Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Coordinator – Iraq

INTERSOS is an independent humanitarian organization that assists the victims of natural disasters, armed conflicts and exclusion. Its activities are based on the principles of solidarity, justice, human dignity, equality of rights and opportunities, respect for diversity and coexistence, paying special attention to the most vulnerable people.

Terms of reference

Job Title: Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Coordinator

Code: SR-29-1992

Duty station: Erbil -with regular visit in all the field bases at level of KRI and GOI areas

Starting date: 01/09/2021

Contract duration: 6 months, with possibility of renewal

Reporting to: Head of Mission

Supervision of: M&E Unit (4 Meal Officer & 1 Information Management Specialist – National Staff)

Dependents: Accompanied Duty Station

General context of the project

INTERSOS has been present in Iraq since 2003 and currently operates across Ninewa, Salah Al Din (SAD), Kurdistan (KRI) Governorates. INTERSOS thematic sectors of intervention are Health, Protection, and Education in Emergency (EiE). INTERSOS main office is in Erbil with sub-offices or community centers located in Telafar, Baaj, Rabia, Hatra and Mosul (Ninewa) and Tikrit, Shirqat, Balad and Samarra (SAD). As of mid-2021, INTERSOS had over 300 national staff, 17 expat staff and over 250 service providers and volunteers working in the delivery of its humanitarian programs in Iraq across the mentioned sectors.

General purpose of the position

The MEAL Coordinator will support the implementation and supervision of the MEAL Unit in the INTERSOS Iraq Mission ensuring strong coordination with Program Unit and and under the supervision of the HoM.

S/he will accomplish this through leading the development and implementation of an integrated MEAL framework for the Program currently implemented in Iraq, focusing on mentoring and/or building capacities of relevant programme, M&E and Accountability staff, as well as promoting and fostering a culture of shared learning and accountability, and promoting innovation within the programme. This includes the development and integration of accountability, learning and programme quality standards in programme assessments, design, monitoring, review and evaluation as well as consistent documentation of learning and progress in this area.

The MEAL Coordinator will be expected to lead on MEAL system implementation and improvement including monitoring, accountability initiatives, support evaluations, compile lessons learnt, MEAL budgeting and recruitment.

Main responsibilities and tasks

Under the direct supervision of INTERSOS Head of Mission, the MEAL Coordinator will be responsible of the following:

MEAL Strategy at Mission Level and Programme Support:

• Support HoM in mainstreaming MEAL elements in the Country Strategy and recommendations for the Organisation’s strategic direction.
• Support programme teams in the design of SMART indicators, targets, and MEAL systems/activities for project proposals
• Liaise with HQ focal points on the improvement and use of the Project Appraisal Tool, integrated into MEAL systems at mission level

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning:

• Finalize the piloting and roll out of a vulnerability scoring system at mission level
• Supervise MEAL officers in developing and implementing project level MEAL plans, and providing regular monitoring data through M&E activities, including site visits, distribution and post distribution monitoring, satisfaction surveys, etc.
• Design and manage the implementation of internal evaluations or baseline assessments and lead workshops with programme teams for learning
• When relevant, draft TORs and liaise with third party providers for external evaluations
• Continue and increase use of visualizations as a means of analysis of regularly collected data for monitoring and learning (either directly or through MEAL team)
• Develop and roll out mechanism for programme and mission level monitoring of relevant trends using existring and regularly collected beneficiary data
• Develop a Mission assessment plan focusing starting form the already existing tools (Cluster Assessment tools) focusing on promoting an integrated approach and including a focus on Community.

Information Management:

• Continue to develop and roll out beneficiary databases and platforms within active sectors (e.g. legal platform)
• Reduce reporting burden on programme teams through integration and regular updating of dashboards and development of innovative solutions to data management and flow
• Supervise monthly reporting of mission data on Activity Info through INTERSOS online reporting system
• Maintain and expand use of internal information management website

Accountability:

• Responsible for supervision and implementation of the INTERSOS complaint and feedback response mechanism (CFRM), with a focus on improving equitable access and timely processing of complaints
• Lead investigations into alleged misconduct when relevant in a confidential, sensitive, and ethical manner in line with INTERSOS SOPs and local regulations
• Manage the implementation refresher trainings at mission level on the CFRM and contribute to fostering a commitment to accountability across the all levels of the mission
• Provide regular analysis of complaints and feedback to programme teams to foster organizational learning and improvement
• Support Program Unit to ensure that the overall program is including strategies and mechanism for promoting high level of community participation.

Management and Capacity Building:

• Support in the recruitment and management of staff (induction, performance management and training)
• Identify learning and training opportunities for MEAL staff and work as a mentor for both senior and less experienced staff.
• Conduct technical trainings on MEAL topics, e.g. data collection tools, research methods, analysis, and accountability, for all MEAL staff
• Strengthen organizational capacity to manage, use, and analyse data through trainings of field staff on information management and data analysis

Required profile and experience

Education

• A university degree at the post-graduate level in: Statistics, Information management, Social Science, Demography, Social studies or any related field

Professional Experience

• At least 3 years of experience of working internationally in humanitarian programmes;
• Significant years of experience of undertaking a MEAL related role

Professional Requirements

• Experience of training and capacity building
• Experience in working through systems of community participation and accountability
• Ability to write clear and well-argued
• Previous experience of managing a team
• Strong reporting skills;

Languages

• Fluency in English with excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Italian and/or Arabic are an asset

Personal Requirements

• Problem solver, dynamic, mature;
• Pro-active approach to work;
• Able to work independently as well as being a strong team player
• Flexibility, capacity of managing stress, good diplomatic skills
• Ability to communicate effectively with variety of people, and express oneself in a clear and concise way;
• Excellent team working skills and ability to work in a multicultural environment and under pressure;
• Strong interpersonal and intercultural skills;
• Ability to work under high pressure