MEAL Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is an international humanitarian organization founded in Denmark in 195

• With a mission to assist refugees and internally displaced persons globally, DRC provides emergency aid, advocates for their rights, and works towards sustainable solutions for a brighter future. The organization has grown to employ over 7,000 staff and 8,000 volunteers, operating in multiple countries including Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Türkiye, and Iraq. DRC's vision is to ensure a dignified life for all displaced individuals, guided by values such as humanity, respect, independence, neutrality, participation, honesty, and transparency. DRC has been active in Syria since 2008, initially addressing the Iraqi refugee crisis and later expanding its efforts to respond to the ongoing Syria crisis from 2011 onwards. The organization employs an area-based approach to support internally displaced persons (IDPs), returnees, and host communities across various sectors, including Economic Recovery and Resilience, Protection, WASH, Shelter and Infrastructure, and Humanitarian Disarmament and Peacebuilding. DRC's established rapid response mechanism allows for quick action in emergencies, while its programs aim to foster resilience and sustainable solutions for communities affected by prolonged displacement and post-conflict recovery.

Job Overview:
The MEAL Officer will play a crucial role in supporting the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) framework of DRC Syria's programs in Dar’a. This position is essential for ensuring that the MEAL standards are met and that program quality is maintained. The MEAL Officer will be responsible for conducting monitoring visits, assisting program teams with data collection and analysis, designing tools, and gathering M&E information from field activities. A significant portion of the role, at least 40%, will involve field visits to ensure effective monitoring and accountability. The MEAL Officer will report directly to the MEAL Manager at the Country Office, and the position will be based at the area-level office. The role requires a proactive approach to data management and reporting, ensuring that all activities align with the MEAL strategy and contribute to the overall success of DRC's mission in Syria.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The MEAL Officer's duties include:

• Monitoring: Implementing the location-specific MEAL plan, coordinating with the MEAL Specialist and other area offices to ensure high-quality completion of activities.
• Participating in the development of M&E tools and guidelines for data collection, ensuring gender sensitivity and accurate translations.
• Supporting program teams in data collection as per the M&E plan, utilizing various tools such as surveys, focus group discussions, and interviews.
• Assisting in the recruitment and training of data collectors and supervising field data collection and entry.
• Gathering feedback from beneficiaries and stakeholders regarding activity implementation and impact.
• Conducting periodic monitoring visits to project sites to assess progress against MEAL indicators and implementation quality.
• Updating the program indicator performance tracker monthly in collaboration with the program team.
• Ensuring adherence to monitoring schedules, data collection targets, and reporting deadlines.
• Drafting and sharing work plans with the MEAL Manager. 1
• Systematically checking data for quality and providing necessary feedback. 1
• Conducting area-specific analysis of findings and communicating results to program teams. 1
• Reporting any anticipated project issues or risks to the project team. 1
• Coordinating with the MEAL Officer in Dar’a for comprehensive analysis of MEAL activities. 1
• Supporting partners with specific tasks as directed by the MEAL Manager and Specialist. 1
• Upholding professional standards and compliance with DRC's Code of Conduct. 1
• Assisting in the documentation of lessons learned and supporting internal/external evaluations. 1
• Drafting monitoring reports and contributing to donor reports as needed. 1
• Completing operational support tasks related to administration, finances, and logistics. 1
• Participating in program coordination meetings and facilitating peer-to-peer learning. 2
• Organizing and storing MEAL-related data and files appropriately.

Required Qualifications:
The ideal candidate for the MEAL Officer position should possess the following qualifications:

• At least 2-3 years of experience in humanitarian assistance, international development, M&E, or social science research.
• Demonstrable experience in project/program planning, implementation, reporting, monitoring, and evaluation.
• Proven ability to produce analytical information products from both primary and secondary data sources.
• Strong understanding of humanitarian principles, particularly Core Humanitarian Standards and the Do No Harm Framework.
• Experience in training and facilitation, with strong analytical skills, especially in Microsoft Office Suite (Word and Excel).
• Excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills, creativity, and flexibility.
• Self-motivated and organized, with the ability to manage time effectively.
• Ability to work well in a team and in a multicultural environment, demonstrating discretion and confidentiality.

Educational Background:
A Bachelor’s degree in a related field of social science, such as anthropology, humanitarian studies, or development studies, is preferred for this position. This educational background will provide the necessary foundation for understanding the complexities of humanitarian work and the socio-economic factors affecting displaced populations.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 2-3 years of relevant experience in humanitarian assistance, international development, monitoring and evaluation, or social science research. This experience should include practical knowledge of project planning, implementation, and reporting, as well as familiarity with data collection and analysis methodologies.

Languages:
Fluency in written and spoken English and Arabic is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in these languages is essential for effective communication with beneficiaries, stakeholders, and team members. Additional language skills may be considered an asset but are not required.

Additional Notes:
The contract for this position is expected to last until the end of December 2026, and it is classified as a non-management level role (H2). The position is based in Daraa, Syria, with an expected start date of September 12, 202

• Interested candidates must submit a cover letter and an updated CV, both in the same language as the vacancy note, with CV-only applications not being considered. The application deadline is September 1, 202
• DRC reserves the right to conduct tests and interviews before the closing date and may close the advertisement earlier if a suitable candidate is found. For more information about the Danish Refugee Council, candidates are encouraged to visit the organization's website.