Driving Impact: Danish Refugee Council-The Role of a Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) Manager

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a Danish international non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting and supporting durable solutions for refugees and internally displaced people worldwide. With a presence in more than 30 conflict territories, DRC provides a wide range of assistance to displaced individuals, including shelter, food, and income-generating activities.

Maintaining compliance with the DRC Accountability and Quality Management system and national legislations is of utmost importance to the organization. Smooth, reliable, and effective operational systems are preconditions for DRC to maintain its position as a trustworthy and reliable partner for donors and an accountable organization towards its beneficiaries.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) Manager

To further strengthen its commitment to accountability and effectiveness, DRC is currently seeking a highly skilled and experienced individual to fill the position of Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) Manager.

Position Details

Job Title: Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) Manager
Location: Abuja
Employment Type: Full-time

The MEAL Manager will play a crucial role in ensuring that DRC’s programs and operations are data-driven, evidence-based, and continuously improving to better serve the needs of refugees and internally displaced people. By implementing robust monitoring and evaluation systems, promoting accountability, and fostering a culture of learning, the MEAL Manager will contribute to the organization’s overall impact and effectiveness.

If you are passionate about humanitarian work, have a strong background in monitoring, evaluation, and learning, and are committed to driving positive change, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity at the Danish Refugee Council.

Purpose of the MEAL Manager Role

Under the line management of the PDQ Manager, the MEAL Manager is responsible for leading and managing the MEAL unit at the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) in Nigeria. The incumbent ensures compliance with DRC procedures and guidelines within the country while effectively implementing monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning strategies and global standards.

The MEAL Manager plays a crucial role in mainstreaming MEAL throughout the Project Cycle Management (PCM) and reinforcing quality program management. They provide support and technical guidance to country operations while overseeing country activities, working closely with the Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) Coordinator, Accountability & Learning (A&L) Specialist, and Information Management (IM) Officer.

Key Responsibilities

Country Office MEAL Capacities and Commitments

Participate in country-level strategic planning and annual reviews
Assist program staff and senior management in developing annual plans, strategies, and program design using strong evidence
Pursue strategic research initiatives
Lead the development of MEAL strategies and tools
Ensure leadership in MEAL strategy, advancing MEAL technical, human, and financial capacities
Meet DRC institutional commitments

Applying Danish Refugee Council Guidance and Fostering Collaboration

Apply DRC guidance for MEAL and division of labor as per MEAL workstream RASCI
Foster collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders within the area of responsibility
Lead in adapting and applying the DRC’s MEAL model and relevant Building Blocks and guidance to local circumstances and corresponding projects and programs

Resource Planning and Data Protection

Identify and plan for the human resources, financial resources, and time needed to carry out MEAL activities in line with DRC guidance
Apply DRC guidance with regards to GDPR and data protection, specifically for MEAL-related data
Liaise with relevant internal counterparts responsible for data protection

Capacity Building and Technical Support

Lead on capacity building, training, and technical support for MEAL, program, sectors, field staff, and partners to advance the evidence agenda

By fulfilling these responsibilities, the MEAL Manager contributes to strengthening DRC’s monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning practices, ultimately enhancing the organization’s ability to deliver effective and impactful programs for refugees and internally displaced people in Nigeria.

Results Monitoring and Programme Quality Support

Engage in and support quality throughout Project Cycle Management, in line with DRC guidance and division of labor
Accommodate external requirements and internal evidence needs, including the Global Results reporting
Ensure development and adequate maintenance of MEAL plans, indicator tracking tools, and other relevant tools
Participate in and contribute to project Kick-off meetings, Review meetings, and Close-out meetings to highlight cross-project components and strengthen synergies
Establish and roll-out results frameworks and monitoring processes and tools at the right level (Global, RO, CO, field, and project levels)
Ensure the development of appropriate monitoring, tracking, and reporting systems, tools, and templates to enhance program output and quality monitoring, generate quality evidence on program outcomes, and promote data-driven decision making
Design, refine, and deploy data collection combining quantitative and qualitative methods and tools, and oversee field visits, baseline, mid and end-lines
Plan for, manage, and quality assure the field data collection and field monitoring processes and tools
Ensure the application of ethical principles in field work, including DRC Code of Conduct and Protection referral protocols and SOPs
Plan for and perform data quality assurance in data collection, data entry, and data processing
Establish and maintain processes and protocols for data protection, storage, sharing, and security
Lead the analysis and reporting of MEAL qualitative and quantitative data collected in line with internal information needs and external reporting obligations
Support, guide, and train DRC’s partners with result monitoring and data collection

Accountability

Identify, plan for, and implement different mechanisms for community engagement and participatory monitoring, integrating feedback mechanisms
Assess, design, and improve accountability mechanisms, including Community Feedback Mechanism processes, tools, and SOPs, adapting global CFM guidance to the local context
Ensure all staff are trained in DRC CFM, accountability approaches, Code of Conduct Reporting Mechanism, and PSEAH safeguarding measures, and that accountability commitments and mechanisms are communicated and known among community members and People of Concern
Liaise with HQ, coordinate with CO management, and support COs team during CHS certification audits and self-assessment processes
Provide specific guidance, support, or capacity-strengthening to DRC’s partners to ensure they develop/maintain community response and feedback mechanisms aligning with DRC’s minimum standards

Evaluation, Analysis, and Learning

Lead and contribute to analysis, evaluation, and research for data-driven evidence and use
Support utilization of results for better planning and decision making, and share knowledge and learning for improved programming within DRC and beyond
Translate MEAL findings into organizational learning, plan and implement learning events, and design appropriate learning products
Regularly present key MEAL findings and feedback to supervisors and the Senior Management Team
Design and manage evaluations in compliance with DRC evaluation policy, from development of ToRs to dissemination of evaluation
Lead on or engage in analysis, interpretation, and communication of the MEAL findings externally
Lead on/support DRC’s partners with organizing evaluation, analysis, and learning meetings and provide capacity-building

Management Responsibilities

Accountable for achieving DRC’s strategic goals and objectives within the area of responsibility
Accountable for making significant decisions on the unit’s purpose, functions, role, and commitments that require expenditure of significant unit resources
Accountable for people management of direct reports, including hiring & firing, objective setting, performance appraisal, development of staff, and managing performance
Accountable for making sound decisions based on DRC policies, SOPs, standards, and the advice of technical experts

Qualifications

Required:

Bachelor’s Degree in relevant field (International Development, Social Sciences, Statistics, etc.)
4-5 years of relevant work experience in monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning of humanitarian and development programmes.
Experience working with International NGO’s, UN agencies, line ministries and/or local authorities in migrants/refugee settings and/or in emergencies.
Proven experience in effectively working with a variety of donors’ requirements including ECHO, BHA, SDC, and UN agencies (as required).
Strong understanding of monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning principles and processes, including database management, reporting, etc.
Demonstrated experience with DRC Core Sectors.
Mastered understanding of mix-methods approach, research methodologies and the use of evidence, including participatory methodologies.
Demonstrated understanding of Core Humanitarian Standards (CHS) and ability to apply accountability and ethical standards in everyday work.
Mastered skills in design, implementation, and quality assurance throughout data collection process and specifically software.
Mastered competencies in working with analysis frameworks, with data analysis for quantitative and qualitative data and communicating evidence.
Demonstrable experience in the nurturing of organisational learning in programmes.
Demonstrated ability to work and deliver under pressure, within budget and time constraints and to manage priorities.
Ability to inspire and apply critical thinking in everyday work; promote and contribute with constructive critique.
Mastered ability and motivation to learn on the job and advance in the role.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, ability to adjust communication to various stakeholders and audiences.
Full professional proficiency in English

Desirable:

Hausa (fluent)

Required Skills & Qualities:

Core Competencies of DRC:

Striving for excellence
Collaboration
Taking the lead
Communication
Demonstrating Integrity
Ability to work in a multinational and multicultural environment.
Excellent writing, proof-reading, and communication skills
Excellent organizational and multi-tasking skills
Strong ability to adapt, take initiative and work in a multicultural environment.
Interest for humanitarian sector and donor’s environment
Listening, analytical and synthesis skills
Excellent communication skills, as well as patience and politeness
Exemplary sense of ethics in the workplace