MEAL Coordinator

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

Terms of reference

Job Title: MEAL Coordinator

Code: SR-35-2653

Duty station: Aden and Sanaa, 50-50% roving, with regular visits to other governorates: Hajja, Ibb, Taiz, Lahj, Hadramout

Starting date: 10/09/2022

Contract duration: 12 months (4 months as probation contract)

Reporting to: Head of Mission

Supervision of: MEAL Department

Dependents: Non-family duty station

General context of the project

In 2021, Yemen remains the world’s largest humanitarian crisis and aid operation. Over 6 years of war and armed conflict killed and injured tens of thousands of civilians, causing immense suffering for the Yemeni people. In 2020, as the conflict intensified, 172,000npeople were newly displaced, reaching at total of at least 4 million IDPs. The economy and the currency continued to collapse as foreign reserves were depleted and the government was unable to subsidize food and other commodities for which Yemen is 90% import-reliant. The situation was exacerbated by the global COVID-19 turndown which led to a sharp drop in remittances, the largest source of foreign currency and a lifeline for many families where 80% of people live below the poverty line. As a result, millions more people cannot afford to meet their basic needs. A fuel crisis in the North, part of a dispute over the use of revenues, led to chronic fuel shortages and price hikes. Government capacity to regularly pay salaries and pensions to public employees has been hindered and public services have been degraded. Yemen is also vulnerable to natural hazards. Between April and August 2020, heavy rains and flooding devastated communities, causing deaths and injuries, again destroying infrastructure and livelihoods, and increasing diseases spread and displacement. The impact of the drivers of the crisis is most visible in the growing risk of famine and acute severe malnutrition, disease outbreaks, conflict casualties, forced displacement and reversal of past development gains. In addition, the conduct of the parties to the conflict has had a profound impact on the aid operation – particularly humanitarian access, aid delivery and independent data collection/assessments.

INTERSOS has been working in Yemen since 2008, originally focused on protection programming for Somali refugees. Gradually, INTERSOS evolved with a raising scope in terms of population target groups, geographical span and sectors. INTERSOS works today in Sana’a, Aden, Hadramout, Shabwa, Taiz, Ibb, Hajja, and Lahj; and newly in Abyan in 2021, with further outreach and coverage in other governorates through local partners and/or legal network lawyers. INTERSOS is implementing multi-sector and integrated programming, with its main sectors being protection, integrated health-nutrition, livelihoods, and WASH.

General purpose of the position

Under the supervision of the HoM, the MEAL Coordinator will supervise the MEAL Unit in INTERSOS Yemen Mission, ensuring strong coordination with Program and technical units. S/he will accomplish this through leading the development and implementation of an integrated.

MEAL framework for the Program currently implemented in Yemen, focusing on mentoring and/or building capacities of relevant programs, M&E and Accountability staff, as well as promoting and fostering a culture of shared learning and accountability, and promoting innovation within the programme. This includes the development and integration of accountability, learning and programme quality standards in programme assessments, design, monitoring, review and evaluation as well as consistent documentation of learning and progress in this area.

The MEAL Coordinator will be expected to lead on MEAL system implementation and improvement including monitoring, accountability initiatives, support evaluations, compile lessons learnt, MEAL budgeting and recruitment.

Main responsibilities and tasks

Under the direct supervision of INTERSOS Head of Mission, the MEAL Coordinator will be responsible of the following:

MEAL Strategy at Mission Level and Programme Support:

• Support HoM in mainstreaming MEAL elements in the Country Strategy and recommendations for the Organisation’s strategic direction.
• Support programme teams in the design of SMART indicators, targets, and MEAL systems/activities for project proposals.
• Liaise with HQ focal points on the improvement and use of the Project Appraisal Tool, integrated into MEAL systems at mission level

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning:

• Finalize the piloting and roll out of a vulnerability scoring system at mission level
• Supervise MEAL officers in developing and implementing project level MEAL plans, and providing regular monitoring data through M&E activities, including site visits, distribution and post distribution monitoring, satisfaction surveys, etc.
• Design and manage the implementation of internal evaluations or baseline assessments and lead workshops with programme teams for learning
• When relevant, draft TORs and liaise with third party providers for external evaluations
• Continue and increase use of visualizations as a means of analysis of regularly collected data for monitoring and learning (either directly or through MEAL team)
• Develop and roll out mechanism for programme and mission level monitoring of relevant trends using existring and regularly collected beneficiary data
• Develop a Mission assessment plan focusing starting form the already existing tools (ClusterAssessment tools) focusing on promoting an integrated approach and including a focus on community.

Information Management:

• Continue to develop and roll out beneficiary databases and platforms within active sectors (e.g. legal platform)
• Reduce reporting burden on programme teams through integration and regular updating of dashboards and development of innovative solutions to data management and flow
• Supervise monthly reporting of mission data on Activity Info through INTERSOS online reporting system
• Maintain and expand use of internal information management website

Accountability:

• Responsible for supervision and implementation of the INTERSOS complaint and feedback response
• mechanism (CFRM), with a focus on improving equitable access and timely processing of complaints
• Lead investigations into alleged misconduct when relevant in a confidential, sensitive, and ethical manner in line with INTERSOS SOPs and local regulations
• Manage the implementation refresher trainings at mission level on the CFRM and contribute to fostering a commitment to accountability across the all levels of the mission
• Provide regular analysis of complaints and feedback to programme teams to foster organizational learning and improvement
• Support Program Unit to ensure that the overall program is including strategies and mechanism for promoting high level of community participation.

Management and Capacity Building:

• Support in the recruitment and management of staff (induction, performance management and training)
• Identify learning and training opportunities for MEAL staff and work as a mentor for both senior and less experienced staff.
• Conduct technical trainings on MEAL topics, e.g. data collection tools, research methods, analysis, and accountability, for all MEAL staff
• Strengthen organizational capacity to manage, use, and analyse data through trainings of field staff on information management and data analysis

Any other task that may be assigned by Head of Mission

Required profile and experience

Education

• A university degree at the post-graduate level in: Statistics, Information management, Social Science, Demography, Social studies or any related field

Professional Experience

• At least 3 years of experience of working internationally in humanitarian programmes; significant years of experience of undertaking a MEAL-related role

Professional Requirements

• Experience of training and capacity building
• Experience in working through systems of community participation and accountability
• Ability to write clear and well-argued
• Previous experience of managing a team
• Strong reporting skills
• Excellent use of Excel and Microsoft Office Pack

Languages

• Fluency in English with excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Arabic language skills are a considerable asset
• Italian language skills are an asset.

Personal Requirements

• Problem solver, dynamic, mature;
• Pro-active approach to work;
• Able to work independently as well as being a strong team player
• Flexibility, capacity of managing stress, good diplomatic skills
• Ability to communicate effectively with variety of people, and express oneself in a clear and concise way;
• Excellent team working skills and ability to work in a multicultural environment and under pressure.