MEAL Officer – (AHEAD)

Job Posting Organization:
The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, established to assist and protect refugees and displaced persons. The organization operates in multiple countries, focusing on providing support in conflict-affected areas. DRC is committed to promoting durable solutions for displaced populations and enhancing their resilience through various programs. With a mission to ensure that all people affected by displacement can live a dignified life, DRC employs thousands of staff globally and collaborates with numerous partners to deliver effective humanitarian assistance.

Job Overview:
The MEAL Officer for the AHEAD project plays a crucial role in leading the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) activities. This position is integral to a multi-year global initiative that aims to transform humanitarian responses from reactive aid to proactive foresight. The MEAL Officer will be responsible for generating a robust evidence base that demonstrates the effectiveness and cost-efficiency of Anticipatory Action (AA) for conflict-induced displacement. The role requires a strong focus on impact evaluation, data management, and community engagement to ensure that interventions are effective and responsive to the needs of affected populations. The MEAL Officer will also be involved in capacity building, training project staff and partners on MEAL tools and methodologies, and ensuring compliance with data handling procedures. This position demands a proactive approach to learning and dissemination of findings to influence policy and practice in humanitarian response.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The MEAL Officer will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including:

• Leading the design and implementation of country-level impact evaluations for the AHEAD project, including developing data collection tools and statistical analysis methods.
• Managing quantitative and qualitative data collection processes, ensuring data is disaggregated by age, gender, and diversity.
• Facilitating ground-truthing processes to validate AI-driven forecasts against community-level indicators.
• Organizing after-action reviews and contributing to case studies to enhance learning and improve future interventions.
• Documenting the co-design of Anticipatory Action Plans (AAPs) and tracking their endorsement at the national level.
• Implementing Community Feedback Mechanisms (CFMs) to gather community perceptions and ensure interventions are accessible.
• Monitoring project indicators and conducting financial analysis to assess the value for money of interventions.
• Supporting assessments in hard-to-reach areas to identify vulnerabilities and access strategies.
• Training staff and partners on MEAL tools and conflict-sensitive monitoring practices. 1
• Compiling evidence and learning reports for dissemination at national and global forums.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as Statistics, Economics, Social Sciences, Information Management, or International Development. A Master’s degree in a related field is desirable. Additionally, candidates should have relevant certifications in Monitoring & Evaluation, data analysis, or impact evaluation, which would be considered an advantage. Strong analytical skills and a solid understanding of MEAL methodologies are essential for this role.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field. A Master’s degree is preferred, particularly in areas related to statistics, social sciences, or international development. Candidates should also have relevant certifications that demonstrate their expertise in monitoring and evaluation practices.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of experience in Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) within humanitarian or development contexts, particularly in fragile settings affected by conflict. Candidates should have at least 2-3 years of experience specifically in research and impact evaluation, including leading or co-leading evaluations and studies. Familiarity with causal inference methodologies and experience in managing control and treatment group studies are also essential.

Languages:
Proficiency in both written and spoken English and Somali is mandatory for this position. Candidates should be able to communicate effectively in both languages, as this will be crucial for engaging with local communities and stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The contract length for this position is 1 year, with the possibility of extension based on funding and performance. The employment band is classified as None Management - H2, and the work location is in Mogadishu, Somalia. The expected start date for this position is September 202

• The salary and conditions will be in accordance with the Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for employees on a national contract. All applicants must submit a cover letter and an updated CV in English, with applications sent via email not being considered. The closing date for applications is 27th August 2026, and this position is open to both internal and external candidates, with a strong encouragement for qualified female candidates to apply.