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 has grown to become a leading organization in the humanitarian sector, operating in over 30 countries worldwide. With a mission to help millions of people in areas where others cannot, NRC focuses on providing high-quality aid and defending the rights of refugees and internally displaced persons. The organization is committed to fostering a culture of professional growth, diversity, equity, and inclusion among its employees, ensuring that they are empowered to take responsibility and contribute to the organization's goals.

Job Overview:
The MEAL Officer plays a vital role in the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) function within the NRC. This position is crucial for ensuring that programs are implemented effectively, transparently, and in accordance with NRC standards and donor requirements. The MEAL Officer is responsible for supporting program teams in generating reliable data and evidence regarding project progress, results, and impact. This role also emphasizes the importance of accountability to affected populations and promotes continuous learning and improvement within the organization. The MEAL Officer will contribute to the implementation and strengthening of MEAL systems at the Country Office level, focusing on data collection, analysis, reporting, and learning processes to ensure that program decisions are informed by accurate and timely information.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The MEAL Officer will be tasked with a variety of responsibilities, including but not limited to: contributing to the implementation of MEAL systems and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) at the Area Office (AO) or Country Office (CO) level; conducting and supervising quantitative and qualitative data collection for assessments, outcome monitoring, and evaluations; ensuring timely and accurate entry, cleaning, and organization of monitoring and assessment data; contributing to data analysis and preparing summary reports for program use; maintaining MEAL databases and proper filing/documentation; supporting verification of project activities, distributions, and beneficiary lists; assisting in the harmonization of data collection and reporting across projects and partners; promoting safe, inclusive, and ethical engagement with communities during monitoring and assessment activities; and ensuring compliance with NRC policies and procedures, particularly those related to MEAL.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates for the MEAL Officer position should possess a Bachelor's degree in statistics, economics, social sciences, development studies, or another relevant field. A minimum of 2-3 years of relevant experience in MEAL within humanitarian or development contexts is required. Candidates should have experience in quantitative and qualitative data collection methods, including surveys, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions. Proficiency in data cleaning, analysis, and interpretation using tools such as Excel, Kobo, or other data management platforms is essential. Knowledge of monitoring and evaluation concepts, including indicators, logframes, and results frameworks, is also necessary. Additionally, candidates should have experience supporting assessments, baseline/endline studies, post-distribution monitoring, or similar exercises, along with good documentation and reporting skills. Fluency in spoken and written English is mandatory, and proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) is required, with experience in Microsoft 365 (SharePoint, Teams, OneDrive, Planner) being an advantage.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for the MEAL Officer position includes a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as statistics, economics, social sciences, or development studies. This educational foundation is crucial for understanding the complexities of monitoring and evaluation processes and for effectively analyzing data to inform program decisions.

Experience:
The MEAL Officer position requires candidates to have a minimum of 2-3 years of relevant experience in monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning within humanitarian or development contexts. This experience should include familiarity with both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods, as well as practical experience in data analysis and interpretation. Candidates should also have a proven track record of supporting assessments and evaluations, ensuring that they can contribute effectively to the organization's MEAL objectives.

Languages:
Fluency in spoken and written English is mandatory for the MEAL Officer position. While English is the primary language of communication within NRC, knowledge of additional languages may be considered an asset, particularly if they are relevant to the local context in which the MEAL Officer will be working.

Additional Notes:
The MEAL Officer position is a full-time role based in Yemen. The successful candidate will be expected to work in a challenging environment, often requiring adaptability and resilience. NRC emphasizes the importance of safeguarding and expects all employees to treat everyone with respect and dignity, contribute to building a safe environment, and report any incidents of exploitation, harassment, or abuse. The organization has a zero-tolerance approach to inaction against such issues, ensuring that all employees are held accountable for their actions.