MEAL Assistant

MEAL Assistant  

[Diyala - Baqubah]

In 2003, , DRC became one of the first organisations to provide humanitarian assistance in the country. Today, DRC continues to provide humanitarian assistance to the most vulnerable displacement-affected families, including IDPs, returnees, and host communities in Basra, Baqubah, Jalawla, Gatoon, Baghdad, Muqdadiya, Balad, Aziz Balad, Samarra, Mosul, Duhok, Tel Afar, Baa’j, Sinjar, and Erbil.

Find more about DRC operations in Iraq here: Iraq | DRC Danish Refugee Council

Danish Refugee Council, one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, is currently looking for a highly qualified [MEAL Assistant]

Overall purpose of the role:

The MEAL Assistant will support the implementation of monitoring, accountability, learning, and qualitative data collection activities across DRC programmes in South-Central Iraq. The role will contribute to routine monitoring, community feedback processes, field verification, and learning activities, while supporting the adoption of adaptive and systems-oriented approaches within programme implementation. 

Responsibilities: (in bullet points)

Monitoring, Data Collection, and Learning Support:

• Support routine monitoring activities and data collection processes across DRC programmes in South-Central Iraq.
• Contribute to quantitative and qualitative data collection activities including field monitoring visits, household surveys, market assessments, focus group discussions (FGDs), key informant interviews (KIIs), and observations.
• Support the preparation, review, and use of data collection tools aligned with MEAL indicators and project monitoring requirements.
• Assist in organizing and supporting training sessions for enumerators and programme staff involved in monitoring activities.
• Support documentation of field observations, community perspectives, lessons learned, and adaptive changes identified during implementation.
• Assist in identifying operational trends, contextual changes, and implementation challenges requiring follow-up or adaptive action.

Accountability:

• Support the functionality and responsiveness of community feedback and complaint mechanisms.
• Support awareness raising on DRC Community Feedback Mechanism (CFM) through meetings, presentations, and community engagement activities.
• Ensure feedback, complaints, and requests for information are properly registered and tracked within DRC systems in line with confidentiality and protection principles.
• Follow up with relevant departments on complaint referrals and support timely closure and documentation of cases.
• Contribute to accountability reporting, lessons learned, case studies, and success stories.
• Support safe and inclusive feedback mechanisms, ensuring accessibility for women, men, girls, boys, and vulnerable groups.

Reporting, Learning, and Adaptive Programming Support:

• Support timely compilation, cleaning, and sharing of monitoring data and field findings.
• Assist in preparing MEAL summaries, presentations, dashboards, and learning materials for internal review meetings and programme discussions.
• Contribute to documenting lessons learned, implementation challenges, and adaptive actions across programme activities.
• Support qualitative analysis and interpretation of community feedback and field observations.

Supporting Partnerships Activities (as relevant):

• Support communication and coordination with partner staff on routine MEAL activities and data sharing requirements.
• Assist in sharing MEAL tools, templates, and reporting guidance with partners as requested.

Data and Information Management:

• Conduct routine data quality checks and support verification of monitoring data.
• Support data entry, cleaning, organization, and basic analysis activities.
• Assist in maintaining organized monitoring records and databases.
• Support the use of digital data collection and information management tools.

Communication and Coordination:

• Support planning and coordination of field monitoring activities with programme, safety, and support teams.
• Collaborate closely with programme and MEAL colleagues to support monitoring, accountability, and learning activities.
• Assist in logistical and administrative arrangements related to enumerators and field data collection activities.

Other:

• Conduct duties in accordance with DRC Iraq program SOPs and Code of Conduct.
• Ensure compliance with DRC AGD policy and programmatic minimum standards.
• Ensure compliance with the zero-tolerance policy for Sexual Exploitation and Abuse.
• Perform any other duties as assigned by the Line Manager.

Experience and technical competencies: (include years of experience)

a) Essential

• Minimum of 1 year programming experience in humanitarian and development context with a specific focus on M&E.
• Competence using information technology including experience with word-processing, spreadsheets, and database software.
• Highly developed analytical and reporting skills. 
• Excellent communication skills (reading, writing, speaking).
• Ability to write reports and communication pieces in English.
• Excellent organizational skills, ability to determine priorities and attention to details.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills, sound judgment, planning and team building and facilitating skills.
• Ability to work in a multicultural context as a flexible and respectful team player.
• Willingness and capacity to work in the field and travel frequently to project sites when needed.

b) Desirable

• Experience of working with UN or Non-Governmental Organizations.
• Proven experience in developing and implementing M&E systems and tools for an INGOs.
• Experience in training and capacity-building of staff.
• Experience with behavioral surveys, research methodologies, qualitative and quantitative research methods, data analysis and sampling techniques.
• Understanding of gender, protection, and human rights.

Education: (include certificates, licenses etc.)

• Relevant university degree or similar education. Advanced degree will be an asset.

Languages: (indicate fluency level)

• English (good)
• Arabic (fluent)
• Other languages will be an asset

Key stakeholders: (internal and external)

• Area MEAL team
• Country MEAL team
• Base and area management
• Programme team
• Fleet team

Reporting to: Area Programme Manager
Technical supervision: MEAL Specialist

Direct reports: None

Technical reports: None

Unit/department: Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning

Location: Diyala Office with occasional travel to Anbar and Salah Al-Din governorates, as required.

Authorization level:  None

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’ 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: You uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to our values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

WE OFFER

• Contract Length: 4 Months
• Salary Band: I
• Start Date: 1-June-2026
• Comprehensive health insurance for staff, spouse, and up to two children under 18.
• Personal Accident insurance coverage in the event of work-related accidents during working hours.
• Psychosocial support for staff and family members.
• Learning & Development opportunities for professional growth.

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with the Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for National Staff. Please refer to drc.ngo under Vacancies.

Application process

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.

Closing date for applications: [20-May-2026]

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

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