MEAL Officer (Gusau, Zamfara State)

Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a Danish international non-governmental organisation, which promotes and supports durable solutions to the problems faced by refugees and internally displaced people all over the world. DRC is present in more than 30 conflict territories around the world assisting displaced people with shelter, food, income generating activities, and wide range of other assistance. It is of utmost importance for DRC to work in compliance with the DRC Accountability and Quality Management system and national legislations. Smooth, reliable, and effective operational systems are preconditions for DRC to maintain its position as a trustworthy and reliable partner for our donors and an accountable organisation towards our beneficiaries.  

DRC has been operating in the West Africa region for over 15 years, running a combination of emergency, livelihood, protection, and advocacy programmes through Country Offices (COs) Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria and a Regional Office (RO) in Abidjan. DRC has 17 offices and more than 500 staff members across the WA region.

DRC started operating in Nigeria in 2015 where plans to run a combination of emergency, livelihood, WASH, protection, and advocacy programmes has been set. DRC currently has offices in Abuja, Yola, Mubi, Maiduguri and planning to run an office in Yobe, besides 50 staff members subject to increase in near future.

Overall purpose of the role: This role has an area focus and ensures compliance to DRC procedures and guidelines within the area. The role contributes to the development of area strategies, which are translated into action plans and day-to-day tasks. The role provides support and/or technical guidance to base operations.

Duties and Responsibilities

Results Monitoring and programme quality support

• Support quality throughout Project Cycle Management, in line with DRC guidance and division of labour, accommodating external requirements and internal evidence needs. Specifically, support development and implementation of MEAL plans, indicator tracking tools and other relevant tools for the area of responsibility.
• Participate in and contribute to (as appropriate) project Kick-off meetings, Quarterly Review meetings and Close-out meetings in order to highlight cross-project components aimed at replicating good practices and strengthening synergies between projects or programmes.
• Support the implementation and data collection for results frameworks and monitoring processes and tools at the Area level.
• Support and carry our field level data collection and field monitoring.
• Apply ethical principles in the field work, including with regards to DRC Code of Conduct and in line with Protection referral protocols and SOPs.
• Implement protocols for data protection, storage, sharing, and security in the area of responsibility.
• Support the analysis and ensure reporting of MEAL qualitative and quantitative data collected in line with internal information needs and external reporting obligations.
• Support the Project Manager, programme teams and grants management in line with the MEAL plans.

Accountability

• Work closely with Accountability Officer and other MEAL Unit staff to support implementation of the different mechanisms for community engagement and feedback in monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning in the area of responsibility.
• Support the implementation of DRC’s Community Feedback Mechanism.
• Support in data analysis and producing CFM Reports.

Evaluation, analysis and learning

• Support data gathering as relevant.
• Support AO MEAL Team Leader regularly present the key MEAL findings from the regular data collections (.e.g monitoring, PDMs, CFM reports) and feedback to the AO team for further development.
• Participate in and assist in the internal or external evaluation processes as required.
• Support analysis, interpretation and communication of the MEAL findings externally, in the area of responsibility.

Logistics / Finance:

• Support the AO MEAL Team Leader to monitor financial commitments and expenditures against budgets and provide timely feedback on budget follow-ups.
• Support in initiating procurements and ensure their execution.
• Contribute to grants management of all MEAL projects through management of day-to-day project expenditures with Line manager and AO MEAL Team Leader.
• The responsibilities listed in the JD are not exhaustive and may be readjusted according to operational needs but will remain in line with the overall purpose of the role.

Experience and technical competencies: (include years of experience)

Essential:

• Minimum of 2 years of previous experience with implementing monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning and AAP of humanitarian programs.
•  Understanding of and ability to work with data collection software, preferably Kobo Toolkbox, Commcare, ODK, and other as relevant. ·
• Basic knowledge of data analysis practices and tools and perform data quality control.
•  Ability to engage with partners and/or a partnership model of working, when relevant.
• Basic understanding of Core Humanitarian Standards (CHS) and ability to apply accountability and ethical standards in everyday work
• Solid background on computer skills and competency in MS Word, MS PowerPoint, Excel, and SPSS as a minimum.
• Good verbal and written communication skills. ·
• Fluency in local language or the language of communities

Desirable:

• The position may require frequent travel to project sites in remote and sometimes challenging environments.
• The role may involve working outside of regular office hours to meet deadlines or during emergency responses.
• Excellent facilitation skills and a strong understanding of how to collect feedback safely and accurately from all members of a community regardless of their age, gender, or other diversity factors.

Experience working in emergency response with INGOs, preferably in a humanitarian context.

Education: (include certificates, licenses etc.)

•  A bachelor’s degree in relevant field (international development, social sciences, statistics, public health, etc.) + at least 2 years of relevant experience
• Excellent communication, presentation, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills.

Languages: (indicate fluency level)

• Fluency in written and spoken English. Fluency in local spoken languages.
• Fluency in Hausa or Fulani is a requirement

All DRC roles require the post-holder to master DRC’s core competencies:

• Striving for excellence: Focusing on reaching results while ensuring efficient processes.
• Collaborating: Involving relevant parties and encouraging feedback.
• Taking the lead: Taking ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.
• Communicating listening and speaking effectively and honestly.
• Demonstrating integrity: Acting in line with DRC’s vision and values

Deadline: Applications close on the 28th of January 2024 at midnight (GMT time).

Note: Applications will be reviewed on rolling bases due to the urgency, therefore a candidate who closely meets the requirements may be selected before the above deadline.

• Only short-listed applicants will be invited for written tests and oral interviews.
• For general information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult: www.drc.dk