Job Description

About The IRC

 We are, one of the world’s largest humanitarian international Non Governmental organizations, providing relief, rehabilitation and development support to vulnerable people and communities over 30 countries. We began work in Ethiopia in 2000 in response to severe drought in Ethiopia’s Somali region and are currently providing assistance to Ethiopians and refugees in six regions in Ethiopia, implementing emergency and development programs in health, water and sanitation, economic recovery and development (ERD), women’s protection and empowerment, education, child protection, and multi-sectoral emergency response

Job Purpose

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is seeking dynamic, analytical, and highly motivated individuals for the position of MEAL Manager for IRC Gambella field office. The ideal candidate has worked for an NGO in the programs department (e.g. design, management, monitoring) and has concrete experience with monitoring and evaluation, and tracking systems and processes.

The position technically reports to Senior EH manger based in Gambella for the CDC funded project and MEAL Coordinator in Addis for other projects implemented under the field office and to Gambella field office Coordinator on operational issues. IRC is implementing multiple grants funded mainly by USAID, ECHO, CDC, UN, and others hence the position will undertake the Monitoring, Evaluation, accountability and learning actions under these grants. Additionally, the MEAL Manager contributes to the overall program quality through the coordination, and implementation of enhanced monitoring and evaluation, accountability, and learning strategies; the emphasis is on streamlining processes and tools for efficiency, effectiveness, and sustainability throughout the project cycle across the IRC’s various sectors and grants. The MEAL Manager will supervise the MEAL assistant based in Gambella.

The Staff will dedicate 50% of his/her time for “Scaling up and Monitoring of WASH Mitigation Intervention at Camp Level response to COVID-19” CDC project under Environmental Health (EH) sector and 50% for other projects implemented under the field office in consultation with the Field Coordinator and MEAL Coordinator.

The position is based in Gambella with 50% travel to the field sites for assistance, support and monitoring of program activities.

Key Job functions/responsibilities

Program Management, Technical Quality, and Strategy

• Develop M&E frameworks, standards and protocols for the CDC project and other projects implemented under Gambella field office based on project log frames and IRC’s Monitoring for action (MfA) standards to improve monitoring and evaluation practices, data quality and evidence-based decision making.
• Work closely with the Senior EH manager, Senior EH MEAL manager and MEAL Coordinator to develop standard data collection tools and systems to ensure timely, relevant, and high-quality data for the CDC and other projects implemented in Gambella field office.
• Provide ongoing technical assistance to all program and M&E staff in the implementation of M&E plans, the application of data collection tools, data management and quality checks, and data analysis and reporting.
• Draft, develop and oversee monitoring, evaluation, and research activities, including study design, questionnaire , data collection, data analysis & reporting, and dissemination under CDC project.
• Serve as a focal person for the CDC project in relation to M&E including research and maintain communication with the donor (CDC) on the data collection, analysis and documentation.
• Coordinate monthly HH survey and annual knowledge, practice and coverage (KPC) survey with the support of Senior Sanitation and Hygiene Officer under EH sector.
• Accurately collect, clean and compile routine M&E data to report progress towards the CDC project objectives and other assessments as outlined in the M&E plan. Data will be collected on project outcomes and outputs, using developed monitoring tools and digital data collection KOBO software.
• Ensure that beneficiary feedback for all projects is adequately captured, analyzed, and responded to by program teams in line with IRC’s Client Responsiveness initiative.
• Work with IRC MEAL Coordinator and GIS unit, as well as information and communication technology (ICT) staff at HQ or in the regional office on the use of technology for improving M&E systems.
• Capture Learning, document and disseminate internally and externally in collaboration with the Senior EH manger and MEAL Coordinator and participate in learning events as relevant.
• Lead evaluation efforts such as emergency real-time evaluations, internal end-of-project evaluations, impact studies, case studies as needed.
• Together with the MEAL Coordinator and senior EH manager, facilitate quarterly and annual data reviews and reflection sessions as specified in the M&E frameworks to track progress and agree on corrective action together with the program team.

Capacity building

• Coordinate and conduct capacity building for CDC and other project staff and partner organizations where appropriate on monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning to improve knowledge and skills in project cycle management. Trainings will be based on training needs assessments and these may include needs assessments, qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection, data analysis, presentation and interpretation of data and reporting
• Conduct regular visits to field sites to provide oversight, coaching and mentoring for CDC and other project staff and making sure that the set standards and procedures are implemented effectively and meet the highest quality standards.
• Act as the MEAL focal point for the CDC project and other Projects, work closely with NGO counterparts and at appropriate forums/workshops to share lessons learned and further develop IRC’s own knowledge base and programming.

Leadership roles and working relationships

Reporting line: Position reports technically to the Senior EH manager for CDC project and MEAL Coordinator for other projects implemented in the field office. On operational issues the MEAL manager will report to Field coordinator.

Staff Management:  The MEAL manager will supervise the MEAL assistant based in Gambella.

Other internal and/or external working relationships

Internal; EH Technical leads including the sector leads based in Addis and Gambella field office, Senior EH MEAL manager and other sector MEAL managers and other technical Coordinators

Externally, Partners, government ministries/agencies, clusters Leads and other engaged in Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning.

Job Requirements

• A university degree in statistics, social sciences, public health and economics however experience can substitute qualification but not vice versa
• Minimum of 4 years of relevant experience with the first degree and 3 years of relevant experience plus post graduate degree.
• Proven skills and experience in monitoring and evaluation in emergencies and development including multi-sectorial and consortium projects.
• Proven abilities in translating log frames/results frameworks into monitoring plans, developing data tools and protocols, data collection and management, use of data bases and data analysis.
• Demonstrated experience developing and rolling out tools and data systems and feedback/accountability mechanisms for and building capacity of others for assessing progress and documentation.
• Knowledge of monitoring and evaluation methodologies including logical models, conceptual frameworks, assessments and evaluations.
• Knowledge and experience with digital data collections and analysis tools such as ArcGIS, Kobo Toolbox and CommCare.
• Knowledge of Inter Agency Standing Committee (IASC) agreed Commitments to Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) and global commitments on participation revolution
• Familiarity with information management systems and analysis software and data presentation platforms such as Power BI or Tableau.
• Demonstrated experience in managing and capacity strengthening of staff
• Strong ability to communicate concisely and with impact in English.
• Demonstrated ability to work, handle, and meet contending targets in a fast-paced operating environment.
• Consistent track record of proactively identifying and presenting potential problems and proposing solutions.
• Able to function effectively in a changing work environment and to set appropriate priorities and deal effectively with competing needs and pressure.
• Committed to the IRC’s mission, purpose, and values.

How to Apply

Candidates who meet the above qualifications; please send your CV and application letter only through IRC career site:

External Applicants link

Internal Employees link

Your application letter/cover letter must include the following information.

•  Name of the position you have applied for
• Date of application
•  Summary of your qualifications and experience
• Motivation/objective of why you have applied for the job
•  Please include at least 3 references from current and former supervisors.

             Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply!

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status or disability.

Standards of Professional Conduct: The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and carries out policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances

Equal Opportunity Employer: IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.