MEAL Officer at Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD)

Job Profile

• The MEAL Programme Officer (Advisor) provides technical advisory support to the consortium MEAL function for the ECHO‑funded project in Northeast Nigeria. Operating within a consortium structure with Project Coordinators and Implementation Officers, the MEAL Advisor supports harmonisation of monitoring, accountability and learning systems without line management or final decision-making authority.
• The post holder contributes to the design, adaptation and quality assurance of MEAL tools and processes and ensures alignment with ECHO standards, CAFOD policies, and consortium‑wide frameworks. Final decisions on methodologies, tools, and implementation actions rest with the Consortium Coordinator and Implementation Officers, while the MEAL Advisor provides expert guidance, capacity strengthening and evidence‑based recommendations.

The post holder will have strong MEAL technical expertise, including:

• Experience providing advisory support.
• Capacity‑building skills.
• Knowledge of humanitarian MEAL.
• Strong communication and facilitation.
• Experience with Kobo and digital data tools.

Key Responsibilities
Technical Advisory Support (Primary Function):

• Provide MEAL technical advice to Project Coordinators and Implementation Officers on data collection, analysis, reporting, and accountability.
• Recommend MEAL approaches, tools and frameworks for consortium use.
• •Ensure consortium MEAL tools and indicators align with ECHO requirements.
• eview monitoring plans, PDM tools, feedback mechanisms, and indicator tracking tables.
• Generate recommendations for improving data quality and accountability systems.
• Share updates on MEAL best practices and donor standards.

Support to MEAL Framework & Systems:

• Contribute to the development of the consortium MEAL framework.
• Advise on harmonised MEAL tools for multi‑partner implementation.
• Support design of PDM strategies and market monitoring tools.
• Support preparation of MEAL updates, indicator summaries and analysis.

Capacity Strengthening & Partner Support:

• Provide coaching to Implementation Officers, Project Coordinators, and partner staff on MEAL tools and systems.
• Facilitate training on MEAL standards, accountability and data quality.
• Strengthen the ability of partners to interpret data for adaptive management.

Learning, Accountability & Communication:

• Co‑facilitate learning reviews and lessons learned events.
• Support documentation and dissemination of learning products.
• Strengthen accountability mechanisms, including feedback channels.
• Contribute data inputs to donor reports.

Representation & Coordination:

• Represent consortium MEAL interests in sector working groups when delegated.
• Coordinate with CAFOD and external actors on MEAL issues.
• Support information flows between consortium partners.

Safeguarding & Compliance:

• Promote safeguarding practices within MEAL activities.
• Escalate concerns following consortium and CAFOD procedures.

Reporting Lines:

• Technical/Advisory Manager: Programme Manager (CAFOD)
• Consortium Collaboration: Consortium Coordinator, Project Coordinators & Implementation Officers
• Decision‑making: Advisory only, final decisions rest with Consortium Coordinator and Implementation Officers.

Safeguarding:

• All CAFOD staff share the responsibility to promote and maintain a strong safeguarding culture, including identifying the key actions they should take given their role and responsibilities.

Person Specification 

• Working with others: With local partners and other staff, can build the capacity of colleagues and partners
• Communicating: Fluent written and spoken English
• Looking outwards: Carries out partner capacity assessments and identifies support needs; collaborates with colleagues across CAFOD, and good at networking with other agencies on knowledge management, accountability and learning.
• Managing resources: Delivers programmes within an agreed budget; supports programme funding proposals; Makes effective use of ICT
• Achieving results: Delivers work within the context of an agreed programme framework.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Arts, Social Sciences, or any related field.
• However, a diploma backed by strong, relevant technical experience will also be considered.
• Substantial professional experience in overall knowledge management with NGOs, INGOS. Previous work experience in an emergency context.
• Demonstrated ability to transfer knowledge through formal and informal training.
• Demonstrated ability to work with people from diverse social and cultural backgrounds.

Job-Specific Competencies:

• Ability to work with and build the capacity of programme staff and partner organisations.
• Ability to develop and/or adapt MEAL tools for practical use
• Knowledge of MEAL concepts, frameworks and tools; able to manage, analyse and interpret MEAL data
• Excellent writing skills, including experience in donor reporting.
• Willingness to undertake travel
• Degree in social sciences, social work and social administration, development studies, education or another relevant field with substantial experience in M&E
• Experience in setting up and managing MEAL systems in an NGO setting.