MEAL Officer at Danish Refugee Council (DRC)

Introduction

• The Danish Refugee Council assists refugees and internally displaced persons across the globe: we provide emergency aid, fight for their rights, and strengthen their opportunities for a brighter future.
• We work in conflict-affected areas, along the displacement routes, and in the countries where refugees settle.
• In cooperation with local communities, we strive for responsible and sustainable solutions. We work toward successful integration and – whenever possible – for the fulfillment of the wish to return home.
• The Danish Refugee Council was founded in Denmark in 1956 and has since grown to become an international humanitarian organization with more than 7,000 staff and 8,000 volunteers. Based in Copenhagen (Denmark) and present in forty countries, the Danish Refugee Council is a non-profit-making, politically independent, non-governmental, and non-denominational relief organization.
• Our vision is a dignified life for all displaced. All our efforts are based on our value compass: humanity, respect, independence and neutrality, participation, and honesty and transparency.

Background

• Danish Refugee Council (DRC), and its safety unit, have had an operational presence in Nigeria since 2015.
• DRC Nigeria is the largest DRC country mission in the West Africa region and one of the largest DRC country missions globally.
• Currently, DRC delivers life-saving assistance and protection to vulnerable, conflict-affected populations including internally displaced persons, returnees, and host communities in the areas of armed violence reduction, humanitarian mine action, livelihoods, nutrition, and food security, protection, shelter, and non-food items (NFI) and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) in 30+ Local Government Areas (LGAs) across Borno, Adamawa and Yobe state in northeast Nigeria.

Purpose

• The MEAL Officer will ensure that data collection, consolidation, and documentation are conducted promptly and consistently with the donor,
• consortium requirements, and DRC guidelines and best practices.

Duties and Responsibilities
Meal Systems Development At The Base Level In Consultation With The Country Meal Coordinator:

• Based on the project proposals, implementation plan, and donor reporting requirements, support the MEAL Coordinator in the development and implementation of a system for capturing and documenting data and relevant information on project activities, beneficiaries, outputs, outcomes, and impacts
• Ensure an effective roll-out of MEAL collection and reporting systems at the base level through training, site visits, manuals, and other technical support as needed
• Conduct training for base project staff on MEAL in line with identified capacity needs and provide ongoing mentoring support in consultation with the MEAL Coordinator.
• Work with the various project teams to ensure that all information and data is collected, documented, and collated in an accurate and timely manner
• Contribute to regular reviews of the MEAL system itself, making improvements as needed and recommended, in consultation with technical managers, MEAL Coordinator, staff, and partners.

Monitoring and Reporting:

• Lead on the compilation of regular monthly and quarterly base level reports using data provided by Base project teams and ensure cross-checking of data
• Support the Head of Base and technical program Managers to ensure that planned activities are carried out in a way that is timely, cost-effective, and adheres to quality standards
• Provide base-level project data to help with monthly, quarterly, and annual donor reporting.

Research and Evaluation:

• Coordinate with the donor-contracted Evaluation Team for conducting activities at the base and village levels
• Support coordination of overall project/s review and evaluation activities as required. This includes working with the independent Evaluation Team to coordinate mid-term and final evaluations, and supporting donor and external reviews as required

Accountability:

• Support the creation of a system for ensuring that information obtained is also shared with communities, women, and other stakeholders through a regular feedback mechanism
• Ensure beneficiary accountability mechanism is logging and addressing complaints in a timely fashion. Ensure program managers are aware of delays in acting on any complaints or information requests
• Training beneficiaries, community stakeholders, and program participants on the DRC complaint response mechanism to promote downward accountability.

Knowledge Management & Learning:

• In consultation with Head of Base, country MEAL Coordinator, and technical managers, facilitate and compile case studies, change stories and lessons learned reports regularly to share wider program and inform improvements in quality and delivery
• Analyze information about the base level program/projects and make recommendations for improvement.
• Ensure key base-level lessons and challenges are documented and shared with staff and partners to help consolidate lessons learned for future proposal development and implementation of best practices.
• The responsibilities listed in the JD are not exhaustive and may be readjusted according to operational needs but will remain in line with the overall purpose of the role.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Statistics, Economics, Social Science, or relevant equivalent disciplines.
• 3 years of direct monitoring and evaluation experience related to one or more of these fields: Protection, Emergency NFIs, WASH,
• Shelter, Food Security, Livelihoods, and/ or Mine Risk Education initiatives.
• Computer literate.

Desirability:

• Training in quantitative methodologies, including database management.
• Strong analytical skills and an understanding of a range of methods for monitoring, evaluation, and assessment to promote evidencebased learning.
• Demonstrated ability and understanding to design, commission, and manage assessment methodologies and techniques such as focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and observations to name a few.
• Good verbal and written communication skills. Ability to analyze data and summarize it for a range of different audiences.
• Professional fluency in English, Hausa, Higgi, and Marghi is an added advantage.
• Ability to build support from staff across teams and members, and to build the capacity of others.
• Ability to use the RedRose platform for cash assistance
• Sound strategic thinking and planning skills, including thinking creatively, innovating, setting priorities, and evaluating progress.
• Experience in working within budget constraints.
• Commitment to DRC mission, values, and approach.
• Commitment to team working and understanding of how to contribute.