MEAL Officer at Vision for Inclusive Solutions and Transparency Initiative (VISTA INITIATIVE)

Purpose of the Position

• The MEAL Officer will lead the implementation of monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning systems across all VISTA Initiative programs.
• The position ensures high-quality data collection, analysis, reporting, accountability to affected populations (AAP), and learning for continuous program improvement.
• The MEAL Officer will also support proposal development, donor reporting, assessments, and evidence generation to strengthen funding opportunities and program impact.

Key Responsibilities
Monitoring and Evaluation:

• Design and implement MEAL frameworks, logical frameworks, indicators, and data collection tools for all projects.
• Support baseline, midline, endline, and post-distribution monitoring (PDM) assessments.
• Ensure timely and accurate collection of quantitative and qualitative data across sectors.
• Monitor progress against targets and flag performance gaps for corrective action.

Data Management and Quality Assurance:

• Ensure data quality through regular verification, validation, and data cleaning.
• Maintain secure databases and dashboards for program performance tracking.
• Analyze data and produce clear, actionable insights for program teams and management.
• Ensure data protection, confidentiality, and ethical standards are upheld.

Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP):

• Establish and manage complaints and feedback mechanisms (CFMs) that are safe, confidential, inclusive, and accessible.
• Ensure community feedback is systematically collected, analyzed, and used to improve programming.
• Promote transparency and participation of beneficiaries, especially women, girls, and persons with disabilities.

Learning and Knowledge Management:

• Document lessons learned, best practices, success stories, and challenges.
• Facilitate learning sessions, after-action reviews, and reflection meetings.
• Support adaptive management by sharing evidence-based recommendations.

Reporting and Donor Compliance:

• Contribute to donor reports, situation reports, and internal performance updates.
• Ensure MEAL components of donor proposals and reports meet quality and compliance standards.
• Provide evidence and data visualizations to support advocacy and donor engagement.

Proposal Development and Assessments:

• Provide technical inputs for proposals and concept notes, including indicators, results frameworks, and MEAL budgets.
• Support needs assessments, evaluations, and research activities.
• Contribute to evidence-based advocacy and fundraising initiatives.

Capacity Building and Coordination:

• Train staff and partners on MEAL concepts, tools, data collection, and AAP principles.
• Provide on-the-job coaching and mentoring to field teams.
• Coordinate with sector leads, partners, and external evaluators.

Risk Management and Compliance:

• Identify MEAL-related risks and propose mitigation measures.
• Ensure compliance with donor requirements, humanitarian standards, and organizational policies.
• Support audits, evaluations, and learning reviews.

Key Deliverables

• Functional MEAL systems across all programs.
• High-quality data sets, dashboards, and analytical reports.
• Timely donor and internal reports supported by verified evidence.
• Operational complaints and feedback mechanisms.
• Learning products and recommendations to improve program quality.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Statistics, Economics, Social Sciences, Development Studies, or related field (Master’s degree is an advantage).
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in MEAL roles, preferably in humanitarian or fragile contexts.
• Strong experience with data collection tools (Kobo, ODK, CommCare, or similar).
• Experience conducting assessments, evaluations, and PDMs.
• Knowledge of donor reporting requirements (UN, INGOs, ECHO, USAID, etc.) is an advantage.

Core Competencies and Skills:

• Strong analytical, reporting, and data visualization skills.
• Good understanding of AAP, safeguarding, and humanitarian standards.
• Ability to work independently and in challenging field environments.
• Excellent communication and coordination skills.
• Proficiency in MS Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and MEAL software tools.
• Fluency in English; Kanuri, Hausa, or Fulani is an advantage.

Safeguarding and Code of Conduct:

• The WASH Officer must adhere to VISTA Initiative Code of Conduct, Child Safeguarding Policy, and PSEA Policy. Any form of exploitation, abuse, or misconduct will not be tolerated.

Equal Opportunity Statement:

• VISTA Initiative is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from women, persons with disabilities, and candidates from diverse backgrounds.