MEAL Specialist

DRC has been responding to various humanitarian crises in Lebanon since 2004, working with Palestinian, Iraqi and Syrian refugees. DRC received registration from the Ministry of Interior in 2011, and since then has focused primarily on responding to the Syrian refugee crisis in Lebanon and the resulting impact on Lebanese host community. DRC Lebanon’s focus is to ensure that we are able to respond to critical emerging humanitarian needs whilst improve the living conditions of displacement-affected populations and contribute to the achievement of durable solutions.   With an annual portfolio of $12million, and with approximately 200+ staff, DRC is focusing its response in protection and economic recovery (Ec-Rec) sector in Bekka, North Lebanon and Beirut. DRC is also contributing to the evidence base and coordination structures in country through our Evidence Generation and referral information management (RIMs) teams.

About the job

• Support the development and management of the MEAL strategy and workplan; and contribute to DRC strategy, DRC accountability commitments and learning needs and priorities in the area of responsibility.
• Ensure effective implementation of the monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning strategies and global standards; support mainstreaming MEAL throughout the PCM and reinforce quality programme management in the area of responsibility.

Your main duties and responsibilities will be:

Responsibilities:

CO MEAL capacities and commitments

Develop and continuously update the MEAL strategy and a strategic implementation plan for the DRC Lebanon office.  

Apply DRC guidance for MEAL and division of labour as per MEAL workstream RASCI, particularly vis-à-vis programme staff, and foster collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders within the area of responsibility.

Apply and adapt DRC MEAL model and the relevant Building Blocks and guidance to the local circumstances and corresponding projects and programmes, in the area of responsibility.

Identify and plan for the human resources, financial resources, and time needed to carry out MEAL activities in the area of responsibility in line with DRC guidance.

Apply DRC guidance with regards to GDPR and data protection in the area of responsibility, specifically for MEAL related data. Liaise with relevant internal counterparts responsible for data protection.

Coordinate and support capacity building, training and support for programme and sectors and field staff to improve the field monitoring or any other MEAL needs.

Identify, adapt and apply accountability and ethical frameworks and principles, including CHS, in line with DRC guidance in the area of responsibility.

Results Monitoring and programme quality support.

• Engage in and support quality throughout Project Cycle Management, in line with DRC guidance and division of labour, accommodating external requirements and internal evidence needs, including the Global Results reporting. Specifically, support development and adequate maintenance 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.
• Establish and roll-out results frameworks and monitoring processes and tools at the right level (Global, RO, CO, field and project levels).
• Develop appropriate monitoring, tracking, and reporting systems, tools and templates that enhance monitoring of program outputs and quality, Value for Money, generate quality evidence on program outcome and promote and ensure use of data for decision-making processes.
• Design, refine and deploy data collection which combine quantitative and qualitative methods and tools in the area of responsibility.
• Maintain processes and protocols for data protection, storage, sharing, and security in the area of responsibility.
• Coordinate and oversee the analysis and reporting of MEAL qualitative and quantitative data collected in line with internal information needs and external reporting obligations.
• Mainstream MEAL and support the Project Manager, programme teams and grants management personnel in developing Logframe, MEAL plans, MEAL activities and in project development processes and through capacity building.

Accountability

• Review and implement 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.
• Build the capacity of staff to plan and implement effective accountability systems for the country programme.
• Ensure actions are followed up to close the feedback loop and ensure all complaints are processed in a timely, safe and accountable manner.
• When relevant, liaise with HQ, coordinate with CO management and support COs team during CHS certification, CHS self-assessment processes.

Evaluation, analysis and learning

• Contribute (as appropriate) to analysis, evaluation, and research for data-driven evidence and use in the area of responsibility.
• Support utilisation of results for better planning and decision making; and share knowledge and learning for improved programming within DRC and beyond, within the area of responsibility.
• Translate MEAL findings into organisational learning; plan and implement learning events and design appropriate learning products.
• Regularly present the key MEAL findings and feedback to the supervisors, and when relevant to the Senior Management Team.
• Implement evaluations in compliance with DRC evaluation policy, from development of ToRs, to advising management on approval of final report.
• Perform analysis, interpretation and communication of the MEAL findings externally, in the area of responsibility.
• Plan for and perform quantitative and qualitative data processing, analysis and visualisation adequate for specific audiences and purposes.
• Perform other duties as directed by the Head of Programmes.

About you

Experience and technical competencies:  

1. Essential

• Minimum 3 years of relevant work experience in monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning of humanitarian and development programmes.
• A Master’s degree in relevant field (international development, social sciences, statistics, public health, etc.)
• Experience working with International NGO’s, UN agencies, line ministries and/or local authorities in migrants/refugee settings.
• Proven experience in effectively working with a variety of donors’ requirements including ECHO, EU, ECHO, GIZ, USG and UN agencies, etc.
• Strong understanding of monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning principles and processes, including database management, reporting etc.
• Demonstrated experience with DRC Core Sectors, especially Protection and Economic Recovery.
• Proven understanding of mix-methods approach, research methodologies and the nature and use of evidence, including participatory methodologies.
• Very good understanding of Core Humanitarian Standards (CHS) and ability to apply accountability and ethical standards in everyday work.
• Advanced skills in design, implementation and quality assurance throughout data collection, such as Kobo Toolbox, ODK, CommCare and others.
• Very good skills in analysis frameworks, with data analysis for quantitative and qualitative data and communicating evidence.
• Experience of working with or providing support to partners and/or a partnership model of working, when relevant.
• Very good understanding of Project Cycle Management,
• Extensive experience in Program design, especially in the entire Logical Framework Approach, with special emphasis on context analysis, needs assessments, problem tree analysis, ToC development, Logframes and MEAL plans.
• Good skills in supporting organisational learning in programmes.
• Proven facilitation and training skills with diverse audiences of NGO practitioners.
• Competencies to work and deliver under pressure, within time constraints and to manage job priorities.
• Excellent skill in MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint and Office365.
• Ability to inspire and apply critical thinking in everyday work; promote and contribute with constructive critique.
• Demonstrated experience and motivation to learn on the job and advance in the role.
• Good verbal and written communication skills, ability to adjust communication to various stakeholders and audiences.
• Full professional proficiency in English

b) Desirable

• Knowledge of ArcGIS/QGIS, NVivo (or other qualitative analysis software)
• Fluency in local language or the language of communities (please specify)
• Experience of working in insecure environments and of security management; when relevant.
• Experience in developing/ guiding information management systems for large humanitarian programs, as relevant.
• Familiarity with the relevant data collection software, including quantitative and qualitative, preferably Kobo Toolbox, Activity info, Commcare, ODK, DEEP, nvivo.
• Experience in statistical software, SPSS, R and visualisation tools such as PowerBi.
• Certification in Advance MEAL programme/course

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: until 30th of June 2024
• Band: G-2
• Designation of Duty Station: Beirut Lebanon
• Start date: November 2023

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for Nationals. For questions regarding the vacancy please contact [email protected]