We are looking for a highly qualified, self-motivated Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Specialist (Surveys & Assessments) who is able to work with diverse teams of both national and international staff as well as local government authorities, UN agencies, I/NGOs and other partners under difficult, stressful and sometimes insecure conditions.
Background
Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is operational in South Sudan since 2005, working with the overall aim of achieving durable solutions for displaced populations. The Danish Demining Group (DDG) started Humanitarian Mine Action in 2006.
Danish Refugee Council main programme objectives (2019-2021) in South Sudan are:
- To save lives and alleviate suffering among displaced people and their hosts
- To reduce displacement related risks and support and facilitate solutions
- To promote peaceful, inclusive and resilient societies and address root causes to displacement
DRC primarily operates across Upper Nile and Unity states, both of which are heavily affected by conflict and experience high numbers of internally displaced populations as well as refugees in need of humanitarian assistance. DRC has operational bases in Maban, Malakal, Kodok and Aburoc in Upper Nile and in Bentiu, Mayom, Kodok and Ajuong Thok in Unity state, supported by a country-office in Juba.
DRC recently developed important multi-sectorial mobile response teams based in Juba able to rapidly respond to new and urgent humanitarian situations countrywide at short notice to conduct assessments and responses
Purpose of the post
Under the supervision of the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability & Learning (MEAL) Manager, the MEAL Specialist will have overall responsibility for development of data management systems (including development of MEAL databases), data analysis and production of infographic reports for the Country Operation. The MEAL Specialist will also technically support the MEAL Manager in developing MEAL plans, tools and standards for each technical sector in line with the MEAL Strategy, development of data management systems, SOPs and protocols for the country programs; ensure harmonization and standardization of systems and procedures across different locations; as well as providing technical MEAL guidance and leadership to MEAL staff in the field
Responsibilities
Surveys and Evaluations
- Support the MEAL Officers when conducting Baseline, Endline Evaluations, Post Distribution Monitoring (PDMs), Post construction Surveys, beneficiary Satisfaction Surveys, Post Implementation Monitoring and other related household surveys in all relevant locations.
- Provide leadership and guidance in survey and assessment process, ensuring the full participation of all DRC/DDG programme sectors from planning through data collection to reporting and drawing of conclusions and recommendations.
- Facilitate the recruitment and training of appropriate survey teams in each field location.
- Carry out data analysis for surveys and evaluations using data analysis software such as SPSS, R, MS Excel and produce surveys/ evaluation reports, including Factsheets.
Development of data collection tools and methodologies
- Working closely with the MEAL Manager, Technical Coordinators, Program Managers and Area managers to design appropriate data collection tools and methodologies including development of ToRs, questionnaires, data entry tools and uploading into KoboCollect.
- Close coordination with program and technical Managers to develop appropriate MEAL tools and methodologies, identifying priorities for MEAL and follow up on the timelines.
- Ensure that all the designed tools, methodologies and other MEAL activities are in line with DRC global and country level strategies, cluster’s guidelines and other humanitarian standards such as CHS and Sphere etc.
- Ensure that data collection and reporting is undertaken in a timely manner having consideration to the ongoing issues around access and security which may be affecting particular locations.
- Ensure that data analysis and report write up and dissemination is completed and that reports are shared with all relevant staff and externally as required.
- Cross check the accuracy of data entry with the field MEAL officers and help them in data cleaning.
- Responsible to draft initial reports on the field collected data, collected by the field MEAL teams, Program teams or secondary sources, under the supervision and guidance of MEAL Manager.
- Responsible for timely sharing initial findings of the monitoring reports with program and area coordination with the authorization of MEAL Manager.
- Develop and manage MEAL cloud databases including indicator tracking and reporting database, Complaints and Response database and survey tracking database.
- Conceptualize infographics, flash presentations or other information outputs and work with the MEAL team to develop these.
- Organize and maintain GIS data in accordance with the data management protocols.
Management & Support
- Contribute in developing, updating, upgrading country MEAL strategy, developing structure, process and procedures for the effective and efficient MEAL of the DRC’s ongoing programs.
- Assisting the MEAL Manager in developing MEAL plans for the ongoing projects and developing work plans for the different field sites for implementation of the MEAL activities
- Where possible carryout field visits of the implementation sites to assess the local context, to learn about program and implementation strategies and where needed, provide support to the field teams.
- To carry-out any other duties and/or responsibilities assigned by immediate supervisor within the scope of organizational priority.
- Participate in regular project review exercises and Cluster technical working group meetings.
- Provide information as required to the respective technical clusters and donors in relation to humanitarian data and be proactive in alerting DRC/DDG Juba and external partners to any humanitarian data which is of concern.
Learning and project quality
- Support in the development and operationalization of a knowledge management and learning strategy for collecting, analyzing and summarizing knowledge and learning, and ensuring the integration of knowledge and learning into ongoing and future programming.
- Support MEAL and programme teams to better document and integrate knowledge and learning in their daily activities through support in the development of appropriate tools, guidance notes and of work, education and integration towards a sustainable future. Organize and facilitate internal and external learning events and participate in the development of MEAL plans, as well as project kick-off, review and closure meetings
About You
In this position, you are expected to demonstrate each of DRC’ five core competencies:
- Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results through the Regional team both to position DRC and ensure excellence in all deliverable.
- Collaborating: You lead regional initiatives and processes by involving relevant parties and encouraging feedback.
- Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.
- Communicating: You listen to other stakeholders and staff; and you communicate concisely and persuasively.
- Demonstrating integrity: You act in line with DRC’s vision and values.
Moreover, we also expect the following:
Experience and technical competencies
- A minimum of 5 years of direct, “hands-on” working experience in conducting surveys, assessments, research, statistical data analysis, monitoring and evaluation of emergency or resilience programmes in conflict or post conflict setting.
- University degree in statistics or related studies
- Experience in data collection tool through ODK –KoBo toolbox system to design and convert the data collection tools in to ODK is desirable.
- Experience in data management using Office, Excel, EPI-Info, PowerBI, ENA, SPSS and/or STATA. This will include hands-on experience in data capturing and coding, analysis and reporting of indicator data as well as supervising data collection.
- Excellent interpersonal skills both verbal and written communications skills as well as strong team working skills
- Ability to manage multiple tasks in an effective, pro-active and timely manner.
Languages:
- Proficiency in reading, writing and understanding in English is essential
- Proficiency in the local languages (Arabic) would be an advantage
Desirable qualifications
- Good ability to adapt and organize
- Leadership and proven managerial skills
- Ability to manage several deadlines at the same time
- Team spirit, demonstrate high levels of integrity and strong work ethics
Conditions
Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for Expatriates; please refer to www.drc.dk under Vacancies. This position will be placed at Employment Band – G (Non Management).
Key stakeholders: (internal and external)
- Sector Coordinators (Grants, Protection, Livelihoods, solutions & CCCM)
- Area Managers and Programme Managers
- Consortium MEAL staff
More Information
- Job City Juba
