BACKGROUND: The International Rescue Committee, one of the world’s largest humanitarian international NGOs, provides relief, rehabilitation and development support to vulnerable people and communities over 40 countries. We began work in Ethiopia in 2000 in response to severe drought in Ethiopia’s Somali region and are currently providing assistance to Ethiopians and refugees in six regions in Ethiopia, implementing emergency and development programs in health, water and sanitation, economic recovery and development (ERD), women’s protection and empowerment, education, child protection, and multi-sectoral emergency response.

Job Overview/Summary:

Reporting to Field Coordinator and technically supported by the Senior MEAL Manager, the MEAL Officer works in close collaboration with program teams to optimize monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning capacities and opportunities of the IRC mission in Ethiopia, Gambella Field Office, to ensure high-quality programming for the clients we serve and support the global ambitions of IRC Strategy 100, and the Country Strategic Action Plan.  The MEAL Officer oversees, leads, and implements MEAL activities of all active Grants/Projects in Gambella Field Office (covering Gambella region operation) within the Country MEAL team.

Responsibilities: -

Technical Oversight 

• Run the MEAL system and processes for the field office in harmony with the MEAL Country and Global Strategies throughout the project cycle which include:

  • Collaborate with MEAL and non-MEAL staff to ensure that data is collected, compiled, checked for its quality and completeness in compliance with IRC and donors’ standards for quality.

  • Conduct regular data quality checks and audits and analysis to ensure high-quality data, compile a report with relevant indicator data per grant, showing targets versus actuals.

  • Clients counting: a quarterly gender and age disaggregated overview per grant per sector should be provided.

  • Document and share learning, evidence, and data from previous projects to inform project proposal design.

  • Implement MEAL plans, revise (digital) data collection tools, follow-up on processes for online data management, quality checks, and audits, and updating of data visualization.

  • Undertake regular analysis of monitoring data and work closely with program officers and managers to facilitate decision-making for real-time program adaptation.

  • Produce quality reports and updating dashboards with key findings that foster learning and decision-making and share in project cycle management meetings and team meetings.

  • Ensure the accuracy of all quantitative and qualitative reporting to the government, donor & internal & external reports.

  • Identify, document, and share key findings and client feedback to improve services and results for our clients.

  • Ensure Client responsiveness for all projects per project nature

  • Monitor progresses against detailed activities with technical teams, ensuring that objectives and indicators are achieved.

  • Ensure timely and accurate program data collections, data verifications, and reporting in line with the project indicator.

• Support deployment of surveys such as baseline/end line, Post Distribution Monitoring, and the commission of evaluations in coordination with colleagues and partners.

• Support the use of standard mobile data technology and online dashboard to enhance timeliness and quality of data collection, analysis, and visualization.

• Join and contribute to IRC’s effort in meeting its internal and external accountability commitments through the implementation of sound accountability, client feedback, and response mechanisms. 

• Provide technical support to other field offices when there is a need or where there is a smaller number of grants in the permanently assigned field office.

• Work closely with Safe Programming Team and Sectors to ensure gender equality and client safety.

• Facilitate capacity building for program staff (especially the MEAL focal points/sector managers on skills and knowledge related to M&E and accountability and learning, including IRC global initiatives.

Leadership and Partnership

• Support all technical aspects and actions of MEAL regarding the Gambella field Office; respond to program needs; foster high standards and practices for quality data collection, analysis, and reports. Enable accountability to clients, partners, and donors.

• Implement and support MEAL system and approaches in your areas of expertise and foster learning as per the IRC MEAL Standards. 

• Represent IRC at technical meetings, forums, and other events & build partnerships within IRC and area of expertise

• Champion access and use of data for shared learning, sound decision-making, and data-informed programmatic adaptations. 

Human Resources  

• Coordinate, lead, mentor MEAL Assistant(s); foster timely and high-quality achievement, and an inclusive and respectful team climate.

• Promote the growth and development of others in IRC teams and partners: present high-quality technical training and learning material for partners, colleagues, and junior staff. 

• Participate in the recruitment and onboarding of MEAL Assistant, field incentive workers and enumerators.

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports directly to Field Coordinator and Senior M&E Manager

Position directly supervises: Assistants and/or enumerators.

Other Internal and/or external contacts:

Internal: Field Coordinator, Sector MEAL Managers, Program Manager and Officers, Database Officer, ICT Officer, Partnerships Manager, HR, Supply Chain.

External: Clients, program partner organisations, local and national government.

Job Requirements

·         University degree/MSc in Statistics, Monitoring & Evaluation, Economics, Demography, and relevant field.

• 3 years of relevant experience with the first degree, 2 years of relevant experience plus post graduate degree & NGO experience is a plus.

• Possess basic technical knowledge of M&E approaches and techniques in some or all the following areas: Outputs, Outcome monitoring; Theories of Change, Logical frameworks, Data collection, Basic data analysis, Accountability, Client feedback mechanisms.

• Experience in conducting primary quantitative data collection and data entry.

• Basic proficiency and experience with mobile data collection such as Kobo, CommCare, is required, knowledge of Tableau, PowerBi, or GIS software tools are additional assets. 

• Good computer skills in MS Office, especially Excel; and Word – with experience in writing reports.

• Self-motivated and pro-active attitude with good organization, planning, and analytic skills, including prioritizing work, multi-tasking, and attention to detail.

• Flexibility and ability to work under pressure and in constantly evolving work environments.

• Demonstrated analytical, systematic-thinking, and problem-solving skills are definite assets.

• A strong understanding of accountability and proven ability to build Client Feedback Systems 

• Language fluent English & local language is an additional asset.

• Willingness to travel to various field-level offices/sub-offices or sites [60%] 

How to Apply

Register using THIS LINK

Please include 3 references from current and former employers.

Applications will not be returned. IRC discourages phone calls or personal visits.

Only applicants meeting the minimum qualification will be short listed and contacted.

Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

Your application letter/cover letter must include the following information.

• Name of the position you have applied for

• Date of application

• Summary of your qualifications and experience

• Motivation/objective of why you have applied for the job

• Permanent Address and present address (if different from permanent) and telephone number if possible, also email address

• Disclose any family relationships with existing IRC employees.

IRC is an equal employment opportunity employer.  IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability.

Professional Standards: The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity Anti-Retaliation and Combating Trafficking in Persons

Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols, and other supportive benefits and allowances

Equal Opportunity Employer: IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.