Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Officer At International Rescue Committee

Position Title: Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Officer

Duty Location: Belgrade

Duration: Fixed term, 12 months with possibility of extension

Type of Employment: Full- Time

1. IRC overview

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is among the world’s leading humanitarian aid organizations. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC works with people forced to flee from war, conflict, and disaster, helping them to survive, recover, and rebuild their lives. At work today in over 40 countries, the IRC seeks to be an operational and inspiring leader in matters of resettlement, asylum, and integration, demonstrating its credibility and expertise as a leading service provider, partner and advocate across the arc of the global displacement crisis. IRC currently operates in the U.S., Africa, Middle East, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. For a complete listing of countries in which IRC operates and supports refugee programs, please visit http://www.rescue.org/where

Across Europe, the IRC delivers programs that address acute humanitarian needs of asylum-seekers and other vulnerable migrants who are newly arrived, stranded or in transit, and programs that address their longer-term integration needs.

2. Background

Regional Background

In response to the increased number of people on the move from 2015, the IRC began responding in the Balkans to assist vulnerable refugees, asylum seekers and migrants.

Programs Background

Since the conflict in Ukraine started on February 24, 2022, which brought the subsequent displacement into neighboring countries, the IRC new programs on protection, health, education, safety and Refugee.Info East Europe are being established to address the most pressing needs of people on the move across South-East Europe. IRC continues to use its voice and expertise to increase safe and legal pathways, ensure protection and improve the quality of resettlement, asylum, and integration services. The programs are implemented in close partnership with local non-governmental organizations and governmental institutions.

3. Scope of Work

The primary role of the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Officer is to set up and implement a robust monitoring system for the multi-sector programs on protection, health, education, safety, and Refugee.Info in the Balkans and Ukraine neighboring countries to measure delivery of results of high quality as anticipated, in line with international humanitarian standards, and responsive to beneficiary needs and donor requirements in a rapidly changing context. The monitoring system shall warrant accountability and learning for timely and informed decision-making and action-taking. The position may require some travel to other areas of IRC operation.

4. Reporting lines and key working relationships

The MEL Officer work under the supervision of the of Head of Office, and in close coordination with program staff, and RAI Europe Measurement Advisor to develop appropriate M&E systems and plans, accountability and learning mechanisms.

5. Responsibilities

Monitoring, Data Collection and Analysis

• Support the implementation of project’s activities according to the respective M&E plan and in adherence to IRC’s monitoring standards.
• Set up a monitoring system (Excel, Access, etc.) for entry, analysis, and reporting of projects‘ data, based on designed logframes and performance indicator trackers.
• Support program teams in revising/updating logframes and M&E plans.
• Support the program teams in designing/updating M&E data collection tools, as well as in guiding data collection and analysis.
• Plan, manage, and conduct regular visits to verify the validity and reliability of data collected in program sites.
• Conduct quantitative and qualitative analysis of program data.
• Clean, analyze and prepare data visuals and summaries for program’s reports.
• Track Program’s results and indicators of planned vs. achieved.
• Storage data collected adhering to IRC protocols.

Capacity Strengthening, Learning, and Accountability

• Provide individual support to program staff in areas of data collection (e.g. how to use mobile tools (smart phones, tablets) for data collection, how to fill in templates, etc.
• Prepare and participate in data review meetings and discuss with program’s teams progress and and/or needs for program adaptations.
• Deliver M&E trainings on data collection, data entry into database, data analysis.
• Support program teams on the design of beneficiary feedback (surveys, focus groups, key informant interviews).
• Facilitate projects’ learning sessions with beneficiaries and staff, presenting to them the results of beneficiary feedback.
• Carry out regular data quality audits (DQAs).
• Implement accountability mechanisms appropriate for the rapidly evolving context.

6. Professional skills

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field including data science, business, engineering, social sciences, economics, or related field.
• Minimum of 3 years experience in developing and implementing M&E systems, designing data collection tools, analyzing quantitative and qualitative data.
• Thorough understanding of project cycle management processes.
• Knowledge of quantitative and qualitative data collection tools.
• Preferred experience and skills developing qualitative and quantitative data collection tools with Kobo, Survey Monkey, Microsoft (MS) Forms.
• Experience in data/information management and quantitative analysis, statistical software such as SPSS, or Stata is preferred, but not required.
• Advanced MS Office skills, especially Excel.
• Demonstrated experience and skills in data/information management and analysis, with experience using databases and software applications.
• Strong measurement, analytical, systematic thinking, planning and organizational skills.
• English language fluency at native speaker or C2 level (Common European Framework for Languages), is required. Fluency in additional languages, including Serbian/Bosnian/Croatian, Romanian, Albanian, Hungarian, and Russian is a great advantage.
• Ability to present information orally and in writing clearly and concisely.
• Excellent inter-personal skills, demonstrating diplomacy and tact.
• Ability to prioritize among multiple tasks and make decisions.
• Proactive attitude and ability to seek supervisory or peer support.
• Flexibility and ability to work under pressure and in continued changing work environments.

7. Desirable skills

• Experience in capacity building and team building (e.g. trainings/workshops/coaching/tutoring).
• Experience of working in multicultural environments.
• Experience of working in a non-governmental organization (NGO).
• Knowledge of international development and/or the humanitarian sector.
• Commitment to humanitarian work and continuous learning.

8. Location

The M&E Officer is based in Belgrade, but could also start working remotely.

Disclaimer Clause: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skills, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with position.

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status or disability.

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The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way – Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Equality, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.