MEAL Manager Full Time

DRC Uganda is currently looking for a highly qualified and motivated individual to join our dynamic team as a Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) Manager.

The overall purpose of the role:

Under the line management of the Head of Programme (HOP), the MEAL Manager will be responsible for operationalizing, leading and managing the MEAL unit, while ensuring compliance to DRC proceedures and guidelines within the country. They will ensure effective implementation of MEAL strategies and global standards, support mainstreaming MEAL throughout Project Cycle Management (PCM), and reinforce quality programme management. The role holder will also be responsible for providing support and/or technical guidance to country operations while overseeing country MEAL activities, recruiting, and line managing Accountability and Learning Specialist and the Information Management Specialist.

Your main duties and responsibilities will be:

Country Office MEAL capacities and commitments.

• Participate in country-level strategic planning and annual reviews and assist programme staff and senior management in the development of annual plans, strategies, and program design using strong evidence and pursue strategic research initiatives.
• Lead the development of MEAL strategies and tools; and ensure leadership in MEAL strategy, advancing MEAL technical, human, and financial capacities in meeting DRC institutional commitments.
• Apply DRC guidance for MEAL and division of labour as per MEAL workstream Responsible, Accountable, Supportive, Consulted and Informed (RASCI), particularly vis-à-vis programme staff, and foster collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders within the area of responsibility.
• Lead in adapting and applying the DRC’s MEAL model and the relevant building blocks and giving guidance to the local circumstances and corresponding projects and programmes, in the area of responsibility.
• Identify and plan for the human resources, financial resources, and time needed to carry out MEAL activities in the area of responsibility in line with DRC guidance.
• Apply DRC guidance with regards to General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and data protection, specifically for MEAL-related data, and liaise with relevant internal counterparts responsible for data protection.
• Lead on capacity building, training and technical support for MEAL, programme, sectors and field staff to advance evidence agenda.

Results monitoring and programme quality support

• Engage in and support quality throughout PCM, in line with DRC guidance and division of labour, accommodating external requirements and internal evidence needs, including the Global Results reporting. Specifically, ensure development and adequate maintenance of MEAL plans, indicator tracking tools and other relevant tools for the area of responsibility.
• Participate in and contribute to project kick-off meetings, review meetings and close-out meetings to highlight cross-project components aimed at replicating good practices and strengthening synergies between projects or programmes.
• Establish and roll-out results frameworks and monitoring processes and tools at the right level (Global, Regional Office, Country Office, field and project levels) in the area of responsibility.
• Ensure the development of appropriate monitoring, tracking and reporting systems, tools and templates that enhance monitoring of program outputs and quality, Value for Money, generate quality evidence on program outcomes and promote the use of data for decision-making processes.
• Design, refine and deploy data collection which combine quantitative and qualitative methods and tools and oversee field visits, baseline, mid and end-lines, in the area of responsibility.
• Plan for, manage and quality assure the field data collection and field monitoring processes and tools.
• Ensure the application of ethical principles in the field work, including with DRC Code of Conduct and in line with Protection referral protocols and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
• Plan for and perform data quality assurance in data collection, data entry and data processing in the area of responsibility.
• Establish and maintain processes and protocols for data protection, storage, sharing, and security in the area of responsibility.
• Lead the analysis and reporting of MEAL qualitative and quantitative data (e.g. baseline and end line assessment reports) collected in line with internal information needs and external reporting obligations.
• Lead on external MEAL-related consultancies

Accountability

• Identify, plan for and implement different mechanisms for community engagement, participatory monitoring and integrate feedback mechanisms in MEAL.
• Assess, design and improve accountability mechanisms, including Community Feedback Mechanism processes, tools and SOPs, and adapt global Community Feedback Mechanism CFM guidance to the local context for efficient feedback mechanisms management.
• Together with Senior Management Team (SMT) members, ensure that all staff are trained in DRC CFM and accountability approaches, DRC Code of Conduct Reporting Mechanism, Prevention of Sexual Exploitation Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH), safeguarding measures, and accountability commitments and mechanisms are communicated and known among community members and the People of Concern.
• Liaise with Headquarters and HQ Hub, coordinate with Country Office management, and support Country Office team during Core Humanitarian Standards (CHS) certification audits, CHS self-assessment processes and follow-up to the improvement plan

Evaluation, analysis, and learning

• Lead and contribute to analysis, evaluation, and research for data-driven evidence and use in the area of responsibility.
• Support utilization of results for better planning and decision making and share knowledge and learning for improved programming within DRC and beyond, within the area of responsibility.
• Translate MEAL findings into organizational learning; plan and implement learning events and design appropriate learning products.
• Regularly present the key MEAL findings and feedback to the supervisors and when relevant to the Senior Management Team for further development.
• Design and manage evaluations in compliance with DRC evaluation policy, from development of Terms of Reference (TORs), to advising management on approval of final report, to dissemination of evaluation.
• Lead on or engage in analysis, interpretation, and communication of the MEAL findings externally, in the area of responsibility.

As Manager the post-holder will be responsible for the following

• Accountable for achieving DRC’s strategic goals and objectives within the area of responsibility.
• Accountable for making significant decisions on what the unit does: its purpose, functions and role, and for making commitments and decisions that require the expenditure of significant unit resources.
• Accountable for people management of direct reports, generally at least three employees. This includes hiring, objective setting, probation, performance appraisal, development of staff, managing performance, including poor performance, etc.
• Accountable for making sound decisions based on DRC policies, SOPs, standards, and the advice of technical experts in DRC.
• Perform other duties as directed by the Head of Programme (HoP).

About you

• To be successful in this role, you are expected to have a Minimum of 6 years relevant work experience in monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning of humanitarian and development programmes with at least 2 years in a management role. Moreover, we also expect the following.

Required

• A Master’s degree in Monitoring and Evaluation, Data Analytics, International Development, Social Sciences, Statistics, or any other relevant field
• Experience working with International NGOs, UN agencies, line ministries and/or local authorities in migrants/refugee settings and/or in emergencies.
• Proven experience in effectively working with a variety of donors’ requirements including DANIDA, ECHO, EU, and UN agencies.
• Strong understanding of monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning principles and processes, including database management, reporting etc.
• Demonstrated experience with DRC Core Sectors.
• Mastered understanding of mix-methods approach, research methodologies and the use of evidence, including participatory methodologies.
• Demonstrated understanding of Core Humanitarian Standards (CHS) and ability to apply accountability and ethical standards in everyday work.
• Mastered skills in design, implementation, and quality assurance throughout data collection process and specifically software.
• Mastered competencies in working with analysis frameworks, with data analysis for quantitative and qualitative data and communicating evidence.
• Demonstrable experience in the nurturing of organisational learning in programmes.
• Demonstrated ability to work and deliver under pressure, within budget and time constraints and also manage priorities.
• Ability to inspire and apply critical thinking in everyday work; promote and contribute with constructive critique.
• Mastered ability and motivation to learn on the job and advance in the role.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, ability to adjust communication to various stakeholders and audiences.
• Full professional proficiency in English

Desirable

• Experience working on commercial contracts.

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’s five core competencies:

Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process.

Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.

Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.

Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly.

Demonstrating integrity: You uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to our values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

We offer

• Contract length: 11 months
• Band: MF 1
• Designation of Duty Station: Kampala with minimum 30% travel to other DRC offices
• Start date: As soon as possible

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for national employees; please refer to our website.

Tagged as: Danish Refugee Council, Uganda