MEAL Manager

Job Posting Organization:
Relief International (RI) is an international non-profit organization dedicated to partnering with communities affected by conflict, climate change, and disasters. Established to save lives and promote long-term health and well-being, RI employs over 7,000 staff and local volunteers across 15 countries in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. The organization focuses on Health and Nutrition, WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene), Education, and Livelihoods programming, aiming to build community resilience through evidence-based, conflict-sensitive, and climate-smart initiatives. RI operates as an alliance of four organizations—Relief International, Inc., Relief International-France, Relief International-UK, and Relief International-Europe—working under a unified leadership team to achieve their shared mission.

Job Overview:
The MEAL Manager position is crucial for leading and enhancing the implementation of Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) systems across all geographical areas covered by Relief International in Syria. This role is responsible for ensuring quality, effectiveness, and accountability in program delivery by overseeing evaluations, monitoring processes, and facilitating data-driven decision-making. The MEAL Manager will drive the development and continuous improvement of MEAL systems, ensuring robust data collection, analysis, and reporting mechanisms are in place. This position requires collaboration with RI teams and partners to enhance accountability, learning, and adaptive programming, as well as support proposal development and compliance with donor requirements.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The MEAL Manager will be responsible for ensuring that the MEAL system is fully integrated into design" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">program design and implementation, aligning with both donor and RI standards. Key responsibilities include leading the development and improvement of cross-sectoral MEAL frameworks, tools, and methodologies; conducting in-depth analysis of program data to inform decision-making and strategy; overseeing beneficiary feedback mechanisms to ensure accountability; and ensuring accurate and timely reporting on program impact and learning. Additionally, the MEAL Manager will develop and oversee the roll-out of an organizational MEAL system, integrate mobile technology for data collection, provide technical guidance on assessments and evaluations, support third-party monitoring activities, and drive continuous learning through structured reviews of program implementation. The role also involves leading and mentoring MEAL teams, building capacity among RI staff and partners, developing training programs, conducting field visits for hands-on training, overseeing recruitment and professional development of MEAL staff, and representing RI in inter-agency coordination bodies and MEAL working groups.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree in social sciences, statistics, international development, or a related field. A minimum of five years of experience in MEAL within humanitarian or development organizations is essential. Proven experience in designing MEAL frameworks, logframes, and performance monitoring plans is required, along with strong expertise in both quantitative and qualitative research methods, including survey design and data analysis. Knowledge of MEAL requirements for major donors such as USAID, OFDA, ECHO, DFID, and BPRM is necessary. Advanced proficiency in Excel, Power BI, and statistical software (SPSS, STATA, EPI-Info) is also required, along with demonstrated ability to manage teams and build MEAL capacity in complex environments. Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills are essential for this role.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Master’s degree in social sciences, statistics, international development, or a related field. This advanced degree is critical for understanding the complexities of MEAL systems and their application in humanitarian and development contexts.

Experience:
The MEAL Manager position requires a minimum of five years of relevant experience in Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning within humanitarian or development organizations. This experience should include a proven track record of designing MEAL frameworks and performance monitoring plans, as well as strong familiarity with both quantitative and qualitative research methods.

Languages:
While proficiency in English is mandatory, knowledge of Arabic is considered an asset for this position. The ability to communicate effectively in both languages will enhance collaboration with local teams and stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This position is likely to be full-time, and the successful candidate will be expected to work in a complex and dynamic environment. The role may involve international travel for field visits and training purposes. Compensation and benefits will be aligned with RI’s policies and may include opportunities for professional development and training.