JOB DESCRIPTION
Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Officer
Damascus, Syria
About Libraries Without Borders
Established in France in 2007, Libraries Without Borders / Bibliothèques Sans Frontières (LWB/BSF) is an international NGO that supports knowledge development and culture, especially in libraries in developing countries. We think that easy access to information and culture sharing is vital for both human development and human rights. We work in over 20 countries, helping local communities build and improve libraries to support education, cultural access, and preservation. BSF develops creative programs including digital and physical libraries for enhanced access to education and information.
BSF’s interventions are based on three pillars:
- Selection and curation of educational and informational content adapted to the final beneficiaries (profile, language(s) spoken, literacy level, objectives), both physical and digital. To date, the BSF database contains over 50,000 digital contents in more than 36 different languages.
- Creation of tools and spaces: Disseminating this content using innovative offline digital tools, enabling users to access this content from their smartphone, tablet, or computer:
- The Ideas Box: a multimedia library in kit that can be deployed over 100 m2 in less than 20 minutes, containing both physical and digital resources, an offline internet server along with computers and tablets, board games, films, etc. This toolbox can be used to set up educational and school activities, training courses, as well as human development activities such as theatre workshops and games.
- The Ideas Cube: a mobile micro-server that works without an Internet connection to provide access to information in the most remote locations. The Ideas Cube creates a Wi-Fi hotspot to which users can connect using a smartphone, tablet or computer to access thousands of educational, cultural or training resources.
- We train facilitators, librarians and teachers to conduct educational and cultural activities using the Ideas Box and Ideas Cube.
For more information, visit www.librarieswithoutborders.org
Context
BSF has been active in the Middle East since 2015 and currently implements various educational projects in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Palestine. Operations are conducted under the regional office in Amman, Jordan.
In Syria, BSF is currently implementing a project funded by the French Embassy which aims at rebuilding cultural and social life for communities in Rural Damascus, As-Sweida and Aleppo by supporting the opening and operation of 5 libraries/cultural centres. In addition, BSF will now be launching an education project funded by ECHO and to be implemented in schools and community centres in Rural Damascus, Aleppo, Hama and Idleb, under the coordination of Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC). Within the framework of this ECHO project, BSF is now seeking to recruit a MEAL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning) Officer.
Recruitment for this position is contingent upon donor funding approval. BSF reserves the right to amend or withdraw this vacancy at any stage of the recruitment process.
Position Overview
The MEAL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning) Officer plays a central role in ensuring the quality, accountability, and continuous improvement of programmes. The position is responsible for designing, adapting, and implementing robust MEAL systems that enable effective data collection, analysis, and use across projects.
In a context where MEAL tools are often project-specific and implemented through partners, the MEAL Officer will lead the development of harmonized and context-adapted tools and approaches. The role ensures that BSF Project teams and implementing partners are equipped to generate reliable qualitative and quantitative data to inform decision-making, improve programme design, and meet donor requirements.
The MEAL Officer also promotes a culture of learning and accountability, ensuring that feedback from beneficiaries and lessons learned are systematically integrated into programme implementation and development.
The MEAL Officer reports to the Program Manager based in Damascus, Syria.
This position is open to Syrian nationals only.
Key Responsibilities
1. MEAL System Development and Standardization
- Design, adapt, and standardize MEAL frameworks, plans, tools, databases, and methodologies suitable to collect, aggregate and support the analysis of data, and to meet all relevant reporting requirements.
- Develop monitoring plans, data collection tools, and reporting templates aligned with donors’ requirements.
- Assess existing monitoring tools and processes across projects to identify gaps, inconsistencies, and priorities.
- Contribute to the documentation, harmonization, and continuous improvement of MEAL practices and approaches.
2. Capacity-building, Monitoring and Evaluation
- Train and support staff (BSF and partners) as needed on MEAL concepts, tools, and methodologies, including data collection and management (e.g., surveys, KIIs, FGDs, databases).
- Support and collaborate with programme teams in the implementation of technical and operational needs assessments.
- Provide technical support to ensure proper implementation, data quality, and tool utilization by implementing partners.
- Conduct regular field monitoring visits to project locations to verify data quality, observe implementation, and provide on-site technical support to partners.
- Support the selection of external consultants for final evaluations and/or impact studies and closely coordinate and contribute to all stages of the evaluation process, including preparation, data collection, validation, and follow-up on recommendations.
3. Data Management, Analysis, and Reporting
- Ensure timely and accurate collection, compilation, and validation of qualitative and quantitative data.
- Review partners’ monthly MEAL reports and provide feedback as required.
- Compile and analyze monitoring data to assess progress against indicators and inform programme adjustments.
- Together with the Project Managers, update the Project Management Tool (PMT) on a monthly basis.
- Contribute to the internal bi-annual data collection process by providing accurate project and country data.
- Support programme teams in producing high-quality donor reports, including project data and progress against results framework and indicators.
- Maintain organized data systems and ensure compliance with reporting standards and deadlines.
4. Learning and Accountability to Beneficiaries
- Facilitate learning processes, including lessons learned and capitalisation workshops, trainings, and contribute to internal project reviews.
- Ensure lessons learned are documented on a regular basis and integrated into both programme design and programme implementation.
- Support partners in the design and implementation of feedback and complaint mechanisms, as required.
- Ensure feedback is collected, analyzed, and used to improve programme quality.
5. Contribution to Programme Development and Communication
- Provide MEAL inputs for proposals, including indicators, logframes, and monitoring approaches.
- Support the development of logical frameworks and standardized indicators.
- Collect case studies and human interest stories as required.
- Develop or adapt communication materials for donors and partners as needed.
6. Other tasks and responsibilities
- Maintain tracking systems for grants to implementing partners, reporting deadlines, and MEAL deliverables.
- Support due diligence processes and partner assessments.
- Contribute to partners’ mapping and capacity assessment.
- Assist the country team in participating in external events such as consortium meetings, donor and partner meetings, working groups and sector meetings, etc, as required.
- Any other relevant task as required by the line manager.
Reporting Lines
- Line manager: Project Manager
- Collaborates with: NGO partners (national and international), beneficiaries, BSF Regional Office team.
Required Skills and Competencies
Experience / Competencies
- University degree in related sector (statistics, programme management, development, humanitarian studies…).
- Minimum 2 years’ experience in MEAL with NGOs, with experience in donor reporting and accountability mechanisms. Prior experience with international NGOs would be a strong asset.
- Prior experience in education programming would be an asset.
- Good command of Microsoft Suite tools, and in particular strong Excel and data visualisation competency is required (pivot tables, formulas, data cleaning and validation techniques, charts and infographics).
- Experience using KoBo Toolbox or ODK (Open Data Kit) is required.
- Understanding of data protection & data security basics.
- English proficiency.
- Knowledge of the Project Cycle Management.
- Knowledge of donor procedures.
Soft skills
- Strong interpersonal skills and teamwork, with ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders, especially in multi-partner projects.
- Strong autonomy and initiative.
- Excellent communication, writing, and synthesis skills.
- Strong organization and ability to meet deadlines.
- Problem-solving mindset.
- Flexibility and adaptability in complex contexts.
- Ability to work in sensitive and multicultural environments.
- Commitment to NGO values and principles.
Hiring conditions
- Status: one-year fixed contract with possibility of renewal, depending on availability of funding and performance.
- Tentative starting date: September 1st, 2026
- Location: based in Damascus, Syria, with regular travel to other governorates in Syria.
- Salary and benefits: salary based on experience and BSF salary scale.
How to apply
Application process
By joining us, you’ll be part of a vibrant, growing organization that leads meaningful projects with social impact. We value our employees’ career growth through training and teamwork in a collaborative work environment.
Applicants should submit their CV and cover letter by August 17, 2026 at admin.me@bibliosansfrontieres.org with the email subject “Application MEAL Officer SYR”.
Incomplete and/or late applications will not be considered. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for the next steps of the recruitment process (technical test and interview).