Job Description

MEAL Officer (National Staff Position)

Position: MEAL Officer
Reports to: Expat MEAL Officer, with dotted line to MEAL Coordinator
Supervises: Technical supervision of Data Entry staff
Location: Aden (roving to Lahj)
Status: Full time
Starting Date: April 2024

About INTERSOS
INTERSOS is an independent non-profit humanitarian organization committed to assisting the victims of natural disasters and armed conflicts. Its activities are based on the principles of solidarity, justice, human dignity, equality of rights and opportunities, and respect for diversity and coexistence, paying special attention to the most vulnerable and unprotected people.

Purpose / Objectives
Under the generous fund of the DRA; INTERSOS is member of the YJR, the objective of the Yemen joint response is to provide multifaceted, life-saving humanitarian support to those in need, prioritizing the most vulnerable population. Simultaneously, it aims to facilitate early recovery and enhance the resilience of communities affected by the conflict in Yemen. The Yemen Joint Response (YJR) 2024-2026 has been developed in line with the priority locations, sectors, activities and approaches defined in the YJR Protracted Crisis Mechanism (PCM) guidelines, a collaborative effort with partner organizations.

The MEAL Officer National position will be part of the MEAL team. S/he will be responsible to Oversee implementation of monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning activities for INTERSOS in the designated operation areas, and ensuring strong coordination with the Program and local partners. To accomplish this role, s/he will need to work collaboratively with the MEAL Coordinator, Expat MEAL Officer, sector technical coordinators and heads of departments, Project Managers, Project local partners staff in promoting and fostering a culture of shared learning and accountability and enhancing innovation within the program and across projects. This includes the development and integration of program quality standards, accountability, learning in activity design, assessments, monitoring, data management, review or learning session and evaluation.

Working Relations
Internal:
MEAL Officer (expat staff - line manager)
MEAL team (Coordinator and other Officers)
Project Managers,
Grants Team
Data Entry Officer
Project and Technical Teams (incl. Program Manager)

External:
Local Partners staff
Beneficiaries

Main Responsibilities

1. Development of Projects MEAL Plans and Tools

   • Participate and support in identification, development of new and/or revision of existing data collection tools/templates (questionnaire, checklist, other tools where necessary).
   • Facilitate orientation (technical support and training) of project team and local partners staff on agreed tools, methodologies, tasks and data or project quality requirements.
   • Participate and support in the projects log-frame update, follow up of projects plans, monitor projects outputs/ outcomes indicators, and assess progress made against targets while considering projects quality, and provide timely feedback.

2. Monitoring

   • Support in continual review of narrative reports and project appraisal tool, and ensure data on indicators are collected, calculated, and reported timely and accurately.
   • Support project managers and technical sector leads as needed to analyze project performance data and checklist for conducting quality monitoring.
   • Plan for and conduct regular field monitoring visits to validate information and provide monitoring support (Backstopping) to the local partners whenever necessary in coordination with other MEAL staff, PMs or Activity Coordinators.
   • Support in drafting, writing and data analysis of monitoring and evaluation reports (both internal and external).

3. Data Management

   • Provide technical support to data entry officers and work closely with them to ensure MEAL reporting and data sets are consistent with mission-wide reporting requirements.
   • Support program team regarding the preparation of database frames based on developed questionnaires and other data collection tools.
   • Conduct data quality assessment – DQA (review databases, reports and data collection tools and processes of collection);
   • Work with the local partner programme staff to ensure the collection of relevant and appropriate data needed for an effective MEAL system which will be utilized in monitoring strengths, weaknesses and gaps in existing projects/ programmes and services and for reporting on donor commitments.
   • Lead in creating interactive, user-friendly visualizations by collecting, analyzing, and producing graphics using Google Data Studio, Power Bi and/or Excel pivot tables.

4. Assessments and Evaluations

   • Conduct quantitative and qualitative data collection activities at field level through structured and non-structured questionnaires or guides with beneficiaries, etc., as may be required by programs.
   • Participate in the planning and the implementation of rapid assessments, post distribution monitoring (PDMs), Client Satisfaction & Feedback Surveys, including the development, and revision of data collection tools, creating surveys and uploading them into KOBO, training of data collectors, data collection supervision, data analysis and reporting.
   • Support the MEAL Coordinator and he Expat MEAL Officer during internal and external evaluation planning and implementation (development/review of evaluation ToR, plans/scope of work, data collection tools, supervising data collection, analysis, drafting reports).
   • Support the dissemination of evaluation findings and other M&E data or research products in coordination with Grants Manager and MEAL Coordinator.

5. Accountability

   • Actively promote meaningful community participation and consultation during planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
   • Ensure all assessments (PDM, Satisfaction survey, Evaluation, FGD/KII) include questions to assess INTERSOS' community accountability mechanism.
   • Support the project team with strategies development that improve and promote high level of community participation.

6. Learning and knowledge management

   • Generate project performance (activity and indicator) data to support learning initiatives and promote adaptive management practices.
   • Support in preparation of learning products – by validating and ensuring consistency in reported data on project key performance indicators.
   • Undertake additional responsibilities as directed by the Expat MEAL Officer and MEAL Coordinator, which may include providing support for various tasks across other projects within the MEAL department.

Overall, these tasks require

• Adherence to Humanitarian principles of Neutrality, Impartiality, Independence, and Humanity
• Clear & timely communications to line management
• Full abiding by INTERSOS internal rules and guidelines and respect INTERSOS Charter of Value and Code of Ethics, including INTERSOS PSEA and CP policy.

Qualification and requirements

Technical skills and experience:

• Hold a BA in social science, statistics, information management, quantitative economics, or another relevant field.
• At least 2 years of professional experience working in M&E related positions in INGO.
• Demonstrated familiarity with MEAL terminologies and tools.
• Preferred previous experience in working with international and national organizations operating in protection, health, Nutrition and WASH sector.
• Able to use data management software such as KOBO.
• Ability to analyze and interpret data, identify errors, and prepare reports.
• Knowledge of project management cycle and how MEAL relates to PMC.
• Excellent computer skills (proven computer literacy, in particular Excel knowledge is a must) and good knowledge on computer soft and hardware.

Soft skills:

• Native Arabic - Excellent written and spoken English.
• Strong team spirit, comfortable in a multi-cultural environment.
• Excellent analytical skills, observation, and analysis capacity.
• Attention to detail and structured way of approaching tasks.
• Able to ensure quick quality delivery in stressful environment.
• Very strong interpersonal skills: strong communication and diplomatic skills
• Readiness and ability to move around in Yemen
• Readiness to commit and adhere to the values, mission, and vision of INTERSOS.
• Adherence to strict confidentiality and information management standards and protocols, sharing information only in compliance with these standards.