.
- Conduct analysis of MEAL qualitative and quantitative data and produce reports.
- Support in the roll out of CHS assessments.
- Contribute to the management of DRC’s Community Feedback Mechanism (CFM).
- Build the capacity of staff to plan and implement effective accountability systems.
- Ensure actions are followed up to close the feedback loop.
- Support the MEAL Manager during CHS certification/self-assessment processes.
- Contribute to analysis and evaluations for data-driven evidence and use.
- Plan for and perform quantitative and qualitative data processing, analysis and visualisation.
- Support utilisation of results for better planning and decision making.
- Translate MEAL findings into organisational learning.
- Regularly present key MEAL findings and feedback to programme teams and Senior Management.
- Facilitate joint reflection and learning sessions with programme teams and national partners.
- Document and disseminate localisation-related lessons learned.
Required Experience
Minimum 4 years of relevant work experience in monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning of humanitarian and development programmes. Experience working with International/National NGOs, UN agencies in humanitarian settings. Experience working with or strengthening MEAL systems of national partners or local civil society organizations. Demonstrated understanding of localisation principles and equitable partnership approaches in humanitarian contexts. Strong knowledge and familiarity with Theories of Change and Logical Frameworks. Advanced understanding of MEAL principles and processes. Demonstrated experience designing and implementing MEAL Plans and data collection tools. Proven experience in effectively working with a variety of donor requirements. Advanced skills in design, implementation, and quality assurance throughout data collection. Demonstrated experience in producing analytical information products from primary and secondary data sources. Understanding of mix-methods approach, research methodologies, and the nature and use of evidence. Familiarity with CFM. Strong understanding of CHS. Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Advanced skills in Excel, MS Word, PowerPoint, and Office365.
Qualifications
A Bachelor’s degree in relevant field (international development, social sciences, research, statistics, etc.) + at least 4 years of relevant experience.
