MEAL Specialist (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning)

Job Posting Organization:
NORCAP is an organization dedicated to improving aid effectiveness for people affected by crises and climate change. Established as part of the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), NORCAP works globally to provide expertise and solutions to humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding partners. The organization aims to reduce needs, risks, and vulnerabilities over time by promoting collaboration and innovative approaches. NORCAP operates in multiple countries, focusing on creating opportunities for vulnerable populations and enhancing the effectiveness of aid through targeted expertise and collaborative solutions.

Job Overview:
The MEAL Specialist position is crucial for NORCAP's commitment to enhancing public systems through evidence-based practices, learning, and accountability. This role involves supporting the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine (MoES) in implementing and monitoring the New Ukrainian School reform amidst ongoing conflict and recovery efforts. The Ministry's objectives include ensuring continuity of education, addressing regional disparities, and optimizing public resource allocation for meaningful educational outcomes. The MEAL Specialist will be instrumental in transitioning from traditional input tracking to a results-oriented approach, thereby improving decision-making and education service delivery.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The MEAL Specialist will be responsible for developing and strengthening a comprehensive MEAL framework tailored to education sector financing, ensuring alignment with results-based management principles. Key responsibilities include designing and operationalizing performance measurement systems with relevant indicators, facilitating the transition towards impact-focused monitoring and evaluation of public financing instruments, and analyzing data on education funding effectiveness. The role also involves identifying implementation bottlenecks and recommending improvements, optimizing existing monitoring tools and data flows, producing high-quality analytical outputs such as reports and policy briefs, and building capacity through training and collaboration with Ministry teams and stakeholders.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must have a minimum of 5–8 years of experience in monitoring and evaluation, MEAL, public finance, or related fields. A degree in economics, finance, public administration, public policy, statistics, or a related discipline is required. Candidates should demonstrate experience with performance indicators and the ability to analyze program or financial data to assess results and effectiveness. A strong understanding of monitoring and evaluation principles in public sector contexts, particularly in linking resources to outcomes, is essential. Proven experience in producing analytical materials to support decision-making and working collaboratively with multiple stakeholders is also necessary.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a degree in a relevant field such as economics, finance, public administration, public policy, or statistics. This academic foundation is critical for understanding the complexities of public finance and the evaluation of educational programs.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to have substantial experience, specifically between 5 to 8 years, in areas related to monitoring and evaluation, public finance, or similar fields. This level of experience is essential to ensure that the candidate can effectively contribute to the Ministry's objectives and the overall goals of NORCAP.

Languages:
Fluency in both Ukrainian and English is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in these languages is crucial for effective communication and collaboration with various stakeholders, including government institutions and international organizations.

Additional Notes:
This position is based in Kyiv, Ukraine, and is classified as a non-family posting. The contract duration extends until 31 December 2026, with the possibility of extension based on performance and organizational needs. The role reports directly to the Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Education and Science and the NORCAP Education Thematic Manager. NORCAP emphasizes a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, welcoming applications from all qualified candidates. The organization also has a zero-tolerance policy towards exploitation and abuse, ensuring a safe and respectful workplace.