MEAL Specialist – Iraq At Stichting Vluchteling

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Specialist – Iraq

Department: Programs and Advocacy

Reports to: Project Officer, with functional relation to the MEAL Advisor in The Hague

Background:

The Netherlands Refugee Foundation (in Dutch: Stichting Vluchteling, SV) is an emergency relief organization that worldwide supports partner organizations to assist displaced populations. In case of acute need, the Netherlands Refugee Foundation provides funding to international and national partners in order to provide direct assistance, such as shelter, medical care, clean drinking water and sanitation. In the Netherlands, the Refugee Foundation provides information to the Dutch public about the situation of refugees and internally displaced as well as about emergency aid in general. The Netherlands Refugee Foundation currently has a diverse and enthusiastic team with around 50 employees, working predominately from The Hague.

The Netherlands Refugee Foundation (NRF) is launching the ASPIRE program: “Advancing Sustainable Partnerships to Improve Resilience & Empowerment” which aims to advance the leadership of local and national organizations in Iraq, Lebanon and Türkiye, through equitable, multi-annual partnerships that focus on the priorities and aspirations of these organizations by integrating streams of organizational capacity strengthening and direct funding. ASPIRE has the following two objectives: 1. Protection of refugees and internally displaced persons by in-country partners; and 2. Access to improved services, facilities and information systems for displaced persons and host communities.

The program will be applied in the three countries simultaneously, during a period of five years where NRF will prioritize working with community-based, refugee-led, women-led, and small NGOs.

Summary:

The MEAL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning) Specialist will be responsible for the design, coordination and implementation of comprehensive and holistic program-based MEAL framework.

One of SV’s ambitions in the ASPIRE program is to support locally led MEAL in humanitarian contexts. The MEAL Specialist will play a critical role in the development and implementation of these MEAL frameworks, with a particular emphasis on empowering local partners to take ownership of MEAL processes and utilize data for improved outcomes that extend beyond the project level. The MEAL Specialist would conduct regular monitoring and evaluation activities, coordinate and/or support data collection and analysis, create a knowledge management system, and foster a culture of learning and adaptation within the project team and with NRF’s partners.

Particular emphasis will be on:

• Providing expertise in the design and implementation of monitoring protocols for the ASPIRE program;
• Developing, piloting and testing the implementation of a locally-led MEAL framework approach, including policies, guidelines and tools;
• Preparing for, and coordination of, a baseline, mid-term and evaluation for the ASPIRE program in Türkiye, Lebanon and Iraq, following IOB (Dutch Government Policy) standards;
• Where necessary, supporting local partners in the ASPIRE program to strengthen their MEAL systems, including a focus on gender and conflict sensitive programming and integration of the Core Humanitarian Standard and/or facilitating learning on Locally-Led MEAL between partners;
• Capitalizing on learning for SV’s operationality model and from its proximity to in-country partners;

Responsibilities:

• Develop guidelines and tools on partner monitoring, evaluation plans, activities that increase our accountability to affected populations and support institutional learning within SV and between partners
• Lead on the implementation of the SV program level MEAL framework, which includes adherence to IOB standards
• Ensure locally led MEAL frameworks and data collection instruments are culturally sensitive, participatory, and empowering for partners
• Produce regular MEAL reports with a focus on sharing findings and insights with in-country partners for action and learning, ensuring that local voices and perspectives are incorporated into decision-making processes.
• Ensure that locally owned Management & Evaluation systems and accountability mechanisms (such as tailored Feedback and Complaints mechanisms) are in place for all projects
• Create learning opportunities for and with partners
• Facilitate knowledge-sharing and peer-to-peer learning to promote locally led MEAL best practices
• Support NRF learning efforts on topics identified in the NRF strategy, including localization, capacity strengthening, humanitarian access and health
• Assist the NRF MEAL Adviser in further developing and implementing the framework for Accountability to Affected Population, based on the Core Humanitarian Standard and informed by SV’s Accountability Improvement Plan, providing an in-country perspective. And ensure that this framework becomes integrated into the in-country MEAL framework.
• Together with the MEAL adviser, develop and disseminate learning papers on locally led MEAL, capturing lessons learned and best practices from the project and sharing them with a broader audience
• Assist in writing project proposals for institutional and major private donors.

What do we expect from you?

• At least 5 years of experience in MEAL, with a demonstrated commitment to empowering local partners and promoting locally led MEAL practices
• Proficiency in quantitative and qualitative data collection methods and analysis
• Strong writing and communication skills, with the ability to produce clear, concise, and engaging reports, learning papers, and presentations
• Good command of the English and Arabic language
• Excellent interpersonal and facilitation skills, with the ability to build relationships, facilitate discussions, and promote collaboration among diverse stakeholders
• Strong attention to detail, with the ability to ensure accuracy and consistency in data collection, analysis, and reporting.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, with a strong sense of collaboration and a willingness to share knowledge and expertise.
• Enjoying to providing support to an organization that is finding new ways of working and being able to be flexible and quickly adapt where needed
• Preferably, experience in data analysis using statistical software for identifying patterns and insights that can inform program improvement and adaptation.
• Preferably knowledge of/experience with integrating CHS (Core Humanitarian Standard) in MEAL
• Demonstrable work experience in the region would be an advantage
• Willingness to travel, especially within North West Iraq
• You endorse the goals and aims of the Netherlands Refugee Foundation
• Your nationality, or a work permit, permits you to work in NW Iraq, NRF is not in the position to apply for a work permit for this position

What do we offer you?

• A dynamic consultancy position in a professional organization of about 50 employees
• A function with room for own initiative and new ideas
• Opportunity to work on meaningful projects that are making a difference in the lives of refugees, IDPs, and host communities.
• Chance to collaborate with a diverse team of professionals and contribute to a culture of learning and growth.
• A consultancy contract for initially six months
• Renumeration and working conditions appropriate for a non-profit organization, depending on education and experience.
• Start date is negotiable, but the preference would be April 2024