MEAL Technical Assistant

Job Posting Organization:
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is a humanitarian organization that implements various projects in Niger, focusing on sectors such as Education, Wash/Shelter, and ICLA. Established to provide assistance to refugees and displaced individuals, NRC operates in multiple countries, emphasizing accountability and effective project management. The organization is committed to ensuring that its operations are guided by principles of humanitarian aid, including the importance of monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning (MEAL).

Job Overview:
The MEAL Technical Assistant position is crucial for ensuring that data and evidence are collected, cleaned, and synthesized in a secure, inclusive, and ethical manner. This role supports the use of monitoring and evaluation results for accountability, reporting, and program learning. The assistant will work closely with the MEAL Officer to implement MEAL systems and standard operating procedures (SOPs) at the area office level. The position requires a proactive approach to data management and analysis, contributing to the overall effectiveness of NRC's humanitarian projects in Niger. The assistant will also be involved in various assessments, including baseline evaluations, post-distribution surveys, and satisfaction surveys, to ensure that project indicators are met and that the organization remains accountable to its beneficiaries.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The MEAL Technical Assistant will have a wide range of responsibilities, including:

• Implementing MEAL systems and SOPs at the area office level.
• Supporting the MEAL Officer in supervising quantitative and qualitative data collection for evaluations and monitoring results.
• Ensuring accurate and timely data entry, cleaning, and organization for monitoring and evaluation purposes.
• Contributing to data analysis and preparing summary reports for program use.
• Maintaining MEAL databases and ensuring proper documentation (both digital and paper).
• Supporting project activity verification, distributions, and beneficiary lists.
• Promoting safe, inclusive, and ethical engagement with communities during monitoring and evaluation activities.
• Complying with NRC policies, guidelines, and procedures, particularly those related to MEAL.
• Providing accurate and timely information to project participants about NRC services and responding to frequently asked questions. 1
• Receiving, recording, and responding to community feedback through NRC channels. 1
• Supporting the monitoring of GORS, particularly in data entry with focal points at the project indicator level, and verifying data completeness and quality with the officer. 1
• Assisting in the design and translation of data collection tools (surveys, PDM, FGD, KII). 1
• Deploying and managing mobile data collection platforms (Kobo/ODK). 1
• Conducting household surveys, FGDs, KIIs, spot checks, and exit interviews. 1
• Verifying project participant data and ensuring the quality of means of verification (MoV). 1
• Compiling and updating monthly indicator tracking sheets with disaggregated data. 1
• Helping organize after-action reviews, lessons learned meetings, and quality analyses. 1
• Performing any other tasks related to the function as delegated by the supervisor. 1
• Supporting community awareness sessions.

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

• 1 to 3 years of experience in MEAL or data management, preferably in humanitarian or development contexts.
• Knowledge of quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis.
• Strong database management skills and proficiency in Excel/digital data collection (Kobo/ODK).
• A bachelor's degree or diploma in social sciences, statistics, or a related field is preferred.
• Proficiency in spoken and written French is required.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) is required; experience with Microsoft 365 (SharePoint, Teams, OneDrive, Planner) is an advantage.
• Familiarity with the political and humanitarian context in Niger is beneficial.
• Knowledge of local languages (Zarma, Tamashek, etc.) is an asset.
• Experience implementing MEAL systems in hard-to-reach or remote-managed areas is an asset. 1
• Experience supporting MEAL for one of NRC's core competencies is an asset.

Educational Background:
Candidates should have a bachelor's degree or diploma in social sciences, statistics, or a related field. This educational background is essential for understanding the principles of monitoring and evaluation, data analysis, and the overall context of humanitarian work. A strong foundation in statistical methods and social research techniques will be beneficial for the role.

Experience:
The position requires 1 to 3 years of relevant experience in MEAL or data management, ideally within humanitarian or development settings. Candidates should demonstrate a solid understanding of data collection methodologies, analysis, and reporting processes. Experience in challenging environments or with vulnerable populations will be an advantage, as will familiarity with NRC's operational context.

Languages:
Proficiency in French is mandatory for this position, both spoken and written. Knowledge of local languages such as Zarma and Tamashek is considered an asset, as it can enhance communication with local communities and stakeholders. English proficiency may also be beneficial, depending on the context of the work and reporting requirements.

Additional Notes:
This position is based in Tillaberi, Niger, with the possibility of deployment to Maradi based on operational needs. The contract is for one year, renewable based on performance and organizational needs. NRC is committed to diversity and encourages qualified female candidates to apply. The organization adheres to a transparent and equitable recruitment policy and does not require any payment at any stage of the recruitment process.