Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Specialist ( Protection programme)

WHO ARE WE?

The Danish Refugee Council assists refugees and internally displaced persons across the globe: we provide emergency aid, fight for their rights, and strengthen their opportunity 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. Our vision is a dignified life for all displaced. All of our efforts are based on our value compass: humanity, respect, independence and neutrality, participation, and honesty and transparency.

ABOUT THE JOB

The Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Specialist for DRC Country Protection programmes in Afghanistan leads and coordinates the strategic, technical and operational planning and implementation of all MEAL processes and activities required to improve protection programme quality over the course of project implementation and ensure and demonstrate positive impact on beneficiaries’ lives. The MEAL Specialist for protection is directly responsible for assessing and measuring quality and accountability of DRC Afghanistan’s protection response (i.e. Protection Monitoring, Individual Protection Assistance (IPA) and Case Management, including legal aid, psychosocial counselling and referrals to specialized protection agencies, awareness-raising on national legislation and Housing, Land and Property (HLP) rights, International Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (IHRL and IHL), Humanitarian Mine Action and Mine Risk Education, as well as Armed Violence Reduction, conflict management and social cohesion programmes) through the application of the MEAL framework. This includes, among other responsibilities, a) designing MEAL plan and IPTT, b) designing assessment Scopes of Work (data collection tools and methodologies) for monitoring and evaluation purposes in collaboration with project teams, c) delivering trainings and capacity-building to MEAL and project officers in the field on assessment methodologies and tools, appropriate interviewing techniques and protection and gender mainstreaming in assessments, d) leading and coordination data collection, e) data quality checks of process and outcome monitoring dataset; f) analysis and reporting and g) follow up with project teams on actions taken.  S/he is directly responsible for process and outcome monitoring, and may provide direct support to project teams for developing and coordinating output monitoring and database design and management. S/he will be co-responsible for revising and maintaining a IPTT and the Output Tracker with the Information Management Officer to ensure proper sex-, age, and specific-needs segregated documentation and analysis of beneficiary profiles at country and area levels, with particular focus on safeguarding confidentiality of clients at all times. S/he is also responsible in supporting the strengthening of accountability mechanisms across emergency programmes in close collaboration with the Accountability Officer. 

Responsibilities:

Design and Implementation of Overall MEAL System for Protection Programmes

• Lead the design and implementation of the DRC MEAL Protection Framework (including Humanitarian Mine Action) and Standard Operating Procedures, including MEAL and indicator plans, data collection/measurement Scopes of Work, tools and methodologies, planning and implementation of MEAL field work for the collection, analysis and usage of data to measure progress against indicators and promote programmatic learning;
• Lead the design and implementation of learning activities
• Support on the design and implementation on evaluation activities
• Lead or support on assessments for proposal development or other purposes

Data collection tools development and use

• Lead the development of relevant and quality data collection tools for quantitative and qualitative research related to our Protection programming, e.g. baseline/endline surveys, Minimum Standard Checklists, FGD/KII guides, etc
• Coordinate with technical unit on the review of relevant MEL tools for inputs
• Lead the development of a qualitative research strategy through the deployment of innovative research methods in order to gain a deeper understanding of the impact of DRC Afghanistan’s protection programmes at individual, household and community levels
• Lead on planning and/or conducting of AO Monitoring and Evaluation data collection exercises (including routine, process and outcome monitoring)

Data management, analysis and use

• Lead the design and management of Protection output and outcome monitoring systems including report templates
• Collaborate with Information Management Officer to ensure appropriate data management for all protection programmes in-country, including coding, storage, cleaning and data analysis;
• Consolidate and analyse trends and key findings of MEL data
• Support data analysis processes for monthly/regular Emergency Monitoring & Evaluation exercises, including raw and interpretative data analysis; 
• Closely coordinate with relevant programme staff to ensure project-relevant information is shared and used to properly track the progress of projects (i.e. PDM reports, Distribution monitoring, IPTT)
• Collaborate with Programme (Protection and Humanitarian Mine Action) teams to ensure actions are taken based on MEAL findings and recommendations
• Lead or support on presentation of key MEAL findings (internally and externally)

Coordination

• Coordinate and track AO MEAL routine and outcome monitoring activities
• Coordinate with technical staff (Coordinator or Specialist) on MEL processes  and findings
• Conduct bi-weekly meeting with MEAL AO to ensure MEL activities are on track and key issues are discussed
• Conduct monthly meeting with CO technical staff to ensure key findings and critical issues are taken upon

Reporting & Proposal development

• Lead in creating Quarterly Report, looking into trends and key findings to be shared to CO and AO relevant staff
• Review and sign off AO MEAL reports related to Emergency
• Lead in creating Outcome Monitoring reports (e.g. PDM, Satisfaction Survey) and coordinate and review if report is assigned to AO MEAL staff
• Lead in creating lessons learned report and coordinate and review if activity is done by AO MEAL staff
• Support MEAL Manager in doing evaluation and other MEL products
• Inputs on the donor reporting on key outcome findings
• Support on proposal development, in particular, assessments and beneficiary counting

Accountability

• Closely coordinate with the Accountability Officer to ensure relevant programme teams properly implement accountability measures as per DRC standards and in line with the Core Humanitarian Standards
• Follow-up, if necessary, key complaints issues with technical unit during the monthly meeting

Technical management and capacity-building

• Supervise directly plans and work completion of MEAL Officers in the field when related to the emergency sector or to specific projects where MEAL Specialist  Protection acts as MEAL Project lead
• Provide mentoring and technical support to AO MEAL staff in data collection, analysis and reporting
• Ensure monthly visit to AO offices for technical quality monitoring and capacity building purposes
• Provide sessions or trainings to staff (MEAL, program or partner) on Emergency-related MEAL topics

Others 

• Assist in other tasks as required by the MEAL Manager, including extensive support to other programmes whenever deemed necessary

ABOUT YOU

To be successful in this role you must have:

Experience and technical competencies: 

• Minimum 3 years of relevant experience within the humanitarian field (MEAL and / or Protection work)
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in Protection work (General protection, CP, GBV)  a very valuable asset
• Demonstrated knowledge of design and analysis of qualitative and quantitative research methods required
• Capacity to think critically and produce high-quality reports and analysis required
• Good level of proficiency in Word, PPT, Windows Excel required; SPSS, STATA and NVivo or other software an asset
• Experience in working in complex and volatile contexts
• Strong interpersonal, communication and leadership skills
• Strong planning and organizational skills
• Demonstrated commitment to meet deadlines and high degree of autonomy in his / her work required.

Education/qualifications:

• Bachelor Degree in social sciences, humanitarian and/or development studies, or relevant field
• Maters, Diplomas or Certification in M&E, IMS, Statistics or related fields an added value

Languages:

• Fluency in English, both written and verbal
• Ability to work in both Dari and/or Pashto

We Offer:

• Salary and conditions will be in accordance with DRC salary scale

Application process:

Interested? Then apply for this position, all applicants must send a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages). Both must be in the same language as this vacancy note. CV only applications will not be considered.

Applications close 28 Feb 2021. However, please note due to the urgency of this position, the shortlisting process will be ongoing. Should we find qualified candidates prior to the expiry of this advert, interviews will be held immediately.