The IRC has a focus on narrowing the gender gap in humanitarian aid and ensuring that we contribute to gender equality, diversity, and inclusion in both our programs and operations by working to establish a context where our clients (including those from minority groups) enjoy the same rights and opportunities as well as an equal access to services. The IRC also has a strong commitment to creating an equitable and inclusive culture, where safeguarding is upheld in our workplace and programs. We are determined to protect our clients and staff from safeguarding violations through prevention and, where misconduct is alleged, to address it without fear or favor.

Job Overview

Reporting to and technically supported by the M&E Manager, the MEAL Officer works in close collaboration with program teams to optimize monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning capacities and opportunities of the IRC mission in Ethiopia to ensure high-quality programming for the clients we serve and support the global ambitions of IRC Strategy 100, and the Country Strategic Action Plan.  The MEAL Officer oversees, leads and implements MEAL activities of a Jigjiga Field Office within the Country MEAL team.

Responsibilities:

Leadership and Partnership

• Support all technical aspects and actions of MEAL regarding the Jigjiga Field Office; respond to program needs; foster high standards and practices for quality data collection, analysis, and reports. Enable accountability to clients, partners, and donors.
• Implement and support MEAL system and approaches in your areas of expertise and foster learning.
• Represent MEAL at technical meetings, forums, and other events & build partnerships within IRC and area of expertise.
• Champion access and use of data for shared learning, sound decision-making, and data-informed programmatic adaptations.

Technical Oversight

• Run the MEAL system and processes for Jigjiga Field Office in harmony with the MEAL Country and Global Strategies throughout the project cycle which include:
• Collaborate with MEAL and non-MEAL staff to ensure that data is collected, compiled, checked for its quality and completeness in compliance with IRC and donors’ standards for data quality.
• Document and share learning, evidence, and data from previous projects to inform project proposal design.
• Implement M&E/MEAL plans, revise (digital) data collection tools, follow-up on processes for online data management, quality checks, and audits, and updating of data visualization.
• Undertake regular analysis of monitoring data and work closely with program officers and managers to facilitate decision-making for real-time program adaptation.
• Produce quality reports and updating dashboards with key findings that foster learning and decision-making and share in project cycle management meetings and team meetings.
• Identify, document, and share client feedback to improve services and results for our clients.
• Support deployment of surveys such as baseline and end line, and the commission of evaluations in coordination with colleagues and partners.
• Support the use of standard mobile data technology and online dashboard to enhance timeliness and quality of data collection, analysis and visualization.
• Join and contribute to IRC’s effort in meeting its internal and external accountability commitments through the implementation of sound accountability, client feedback, and response mechanisms.

Human Resources 

• Coordinate, lead, mentor MEAL Assistant(s); foster timely and high-quality achievement, and an inclusive and respectful team climate.
• Promote the growth and development of others in IRC teams and partners: present high-quality technical training and learning material for partners, colleagues, and junior staff.
• Participate in the recruitment and onboarding of MEAL Assistant, field incentive workers and enumerators.

Key Working Relationships:

• Position Reports directly to or in Management in Partnership to: Field Coordinator and Sr Manager.
• Position directly supervises: Assistants and/or enumerators.

Other Internal and/or external contacts:

• Internal: Program Managers and Officers, Database Officer, ICT Officer, Partnerships Manager, HR, Field Coordinator and MEAL team in Addis.
• External: Beneficiaries, program partner organizations, local and national government.

Requirements:

• Possess basic technical knowledge of M&E approaches and techniques in some or all of the following areas: Outputs, Outcome monitoring; Theories of Change, Logical frameworks, Data collection, Basic data analysis, Accountability, Client feedback mechanisms;
• Experience in conducting primary quantitative data collection and data entry;
• Basic proficiency and experience with mobile data collection such as Kobo, CommCare, ODK Collect is required, knowledge of Tableau, PowerBi, or GIS software tools are additional assets;
• Good computer skills in MS Office, especially Excel; and Word – with experience in writing reports;
• Self-motivated and pro-active attitude with good organization, planning, and analytic skills, including prioritizing work, multi-tasking and attention to detail;

• Flexibility and ability to work under pressure and in constantly evolving work environments;
• Experience of analyzing and presenting data in a way that facilitates effective decision making.
• Demonstrated analytical, systematic-thinking, and problem-solving skills are definite assets;
• A strong understanding of accountability and proven ability to build Client Feedback Systems

• Willingness to travel to various field-level offices [60%]

Safeguarding Responsibilities: –

• Promote and actively participate in initiatives and efforts to build team engagement, inclusion and cohesion in IRC [team/office]
• Foster ongoing learning, honest dialogue, and reflection to strengthen safeguarding and to promote IRC values and adherence to IRC policies.

Minimum Qualifications:

Job Requirements:

Educational Requirements:

• BA/MA/MSc in Monitoring and Evaluation, Economics, Anthropology, Sociology, Statistics, Development or related social science field. Postgraduate degree preferred.

Preferred Experience and Skill:

• 2 years of experience for degree holders and 1 year of experience for postgraduate and 5 years of experience for diploma holders.
• Values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength
• Good communication, presentation and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent computer skills and competency in Word, Excel (data analysis and visualization), and PowerPoint. CommCare and PowerBI is a strong advantage
• Strong organizational and time-management skills; proven ability to prioritize and deliver on time
• Ability to work both independently and in a dynamic, cross-functional global team structure
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with stakeholders at all levels.

Language Skills: 

• Strong oral and written communications skills in English, Amharic and ability to speak local language is advantageous.

IRC is an equal employment 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 or disability.

Professional Standards: 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 enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity Anti-Retaliation and Combating Trafficking in Persons