MEAL Team Leader

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

Responsibilities: (in bullet points)

1. Monitoring and Evaluation:

• Develop and oversee the implementation of the MEAL plan for all area office programs and projects, ensuring alignment with organizational and donor requirements in coordination with CO MEAL team.
• Implementation and management of data collection tools and methodologies, including surveys, focus groups, and participatory methods at Area level.
• Ensure regular monitoring of project activities and outputs through structured tools.
• Analyze and report on project performance indicators, ensuring quality and timely reporting to stakeholders.
• Support and coordinate baseline, midline, and endline surveys and evaluations at the area level.

2. Accountability:

• Establish and maintain accountability systems at the Area office, including community feedback and complaint mechanisms in coordination with Accountability Specialist.
• Ensure that feedback is systematically collected, analyzed, and acted upon, in coordination with relevant teams.
• Raise awareness among staff and communities on the organization's accountability commitments and systems.
• Follow up and ensure the report on accountability-related activities and feedback resolution processes is conducted on a monthly basis.

3. Learning and Knowledge Management:

• Facilitate learning events and sessions at Area level to share project findings, lessons learned, and best practices with teams and stakeholders in coordination with Evidence and Learning Specialist.
• Support teams in adapting programs based on MEAL findings and recommendations.
• Maintain a repository of project learnings and ensure their dissemination within Area level.

4. Data Management:

• Conduct regular data quality assessments to identify and address any gaps or inconsistencies.
• Coordinate with Information Management Specialist and oversee the use of data collection platforms and tools, ensuring staff are adequately trained at Area level.
• Ensure the program dashboard is updated on a monthly basis.

5. Capacity Building:

• Train and mentor area-level MEAL staff, local partners, and other stakeholders on MEAL tools, processes, and principles.
• Conduct regular performance reviews and provide guidance for MEAL team members to ensure professional growth and efficiency.
• Support program staff in understanding and implementing MEAL frameworks and methodologies.

6. Coordination and Representation:

• Represent the MEAL function in area-level coordination meetings, ensuring MEAL perspectives are integrated into planning and decision-making.
• Work closely with program teams, partners, and other stakeholders to align MEAL activities at Area program level.

Experience and technical competencies: (include years of experience)

• Minimum 3-4 years of relevant work experience in monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning of humanitarian and development programmes.
• Experience working with International NGO’s, UN agencies, and/or local authorities in migrants/refugee settings and/or in emergencies
• Strong analytical skills and an understanding of a range of methods for monitoring, evaluation and assessment to promote evidence-based learning.  Demonstrated ability and understanding to design, commission, and manage assessment methodologies and techniques such as focus group discussions, key informant interviews, observations to name a few.
• Good verbal and written communication skills. Ability to analyses data and summarize it for a range of different audiences.
• Ability to build support from staff across teams and across members, and to build the capacity of others.
• Proven ability to coordinate effective resource allocation to ensure quality programmes.
• Sound strategic thinking and planning skills, including ability to think creatively and innovate and to set priorities and evaluate progress.
• Experience of working within budget constraints.
• Commitment to DRC mission, values and approach.
• Commitment to teamwork and understanding of how to contribute.

Education: (include certificates, licenses etc.)

• A Bachelor’s degree in relevant field (international development,
• social sciences, statistics, public health, etc.) + at least 3-4 years of relevant experience
• A Master’s degree in relevant field + at least 3-4 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