WASH and Shelter MEAL Officer – Bab Alhawa Office At Islamic Relief

VACANCY REFERENCE: WSMO-BA-048

JOB SUMMARY

JOB PURPOSE:

Under the direct supervision of the senior MEAL officer (line manager), the MEAL officer (shelter/WASH) is responsible for overseeing and implementing Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) activities within shelter and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) programs. They play a critical role in ensuring shelter and WASH interventions’ effectiveness, efficiency, and impact by systematically monitoring progress, assessing outcomes, and integrating feedback mechanisms. This position requires a strong understanding of MEAL principles, shelter-WASH programming, and humanitarian standards. To ensure that existing systems are used properly, proactively contribute to improving and enhancing these systems when gaps or weaknesses are identified, and conduct close monitoring of the context, the MEAL officer (shelter/WASH) will also work closely with the senior MEAL officer (line manager), the area supervisor, the program team, and partners to identify monitoring and reporting needs. The MEAL officer (shelter/WASH) will be based in the Bab Alhawa Office /Syria, frequently traveling to the project’s sites in other sub-offices.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Monitoring and Evaluation:

• Develop and implement robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks for shelter and WASH projects, ensuring alignment with project goals and indicators.
• Regularly collect, analyze, and interpret data to track progress toward project objectives and outcomes.
• Conduct field visits to monitor program activities, assess quality, and identify challenges or areas for improvement.
• Ensure timely reporting on project performance, including preparing periodic reports and dashboards for internal and external stakeholders.

Accountability:

• Establish and maintain effective feedback and complaint mechanisms for beneficiaries, ensuring their voices are heard and integrated into program decision-making.
• Coordinate with community representatives and stakeholders to promote transparency, responsiveness, and accountability within shelter and WASH interventions.
• Facilitate participatory processes for community feedback, consultations, and reviews to enhance program relevance and responsiveness.

Learning and Knowledge Management:

• Facilitate learning sessions and knowledge-sharing events to capture best practices, lessons learned, and innovative approaches in shelter and WASH programming.
• Document success stories, case studies, and impact stories to showcase program achievements and contribute to organizational learning.
• Support the dissemination of research findings, evaluations, and assessments to inform evidence-based decision-making and program design.

Capacity Building:

• Provide training and capacity-building support to project staff, partners, and community members on MEAL methodologies, tools, and techniques.
• Foster a culture of learning and reflection within the shelter/WASH team, encouraging staff to engage in continuous improvement and adaptive management practices.
• Mentor and coach MEAL assistants or field officers to enhance their skills in data collection, analysis, and reporting.

Other involve:

• To participate in needs assessments, surveys, and other assessments in collaboration with IRW-relevant local partners and NGOs.
• To participate in staff meetings and to give suggestions on setting field questionnaires.
• To work in coordination with the team and other concerned parties including IRW projects’ teams to maintain regular exchange of information.
• To carry any other assigned tasks compatible with the job description when requested by the senior MEAL officer (Line manager).
• Participate in core team activities.
• Represent the field office in coordination meetings and any other meetings as requested
• Providing regular feedback to the senior MEAL officer (Line manager), and the country office.
• Assist in the documentation of the project meetings/workshops.
• Support in collection of project stories, reports, lessons learned, good practices, photos and case studies.

Language Skills

• Arabic language must be fluent “writing, reading, and speaking”
• English language must be very good “writing, reading, and speaking”

Qualifications and Experience

• Master or University degree in civil engineering, water and sanitation engineering, architecture or another relevant field.
• At least 5 Years relevant experience of Monitoring and Evaluation and shelter WASH sector.
• Work experience in Civil engineering particularly WASH and construction activities as well as, project management, and recovery programs.
• Demonstrated experience in developing assessment tools related to Civil engineering particularly WASH and construction (e.g. questionnaire, focus group discussions).
• Competency in the use of software like Excel, AutoCAD, 3Dmax, Kobo, Power bi.
• Strong understanding of the Logical Framework Analysis (LFA) as well as capacity to develop and analyze problem and make strategic decision.
• Strong ability to work with team and work independently and meet tight deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, teamwork, flexibility, innovation and leadership skills.
• Previous experience in conflict area will be an asset
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handing web-based management system.

General Skills

• Experience in working in emergency or development field, ideally with NGOs.
• Ability to gather information and present in a report
• Experience on monitoring methodologies.
• Proven experience in working with participatory methodologies.
• Good understanding of humanitarian sector.
• Good oral and written reporting skills.
• Good communication skills and willingness to work in team.