MEAL Coordinator

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is a non-political, non-profit, non-religious humanitarian organization that provides assistance to refugees and the vulnerable worldwide. IRC implements programs to promote durable solutions for displaced persons, refugees and host populations through health/nutrition, safety, education, economic recovery, and power projects. IRC has been working with refugees since 1933 and is present in 40 countries in Europe, Africa, Asia, and the United States through a resettlement support program. IRC is an organization committed to freedom, human dignity, and self-reliance. This commitment translates into quality resettlement assistance, comprehensive emergency assistance, rehabilitation and advocacy for refugees and vulnerable households.

IRC began operations in Burkina Faso in 2019 to respond to the humanitarian crisis caused by the influx of internally displaced populations due to the security situation. The organization has a main office in Ouagadougou, bases in Ouahigouya (North Region), Dori (Sahel), Fada (East) and sub-bases in Djibo (Sahel) in Séguénega (North) and Kaya (North Center).

In 2015, IRC developed a new global-level strategy that began in 2020. This strategy redefined IRC’s mission and defined specific operational and organizational objectives to strengthen its mandate in humanitarian emergencies and post-conflict situations. To this end, IRC at the global level aims to build infrastructure in communications, funding, human capital, systems, and technology.

Job overview

Reporting to the Deputy Director of Programs and technically supported by the Regional Measurement Action Coordinator, the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) Coordinator works in close collaboration with program, grants and support teams to optimize monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning capacities and opportunities of the IRC mission in Burkina Faso to ensure high-quality programming for the clients we serve and support the global ambitions of IRC Strategy 100, especially the Data Ambition, and the Country Strategic Action Plan.

To this end, the MEAL Coordinator is responsible to ensure that a monitoring, evaluation and accountability and data management system is in place, sufficiently resourced and successfully implemented from collection to visualization. And that MEAL data is contributing to improved learning and program quality. The MEAL Coordinator is responsible for ensuring that MEAL principles are integrated in every step of the project cycle, as per IRC’s corporate guidelines and contributes to the implementation of the Country Strategic Action Plan and Strategy 100.

In support of these goals, the coordinator provides vital technical assistance, capacity sharing, individual mentoring, supervision and training to MEAL staff at IRC and partners.

Main responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership and Partnership

• Establish and drive common strategies and approaches to the country’s Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning, and Accountability processes that reflect and contextualize Strategy 100 and the Country Strategic Action Plan and ensure that the MEAL structure is fit for this purpose.

• Lead all aspects of MEAL (including client feedback mechanisms) functions across multiple sectors and multiple geographical areas/ large portfolio and or complex environment.

• Develop, coordinate and strengthen capacity sharing partnerships with MEAL counterparts of partner agencies, local organizations and government.

• Represent the IRC on MEAL at internal and external meetings, forums, and other events.

• Champion design, access and use of data by leaders and partners for shared learning and evidence-based decision-making.

• Shape and implement MEAL systems and approaches that meet IRC standards and practices, that meet project and program needs, enable accountability to clients, partners, and donors, and foster program learning.

• Reinforce integration of cross-sectoral priorities in MEAL, including gender, protection, safeguarding, disaster risk reduction, Diversity-Equality-Inclusion and Do No Harm.

Technical Oversight

• Provide technical leadership for a strong monitoring system and processes throughout the project cycle from the design, implementation to close-out and learning including:

o Using learning and evidence from internal and external sources including previous projects to inform proposal design and Theory of Change.

o Developing and operationalizing, logical frameworks, MEAL plans, data collection tools, processes for data management, clients feedback approaches, quality checks and audits, and data visualization.

o Developing and advocating for adequate MEAL budget and staffing structure for all projects.

o Producing high-quality data, analysis, reports, presentations, and dashboard of key findings that foster learning and decision-making and share in key meetings such as project cycle meetings and strategic senior management team meetings.

• Provide technical leadership for the design, method, and conduct of surveys such as baseline and endline, and the commission of evaluations and surveys as required in coordination with program coordinators, technical advisors, and external partners where vital.

• Lead and advocate for the expansion of standard mobile data technology and online dashboard to enhance timeliness and quality of data collection, analysis and visualization;

• Provide technical leadership to IRC’s effort in meeting its internal and external accountability commitments through the implementation of sound accountability, client feedback, and response mechanisms.

Staff management

• Promote the growth and development of others in IRC teams and partners: Assess proficiencies; develop and lead targeted learning and training strategy. In particular, coach, mentor and support MEAL staff, provide vital tools and resources, as well as on the job training.

• Supervise medium to large sized MEAL team across multiple sectors and geographical areas: Set clear performance objectives; manage staff work plans; establish regular performance reviews; champion a positive working environment for professional development; foster an inclusive and respectful team climate, where all staff are valued and respected and can contribute to their maximum potential.

• Lead the recruitment of country MEAL staff, TTA’s, consultants and, support their onboarding.

Key working relationships:

Position Reports to Deputy Director of Programs (this is the recommendation from CRRD but may be adjusted based on Country needs).

Position directly supervises: MEAL Manager(s) and Officers

Other Internal and/or external contacts:

Internal: Program Coordinators and Managers throughout the country program, Regional Measurement Action Coordinator, Client Responsiveness & Accountability (CRA) Technical Advisor, Grants Coordinator and Managers, Finance Coordinator, relevant Regional/HQ-based colleagues.

External: Partners, Governments, Clients.

Job requirements:

• A minimum of a master’s degree in a relevant field (statistics, data monitoring and management, social sciences, public health, economic development, or a related field) – a technical degree and additional relevant work experience may substitute for education.

• A minimum 5 years of working experience within Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and learning-related functions.

• Leadership experience and proven technical skills in setting up quality MEAL system that leads to evidence-based decision-making for multi-sectorial and multi-donor funded programs.

• Demonstrated ability to transfer knowledge to diverse audiences through training, mentoring, and other formal and non-formal methods together with strong presentation and reporting skills;

• Strong management and social skills and proven track record to work with diverse groups of people in a multicultural environment.

• Self-motivated with excellent organization, planning, and analytical skills – able to work without close supervision, including prioritizing work and multi-tasking.

• Proficiency and experience with mobile data collection such as Kobo, CommCare, ODK Collect are crucial as well as proficiency with Microsoft Excel; SPSS, SATA or other similar software;

• Knowledge of Tableau, PowerBi or GIS software are additional assets.

• A strong understanding of accountability and proven ability to build Client Feedback Systems is a distinct advantage.

• Willingness to travel to various regional and field-level offices – (50%).

• Fluency in English (written and speaking) in addition to french

At IRC – we are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful and safe work environment where all persons are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. In keeping with our core values of Integrity, Service, Accountability and Equality, IRC strives to maintain a work environment built on mutual respect in which all individuals treat each other professionally, and free of bias, prejudice, and harassment.

We acknowledge and honor the fundamental value and dignity of all individuals. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and consider all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other human demographic.