Venezuela – MEAL Assistant At COOPI – Cooperazione Internazionale

COOPI

COOPI Cooperazione Internazionale is a secular and independent NGO, founded in Milan in 1965. It carries out development projects to contribute to the fight against poverty in particularly degraded areas and emergency programmes to support people affected by natural disasters or conflicts. COOPI is currently present in 33 countries in Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and the Caribbean. The main institutional donors are the European Union, UN agencies, the Italian Government, local authorities and other European governments.

Description of COOPI in Venezuela

Since 2019, COOPI has established a presence in Venezuela to assist the local population following the worsening of the country’s socio-economic crisis. As of July 2020, it has launched a regional crisis response program that is implemented in consortium with Venezuelan organizations for the protection of vulnerable groups. In recent years, COOPI has expanded its interventions and is currently implementing projects with different donors in Caracas, Sucre, Delta Amacuro and Bolivar in protection (GBV, human trafficking), sexual reproductive health, WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) and school feeding.

Job Objective/Description

Within the framework of the project “Integrated response to the emergency needs of the most vulnerable populations in Venezuela”, the intervention aims to contribute to the improvement of the living conditions of the populations affected by the crisis in Venezuela through a comprehensive and multi-sectoral response that favors the strengthening of a protective, resilient and inclusive environment. The organizations of the Consortium led by COOPI will concentrate their actions in eight (8) states of Venezuela: Capital District, Miranda, Zulia, Falcón, Sucre, Delta Amacuro, Bolívar and Amazonas, carrying out activities to improve access to protection, health and water, sanitation and hygiene services in the communities where the project intervenes.

COOPI plans to strengthen the project team by hiring a MEAL Assistant who will be responsible for supporting the National MEAL Officer, ensuring compliance with COOPI and donor procedures. The MEAL Assistant will ensure that project activities are carried out effectively and efficiently, and that results are systematically evaluated to improve the quality and impact of interventions.

Areas of responsibility

Main activities:

1. Project Monitoring

• Contribute to the development and updating of monitoring tools in accordance with the project objectives/indicators;
• Collaborate in the consolidation and updating of the reporting systems of the project beneficiaries;
• Participate in periodic field monitoring visits, in close collaboration with the project team, to monitor that activities are implemented in a timely manner.

1. Support in MEAL Design and Planning:

• Collaborate with the MEAL team and project manager in creating and updating monitoring and evaluation plans.
• Assist in the design of data collection tools such as surveys, questionnaires, and reporting forms.

1. Data Collection and Management:

• Participate in data collection in the field, ensuring the quality and accuracy of the information collected.
• Maintain up-to-date and well-organized databases, ensuring that all information is available for analysis and decision-making in a timely manner.

1. Data Analysis and Reporting:

• Support in the analysis of collected data to identify trends, results and areas for improvement.
• Contribute to the preparation of periodic monitoring and evaluation reports, providing clear and concise information on project progress.

1. Quality assurance:

• Implement quality control procedures and tools to ensure data integrity and reliability.
• Participate in data validation and verification activities, ensuring accuracy and consistency.

1. Reports

• Support for proper project monitoring for management and reporting purposes;
• Collaborate in the preparation of monthly summaries and/or reports of program data;
• Contribute to the preparation of project reports (internal and for the donor), as well as to the review and systematization of initial/final baseline products.

1. Accountability and Transparency:

• Facilitate feedback mechanisms with beneficiary communities and other key stakeholders, ensuring that their opinions and suggestions are considered in project decision-making.
• Assist in the implementation of complaints and suggestion systems, ensuring that they are handled in a timely and appropriate manner.

1. Continuous Learning and Improvement:

• Contribute to the identification and documentation of project lessons learned and good practices.
• Support in the organization and facilitation of reflection workshops and learning sessions for the project team and stakeholders.

1. Training and Capacity Building:

• Assist in the training of project staff and local partners in MEAL aspects, promoting a culture of effective monitoring and evaluation.
• Participate in professional development activities and ongoing training to improve MEAL skills and knowledge.

1. Coordination and Collaboration:

• Maintain effective communication and collaboration with other MEAL team members, project manager and external partners.
• Support the coordination of monitoring and evaluation activities with other projects and programs to ensure coherence and synergy.

Desired profile

ESSENTIALS

• University degree in a relevant discipline such as statistics, social sciences, international relations or related fields ;
• 2 years’ prior experience in development or emergency projects, preferably in the MEAL field;
• Familiarity with monitoring and evaluation practices in the context of humanitarian and/or development projects.
• Knowledge in the use of data analysis software, such as Excel, KOBO, POWER-BI, among others and ability to work with database management systems;
• Accuracy in data collection, entry and analysis;
• Ability to work autonomously (organization, work planning, analytical development, synthesis) and in contexts with high complexity and under pressure (meeting deadlines);
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing;
• Ability to present data in a clear and understandable manner in reports and presentations;
• Flexibility to adapt to changing project requirements and to work in challenging and often difficult environments;
• Respect for COOPI’s vision and mission and its charter of values;
• Spanish language required.
• Handling of computer tools (Microsoft Windows operating system) and office automation (Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook);
• Immediate availability.

DESIRABLE

• Previous experience working with international NGOs and institutional donors (United Nations agencies, European Union and the private sector);
• Knowledge of the English language (valued);
• Venezuelan nationality or residence permit in the country.

As suitable profiles are available, the call for applications may be closed before the indicated date. COOPI reserves the right to contact only those profiles considered suitable and preselected.

COOPI Cooperazione Internazionale is an Italian independent and secular humanitarian organisation that fights against all forms of poverty in order to improve the world. Founded in 1965, today COOPI is present in 33 countries in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean and the Middle East, with both emergency and development projects carried out by expatriate staff – an average of more than 270 people per year – and national staff. The main institutional funders are the European Union – ECHO and INTPA – USAID, UN agencies, the Italian Government, local authorities and other European governments.