MEAL Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is an international humanitarian organization founded in Denmark in 195

• With a mission to assist refugees and internally displaced persons globally, DRC provides emergency aid, advocates for their rights, and works to enhance their opportunities for a better future. The organization has grown significantly over the years, employing over 7,000 staff and engaging around 8,000 volunteers. DRC operates in conflict-affected areas, along displacement routes, and in host countries, striving for responsible and sustainable solutions. The organization emphasizes successful integration and, when possible, supports the wish of displaced individuals to return home. DRC Syria has been active since 2008, initially addressing the Iraqi refugee crisis and later expanding its efforts to respond to the Syrian crisis from 2011 onwards. The organization employs an area-based approach to support internally displaced persons (IDPs), returnees, and host communities across various sectors, including Economic Recovery and Resilience, Protection, WASH, Shelter and Infrastructure, and Humanitarian Disarmament and Peacebuilding. DRC's rapid response mechanism allows for quick action in emergencies, and its programs aim to foster resilience in communities facing protracted displacement and post-conflict recovery. DRC also engages in cross-border responses to the Syria crisis, working in neighboring countries such as Jordan, Lebanon, Türkiye, and Iraq.

Job Overview:
The MEAL Officer will play a crucial role in supporting the effective monitoring, accountability, and evaluation of DRC Syria's programs in Rural Damascus. This position is vital for ensuring adherence to the MEAL strategy and achieving high standards of program quality. The MEAL Officer will be responsible for conducting monitoring visits, assisting program teams with data collection and analysis, designing tools, and managing M&E information from field activities. A significant portion of the role, at least 40%, will involve field visits to ensure comprehensive oversight of program implementation. The MEAL Officer will report to the MEAL Manager at the Country Office, with the duty station being at the area-level office. This position requires a proactive approach to monitoring and evaluation, ensuring that all activities align with the established MEAL plan and contribute to the overall mission of DRC.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The MEAL Officer's responsibilities include:

• Monitoring: Implementing the location-specific MEAL plan in coordination with the MEAL Specialist and other area offices, ensuring high-quality completion of all activities.
• Participating in the development of M&E tools and guidelines for data collection, ensuring they are gender-sensitive and accurately translated.
• Supporting program teams in data collection according to the M&E plan, utilizing various monitoring and assessment tools such as surveys, focus group discussions, and interviews.
• Assisting in the recruitment and training of data collectors, supervising field data collection and data entry.
• Gathering feedback from beneficiaries and community stakeholders regarding activity implementation and impact.
• Conducting periodic monitoring visits to project sites to assess progress against MEAL indicators and implementation quality.
• Updating the program indicator performance tracker monthly in collaboration with the program team.
• Drafting and sharing work plans with the MEAL Manager.
• Ensuring data quality, accuracy, and consistency, providing feedback as necessary. 1
• Reporting regularly to the project team on any anticipated issues or risks related to project implementation. 1
• Coordinating with the MEAL Officer in Dar’a for a holistic analysis of MEAL activities in the South Area. 1
• Supporting partners with specific tasks as directed by the MEAL Manager and Specialist. 1
• Upholding professional standards related to humanitarian assistance and ensuring compliance with DRC's Code of Conduct. 1
• Assisting in the documentation of lessons learned and supporting internal/external reviews and evaluations. 1
• Drafting monitoring reports and participating in data analysis for donor reports. 1
• Completing necessary operations support tasks related to administration, finances, and logistics. 1
• Participating in program coordination meetings and facilitating peer-to-peer learning.

Required Qualifications:
The ideal candidate for the MEAL Officer position should possess the following qualifications:

• At least 2-3 years of experience in humanitarian assistance, international development, monitoring and evaluation, or social science research.
• Demonstrable experience in project/program planning, implementation, reporting, monitoring, and evaluation.
• Proven ability to produce analytical information products from both primary and secondary data sources.
• Strong understanding of humanitarian principles, particularly Core Humanitarian Standards and the Do No Harm Framework.
• Experience in training and facilitation, with strong analytical skills, particularly in Microsoft Office Suite (Word and Excel).
• Excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills, with a creative and flexible approach.
• Self-motivated and organized, capable of managing time and personal work plans effectively.
• Ability to work well in a team and promote teamwork in a multicultural environment.
• Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive issues with discretion and confidentiality, with attention to detail. 1
• Fluency in written and spoken English and Arabic is essential. 1
• Willingness to travel and visit field sites as required.

Educational Background:
A Bachelor’s degree in a related field of social science is preferred, such as anthropology, humanitarian studies, or development studies. Additional qualifications such as statistical or computer certificates are also beneficial for this role.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 2-3 years of relevant experience in humanitarian assistance, international development, monitoring and evaluation, or social science research. This experience should include project planning, implementation, reporting, and evaluation, as well as the ability to produce analytical reports from data sources.

Languages:
Fluency in Arabic and English is mandatory for this position, both in written and spoken forms. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset but is not required.

Additional Notes:
The MEAL Officer position is a full-time role with a contract length of 6 months, with the possibility of extension based on performance and funding availability. The salary level is classified as H according to DRC's salary scale. The expected start date for this position is July 1, 202

• Interested candidates must submit a cover letter and an updated CV in English, with applications closing on May 31, 202
• It is important to note that applications consisting solely of a CV will not be considered.