Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning Coordinator at Danish Refugee Council (DRC)

Background

• DRC has been operating in West Africa since 1998. The DRC West Africa, North Africa, and Latin America Regional Office is based in Dakar, Senegal, and covers twelve countries outside of Senegal. DRC has been operational and delivering life-saving assistance to displaced and conflict-affected communities in Nigeria since 2015.
• DRC Nigeria maintains a strong presence across Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states in North-East Nigeria through a representative office in Abuja, a coordination office in Yola, main field bases in Mubi and Maiduguri, and five satellite/deep field bases in Michika in Adamawa state and in Ngala, Bama and Mafa in Borno state covering a total of 13 local government areas. DRC’s portfolio expansion into other areas is currently under consideration.

Purpose

• We are looking for an experienced Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning Coordinator to assist DRC Nigeria program operations to strengthen and develop MEAL systems and tools, and ensure that these are applied for best practice, accountable programming. Working with programmatic counterparts and the regional office, The MEAL Coordinator will engage in policy, strategic as well as programmatic developments to ensure the DRC continues its growth in MEAL practices.
• This role has a country focus and ensures compliance to DRC procedures and guidelines within the country.
• The role contributes to the development of country strategies, which are translated into action plans and day-to-day tasks. The role provides support and/or technical guidance to country operations while overseeing country activities.
• The MEAL Coordinator will be based in Abuja, with frequent travel to Borno and Adamawa states and other areas as the geographic presence of DRC Nigeria develops.
• This position requires strong previous experience in developing MEAL tools and in coordinating between different teams.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Under the authority of the Programme Development and Quality Manager, and in close coordination with the operational teams, the MEAL Coordinator will reinforce DRC Nigeria capacities to meet DRC and multiple donors’ requirements with regards to the MEAL implementation and the related tools.

The main responsibilities and tasks of the MEAL Coordinator are the following:
Implement MEAL Policies and Develop Quality Assurance Processes:

• Maintain a robust MEAL system, in accordance with DRC minimum standards and procedures.
• Ensure that DRC programmes adhere to DRC Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Minimum Operational Procedures and continuously update the compliance self-checks, contribute to evolving and adapting these standards
• Assess existing and further develop procedures used for ensuring programme quality in coordination with the global processes of strengthening monitoring and evaluation in DRC;
• Provide technical support to field based Monitoring & Evaluation staff with a view to ensure coherence in data collection and analysis to support programme development and quality
• Coordinate and provide oversight of all aspects of the Monitoring & Evaluation processes
• Oversee the process of needs assessments, baseline studies and impact assessments
• Conduct periodic activity monitoring and site visits to the field to monitor data collection/implementation
• Enhance Monitoring & Evaluation capacity among staff to ensure accountability, facilitate planning and strengthen service delivery
• Lead the development of Monitoring & Evaluation strategies, tools and ensuring coordination of the Monitoring & Evaluation teams input to the country strategy, proposals and reports.

Prepare and Develop MEAL Tools:

• Develop standardized data collection tools that will allow the aggregation of data for the outputs/outcomes across DRC projects (including consortia)
• Develop the means of communication to enable data sharing between team members and with the partners
• Continuously improve and update data collection tools
• Ensure that key elements of DRC planning processes including Strategic Program Documents, Quarterly Reports, Annual Reviews and Results Contracts are adequately informed by M&E data and information as well as learnings emanating therefrom.
• Review and provide technical input into the development of log frames/results frameworks, informing, reviewing and approving monitoring and evaluation plans and budgets for all new proposals, prior to their submission to donors

Provide technical support to in-country MEAL and Programme Teams:

• Support the country office to improve quality of monitoring, evaluation and accurate reporting
• Direct support to evaluations, assessments and programme monitoring, and to respective global initiatives as needed and appropriate
• Provide capacity building training, coaching and mentoring to staff, primary stakeholders, and implementing partners in project design, monitoring and evaluation, data collection, development of indicators, logframes and ToC, development of M&E plans and specific M&E assessments and surveys, so that programmes are delivered effectively and with quality
• Continuously assess the quality of data collection and data entry
• Overall manage the various databases and summary sheets to oversee measurement of achievement and progress toward program goals and results through the M&E system.
• Disseminate results in varied ways to enhance use in reports and in decision making

Support Programme Evaluations, Learning and Knowledge Management:

• Provide technical support to ensure that DRC is able to articulate and document relevant best practices and assess performance regularly against agreed program objectives and indicators.
• Ensure capture of lessons learned from evaluations and other MEAL processes
• Institutionalize a system of reflection and learning across all stages of the DRC Project cycle and ensure that systems to facilitate utilization and reapplication of learnings, both internally and externally, are developed and implemented
• In addition to the above, the MEAL Coordinator may be asked to carry out other duties requested by the PDQ Manager. 

Required Qualifications

• At least 5 years of professional experience working with humanitarian / development organisations with responsibilities in a MEAL department
• Highly developed skills and demonstrated capacity developing MEAL strategies and mechanisms, including implementation and training in related principles and practice
• Experience in writing high quality proposals for large donors, such as BHA, DFID, EU, ECHO, OFDA, UNHCR, and other UN agencies
• Knowledge of donor rules and regulations
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize large workloads, to consistently meet deadlines and adapt in a complex and challenging work environment
• Minimum 3 years of experience working with INGOs and international organizations with the following sectors in their portfolio – protection, food security, CVA, WASH, shelter, NFIs, mine action
• Proficiency in common computer packages i.e. Word, Excel, Power point etc
• Experience living and working in a cross-cultural, multi-sector, team environment
• Ability to work well under pressure and in adverse conditions
• Demonstrated commitment and strict adherence to confidentiality
• Effective communication skills (written and verbal)
• Languages: Fluency in written and spoken English

Required Skills & Qualities:
Core Competencies of DRC:

• Striving for excellence
• Collaboration
• Taking the lead
• Communication
• Demonstrating Integrity
• Ability to work in a multinational and multicultural environment
• Proactivity, with a sound commitment to teamwork and with a spirit of genuine collaboration
• Excellent communication skills as well as proactiveness
• Multi-tasking and organizational skills is a must
• Adaptable and Flexible
• Proven analytical and critical thinking skills
• Exemplary sense of ethics in the workplace
• Team-oriented & good sense of humor.