MEAL Specialist, North America Programs At HIAS

POSITION SUMMARY:

HIAS seeks a Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) Specialist, North America Programs to provide technical guidance and support to HIAS’ programming in North America. The MEAL Specialist, North America Programs will maintain and refine systems to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness, strategic alignment, cost and overall impact of HIAS’ refugee assistance programs in North America, to include programs managed and implemented by both U.S. Programs and the Legal Services teams. This includes all programs managed by HIAS and implemented by the HIAS affiliate network.

The MEAL Specialist, North America Programs reports to the Regional Director, North America Programs with technical advisory provided by the Strategy & Measurement team. The MEAL Specialist, North America Programs works closely with all program directors and program managers to ensure that HIAS’ programming in North America is aligned to organization-wide monitoring and evaluation policies, systems and tools for evidence generation. This includes but is not limited to roles working across the following content areas: network wide refugee resettlement and social and economic inclusion, legal service work including direct service provision in Silver Spring and New York, and pro bono and border and asylum networks.

The MEAL Specialist, North America Programs is responsible for information collection, analysis and reporting processes across North America Programs, and works with all program staff to ensure data quality. This role, in coordination with the Data Analyst for U.S. Programs, leads the results reporting for North America Programs, measuring program performance and deliverables.

The MEAL Specialist, North America Programs supports HIAS’ central MEAL function through establishing a consistent MEAL practice across all HIAS programming in North America and in strengthening the integration between North America Programs and the HIAS HQ MEAL team (housed within Strategy & Measurement). This role is responsible for implementing HIAS’ MEAL minimum standards, including accountability standards, across HIAS programs in North America. This role will also support evidence generation from HIAS’ programming and develop and implement learning agendas for North America Programs, in coordination with program managers and in alignment with HIAS’ global learning agenda.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

MEAL STANDARDS & SYSTEMS

• Implements key MEAL standards, processes and systems/tools that support HIAS’ organizational planning, monitoring, evaluation and reporting requirements.
• In coordination with the HQ MEAL team and program directors/managers, establishes monitoring system and appropriate indicators for tracking the performance of all North America programs at a country level, in alignment with global guidance, funding agreements and HIAS program quality benchmarks.
• Supports the continued implementation and improvement of HIAS’ MEAL standards, processes and systems/tools across North America programs.
• Supports program design and development of appropriate objectives and indicators.
• In coordination with program directors and managers, develops and maintains up-to-date program-level M&E/MEAL plans and frameworks and M&E/MEAL sections of project work plans/operating plans, ensuring that project/program team roles and responsibilities are well defined and understood; coordinates inputs from program managers and staff on a continuous basis.
• Provides remote and on-site training for and engagement with relevant North America Programs colleagues (including program managers, program directors and key staff) on MEAL concepts and strategies, including best practices and methods in data collection, and monitoring findings.
• Provides remote training for affiliates as needed; participates in bi-annual conference training.

MONITORING, ANALYSIS & REPORTING

• Coordinates with all program managers and program staff to collect, aggregate and verify programmatic data.
• Guided by the HQ MEAL team and in consultation with program managers, standardizes collection methods, results and analysis, and aligns these to HIAS’ results reporting framework(s).
• Performs basic and intermediate quantitative and qualitative analysis, including descriptive statistics and thematic analysis, in order to track progress against indicators and program results at project, program and country levels, in coordination with the Data Analyst and other relevant staff, when appropriate.
• Conducts data checks to ensure data quality related to monitoring data, analysis and research.
• Develops and produces charts, graphs, infographics and other visualizations for program activities and accomplishments in collaboration with the data analyst roles.
• Synthesizes, aggregates and/or produces reporting at a program and/or country level, as appropriate.

ACCOUNTABILITY TO AFFECTED PEOPLE

• Serves as accountability to affected people (AAP) lead for HIAS’ U.S. programming; implements accountability mechanisms in line with HIAS’ accountability framework and program guidance.
• Establishes complaints and feedback mechanisms (CFMs) that are safe, accessible, context-appropriate and preferred by affected people; implements standard operating procedures to review, respond to and escalate feedback and complaints received on a continuous basis.
• Ensures accessible two-way information sharing and implements community consultation activities, as appropriate.
• Ensures that AAP data is collected routinely throughout the project cycle for all U.S. programs and projects, and aggregated appropriately to report to federal and private funders.
• Coordinates closely with safeguarding focal points and actively promotes Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) standards among HIAS staff and people served.

EVALUATION & LEARNING

• Supports assessment and evaluation activities, including assisting with scope definition, contributing to evaluation management and implementation, and supporting follow-up for implementation of recommendations.
• Guided by the HQ MEAL team and relevant technical leads (core programs), contributes to, develops and supports the implementation of organizational research and learning priorities across North America programs.
• Works closely with North America program managers and program directors to develop, implement and document learning activities, in alignment with organizational priorities.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS:

• Undergraduate degree in relevant field is required; graduate degree or equivalent professional experience desired. Applicants without a graduate degree must demonstrate strong work experience with tools, processes and methods related to M&E and evidence generation for refugee resettlement and integration projects or other related fields.
• 3-5 years of work experience and experience in M&E/MEAL.
• Experience working with humanitarian agencies working with displaced people preferred.
• English fluency required; proficiency in additional languages is an asset.
• Background in refugee issues, including resettlement and integration, and/or social services preferred.
• Experience collecting both quantitative and qualitative data required; experience managing survey/data collection teams is an asset.
• Demonstrated ability to manage, track and report on program data, including proficiency with Excel (and/or other relevant software) in tracking and analyzing data.
• Experience in use of data management systems, statistical software packages (e.g., Stata, R), and/or data analysis and visualization platforms (e.g., Power BI, Tableau) preferred.
• Experience using IRIS or Apricot case management databases is an asset.
• Excellent writing and communication skills, including familiarity with writing funder reports, SOPs and other program management documents.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment and meet strict deadlines; ability to multi-task and prioritize effectively.
• Excellent critical thinking skills and a proactive, creative approach to problem-solving.
• Ability to travel to all HIAS program and affiliate locations in the United States, as needed, up to 20%.

HIRING PROCESS:

We are committed to a fair and respectful hiring process, and we do our absolute best to respond to every applicant. We prioritize communication and transparency with all candidates, even those who are not moving forward. Here’s a snapshot of our hiring process:

Step 1: Submit your application!

Step 2: Phone screen with a HIAS recruiter.

Step 3: Video interview with the hiring manager.

Step 4: Video interview with a panel of HIAS employees.

Step 5: Online reference check with SkillSurvey.

Step 6: Offer and background check with Shield Screening.

Step 7: Start your professional journey with HIAS!

Note: Some of our hiring processes may vary, and not all candidates will advance to each step.

ABOUT US:

Over one hundred years ago, the Jewish community founded HIAS (originally the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society) in New York City, the immigrant gateway to America. Supporting Jews fleeing persecution and poverty in Eastern Europe, our founders were guided by the traditions, texts and history of the Jewish people—a history of oppression, displacement and diaspora. HIAS has since helped generations of Jews facing violence because of who they were, and HIAS remains committed to helping Jewish refugees anywhere in the world. Today, our clients at HIAS come from diverse faiths, ethnicities and backgrounds, as do our staff. We bring our experience, history and values to our work across five continents, ensuring that refugees today receive the vital services and opportunities they need to thrive.

HIAS is a learning community, committed to diversity and inclusion. We do our work with integrity, accountability, transparency and a commitment to the highest ethical standards. We seek employees from diverse backgrounds and life experiences to join our teams located in the United States and across the globe. People who identify as BIPOC, people with disabilities, people from the LGBTQ+ community and people with lived experiences of forced displacement or immigration are all encouraged to apply. We are committed to building a diverse workforce that reflects our vision, mission and values.

VISION:

HIAS stands for a world in which refugees find welcome, safety and opportunity.

MISSION:

Drawing on our Jewish values and history, HIAS provides vital services to refugees and asylum seekers around the world and advocates for their fundamental rights so they can rebuild their lives.

VALUES:

Welcome • Acogimiento • Hospitalité • Hachnasat Orchim

We Welcome the Stranger

Justice • Justicia • Justice • Tzedek

We Pursue Justice

Empathy • Empatía • Empathie • Chesed

We Approach our Clients with Empathy

Partnership • Compañerismo • Coopération • Chevruta

We Believe in Changing the World through Partnership

Courage • Coraje • Courage • Ometz

We Act with Courage to Build a Better World

Resilience • Resiliencia • Résilience • Ruach

We Adapt and Thrive, Continuously Demonstrating our Resilience

DIVERSITY:

HIAS is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. As an equal opportunity employer, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, ethnic background, ancestry, citizenship status, religious creed, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, registered domestic partner or civil union status, familial status, pregnancy, childbirth, military status, protected veteran status, political orientation or other legally protected status.

SAFEGUARDING:

HIAS is committed to the protection of children, vulnerable adults and any other person from any harm caused directly or indirectly due to their coming into contact with HIAS. We will not tolerate sexual exploitation, abuse or any form of child abuse or neglect by our staff or associated personnel. Any candidate offered a job with HIAS will be expected to sign and adhere to HIAS’ Code of Conduct and Safeguarding policies. All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records. HIAS also participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. Likewise, HIAS will share this information when other organizations inquire about current and former HIAS staff as part of their recruitment process. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.