MEAL Assistants

Overall purpose of the role

The MEAL Assistant will play a key role in the operationalisation of DRC Somalia’s new quantitative call centre. Under the technical direction of the MEAL Manager and MEAL Coordinator, the MEAL Assistant will administer structured surveys by telephone and record responses in KoBo/ODK/SurveyCTO; support the MEAL Coordinator with coding of tools as well as post-data collection cleaning of data and generation of simple analysis tables in excel. If required, the MEAL Assistant will also receive and log calls via DRC’s 332 feedback and complaints response mechanism hotline and may provide small administrative support to the MEAL Cooordinator as required. Travel to the field to conduct adhoc monitoring visits, focus group discussions, key informant interviews may also be required.

Further, the MEAL Assistant will support the Country MEAL Manager/Coordinator in all data collection, analysis, and learning activities to help ensure accountability and efficiency from start to finish for all programs and projects, both new and implemented by DRC and partner agencies. S/he will provide technical field support to the M&E unit, within the MEAL department. The MEAL Assistant will work closely with Program teams to assess field conditions, support capacity building initiatives, and facilitate the collection of quality data under the supervision of the M&E Manager

Responsibilities:

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Administer structured surveys by telephone.
• Support with coding of tools, cleaning of survey data, and generation of analysis tables.
• Organize field data collecting missions and participate in the processing and analysis of the data.
• Take part in, and carry out assessments, evaluations and any other form of survey or review of projects.
• Undertake field trips and do physical observation on on-going projects.
• Participate in the development and review of questionnaires for use by field teams conducting assessments.
• Carry out monitoring visits for Economic Recovery, CCCM, WASH, Protection sectors as well as Emergency programming as per the project proposals.
• Collect data on Post Distribution Monitoring (PDM) assessments both in person and over the phone through a call centre and compile a comprehensive report with clear findings and recommendation which should be shared 2 weeks before the next distribution cycle.
• Report monitoring findings and any other findings and observation emerged during data collection activities frequently to the Senior MEAL Officer so to communicate the progress of assessment activities.
• Update and share the output indicator tracking tool to the MEAL coordinator/manager for consolidation.
• Assist the M&E Manager in proposing strategies to increase data use and demand amongst Program staff.
• Assist Program staff and the M&E Manager in clarifying project information needs.
• Support project/program staff on ways to properly document, organize and capture program progress, impact, context and processes.

Accountability

• Administer structured surveys responding to calls through DRC’s feedback and complaints response mechanism 332 hotline.
• Support the program teams to capture beneficiary feedback on a regular basis.
• Follow up with the program teams for any beneficiary feedback at the area level.
• Work closely with the Country CRM Officer for anything related accountability and community feedback.

Learning and project quality

• As appropriate provide administrative support to the MEAL Coordinator, for example in facilitating Country-level lessons learned reviews with programme staff as well as preparing MEAL presentations.
• Support the program teams to capture beneficiary feedback on a regular basis.
• Collect lessons learned and best practices from beneficiaries, community leaders, partners, and other stakeholders during assessment/monitoring missions.
• Participate in the program meetings and Close-out meetings in order to highlight cross-project components aimed at replicating good practices and strengthening synergies between projects or programmes.
• Review and analyze weekly reports with the M&E Manager to identify the causes of potential bottlenecks in project implementation and to enhance quality of reporting.

About you

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’s five core competencies:

• Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process.
• Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.
• Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.
• Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly.
• Demonstrating integrity: You act in line with our vision and values.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Statistics, M&E, Economics, or any relevant field
• Two to three years of Monitoring and Evaluation experience (essential)
• Capacity to produce high-quality briefs and reports in English.
• Good level of proficiency in Windows Excel, SPSS and quantitative analysis
• Ability to design M&E tools, surveys, surveillance systems and evaluations
• Demonstrated ability to train and build capacity of others
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Experience in a non-governmental organization (desirable)
• English fluently
• Somali (both Benadiri and ability to speak Maay and Maxaatiri for conversing with beneficiaries from Southwest State) mandatory; fluent.
• Fluency in other languages such as Afan Oromo, Arabic, and/or Amharic would be an advantage.

Conditions

Contract:         12 months with the possibility of extension, subject to funding and performance. Salary and other conditions are offered by DRC’s Terms of Employment for National Staff; Employment band non-management I

Availability:       1st June 2024

Direct Manager:  MEAL Manager

Duty station:    This position is based in Mogadishu with travel to other locations across Somalia

Providing equal opportunities, we are committed to creating an inclusive and positive work environment based on mutual respect for all employees. All applicants are considered for employment without attention to race, age, ability, ethnicity, nationality, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other factor. At DRC we celebrate diversity and appreciate our employees for the people they are and their unique skills, backgrounds, and perspectives. We encourage all interested candidates to apply.

Promoting high standards: DRC’s capacity to ensure the protection of and assistance to refugees, IDP, and other persons of concern depends on the ability of our staff to uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct about DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment. DRC conducts thorough background checks as part of the recruitment process