Monitoring Evaluation Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Officer -Somali  

Background:

The International Rescue Committee, one of the world’s largest humanitarian international NGOs, provides relief, rehabilitation and development support to vulnerable people and communities over 30 countries. We began work in Ethiopia in 2000 in response to severe drought in Ethiopia’s Somali region and are currently providing assistance to Ethiopians and refugees in six regions in Ethiopia, implementing emergency and development programs in health, water and sanitation, economic recovery, and development (ERD), women’s protection and empowerment, education, child protection, and multi-sectoral emergency response.

Reporting to and technically supported by the MEAL Manager and field project manager, the MEAL Officer works in close collaboration with program teams to optimize monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning capacities and opportunities of the IRC mission in Melkedida to ensure high-quality programming for the clients we serve and support the global ambitions of IRC Strategy 100, and the Country Strategic Action Plan.  The MEAL Officer oversees, leads, and implements 70% of PlayMatters Project and 30% of field office MEAL activities within the Country MEAL team and PlayMatter MEAL Manager.

Responsibilities:

Leadership and Partnership

• Support all technical aspects and actions of MEAL regarding the Melkedida Field Officer (PlayMatters Project and Others); respond to program needs; foster high standards and practices for quality data collection, analysis, and reports. Enable accountability to clients, partners, and donors.
• Implement and support MEAL system and approaches in your areas of expertise and foster learning.
• Represent IRC at technical meetings, forums, and other events & build partnerships within IRC and area of expertise.
• Champion access and use of data for shared learning, sound decision-making, and data-informed programmatic adaptations.

Technical Oversight

• Run the MEAL system and processes for Melkedida field officer (PlayMatters project and others) in harmony with the MEAL Country and Global Strategies throughout the project cycle which include:

-Collaborate with MEAL and non-MEAL staff to ensure that data is collected, compiled, checked for its quality and completeness in compliance with IRC and donors’ standards for data quality.

–  Document and share learning, evidence, and data from previous projects to inform project proposal design.

– Implement MEAL plans, revise (digital) data collection tools (using CommCare), follow-up on processes for online data management, quality checks, and audits, and updating of data visualization.

– Undertake regular analysis of monitoring data and work closely with program officers and managers to facilitate decision-making for real-time program adaptation.

–  Produce quality reports and updating dashboards with key findings that foster learning and decision-making and share in project cycle management meetings and team meetings.

–  Identify, document, and share client feedback to improve services and results for our clients.

• Support deployment of surveys such as baseline, midline and end line, and the commission of evaluations in coordination with colleagues and partners.
• Support the use of standard mobile data technology (CommCare and KoboCollect) and online dashboard to enhance timeliness and quality of data collection, analysis and visualization.
• Join and contribute to IRC’s effort in meeting its internal and external accountability commitments through the implementation of sound accountability, client feedback, and response mechanisms.

Human Resources 

• Coordinate, lead, mentor MEAL Assistant(s); foster timely and high-quality achievement, and an inclusive and respectful team climate.
• Promote the growth and development of others in IRC teams and partners: present high-quality technical training and learning material for partners, colleagues, and junior staff.
• Participate in the recruitment and onboarding of M&E/MEAL Assistant, field incentive workers and enumerators.

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports directly to or in Management in Partnership to: Country MEAL Manager.

Position directly supervises: Assistants and/or enumerators.

Other Internal and/or external contacts:

Internal: Program Manager and Officers, Database Officer, ICT Officer, Partnerships Manager, HR, Field Coordinator.

External: Beneficiaries, program partner organisations, local and national government.

•  A technical degree or equivalent – additional relevant work experience may substitute for education.

• A minimum 3 year of working experience in a related field.
• Possess basic technical knowledge of M&E approaches and techniques in some or all of the following areas: Outputs, Outcome monitoring; Theories of Change, Logical frameworks, Data collection, Basic data analysis, Accountability, Client feedback mechanisms.
• Experience in conducting primary quantitative data collection and data entry.
• Basic proficiency and experience with mobile data collection such as Kobo, CommCare, ODK Collect is required, knowledge of Tableau, PowerBi, or GIS software tools are additional assets.
• Good computer skills in MS Office, especially Excel; and Word – with experience in writing reports.
• Self-motivated and pro-active attitude with good organization, planning, and analytic skills, including prioritizing work, multi-tasking, and attention to detail.
• Flexibility and ability to work under pressure and in constantly evolving work environments.
• Demonstrated analytical, systematic-thinking, and problem-solving skills are definite assets.
• A strong understanding of accountability and proven ability to build Client Feedback Systems

•  Strong oral and written communications in local language and English is required.

• Willingness to travel to various Sub field-level offices [40%]