Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, Learning (MEAL) Team Leader.

Founded in 1956, The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a humanitarian, non-governmental, non-profit organization providing direct assistance to conflict-affected populations – refugees, internally displaced people (IDPs) and host communities – in more than 40 countries around the world. DRC has been implementing emergency response projects in Tanzania since the onset of the Burundi refugee crisis in 2015 in three refugee camps in the Kigoma Region at the border with Burundi. DRC’s integrated projects for refugees, asylum seekers and host communities comprise sectors such as Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM), Protection (CBP, PSN, GBV, CP and Legal), Shelter and infrastructure, and Economic Recovery.

Overall purpose of the role:

This post holder will lead the development and management of the MEAL strategy and workplan; and contribute to DRC strategy, DRC accountability commitments and learning needs and priorities. Managing a small MEAL team they will work with programme and project managers to 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.

Main Responsibilities:

People Management

• Day to day management of the MEAL team staff (assistants and officers) including recruitment, induction, performance and improvement management
• Oversea and manage recruitment and management of pool of enumerators (casual workers) to support data collection
• Support the Information Management colleagues with technical tasks such as data visualization, snapshot, and other reports.
• Ensure the collaboration and complementary between the MEAL team and the Information Management and Program colleagues.

AO MEAL capacities and commitments

• Identify and plan for the human resources, financial resources (budgets), needed to carry out MEAL activities in the area of responsibility
• 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.
• Lead on capacity building, training and support for program and sectors and field staff to improve the field monitoring or any other MEAL needs.

Results Monitoring and program quality support

• Engage in and support quality throughout Project Cycle Management, in line with DRC guidance and division of labor, accommodating external requirements, including the development of adequate MEAL plans, tools and processes relevant 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 programs.
• Lead and contribute (as appropriate) to collect, monitor and analyses data to improve results, relevance and program quality in the area of responsibility.
• Ensure the development of appropriate monitoring, tracking and reporting systems, tools and templates that enhance monitoring of program outputs and quality, generate quality evidence on program outcome and promote and ensure use of data for decision-making processes.
• Design, refine and deploy data collection which combines quantitative and qualitative methods and tools in the area of responsibility.
• Plan for, manage and quality assure the field data collection and field monitoring processes and tools.
• Ensure the application of ethical principles in the field work, including with regards to DRC Code of Conduct, Protection referral protocols and SOPs.
• Plan for and perform data quality assurance in data collection, data entry and data processing in the area of responsibility.
• Establish and maintain processes and protocols for data protection, storage, sharing, and security in the area of responsibility.
• Lead and manage development and maintenance of the MEAL plans, Indicator Tracking Tools and implementation of MEAL obligations in line with PCM.
• Lead the analysis and reporting of MEAL qualitative and quantitative data (e.g. baseline and endline assessment reports) collected in line with internal information needs and external reporting obligations.

Accountability

• Identify, plan for and implement different mechanisms for CFM including community engagement and feedback in monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning in the area of responsibility.
• Assess, design new and improve existing accountability mechanisms, including Community Feedback Mechanism processes, tools and SOPs.
• Promote the global CFM guidance, adapt tools and roll-out CFM mechanisms
• Ensure actions are followed to up close the feedback loop and ensure all complaints are processed in a timely, safe and accountable manner.
• Liaise with Regional Office and HQ during regular CHS certification audits, CHS self-assessment processes and follow-up on the improvement plan.

Evaluation, analysis and learning

• Lead and 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 for further development
• Design and manage evaluations in compliance with DRC evaluation policy, from development of ToRs, to advising management on approval of final report, to dissemination of evaluation.

As Manager the post-holder is responsible for the following   

• Accountable for achieving DRC’s strategic goals and objectives within the area of responsibility
• Accountable for making significant decisions on what the unit does: its purpose, functions and role, and for making commitments and decisions that require the expenditure of significant unit resources.
• Accountable for people management of direct reports, generally at least 3 employees. This includes hiring & firing, objective setting, probation, performance appraisal, development of staff, managing performance, including poor performance, etc.
• Accountable for making sound decisions based on DRC policies, MOPs, standards, and the advice of technical experts in DRC
• Perform other duties as directed by the Grants Coordinator, Area Manager and Country Director.

About you

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’s 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 act in line with our vision and values.

Qualifications and Experience

1. Essential

• 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, line ministries and/or local authorities in migrants/refugee settings and/or in emergencies.
• Proven experience in effectively working with a variety of donors’ requirements including FCDO, EU, DANIDA and UN agencies (as required).
• Strong understanding of monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning principles and processes, including database management, reporting etc.
• Demonstrated experience with DRC Core Sectors.
• Mastered understanding of mix-methods approach, research methodologies and the nature and use of evidence, participatory methodologies.
• Demonstrated understanding of Core Humanitarian Standards (CHS) and ability to apply accountability and ethical standards in everyday work.
• Mastered competencies in working with 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.
• Experience of working with GIS or other data visualisation software.
• Demonstrable experience in the nurturing of organisational learning in programmes.
• Proven facilitation and training skills with diverse audiences of NGO practitioners, including staff capacity building.
• Demonstrated ability to work and deliver under pressure, within budget and time constraints and to manage priorities.
• Excellent skill in MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint and Office365.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, ability to adjust communication to various stakeholders and audiences.

b) Desirable

• Knowledge of ArcGIS/QGIS, NVivo (or other qualitative analysis software)

Education

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

Languages

• English (fluent)
• Swahili (fluent)
• Local language (desirable).

Information

Employment category: Grade G

Reporting to: Grants Coordinatoor

Technical Reports: Information Management Officers and Assistants

Direct reports: MEAL officers & MEAL Assitant

Unit/department: Grants & MEAL

Location: : Kibondo, with frequent travel to other DRC offices and refugee camps in Kigoma Region

Key stakeholders: (internal and external)

• Senior Management, including SMT, Area Manager
• Technical Coordinators and Programme Managers
• CSO Partners
• Refugee Leaders and Committees
• Donors including UN, Danish Embassy, EU
• MOHA.

Providing equal opportunities  We are committed to creating an inclusive and positive work environment based on mutual respect for all employees. All applicants are considered for employment without attention to race, age, ability, ethnicity, nationality, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other factor. At DRC we celebrate diversity and appreciate our employees for the people they are and their unique skills, backgrounds, and perspectives. We encourage all interested candidates to apply.

DRC strives to attract, motivate and retain qualified national staff within its programs. As such, we strongly encourage national and diaspora candidates to apply for this position. However, candidates should take into consideration that DRC cannot employ, under an international contract, a national of the country in which he or she will be working (in this case, the  United Republic of Tanzania)

Promoting high standards : DRC’s capacity to ensure the protection of and assistance to refugees, IDP’s and other persons of concern depends on the ability of our staff to uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment. DRC conducts thorough and comprehensive background checks as part of the recruitment process.

Application and CV

Only motivated applications that address the stipulated duties and meet the required qualifications, sent together with a CV, will be considered.

DRC only accepts applications sent via our online-application form on www.drc.ngo under JOB.