Reference No:  REC/007/25

Job title:  MEAL OFFICER

Place of Assignment: EWH-Meta

Reports to: Area Manager

Number of Posts: 1(One)

Closing date: February 13, 2025

 About GOAL 

• GOAL’s Mission: GOAL works with the most vulnerable communities to help them respond to and recover from humanitarian crises, and to assist them to find solutions to mitigate poverty and vulnerability.

• GOAL believes in a world where poverty no longer exists, where vulnerable communities are resilient, where barriers to wellbeing are removed and where everyone has equal rights and opportunities. GOAL’s areas of expertise are i) Emergency Response, ii) Health, iii) Food Security and Nutrition and iv) Sustainable Livelihoods.

• GOAL is a registered entity and operational in Ethiopia since 1984, with extensive experience in responding to complex humanitarian crises in remote parts of the country. GOAL has been implementing to a very high standard, a large-scale program focused on improving the nutrition status of emergency-affected, food insecure communities in Ethiopia, funded by USAID/OFDA. GOAL’s operations in Ethiopia are backed by a dedicated support structure at GOAL headquarters in Dublin, Ireland as well as a roving technical team that provides in-country support with both systems and programs. GOAL Ethiopia has a comprehensive logistical infrastructure (communications, stores, vehicles, staff) that allows for timely responses. GOAL implements a very successful humanitarian response program across Ethiopia. GOAL Ethiopia will utilize its existing program management model which has successfully facilitated the simultaneous management of major donor-funded programs such as an OFDA-funded nutrition program, an ECHO-funded program for nutrition and food security, and a BPRM nutrition-based intervention, alongside numerous other grants. GOAL has conducted a strong refugee response in Buramino camp and in the reception center in Dollo Ado, Somali Region; GOAL is working in Berhale and Asayita Refugee camps in Afar Region supporting the Eritrean refugee population through a multisectoral Nutrition and Shelter program. GOAL implements a comprehensive nutrition program in Tierkadi, Kule Berhale and Asayita camps. From June 2018 to March 30th, 2020, GOAL has provided hot meals at the reception centre for the L1 registered South Sudanese Refugees.

• GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE ROLE

• The MEAL Officer is responsible to:

• To ensure the on-time project related routine data collection, compilation, and reporting.

• The position holder is responsible for promoting knowledge Management and Learning across sectors and projects in the field programme.

• Will be responsible for the community-based approach of the organization by working with the grass root level staff and different community structures.

• The position holder still closely works with front line staff to ensure the application and existence of appropriate MEAL and transparency systems (promote Participatory monitoring, providing feedback to the community, etc.). S/he will also take part in field level qualitative and quantitative assessments and evaluations. 

• He/she will be responsible to handle the monthly reporting system for all project woredas within the assigned regions.

• Description of Functional Relation Ships of the role

• The MEAL officer will be directly supervised by the Area (Regional) programme manager and will have technical relationship with HO MEAL Unit and HO Protection and Safeguarding Unit. Accordingly, the Area program manager is the direct Supervisor (solid line) and technically supervised (Dotted line) by Head of MEAL and Head of Safeguarding. During performance objective setting and appraisal of the incumbent, the MEAL unit feedback must be requested. The regional MEAL officer will dedicate 70 % of his time and LOE to MEAL activities and the remaining 30% to Safeguarding and GESI activities. Technically, the MEAL officers will also be supervised by HO protection and Safeguarding unit. 

• KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY/DUTIES (detailed list of tasks and outputs categorized by “daily” “weekly” “monthly” or any other category which fits the role)

• Monitoring and Reporting (20% of time)

Duties & Responsibilities:

Organize and plan field level monitoring events and compile reports for management decision.

• Take the lead role and assists field staff particularly front-line staff in developing regular data collection format, field supervision checklists.

• Develop field/Programme/project data base systems and analyzing and interpreting data.

• Organizes participatory monitoring events along with the facilitators and team leaders, partners, and communities.

• Compiles regular field monitoring report including lessons and provide feedback for the project and his/her supervisor.

• Collects and provides information and technical support in the preparation of quarterly or biannual reports.

• Organize regular project review meetings and participate in panel monitoring.

• Assists sector senior officers in reviewing and revising project M&E plan and indicators as required.

• Undertake distribution monitoring and verification in collaboration with program officers

• Facilitate and Lead Post distribution monitoring assessments in the region

• Accompany HO and field level staff in assessments, project monitoring and evaluations. 

• Information Management (15% of time)

• Compile and provide periodic reports to government signatories as per the requirement of each grant

• Take the lead role in setting-up appropriate database system at field, project, and program level

• Ensures effectiveness and adequacy of systems to track flow of information on inputs utilization and program participation, including the process of beneficiary selection and project prioritization.

• Provides information management support to action research initiatives being conducted in the woreda/Town.

• Submits updated data set to the required sector officers and PM within the project and partners to update all different levels on program database on quarterly basis.

• Maintains minimum set of M&E reference materials at project level in the field office.

• Update the projects information on regular basis.

• Evaluation and learning (5% of time)

• Organize periodic assessment events and facilitate HO initiated surveys 

• Participate and organize major evaluation events happening in the field

• Prepare annual plans of major MEAL events and up-date the plan periodically

• Organize field level review meetings and participate in HO level major review meetings

• Ensure appropriate mechanisms that enhance learning to happen between projects and across sectors

• Initiate and facilitate quality programme implementation through integration of learning and evaluation events across sectors /Programme. set-up field level information sharing mechanisms between sectors

• Develop project profile and summary progress matrix of PO project and regularly share to staff and MEAL Department 

• Participates on project performance review meeting at Woreda level as required and evaluation exercises.

• Accountability (15% of time)

• Ensure information sharing is in place for all GOAL Ethiopia programs (Development and Humanitarian)

• Collect, compile, and share to HO MEAL unit the feedbacks and complaints from community and stakeholders for all GOAL programs.

• Make sure complaint mechanisms shared to target community and stakeholders 

• Ensure speak up, community complaint factsheet, GOAL Code of Conduct and other accountability related posters posted in all GOAL offices and operational areas where community and stakeholders easily access.

• Provide induction on CHS (nine commitments) for new staff 

• Support FO sector officers and CWDs in executing accountability tasks

• Implement and monitor all accountability related tasks 

• Strengthen community Based Approach (5% of time)

• Actively engage to empower community-based committee by enhancing their local development capacity and increasing their genuine participation in the development and humanitarian response program.

• MEAL officer will technically support field level sector officers, CDWs, ACDWs and Supervisors in Planning, ensuring quality of Programs, 

• Work with woreda government administration and line offices by establishing Woreda Technical Team (WTT) 

• Technically support and facilitate trainings, experience sharing visits, learning, and sharing forms for CDWs, ACDWs and Woreda Technical Team (WTT) in relation with CBA. 

• Capacity Building (5% of time)

• Assists the field sector officers and HO initiated MEAL capacity building plans

• Organizing MEAL related capacity building Workshops/trainings to staff and Woreda/implementing partners 

• Compile and share project related data among field office staff

• Conduct regular capacity gap assessment on monitoring and information management in partner organizations and organize training on identified gaps

• Coach and mentor, the front-line staff CDWs on how to handle project information systems, database.

• To enable the MEAL Officers properly execute their roles, they should be invited to attend different technical trainings by different departments. 

• Safeguarding and Gender Equality & Social Inclusion (GESI) Focal points (30% of time)

• Ensure organizational policies (Gender Equality, SG, code of conduct) is circulated to staffs and act as an advocate for SG/ gender equality and social inclusion within their respective teams 

• Conduct safeguarding and GESI induction and refresher training to field staffs when needed and ensure staffs are committed to policies and procedures.

• Ensure that induction and training outputs are documented and reported to the Country Safeguarding and GESI focal points.

• Participate in safeguarding and GESI online and offline meetings on the field, country, and Global levels and take meeting minutes when necessary 

• Periodically assess the level of compliance to policies and procedures and progress made on the Safeguarding and GESI Action Plan. 

• Conduct protection services mapping exercise and dig existing referral systems within their areas

• Conduct community meetings to raise awareness on safeguarding and GESI, including to the staffs in GOAL and Partner organizations. 

• Provide accomplishments reports on SG and GESI related activities to the HO Focal Points when required.

• Performs other duties as assigned (5 of time 5%)

• Perform other duties provided by the Area program manager, HO MEAL unit and HO Protection and Safeguarding unit. However, Regional (Area) Program Managers should make sure the MEAL Officers are used primarily and to the maximum scale for the MEAL, Safeguarding and GESI roles and responsibilities. 

• Mainstreaming Issues:

• Work jointly with the Gender and HIV/AIDS personnel to ensure effective mainstreaming and well representation of the sectors in the project cycle management and ensure M & E indicators are developed in the same manner.

• Work ion increasing the sensitivity and awareness of staff towards Gender, HIV/AIDS and Child Protection issues. 

• Be a role model and provide feedback to encourage others in supporting equality and diversity principals, and the accommodation of other differences in the workplace. 

• Compliance issues 

While conducting trainings, make sure the training report and the signed attendees list is formally addressed to the Grant Unit for a central donor file

Job Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree in Statistics, Sociology, Economics, or another data-heavy field.

• Minimum of 3 years’ experience specifically working in humanitarian context.

• Basic knowledge of statistics and experience working with complex data 

• Desirable Requirements 

• Experience working with data visualization software like Power BI 

• Experience working with ODK based software (Kobo, Survey CTO, MWater), particularly CommCare

• Commitments: 

GOAL’s recruitment procedure is fair and transparent which is also in line with the organization’s commitment to its integrity, honesty and culture. GOAL is committed to ensure that, its performance complies with the terms and conditions of relevant agreements, applicable laws & regulations. 

GOAL highly promotes Equality, diversity and inclusion and works with women and men, People with disabilities, and employees of various ages including youth, supports their empowerment and appreciates their achievements constantly. GOAL also encourages applications from diverse candidates including women, people with disabilities, people with diverse backgrounds, and youth to apply.

GOAL has zero tolerance to discrimination on the basis of gender, age, disability, ethnicity, religion, race, economic status etc . we strive to create a workplace environment that ensures every team, in every office, in every country, is rich in diverse people, thoughts, and ideas.

Hence, pre-employment background checks will be conducted, and employees are required to read, understand, sign and implement different polices including safeguarding and child protection policy, Protection from Sexual Exploitation and abuse policy, sexual harassment policy, code of conducts and any other rules and regulation of the organization. GOAL is strongly committed not to harm the people under its care. 

GOAL Ethiopia is committed to safeguarding and promoting the safety of people who involves in its work and demands all staff exhibit the highest commitment. GOAL Ethiopia will verify skills and commitment of the candidate in the assessment process and perform Background reference check.

You are welcome to include your sex (Male or female) and any disability issues in your CV (please note that this information will only be used to comply with affirmative action policy of the organization).

How to Apply

• APPLICATION PROCEEDURE: 

Interested and qualified applicants need to submit ONLY once their non - returnable application with CV for one vacancy. The vacancy reference number along with the title & Duty station need to be written in the application letter. 

• Applicants can directly apply through THIS LINK button

• Please be sure your application and CV should be in PDF or Word only. (The system couldn’t accept other than PDF and Word.)

GOAL strongly encourages female candidates to apply!

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for an interview and exam.

Shortlisted candidates will need to submit other supporting documents upon request at later stage.

GOAL is not able to contribute towards any costs incurred by candidates during the recruitment process.