Global Lead MEAL Country Support

Job Posting Organization:
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is an independent humanitarian organization established to assist people forced to flee their homes due to conflict and disaster. With a workforce of approximately 15,000 staff, NRC operates in 40 countries worldwide, providing life-saving and long-term assistance to millions of individuals each year. The organization is committed to upholding the rights of refugees and internally displaced persons, ensuring that they receive the support they need to rebuild their lives. NRC's mission is to promote and protect the rights of displaced people, providing them with the necessary resources and support to regain their dignity and independence. The organization values diversity and inclusion, striving to create a work environment that empowers all employees to contribute their ideas and take responsibility for their roles.

Job Overview:
The Global Lead MEAL Country Support position at NRC is a pivotal role aimed at enhancing the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) framework across the organization. The successful candidate will be responsible for setting the strategic direction for MEAL, ensuring that all Country Offices adhere to minimum standards, particularly regarding data quality. This role involves operationalizing oversight mechanisms and providing high-quality support to Country Offices, ensuring that they are equipped with the necessary tools and guidance to meet MEAL standards. The Global Lead will also be tasked with developing and refining global MEAL strategies, managing a team of Global Partners and Coordinators, and ensuring that the MEAL system's performance is continuously improved across NRC's global portfolio. The position requires a strategic thinker who can advocate for MEAL priorities and address challenges at all levels of the organization, while also fostering a culture of learning and accountability.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Global Lead MEAL Country Support include:

• Line management of the MEAL support team, including global partners/advisors and coordinators, overseeing performance management processes, setting clear goals aligned with country strategies, and supporting staff achievement.
• Establishing MEAL processes and routines to ensure high-quality oversight and support to NRC’s country offices, including compliance tracking, problem diagnosis, action planning, and tailored capacity building.
• Developing guidance and tools for achieving MEAL minimum standards, conducting CO health checks, data quality audits, and creating capacity building strategies and materials for CO staff.
• Providing direct oversight and support to focus Country Offices, including compliance scoring processes, strategic input to CO MEAL priorities, and technical guidance.
• Rolling out the MEAL capacity building strategy across focus COs, identifying training needs, and developing tailored training programs.
• Leading the recruitment, onboarding, and performance management of senior MEAL staff in Country Offices.
• Facilitating the implementation of global MEAL developments and providing tailored support to prioritized countries based on established criteria.
• Contributing to global MEAL strategy and policy development, representing CO MEAL priorities in global discussions, and sharing innovations in MEAL.
• Establishing systems and processes for the new global pooled CO-facing function in MEAL, strengthening compliance scoring processes, and developing tools for diagnosing CO challenges.

Required Qualifications:
The ideal candidate for the Global Lead MEAL Country Support position should possess the following qualifications:

• Proven experience in managing teams with excellent people management skills.
• A minimum of 8 years of responsibility for monitoring, evaluation, and learning at a senior level, such as CO MEL Manager or RO MEL Manager.
• A graduate degree in a directly related field, such as research or quantitative analysis; significant work experience in a related field may be considered in lieu of specific MEAL-related education.
• Advanced quantitative methods skills, including planning, data collection, management, and analytical skills.
• Experience working in complex and volatile contexts, with a strong understanding of the challenges faced in humanitarian settings.
• Significant experience in designing and delivering training, coaching, and capacity building initiatives.
• Excellent relationship-building skills, with the ability to facilitate open discussions and engage cooperatively with peers at all levels.
• Experience in setting up global, regional, or country office-level support systems and coordinating across multiple teams.

Educational Background:
Candidates should have a graduate degree in a field directly related to monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning, such as research, quantitative analysis, or a similar discipline. While a specific MEAL-related education is preferred, significant work experience in a directly related field may be considered as an alternative qualification. The educational background should provide a strong foundation in quantitative methods and analytical skills necessary for effective data management and evaluation processes.

Experience:
The position requires a substantial level of experience, specifically a minimum of 8 years in monitoring, evaluation, and learning at a senior level. Candidates should have experience in managing teams and overseeing MEAL functions within Country Offices or Regional Offices. Experience in complex and volatile contexts is essential, as is familiarity with the challenges of establishing and maintaining MEAL systems in humanitarian settings. Additionally, candidates should have a proven track record of designing and delivering training and capacity-building initiatives, as well as experience in setting up support systems at various organizational levels.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, with strong writing and communication skills. Proficiency in French or Spanish is considered an added advantage, as it will enhance the ability to provide support to Country Offices in regions where these languages are spoken. The ability to communicate effectively in multiple languages will facilitate better engagement with diverse teams and stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This position is based in Oslo, Norway, but can also be hosted in any country where NRC has an operational presence. Candidates must have valid authorization to live and work in their chosen duty station. The contract is permanent, with a travel requirement of approximately 40%. The salary and benefits are aligned with NRC’s Resident salary scale, specifically at Grade 10, and come with accompanying terms and conditions. NRC is committed to being an equal opportunities employer, promoting diversity without distinction to age, gender, religion, ethnicity, nationality, and physical ability. The organization encourages innovative thinking and provides employees with opportunities to take initiative and contribute to the mission of assisting refugees and displaced persons.