Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability & Learning (MEAL) Officer

Job title: Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability & Learning (MEAL) Officer

Reporting to: MEAL Manager

Employment Band: H

Management or Non-Management: Non-Management

Direct reports: N/A

Unit/department: MEAL department

Location: Juba with travel within DRC area of operation

Authorization level: N/A

Overall purpose of the role:

Under the direct supervision of the MEAL Manager, the MEAL Officer supports the implementation of monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (MEAL) activities across DRC programmes in South Sudan. The role contributes to the implementation of MEAL plans, monitoring activities, assessments, evaluations, data quality assurance and reporting, while promoting the consistent application of DRC MEAL standards and tools throughout the Project Cycle Management (PCM).

The MEAL Officer works closely with the MEAL Specialist, programme teams and Area Office MEAL staff to strengthen programme quality, support evidence-based decision-making and ensure timely, accurate and reliable monitoring data. The role is based in the Country Office and may be deployed to DRC operational areas to support MEAL activities as required by the MEAL Manager.

Responsibilities:

CO MEAL Capacities and Commitments

• Support the implementation of DRC MEAL guidance, tools and standards in line with the country MEAL framework and MEAL workstream RASCI.
• Promote the consistent application of DRC MEAL models, guidance and minimum standards across projects and operational areas.
• Apply DRC guidance on data protection, ethical data collection and secure handling of MEAL-related data.
• Build the capacity of programme, sector and field teams on MEAL tools, monitoring processes and data quality requirements.
• Apply accountability and ethical principles, including the Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS) and DRC Code of Conduct, during all MEAL activities.
• Support Country Office MEAL activities and deploy to DRC operational areas, when requested by the MEAL Manager, to support assessments, monitoring, evaluations, verification exercises, surge responses and other MEAL activities.

Results Monitoring and Programme Quality Support

• Support the implementation of MEAL activities throughout the Project Cycle Management (PCM), including MEAL plans, monitoring frameworks and indicator tracking systems.
• Support the MEAL Specialist in implementing assessments, baseline, endline, post-distribution monitoring (PDM), evaluations and other MEAL activities.
• Support updating the beneficiary database in the AIPTT system.
• Plan and conduct field monitoring visits, verification exercises, routine data collection and data quality checks in coordination with programme teams and Area MEAL staff.
• Support post-registration verification exercises following beneficiary registration and deduplication processes.
• Ensure approved MEAL tools and methodologies are consistently applied during monitoring and data collection activities and provide feedback for continuous improvement.
• Support the pilot testing and rollout of newly developed MEAL tools and data collection systems.
• Ensure ethical standards, safeguarding principles and protection referral protocols are applied during all MEAL activities.
• Support data protection, storage, sharing and information security procedures in line with DRC policies.
• Support data cleaning, analysis and reporting of qualitative and quantitative MEAL data for internal learning and donor reporting.
• Support programme teams in implementing approved MEAL plans and collecting timely, accurate and complete monitoring data.

Accountability

• Support the implementation of community engagement and feedback mechanisms in coordination with the Accountability Officer and relevant MEAL colleagues.
• Support DRC's Community Feedback Mechanism during monitoring activities, field visits and distributions where required.
• Refer feedback and complaints received during MEAL activities through approved accountability channels in accordance with DRC procedures.
• Support accountability awareness and safe information sharing with communities during MEAL activities.

Support Evaluation, Analysis and Learning

• Support data collection for assessments, surveys, evaluations, PDMs and other MEAL exercises.
• Support data analysis, interpretation and documentation of MEAL findings, lessons learned and recommendations.
• Present key MEAL findings to supervisors and relevant programme teams to support evidence-based decision-making and programme improvement.
• Participate in internal and external evaluation processes as required.
• Support the preparation of MEAL reports, presentations, factsheets and learning products.
• Perform any other duties assigned by the MEAL Manager.

Experience and technical competencies: 

Essential

• Bachelor's degree in Monitoring & Evaluation, Statistics, Social Sciences, Public Health, International Development or another relevant field.
• Minimum 2–3 years of relevant experience in Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL), preferably within humanitarian or development programmes.
• Experience working with INGOs, NGOs or humanitarian organizations.
• Experience supporting monitoring activities, assessments, evaluations, surveys and data quality assurance.
• Good understanding of qualitative and quantitative data collection methodologies and participatory approaches.
• Experience using digital data collection platforms such as Kobo Toolbox, ODK or CommCare.
• Good knowledge of data management, data quality assurance and basic data analysis.
• Good understanding of accountability principles and the Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS).
• Experience facilitating training and providing technical support to programme teams.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Office 365.
• Strong analytical, organizational and communication skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Professional working proficiency in English.

Desirable

• Previous experience working in South Sudan and emergency or displacement contexts.
• Experience supporting DRC core sectors, particularly Protection and Economic Recovery.
• Familiarity with information management systems and data visualization tools (e.g., Power BI, ArcGIS).
• Certification or formal training in MEAL, data management or humanitarian programming.
• Knowledge of local languages is an asset.

Education: (include certificates, licenses etc.)

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., Monitoring and Evaluation, Statistics, Social Sciences, Public Health, International Development or a related discipline), with at least two (2) years of relevant professional experience in Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) or humanitarian/development programming.

Find the definition of DRC’s Core competencies here

Basic: I master the essentials, but may at times need help from others

¨Advanced: I can work independently at full professional level.

¨Expert: I am the go-to person when others need help.

Languages: (indicate fluency level)

• English (Advanced)

Key stakeholders: (internal and external):  

Internal

• MEAL MEAL Manager
• MEAL Specialist
• Area MEAL Officers and MEAL Assistants
• Programme and Project Teams
• Technical Coordinators
• Area Managers and Area Management Teams
• IM & Accountability Specialist and Accountability Officer
• Grants and Partnerships Teams
• Support Services (Finance, HR, Logistics and IT)

External

• Local partners and implementing partners
• Humanitarian clusters and technical working groups
• Community representatives and people of concern
• Third-party monitors, evaluators and consultants