MEAL Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a prominent 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 towards sustainable solutions for a brighter 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 and along displacement routes, focusing on successful integration and facilitating the return of displaced individuals when possible. The organization is guided by its core values of humanity, respect, independence, neutrality, participation, honesty, and transparency. DRC has been active in Syria since 2008, initially addressing the Iraqi refugee crisis and later expanding its efforts to respond to the ongoing Syria crisis since 201
• DRC Syria 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 established rapid response mechanism allows for swift action in emergencies, while its programs aim to foster resilience in communities facing protracted displacement and post-conflict recovery. DRC also maintains active portfolios in neighboring countries such as Jordan, Lebanon, Türkiye, and Iraq, facilitating a cross-border response to the Syria crisis through protection monitoring, advocacy, and trend analysis.

Job Overview:
The MEAL Officer plays a crucial role in supporting the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) framework of DRC Syria's programs. This position is essential for ensuring that the organization's MEAL standards are met and that program quality is maintained. The MEAL Officer will be responsible for conducting monitoring visits, assisting program teams with data collection and analysis, designing tools for monitoring and evaluation, and gathering M&E information from field sites. The role requires at least 40% of the time to be dedicated to field visits and activities, emphasizing the importance of on-the-ground engagement. Reporting directly to the MEAL Manager in the Country Office, the MEAL Officer will work closely with various program teams to ensure effective information management, accountability, and reporting. The position demands a proactive approach to monitoring and evaluation, with a focus on achieving high-quality outcomes and fostering a culture of learning within the organization.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The MEAL Officer's responsibilities encompass a wide range of tasks aimed at ensuring effective monitoring and evaluation of DRC's programs. Key duties include:

• Monitoring: Implementing the location-specific MEAL plan in coordination with the MEAL Specialist and other area offices, ensuring high-quality completion of activities.
• Development of M&E Tools: Participating in the creation of M&E tools and guidelines for data collection, ensuring they are gender-sensitive and accurately translated.
• Data Collection: Supporting program teams in data collection according to the M&E plan, utilizing various tools such as surveys, focus group discussions, and interviews.
• Field Data Management: Assisting in the recruitment and training of data collectors, supervising field data collection, and ensuring data entry is completed accurately.
• Beneficiary Feedback: Gathering feedback from beneficiaries and community stakeholders regarding activity implementation and impact.
• Monitoring Visits: Conducting periodic monitoring visits to project sites to assess progress against MEAL indicators and implementation quality.
• Reporting: Drafting monitoring reports, analyzing quantitative and qualitative data, and contributing to donor reports.
• Operations Support: Completing necessary operations support tasks related to administration, finances, and logistics, in compliance with DRC policies.
• Training: Conducting training sessions on accountability standards and DRC's Code of Conduct for staff and partners. 1
• Continuous Improvement: Documenting lessons learned, best practices, and supporting internal/external evaluations and reviews.

Required Qualifications:
The ideal candidate for the MEAL Officer position should possess a comprehensive set of qualifications, including:

• Experience: A minimum of 2-3 years of relevant experience in humanitarian assistance, international development, monitoring and evaluation, or social science research.
• Analytical Skills: Demonstrable experience in producing analytical information products from both primary and secondary data sources.
• Knowledge of Humanitarian Principles: A solid understanding of humanitarian principles, particularly the Core Humanitarian Standards and the Do No Harm Framework.
• Training and Facilitation: Proven experience in training and facilitation skills, with the ability to effectively communicate and engage with diverse audiences.
• Technical Proficiency: Strong analytical skills, particularly in Microsoft Office Suite, with good proficiency in Word and Excel.
• Interpersonal Skills: Excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills, with a creative and flexible approach to challenges.
• Organizational Skills: Self-motivated and organized, with the ability to manage time effectively and adhere to personal work plans.
• Teamwork: Ability to work well in a team-oriented environment, promoting collaboration and support among colleagues.
• Discretion: Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive issues with discretion and confidentiality, paying attention to detail. 1
• Language Proficiency: Fluent in written and spoken English and Arabic, with strong communication skills in both languages.

Educational Background:
Candidates should ideally hold a Bachelor’s degree in a related field of social science, such as anthropology, humanitarian studies, or development studies. Additional qualifications, such as statistical or computer certificates, are also preferred, as they enhance the candidate's ability to perform the required tasks effectively.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to have at least 2-3 years of experience in fields related to humanitarian assistance, international development, monitoring and evaluation, or social science research. This experience should include demonstrable involvement in project planning, implementation, reporting, monitoring, and evaluation. Candidates should also have a proven track record of producing analytical information products from various data sources, showcasing their ability to analyze and interpret data effectively. Familiarity with humanitarian principles and standards is essential, as is experience in training and facilitation, which will be critical for the role's responsibilities.

Languages:
Fluency in both Arabic and English is mandatory for this position, as the MEAL Officer will be required to communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders, including beneficiaries, program teams, and partners. Proficiency in both languages is essential for drafting reports, conducting interviews, and facilitating training sessions. While fluency in additional languages may be considered an asset, the primary focus will be on Arabic and English proficiency.

Additional Notes:
The MEAL Officer position is offered on a contract basis for a duration of 6 months, with the possibility of extension based on performance and available funding. The salary level for this position is classified as Level H, in accordance with DRC's salary scale. The role is based in Hama, with travel required to Homs for field activities. The expected start date for this position is as soon as possible. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply through the provided application link, ensuring that they submit both a cover letter and an updated CV in English. Applications that do not include a cover letter will not be considered, and the application deadline is set for September 9, 2026.