MEAL Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is a global humanitarian organization that assists people forced to flee their homes due to conflict, persecution, or natural disasters. Established in 1946, NRC operates in over 30 countries worldwide, providing aid and support to millions of people in need. The organization is dedicated to delivering high-quality assistance and advocating for the rights of refugees and internally displaced persons. NRC emphasizes professional growth, innovation, and a supportive work culture, fostering an environment where employees at all levels are empowered to take responsibility and contribute to the mission of saving lives and rebuilding futures. The organization is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, ensuring that all employees treat everyone with respect and dignity, and contribute to a safe environment for all.

Job Overview:
The MEAL Officer will work under the supervision of the coordinator" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">MEAL Coordinator for Ituri, focusing on ensuring the quality and monitoring of projects through the implementation of monitoring systems. The officer will be responsible for the reliability of collected data by controlling tools, indicators, and adherence to MEAL methodologies, conducting regular field checks. The role involves ensuring the coherence and completeness of collected information, identifying discrepancies, risks, or non-compliance observed in the field, documenting these issues, and reporting them to the MEAL Coordinator for action and follow-up. Through monitoring, the officer will regularly track the progress of activities and project performance against objectives, analyze discrepancies, and provide recommendations to the implementation team. The MEAL Officer will also be responsible for conducting monitoring and verification activities in the field, including data collection and cross-verification, collaborating with local partners and program teams to document the status of activities factually and reliably, supporting analysis and reporting processes.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The MEAL Officer will systematically review information from monitoring and verification activities to ensure it accurately reflects the reality of implemented interventions and document any discrepancies found. They will verify the correct use of data collection tools (questionnaires, tracking forms, quality benchmarks) and ensure their application complies with MEAL methodologies. The officer will oversee data collection for MEAL exercises (Baseline, PDM, satisfaction surveys, endline, etc.) in the field, focusing on the quality of data collection and adherence to protocols, with methodological design under the responsibility of the MEAL Coordinator. Regular monitoring visits and quality control checks will be conducted in the field to verify data collection practices and enhance the capacity of involved teams, including daily enumerators. The officer will identify and document errors, inconsistencies, or risks of bias observed during data collection and report them systematically to the MEAL Coordinator for analysis and corrective actions. Continuous tracking of outcome indicators will be ensured by collecting, consolidating, and analyzing performance data from field teams and partners. The officer will maintain traceability of results and indicators by documenting data sources, tools used, and collection conditions to support analysis and reporting processes. Regular collection of outcome data in their area will be ensured according to defined frequencies in the M&E Matrix. The officer will ensure adherence to NRC policies, manuals, and guidelines.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a university degree (Bac+3) in social sciences, statistics, economics, computer science, demography, or a related field. A minimum of 2 years of professional experience in project support, ideally in the MEAL field for an NGO or research institution, including data organization and collection, as well as the use of data entry software, data processing and analysis, and reporting. Proven experience in managing and establishing databases for MEAL processes is essential. Advanced proficiency in Excel is mandatory, and knowledge of Power BI would be an advantage. Familiarity with mobile data collection applications (ODK, Kobo collect), including the digitization of questionnaires using XLS Forms, is required. Strong analytical and conceptual skills with the ability to think and plan strategically are necessary. The candidate should be capable of managing multiple tasks simultaneously in a dynamic environment, establishing priorities, and meeting deadlines. A high level of confidentiality, objectivity, honesty, and integrity is expected.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a university degree (Bac+3) in relevant fields such as social sciences, statistics, economics, computer science, or demography. This educational background is crucial for understanding the methodologies and analytical skills required for the MEAL Officer role.

Experience:
The position requires at least 2 years of professional experience in project support, particularly in the MEAL sector, ideally within an NGO or research institution. Experience should include organizing and collecting data, utilizing data entry software, processing and analyzing data, and reporting. Proven experience in managing databases for MEAL processes is essential, along with advanced skills in Excel and familiarity with mobile data collection applications.

Languages:
Fluency in French, both oral and written, is mandatory. The candidate must also have proficiency in at least one local language, such as Alur, Lendu, Swahili, or Lingala. Knowledge of English is considered an asset, enhancing communication capabilities within diverse teams and contexts.

Additional Notes:
The position is full-time and may involve fieldwork in various locations. The Norwegian Refugee Council emphasizes safeguarding and expects all employees to treat everyone with respect and dignity, contribute to a safe environment, and report any form of exploitation or harassment. NRC has a zero-tolerance policy towards inaction against exploitation, abuse, and sexual harassment. The organization is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, ensuring that all employees contribute to a supportive and respectful workplace.