MEAL Coordinator

Job Posting Organization:
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is a humanitarian organization that provides assistance, protection, and durable solutions to refugees and internally displaced persons worldwide. Established in 1946, NRC operates in over 30 countries, employing thousands of staff dedicated to helping those affected by displacement. The organization focuses on various sectors, including education, shelter, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security, and livelihoods, and is committed to ensuring that the rights of displaced individuals are upheld and that they have access to essential services and support.

Job Overview:
The coordinator" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">MEAL Coordinator plays a crucial role in coordinating and adapting the Monitoring, Evidence, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) systems across the Cash Consortium, which includes both national and international members. This position is pivotal in ensuring that MEAL systems, plans, tools, and procedures are effectively implemented. The Coordinator is responsible for providing technical supervision, capacity building, and guidance to MEAL staff and program teams, while also collaborating closely with Consortium members and partners. The MEAL Coordinator will contribute to enhancing the quality of programming by supporting access to and promoting the use of relevant and timely information regarding program scale, relevance, and effectiveness. This role involves providing technical support to in-country staff related to MEAL and building their capacity to apply effective, cost-efficient, and contextualized MEAL systems in accordance with NRC's global MEAL policies and framework. The MEAL Coordinator will report directly to the Consortium manager at the country office and will work closely with the MEAL Manager and area-level MEAL teams.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The MEAL Coordinator's responsibilities include supporting the Cash Consortium with all MEAL-related tasks, ensuring compliance with NRC policies, and specifically overseeing the NRC MEAL functions, policies, and procedures. The Coordinator will contribute to the development, revision, and implementation of MEAL systems, including Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), guidance, and work plans that align with the global NRC MEAL framework. They will coordinate the implementation and harmonization of NRC MEAL systems, SOPs, and standards at both the Area Office (AO) and Country Office (CO) levels. Participation in design" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">program design and proposal discussions, including theory of change development, log frame design, and budgeting for MEAL, is also expected. The Coordinator will provide technical support and collaborate with area MEAL and program teams in planning and executing MEAL activities, ensuring quality data collection methodologies, data management, and the interpretation and utilization of information for evidence-based decision-making. Additionally, the Coordinator will ensure that systems and processes are in place for high-quality reporting in NRC’s Global Output and Outcome Reporting System (GORS) and contribute to organizational learning through specific analyses, facilitating lessons learned discussions, debriefs, and reports. Capacity building and training of program and MEAL support staff on NRC MEAL systems, processes, and requirements are also key responsibilities. The Coordinator will support the development of monitoring tools, methodologies, sampling strategies, and guidelines to ensure the collection of output and outcome indicators, and will lead the documentation and provision of timely MEAL reports, dashboards, factsheets, and learning papers that facilitate evidence-based decision-making.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must have at least 3 years of experience in an international NGO, preferably in emergency or post-conflict settings, with a focus on MEAL capacity and systems development. They should demonstrate knowledge of principles and current approaches to monitoring and evaluation in emergency and development programs, utilizing both quantitative and qualitative methods. A strong understanding of data and information needs for program management and decision-making is essential, along with a solid grasp of MEAL principles and approaches in relief and/or development settings. Experience in MEAL for Consortia and working with, supporting, and strengthening the capacity of local and international partners is highly preferred. Candidates should possess skills in data analysis, interpretation of trends, and effective communication of findings. Experience in facilitating capacity-building efforts for diverse colleagues, including local partner agencies, is also important. The ability to transfer knowledge to diverse audiences through training, mentoring, and other methods is crucial.

Educational Background:
A higher education degree is required, preferably in social sciences, statistics, research, international development, economics, or related fields. Candidates should have knowledge of the humanitarian context in Ukraine and the operational dynamics of NGOs. Knowledge of the Ukrainian language is highly preferred, as it will facilitate better communication and understanding within the local context.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in an international NGO, particularly in emergency or post-conflict settings. This experience should include a focus on MEAL capacity and systems development, as well as familiarity with monitoring and evaluation principles and methodologies.

Languages:
High-level proficiency in English is mandatory, as it is essential for communication and reporting. Knowledge of the Ukrainian language is highly preferred, as it will enhance collaboration with local partners and stakeholders. Additional language skills may be beneficial but are not specified as mandatory.

Additional Notes:
The position is full-time and may involve working in a dynamic and challenging environment. The role may require international travel to support various program activities and collaborations. Compensation and benefits will be aligned with NRC's policies and standards, ensuring that the MEAL Coordinator is adequately supported in their role.