MEAL Officer at Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS)

The Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) is an international Catholic organisation with a mission to accompany, serve and advocate on behalf of refugees and other forcibly displaced persons. JRS undertakes services at national and regional levels with the support of an international office in Rome. Founded in November 1980 as a work of the Society of Jesus, JRS was officially registered on 19 March 2000 at the Vatican State as a foundation. JRS programmes are found in 51 countries, providing assistance to: refugees in camps and cities, individuals displaced within their own countries, asylum seekers in cities, and to those held in detention centres. The main areas of work are in the field of education, emergency assistance, healthcare, livelihood activities and social services. At the end of 2016, more than 733,400 individuals were direct beneficiaries of JRS projects.

Job Summary

JRS is recruiting for MEAL Officers to be based in the following states: Taraba, Adamawa , Borno, Zamfara. The Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Officer will be responsible for the design, coordination and implementation of the monitoring and evaluation, research, accountability and learning framework of the Project and report to the project director. The MEAL officer shall be primarily responsible for establishing and overseeing a functional MEAL system for the project as well as take responsible for the full-cycle monitoring and evaluation of programs, developing appropriate methodologies and tools to design evaluations.

The MEAL officer shall also be responsible to develop a systematic monitoring framework to improve the qualitative and quantitative evidence gathered by the project and provide technical assistance to the implementing agencies, particularly in relation to monitoring, reporting and governance issues.

The MEAL Officer will manage information and reporting processes and products to ensure professional, high-quality communication in JRS’s activities and results. While improving information management and data quality, and in strengthening knowledge sharing and learning across the organization.

Key Responsibilities of the position

Role/Mission

• Develop, implement, and assess monitoring frameworks for the project.
• Develop the overall framework for project MEAL systems in collaboration with donor requirement and project staff. This shall include project requirements, reporting, baseline, and evaluation surveys; develop and monitor project management plan to systematically document performance.
• In line with project document, the MEAL officer shall facilitate the design of “SMART” logic models, monitoring frameworks, and evaluation plans during semi-annual and annual work-planning process.
• Contribute to the development of annual work plans to identify project targets and ensure inclusion of M&E activities.
• Maintain existing/review indicator tracking tools; develop additional databases and tracking tools as needed to demonstrate the effectiveness of project interventions.
• Ensure adherence to specific monitoring and reporting requirements various donors.
• Analyze data for accuracy, flag quality issues, conduct field visits to carry out data validation and to monitor the quality and completeness of data sets; coordinate data collection (including ODK) at project sites to monitor program development, ensure timely compilation and reporting of data.
• Be responsible for capturing and documenting lessons learned; as well as championing and scaling up best practices.
• Carry out routine data quality assessment (RDQA) for all project implementation activities.
• Create and ensure to integrate infographics in routine reports and information to meaningfully visualize data.
• Set up a data corner and ensure availability/display of project infographics on a quarterly basis.
• Be responsible to edit project content and presentation for all reporting and deliverables before submission for internal and external fora to ensure superior quality and professionalism.
• Contribute to developing and reporting of project reviews, assessments, surveys, and other analytic or evaluation processes and products.
• Provide technical leadership and support to project and partner staff in planning and implementing M&E systems and activities, data-based program decision-making, and results reporting; provide training as needed.
• Prepare Issues Log and Risk Log for the project.
• To organize and coordinate mid-term reviews, learning workshops/review of program work plans.
• Ensure the accountability of project to beneficiaries and affected persons while adhering to compliance processes in line with project documents.
• Participate in related sectoral and working group meetings.
• Perform other duties as required.
• Promote PSEA and safeguarding standards within JRS and amongst the beneficiaries it serves.

Required Profile

 Qualification

• Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s degree in statistics, demographics, computer science, social work or international development is preferred.

Experience and Skills

• Minimum of five (5) years of experience working in the field of monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (MEAL) at a similar cadre.
• Proven success in designing, implementing, and operating MEAL systems from project initiation to project close out.
• Proven experience in strategic planning and performance management, including indicator selection, target setting, reporting, database management, and developing M&E and performance monitoring plans.
• Proven knowledge of major evaluation methodologies (qualitative, quantitative, mixed method, and impact) and data collection and analysis methodologies
• Experience in planning for and managing assessments/surveys, developing data collection tools, and with data quality assessments and oversight.
• Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment, set priorities, and meet deadlines.
• Fluency in English Language; excellent written and oral communication skills, including facilitation and cross-cultural communication.
• Have working knowledge of Kanuri and Hausa languages.
• Strong attention to detail, organizational and time management skills
• Proven computer proficiency in Microsoft office (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint)
• Proven skills in data management program and remote data collection methodologies (SPSS, STATA, NVIVO, Kobocollect, Survey CTO)

Qualities

• Adhere to JRS values and abide by the code of conduct and other policies.
• Proven work experience in multicultural and stressful environments.
• Trustworthiness, integrity and accountability.
• Strong ability to work independently, organize work, meet deadlines, maintain composure, prioritize work under pressure, coordinate multiple tasks and maintain attention to details
• Ability to adapt to working conditions and tasks that may change with the reality of the field.
• Demonstrate leadership skills, active listening skills, initiative and personal discipline.

Method of Application