MEAL Coordinator- SRF

Introduction

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. Based in Copenhagen (Denmark) and present in forty countries, the Danish Refugee Council is a non-profit-making, politically independent, non-governmental and non-denominational relief organization.

Our vision is a dignified life for all displaced. All our efforts are based on our value compass: humanity, respect, independence and neutrality, participation, and honesty and transparency.

Background

DRC has been operating in West Africa since 1998 and in Latin America and the Caribbean since 2011. The DRC West-North Africa & Latin America (WANALA) Regional Office is based in Dakar, Senegal, and covers several countries. Led by the Regional Executive Director, the DRC WANALA oversees, supports, and provides strategic directions for DRC’s Country Offices within the above-mentioned regions: it includes Algeria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Colombia, Libya, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Tunisia, Venezuela.

Purpose

The DRC WANALAC is looking to recruit an experienced, highly qualified, and enthusiastic professional. The DRC WANALA is hosting the Regional Sahel Fund (hereafter: SRF), which is a strategic and innovative regional fund governed by NGOs and supporting NGOs with quality funding in pursuit of high impact and cost-effective program strategies and activities. The SRF has the ambition to accelerate localisation in emergencies in Sahel region.

The MEAL Coordinator will be based in Dakar or in an office in the region (Mali, Niger or Burkina Faso) with frequent travel required (40%). This position requires a strong previous experience in developing MEAL tools. This position also requires a full professional proficiency in French and English language.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the authority of the MEAL Manager, the main responsibilities and tasks of the MEAL Coordinator are the following:

Quality Management:

• Responsible for the review of log frames, MEAL plans in pursuit of high impact and cost-effective program strategies and activities.
• Participate in project Kick-off meetings, review meetings and close-out meetings in order to highlight cross-project components aimed at replicating good practices and strengthening synergies between SRF Consortia.
• Conduct regular field visit as per the MEAL planning to verify partner progress in delivering of project outputs and activities (as per log frame and work plan), the beneficiary targeting process, the progress in meeting quality standards as per the Key performance indicators outlined in the SRF MEAL framework, the use of resources (as per budget) and internal monitoring and reporting systems.
• Triangulate information collected through reports, identify gaps, assess grantee performance against the key performance indicators provided in the SRF MEAL framework and identify trends in humanitarian operations.
• Coordinate with the DRC Accountability Specialist during his field visits to support review on monitoring of community feedback mechanisms as well as PSEAH approaches in place at the level of consortia

Programme Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning:

• Support MEAL manager in strengthening and continuously updating the SRF accountability strategy and support grantees on implementation of programme wide feedback and complaint mechanisms.
• Ensure that SRF grantees are supporting all efforts towards accountability, specifically to beneficiaries and in line with international standards and SRF MEAL Framework while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the monitoring and evaluation of SRF grantees.
• Support in the development of appropriate monitoring, tracking and reporting systems, tools and templates that enhance monitoring of program outputs and quality, generate quality evidence on program outcome as well as promote and ensure use of data for decision-making processes.
• Support in developing and improving systems that strengthen SRF FMU’ ability to analyze, improve, and represent impact internally and externally and to communities themselves.
• Support SRF grantee in the design of project’s baseline, mid-line, end-line in compliance with SRF logframe and MEAL Framework, from development of ToRs to reviewing of final reports.
• Regularly present key findings to the MEAL Manager and FMU Director for further development.
• Support the design, implementation and review of operational research reports.
• Support the development and dissemination of knowledge and learning through high quality communication products and publications for various audience.

Capacity building:

• Provide timely and high-quality advice to Consortia managers and MEAL staff as required.
• Support SRF grantee in capacity build, train and support sectors to improve the field monitoring or any other MEAL needs.
• Consortium Coordination
• Act as focal point for all MEAL related issues with SRF consortia.
• Conduct regular visits to field sites to provide technical assistance and ensure proper monitoring of project activities.
• Take part in MEAL workshop and review of the consortium.
• Ensure coordination of data collection and compiling.

In addition to the above, the MEAL Coordinator may be asked to carry out other duties requested by the MEAL Manager.

Required Qualifications

• Background in demographics, social sciences, statistics, public health, research methods and MEAL.
• At least 3 years of professional experience working with humanitarian / development organisations with responsibilities in a MEAL department.
• Highly developed skills and demonstrated capacity developing MEAL strategies and mechanisms, including implementation and training in related principles and practice.
• Experience in leading and implementing Collaboration, Learning, and Adaptation (CLA) approaches, and developing learning systems to improve project performance and achieve impact.
• Excellent report writing, analytical, and communication skills, including oral presentation skills in French and in English.
• Knowledge of donor rules and regulations
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize large workloads, to consistently meet deadlines and adapt in a complex and challenging work environment
• Minimum 2 years of experience working with INGOs and international organizations with the following sectors in their portfolio – protection, food security and nutrition, shelter, NFIs and health including cash modalities
• Excellent ability in using data systems like Power BI, SPSS, R or other software for reporting or analysis.
• Proficiency in common computer packages i.e. Word, Excel, Power point etc
• Experience working in the Sahel zone (Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and Chad) would be an asset
• Experience living and working in a cross-cultural, multi-sector, team environment
• Ability to work well under pressure and in adverse conditions
• Demonstrated commitment and strict adherence to confidentiality
• Effective communication skills (written and verbal)
• Languages: Fluency in written and spoken English and French

Required Skills & Qualities

• Core Competencies of DRC:
  • Striving for excellence
  • Collaboration
  • Taking the lead
  • Communication
  • Demonstrating Integrity
• Ability to work in a multinational and multicultural environment
• Proactivity, with a sound commitment to teamwork and with a spirit of genuine collaboration
• Excellent communication skills, as well as patience and politeness, are required
• Multi-tasking and organizational skills is a must
• Adaptable and Flexible
• Proven analytical and critical thinking skills
• Exemplary sense of ethics in the workplace
• Team-oriented & good sense of humor

General Regulations

• The employee shall follow DRC instructions on safety, confidentiality and ethical guidelines, including the Code of Conduct and the Humanitarian Accountability Framework
• Employee should not engage in any other paid activity during the DRC contract period without prior authorization
• Employee should not engage in any activity that could harm DRC or the implementation of any project during the DRC contract period
• Employee should not give interviews to the media or publish project-related photos or other material without prior authorization
• Employee shall return all borrowed equipment for the project to DRC after the end of the contract period or upon request