Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, Learning (MEAL) Officer

Introduction

The Danish Refugee Council assists refugees and internally displaced persons across the globe: we provide emergency aid, fight for their rights, and strengthen their opportunity for a brighter future. We work in conflict-affected areas, along the displacement routes, and in the countries where refugees settle. In cooperation with local communities, we strive for responsible and sustainable solutions. We work toward successful integration and – whenever possible – for the fulfillment of the wish to return home.

The Danish Refugee Council was founded in Denmark in 1956 and has since grown to become an international humanitarian organization with more than 7,000 staff and 8,000 volunteers. Based in Copenhagen (Denmark) and present in forty countries, the Danish Refugee Council is a non-profit-making, politically independent, non-governmental and non-denominational relief organization.

Our vision is a dignified life for all displaced. All our efforts are based on our value compass: humanity, respect, independence and neutrality, participation, and honesty and transparency.

Background

Danish Refugee Council (DRC) has had an operational presence in Nigeria since 2015 and has experience working in 33 Local Government Areas (LGAs) across the BAY states and Northwest Nigeria (Sokoto and Zamfara). DRC provides life-saving assistance and protection to vulnerable, conflict-affected populations including IDPs, returnees, and host communities in the sectors of armed violence reduction, livelihoods, nutrition and food security, protection, shelter, and non-food items (NFI) and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH).

The operational context in northeastern Nigeria remains challenging, as the ongoing conflict impedes conflict-affected communities’ access to what limited basic services are available, as well as DRC and other humanitarians’ access to persons of concern.

Purpose

The MEAL Officer's primary function is to support effective implementation of the monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning strategies and global standards; support mainstreaming MEAL throughout the PCM and reinforce quality programme management in the area of responsibility.

Duties and Responsibilities

General Programming & Operations

Responsibilities: (in bullet points)

General MEAL Programming and Operation

• Implement DRC guidance for MEAL and division of labour as per MEAL workstream RASCI, particularly vis-à-vis programme staff, and foster collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders within the area of responsibility.
• Apply DRC guidance with regards to GDPR and data protection in the area of responsibility, specifically for MEAL related data. Liaise with relevant internal counterparts responsible for data protection.
• Support capacity building, training and support for programme and sectors and field staff to improve the field monitoring or any other MEAL needs.
• Apply accountability and ethical frameworks and principles, including CHS, in line with DRC guidance in the area of responsibility.

Results Monitoring and programme quality support

• Support quality throughout Project Cycle Management, in line with DRC guidance and division of labour, accommodating external requirements and internal evidence needs. Specifically, support development and implementation of MEAL plans, indicator tracking tools and other relevant tools for the area of responsibility.
• Participate in and contribute to (as appropriate) project Kick-off meetings, Quarterly Review meetings and Close-out meetings in order to highlight cross-project components aimed at replicating good practices and strengthening synergies between projects or programmes.
• Support the implementation and data collection for results frameworks and monitoring processes and tools at the Area level.
• Support and carry our field level data collection and field monitoring.
• Apply ethical principles in the field work, including with regards to DRC Code of Conduct and in line with Protection referral protocols and SOPs.
• Implement protocols for data protection, storage, sharing, and security in the area of responsibility.
• Support the analysis and ensure reporting of MEAL qualitative and quantitative data collected in line with internal information needs and external reporting obligations.
• Support programme teams and grants management in accordance with the MEAL plans.

Accountability

• Support staff to implement different mechanisms for community engagement and feedback in monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning in the area of responsibility.
• Support the implementation of DRC’s Community Feedback Mechanism.
• Support in data analysis and producing CFM Reports. Evaluation, analysis and learning Support data gathering as relevant.
• Support staff regularly present the key MEAL findings from the regular data collections (.e.g monitoring, PDMs, CFM reports) and feedback to the AO team for further development.
• Participate in and assist in the internal or external evaluation processes as required.
• Support analysis, interpretation and communication of the MEAL findings externally, in the area of responsibility.

Logistics / Finance:

• Support staff to monitor financial commitments and expenditures against budgets and provide timely feedback on budget follow-ups.
• Support in initiating procurements and ensure their execution.
• Contribute to grants management of all MEAL projects through management of day-to-day project expenditures.

The responsibilities listed in the JD are not exhaustive and may be readjusted according to operational needs but will remain in line with the overall purpose of the role.

Experience and technical competencies: (include years of experience)

Essential:

• Minimum of 2 years of previous experience with implementing monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning and AAP of humanitarian programs.
• Understanding of and ability to work with data collection software, preferably Kobo Toolkbox, Commcare, ODK, and other as relevant.
• Basic knowledge of data analysis practices and tools and perform data quality control.
• Ability to engage with partners and/or a partnership model of working, when relevant.
• Basic understanding of Core Humanitarian Standards (CHS) and ability to apply accountability and ethical standards in everyday work
• Solid background on computer skills and competency in MS Word, MS PowerPoint, Excel, and SPSS as a minimum.
• Good verbal and written communication skills. ·
• Fluency in local language or the language of communities.

Desirable:

• The position may require frequent travel to project sites in remote and sometimes challenging environments.
• The role may involve working outside of regular office hours to meet deadlines or during emergency responses.
• Excellent facilitation skills and a strong understanding of how to collect feedback safely and accurately from all members of a community regardless of their age, gender, or other diversity factors.
• Experience working in emergency response with INGOs, preferably in a humanitarian context.

Qualifications and Experience:

• A Bachelor’s degree in relevant field (international development,social sciences, statistics, public health, etc.) + at least 2 years of relevant experience
• Excellent communication, presentation, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills.

General Regulations

• The employee shall follow DRC instructions on safety, confidentiality and ethical guidelines, including the Code of Conduct and the Humanitarian Accountability Framework
• Employee should not engage in any other paid activity during the DRC contract period without prior authorization
• Employee should not engage in any activity that could harm DRC or the implementation of any project during the DRC contract period
• Employee should not give interviews to the media or publish project-related photos or other material without prior authorization
• Employee shall return all borrowed equipment for the project to DRC after the end of the contract period or upon request

1. Application Process

Are you interested? Then apply for this position on line: www.drc.dk/about-drc/vacancies/current-vacancies. All applicants must send a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages). Both must be in English.

DRC provides equal opportunity in employment and prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability.

DRC encourages all applicants to apply and does not practice any discrimination in any recruitment process.

Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

Applications close on the 7th August 2025 at midnight (GMT-time). Applications submitted after this date will not be considered.