MEAL Manager Danish Refugee Council

Job title: Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Manager
Reporting to: Head of Programme
Location: Arua

Overall purpose of the role:
The Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Manager contributes to overall program quality through the coordination, and implementation of enhanced monitoring and evaluation, accountability, and learning strategies; the emphasis is on streamlining processes and tools for efficiency, effectiveness, and sustainability throughout the project cycle of DRC’s various sectors and grants across the project locations in Uganda.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Accountability and Monitoring Systems
• Develop and/or update M&E tools, databases and reporting formats in close collaboration with the Sector Leads and Area manager.
• Conduct data audits and analysis to ensure high quality data, compile a report with relevant indicator data per grant, showing targets versus actuals and an action plan and send this to the Sector leads quarterly.
• Beneficiary counting: a quarterly gender and age disaggregated overview per grant per sector should be provided.
• Advise field staff on data management and storage in collaboration with IT.
• Manage an effective and sustainable feedback mechanisms to DRC from program beneficiaries/stakeholders.
• Contribute to the rollout and adherence to the Core Humanitarian Standards as a strategy to global standard measurement and accountability, and enable reporting against DRC standards and requirements.

Assessment, Learning, and Documentation
• Ensure relevant, timely, and quality support to the field offices on assessments and evaluations; i.e. support in developing the survey tools, data analysis and report writing.
• Attend and participate in Accountability and Learning events and provide/present project monitoring and learning updates, achievements, challenges.
• Provide documentation and dissemination of key findings stemming from monitoring, assessment, and other learning activities.
• Track and ensure organized, comprehensive electronic filing of documented findings/analyses.
• When appropriate/applicable, facilitate and participate in information sharing opportunities among DRC offices/partners/donors.

Staff Management and Capacity Building
• Provide effective leadership, management and support to the MEAL staff.
• Support programme managers to ensure that DRC interventions are properly planned, scheduled, coordinated and supervised. Support the Program Managers to lead teams and create a positive working environment.
• Support HR in the recruitment of MEAL staff and undertake performance development and appraisal for the MEAL staff.
• Develop MEAL budget and ensure proper management of the MEAL budget through consistent tracking of expenditures.
• Facilitate capacity building for other DRC staff (especially the MEAL and program team) on skills and knowledge related to M&E, accountability and learning. Relevant topics may include but not limited to, designing monitoring tools, monitoring budgets, analyzing monitoring data, conducting assessment/ evaluation, and implementing feedback mechanisms.
• Conduct visits to intervention areas to provide training, technical assistance, and support, as well as to ensure that accountability and learning tools and strategies are understood and being implemented effectively.
• Support program department heads in proposal development, in review of monthly, quarter and terminal internal and donor reports against the standards, indicators and work plans and; in review of different agreements as per the guide lines and policies.
• Provide MEAL-related technical assistance and advice to RIF investees on refugee impact, such as support developing impact management and monitoring systems.

Collaboration, Teamwork and Networking
• Work collaboratively and supportively with colleagues and partners to deliver on outcomes.
• Work closely with colleagues across the organisation to progress common agendas linked to programme quality and MEAL.
• Support organisational learning and accountability.
• Engage in organisational initiatives which promote collaboration and positive working practices, e.g. Global MEAL Networking Group, programme team meetings etc.

Experience and technical competencies:
• A minimum of seven (7) years’ experience in relevant position.
• International NGO experience in similar role/with similar responsibilities is preferable.
• Demonstrated understanding of direct monitoring and evaluation experience, specifically in the humanitarian and development context.
• Demonstrated experience developing tools and systems for and building capacity of others in skills related to program tracking and documentation.
• Knowledge of monitoring and evaluation methodologies, including logical models, conceptual frameworks, and assessment/evaluation.
• Demonstrated experience of implementing beneficiary complaint and feedback mechanisms.
• High proficiency in Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel.
• Preferred knowledge of mobile data collection tools such as Kobo Collect and/or ODK.
• Familiarity with information management systems and analysis software is a plus.
• Effective, high-quality communication, writing, and interpersonal skills are essential.
• Ability to work under pressure, long work hours, and high workload.
• Ability to independently organize work and prioritize tasks.
• Self-motivated, honest, highly responsible, and punctual.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.