Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability & Learning Manager

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

• Coordinate, implement monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning (MEAL) systems in DRC Afghanistan (Emergency Response, Economic Recover and Livelihoods (ERL), Protection and Humanitarian Mine Action including Explosive Ordinance Risk Education).
• Directly line manage 6 MEAL staff in the Country Office and Technical Line Management of MEAL staff across Area Offices including capacity building of these teams.
• External coordination with Cluster/Working Group/Task Force and DRC HQ on MEAL-related approaches and activities.

Geographic scope: Country (Afghanistan

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 MEAL activities

Responsibilities:

Management and supervision

• Lead and manage the Country Office MEAL team (including people planning, performance, well-being and development).
• Provide technical support to field-based MEAL staff with a view to ensure harmonization and coherence in data collection and analysis to support program development and quality.
• Coordinate and ensure oversight of all aspects of the Country Wide MEAL 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.
• Capacity build through training, feedback, and coaching on data collection, monitoring and analysis.
• Enhance MEAL capacity among staff to ensure accountability, facilitate planning and strengthen service delivery.

Monitoring and evaluation

• Continuously improve and update data collection tools, so they can be used in the context.
• Review and implement DRC's MEAL Framework, including the measurement of progress of the Country Strategy in collaboration with the Technical Unit.
• Provide technical support to program staff during development of funding proposals particularly logframes and MEAL frameworks plans and budget.
• Provide input on donor reports focusing on findings of M&E activities and updating achievements vis-à-vis targets on the logframes.
• Develop and maintain an Monitoring & Evaluation system, to measure achievement and progress towards program goals and results, which easily can be used in reports.
• 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.
• Lead in management of external evaluation processes from start to finish.

Information and knowledge management and usage

• Lead in implementing an information & knowledge management system to ensure lessons learned, M&E data are used for adaptive management and design.
• Collaborate with Technical Unit and Operations on setting up regular capitalization or lessons learn sessions to capture best/emerging practices and challenges.
• Ensure successful roll out and sound management of databases and information systems in all program areas.
• Oversee the management of various databases, dashboards and summary sheets for the measurement of achievements/progress through the MEAL system.
• Collaborate with Technical Unit and Operations and other relevant staff to capitalize the use of M&E findings and lessons learn for program design, quality, or advocacy purposes.
• Oversee the quality of data collection and data entry processes by setting up SOPs, data quality assurance exercises.
• Oversee the analysis of data gathered and support in the writing up of baseline and impact assessment reports in collaboration with Technical Unit.

Accountability

• Oversee the review and implementation of DRC’s Accountability for Affected Population Framework in collaboration with technical unit and operation.
• Ensure functional and appropriate mechanisms across Area and Field Offices, as per context
• Ensure timely closure of feedback through follow-up and capacity building of staff on handling complaints and feedback.
• Oversee the analysis and reporting of feedback and complaints data to be used for management decision-making.
• Coordinate with Risk and Compliance Manager and/or Code of Conduct (CoC) Committee in reporting and handling of CoC related cases

Coordination

• Lead on the external coordination with Clusters/Working Groups/Task Forces and DRC HQ on MEAL-related approaches and activities.

As Manager the post-holder is accountable for:

• Achieving DRC’s strategic goals and objectives within the area of responsibility.
• Making significant decisions on what the unit does: its purpose, functions and role, and for making commitments and decisions that require the expenditure of significant unit resources.
• People management of direct reports, generally at least 3 employees. This includes hiring and firing, objective setting, probation, performance appraisal, development of staff, managing performance, including poor performance, etc.
• Making sound decisions based on DRC policies, MOPs, standards, and the advice of technical experts in DRC.

ABOUT YOU

To be successful in this role you must have:

Experience and technical competencies: 

• Minimum 5 years of relevant work experience in MEAL in humanitarian and development context and programming.
• At least 3 years' experience with people management.
• Strong understanding of MEAL principles and processes, including database management, reporting etc.
• Minimum of 2 years working in countries responding to humanitarian crises in monitoring and evaluation, or program design.
• Experience of working with or providing support to partners and/or a partnership model of working.
• Demonstrable experience in the nurturing of organizational learning in programs.
• Proven facilitation and training skills with diverse audiences of NGO practitioners.
• Proven understanding of the management of knowledge within NGOs or development organizations and an ability to link this to system development.
• Proven understanding of research methodologies and the nature of evidence which will influence key decision makers in the area.
• Experience of working in insecure environments and of security management;
• Excellent skill in MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Full professional proficiency in English

All DRC roles require the post-holder to master DRC’s core competencies:
 

• Striving for excellence: Focusing on reaching results while ensuring efficient processes.
• Collaborating: Involving relevant parties and encouraging feedback.
• Taking the lead: Taking ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.
• Communicating: Listening and speaking effectively and honestly.

Demonstrating integrity: Upholding and promoting the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

Education/qualifications:

• Master's degree in relevant field (development, social research preferably with a focus on monitoring and evaluation as well as compliance issues).

Languages:

• Fluency in written and Spoken in English

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 16 July-2021.