Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Officer
Syrian Arab Red Crescent, Damascus
The Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) is an independent humanitarian organisation of public utility, is permanent and continuous, and has a legal entity and enjoys financial and administrative independence.
SARC was founded in 1942 according to the decrees No/540/ 1942 and No/117/ 1966 which regulate the Organisation’s work. It was recognized by the International Committee of the Red Cross in Geneva (ICRC) in 1946, and is committed to upholding the Geneva Conventions and the seven Fundamental Principles of the International Movement of Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies.
Vacancy opening date: 15/03/2023
Vacancy closing date: 26/03/2023
Interested candidates are requested to send their updated CV in English and must be PDF file only, otherwise will be rejected
To hrrecruitment@sarc-sy.org E-mail,
Subject “MEAL Officer”.
Any resume without subject will be automatically rejected.
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
Incomplete file or application in a language other than English will be rejected
Purpose of employment:
The MEAL officer will work under the supervision of MEAL Coordinator in order to implement an effective and functional MEAL system. He/she provides support to the programs in designing, monitoring, and evaluating all projects’ interventions. Moreover, he/she works with the direct supervisor in the coordination and/or the implementation of projects baselines and evaluations, as well as the implementation of standardized MEAL processes and tools for all sectors.
Main duties and responsibilities:
Support the setup of MEAL system (30%)
- Support in the development of Standard Operating Procedures for each of the MEAL processes.
- Support in the development of MEAL templates (i.e. Logframe, M&E plan, Indicator Tracking Table, etc.).
- Develop tools (surveys, checklists, interview guides, etc.) in alignment with quality standards, donor requirements, and sector guidelines and are adapted to the context.
- Support in identifying and setting accountability mechanisms, including effective complaints and response mechanisms for hearing and responding to different types of feedback linked to programmes and services.
Lead the implementation of MEAL system (50%)
- Develop project-specific M&E frameworks in coordination with programs staff including all details about indicators, definitions, sources of data, and responsibilities.
- Develop methodology, sampling, and adapt tools for MEAL activities.
- Facilitate training on the use of tools and data collection processes to program teams and volunteers.
- Coordinate and follow up with program staff and volunteers on monitoring activities and data collection.
- Undertake regular monitoring visits to program sites, validate the information being collected, and support volunteers in the collection of information.
- Complete verification of reported data in coordination with Information Management.
- Consolidate information collected through accountability channels using standardized log sheets, reporting templates, and share information with key stakeholders.
- Work with program teams to ensure findings from ongoing monitoring, specific reviews, accountability mechanisms, and other sources of information are used to adapt the program as needed.
- For internally led baselines and evaluations, develop Terms of Reference, methodology, and tools, coordinate data collection at the field, and draft report.
- For externally led baselines and evaluations or any other study, support MEAL Coordinator in coordinating the agreed-upon activities.
- Analyse data collected in monitoring and evaluation
- Write MEAL report and portray findings in the most appropriate manner and depending on the audience.
- Follow up and check together with the program team that M&E recommendations have been followed and report back to relevant focal points.
- Support all programs to create a reporting system according to the indicators in the log-frames
Maintain coordination and communication with relevant departments in SARC (10%)
- Coordinate closely with program teams from the set up of MEAL plans, throughout implementation, and after articulation of lessons learned and recommendations.
- Support SARC branches in MEAL activities upon request.
General (10%)
- Attend relevant internal and external meetings.
- Attend internal and external training, workshops, events, etc.
- Develop performance objectives and complete performance reviews in coordination with the supervisor.
Required skills and work experience:
- University undergraduate degree level in Social Sciences, International Development, Public Health, Biostatistics, or another relevant field
- Previous humanitarian experience ( 3 years ) with Red Cross Red Crescent, INGOs, or UN is preferred
- Experience at least 2 years in design and implementation of M&E systems, including qualitative and quantitative approaches to baselines, monitoring, and evaluations is required
- Good understanding of project cycle management, including developing implementation plans and monitoring systems and ensuring project activities are implemented to a high standard in a timely and professional manner
- Experience working with communities
- Experience conducting all kind of data collection tools ( Surveys, Focused Group Discussion, Key Informant Interviews….etc
- Understanding of international standards in humanitarian protection and accountability (e.g. HAP, SPHERE, Red Cross Code of Conduct, etc)
- Very good knowledge of ODK database/SMAP server
- Excellent data handling skills (classification, categorizing, tabulation etc.) and demonstrates diligence in data management and analysis
- Good knowledge of information presentation techniques (graphing, charting, tabling etc.) and interpreting them
- The ability to work on one of the data analysis programs ( SPSS, STATA or Excel and Power Bi)
- Strong level of computer skills (Windows, MS Office, etc.) and ideally an understanding of data and database management
- Excellent communication skills, including the ability to represent SARC externally with different stakeholders; cultural sensitivity and awareness
- Excellent written English, with fluency in speaking Arabic and English
- Ability to work independently and under pressure in a responsible manner
- Knowledge of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is preferred
- Willingness and aptitude for humanitarian fieldwork, and availability to travel at short notice to branches and governorates across SARC, including overnight stays when required
Personal qualities:
- Professional ethics
- Commitment to the Red Cross Red Crescent Fundamental Principles of Humanity, Impartiality, Neutrality, Independence, Voluntary Service, Unity, and Universality
- Ability to create and maintain positive relations with people to create/facilitate positive dialogue
- Stays open to internal and external feedback
- Capacity to work under pressure and to manage various tasks at the same time.
