Global MEAL Adviser (100%) At Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe

Global MEAL Adviser (100%)

Vakanz 1161, limited for 2 years

Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe is the humanitarian aid agency of the Protestant Church in Germany. We provide humanitarian assistance in more than 20 countries, supporting people affected by natural disasters, conflicts, and displacement. Our mission is to enable people to live a self-determined life with dignity, before, during and after crises. We exclusively work through local partners, ensuring that our aid is locally owned and led, and that it effectively meets the needs of those we serve. This position is part of a global Technical Unit aimed at providing technical support and expertise to DKH and its local partners globally. This entails a focus on providing support throughout the project cycle, developing, and strengthening MEAL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, Learning) systems, championing an organizational culture of learning and exchange as well as strengthening associated capacity and processes. In addition, the role will systematically integrate gender, inclusion, and locally owned/ led approaches.

Areas of Responsibility

Systems and Procedures (20%)

• Conduct SWOT analyses of DKH/partner projects and capacities to identify best practices and gaps.
• Reflect and sharpen complementarity and added value regarding roles and responsibilities between DKH and its local partners in MEAL.
• Develop and update MEAL guidelines and instruments based on donor requirements and standards.
• Promote routine uptake/ application of developed materials, ensuring integration with other procedures.
• Supports operationalization and monitoring of current strategy as well as development and monitoring of the upcoming organizational strategy (2025+).

Project Cycle Support (20%)

• Support collection/ analysis/ use of data for informed decision making and evidence-based programming.
• Review project proposals and reports to ensure compliance with existing standards and best practice.
• Strengthen MEAL components in concept notes, proposals and addressing existing gaps.
• Collaboration and exchange with other global adviser from the technical unit, as well as other departments within DKH or the impact monitoring team at our sister organization at Bread for the World.
• Support teams in following up on the implementation of evaluation recommendations.

Strengthening Accountability (20%)

• Sensitization on accountability, including common standards (e.g. CHS) and good practices
• Ensure existence of safe, accessible, inclusive, and context-specific feedback and complaint mechanisms and respective systems and processes
• Champion approaches and evidence around local ownership/ leadership.

Building MEAL Capacities (15%)

• Sensitize and strengthen MEAL capacities of DKH and partners through training, coaching and mentoring.
• Promote the use of innovative and appropriate MEAL technologies and tools and practices.
• Ensure standards and guidelines are known, understood, and applied by all stakeholders.

Institutional Learning and Knowledge Management (20%)

• Promote and strengthen culture of learning and knowledge management, as well as practice of sharing and exchange between DKH offices and its partners worldwide.
• Support internal and external evaluations, learning events, and research initiatives.
• Foster transparency and evidence-based decision-making through the establishment of an indicators bank and MEAL information management systems.
• Facilitate various learning formats and channels, and systematic documentation of end of project learnings.

Internal and External Representation (5%)

• Act as an internal and external contact point for MEAL-related inquiries.
• Represent DKH in thematic networks/ working groups and engage in advocacy and communication efforts.
• Supports data analysis for internal and external lobby and advocacy and to informed decision making.

Qualifications

Technical Qualifications:

• University degree in MEAL or related discipline.
• Experience in designing/ managing MEAL frameworks in humanitarian aid contexts, including project activities, indicators, logframes, theory of change etc.
• Experience in developing and maintaining MEAL systems, tools, and procedures.
• Proficiency in MEAL software (e.g. SPSS, STATA) and data collection platforms (e.g. KoboToolbox, ODK).
• Strong analytical skills with experience in qualitative/ quantitative research methodologies and analysis.
• Familiarity with donor requirements, humanitarian standards (e.g., Sphere, CHS), and best practices.
• Demonstrated experience in capacity building through training, mentoring, and coaching.
• Experience championing learning culture, build/ maintain/ use evidence base for informed decisions.
• Excellent language and communication skills in English, with German, French etc. being an asset.

Personal Qualifications:

• Strong intercultural and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trust and maintain successful relationships with diverse stakeholders, and excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple responsibilities, with a commitment to quality and accuracy.
• Strong IT literacy skills related to the role.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a diverse, global team.
• Positive and proactive attitude, with the ability to innovate and drive improvements in MEAL practices, coupled with strong problem-solving and strategic thinking skills.
• Commitment to humanitarian principles, passionate about gender and inclusion as well as localization.
• Ability and willingness to travel regularly.

What We Offer

• Flexible working hours and family-friendly working conditions.
• Company pension scheme.
• Opportunities for further professional development.
• Annual leave of 30 days/year as well as special leave models.
• Possibility to work from home.
• Opportunity to become part of a highly dynamic and motivated team.
• Wide scope and flexibility to shape the organizational MEAL approach.