Monitoring Evaluation Accountability and Learning Specialist

Background

The Cash Monitoring Evaluation Accountability and Learning Organisational Network (CAMEALEON) is an independent monitoring initiative in support of the WFP multi-purpose cash (MPC) assistance for Syrian refugees in Lebanon. Established in December 2017, CAMEALEON is a consortium of three international NGOs, namely the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), Oxfam and Solidarites International (SI). CAMEALEON activities revolve around three pillars: Outcome monitoring; safe and accountable programming and knowledge-sharing and global learning. CAMEALEON contributes to strengthen the WFP Multi-Purpose Cash (MPC) programme for Syrian refugees by conducting research and submitting actionable recommendations to WFP. It also contributes to learning on cash programming in Lebanon and globally with the dissemination of its research products. CAMEALEON is a member to the WFP MPC Steering Committee and is part of a ground-breaking donor-agency initiative to strengthen the efficiency, effectiveness and accountability of the WFP MPC programme in Lebanon.

CAMEALEON is working to complete activities under the current phase, including: an assessment of WASH and Shelter outcomes for Syrian refugees in Lebanon receiving combinations of cash and service assistance; an analysis of the expenditure patterns for Syrian refugee families in Lebanon with specific vulnerability profiles (elderly families, families with a member with a disability and female-headed households); an independent evaluation of the CAMEALEON model; a research that explores cash-plus approaches in the Lebanon context; a regional learning event on outcome monitoring; a learning brief on the lessons learnt from using expenditure diaries to collect expenditure data.

CAMEALEON is working on a proposal for a continuation of activities in 2022-2025. The proposed pillars of work remain the same as in previous phases and the scope will be expanded to the WFP National Poverty Targeting Programme (NPTP) for vulnerable Lebanese. The expected research activities include, for example, an impact evaluation, user journeys of programme participants, a research that explores the feasibility of different delivery modalities. In the proposed continuation phase, CAMEALEON will aim to implement the recommendations from the independent evaluation of the project, when they become available.

Job Purpose

The MEAL Specialist will lead and coordinate the development of the MEAL strategy of the project which includes MEAL system design, leading on research components and communicating the internal learning to the platform and the external learning from the approach. He/ She will provide methodological leadership, guidance and support for all MEAL activities for the consortium platform. He/ She will lead and coordinate directly or with implementing partners, sub-contractors and other relevant partners and stakeholders. He/ She will ensure relevant external representation when needed.

What you will do

• Provide technical direction and project implementation support.
• Represent CAMEALEON in relevant forums, including Basic Assistance and Food Security Sector Working Groups.
• Provide systematic training and build capacity of technical staff.
• Ensure effective communication and knowledge sharing on cash based programming, both internally and with other key actors across all countries in the region and globally.
• Support the consolidation of a learning culture – ensure effective documentation, operational research, and capturing of best practices is done.
• Follow up on compliance with contractual commitments with the partners, ensure high technical quality and synergies in project implementation.
• Contribute to recruitment of country level staff if/as requested.
• Compliance with and adherence to NRC policies, guidance and procedures.
• Ensure that NRC’s related activities are implemented within NRC’s Protection mainstreaming guidelines and report any breaches/concerns to the line manager and/or focal point for proper action
• Ensure that all protection related detected cases are referred to the concerned referral focal point and to the related Protection Coordinator.

Specifically you will;

• Conceptualize research ideas, identify relevant research questions, draft terms of reference, identify list of deliverables.
• Work with implementing partners to ensure the timely roll-out and delivery of planned implementation and research activities.
• Provide technical input into the design and analysis of field monitoring and beneficiary feedback information and provide technical feedback to research reports and coordinate the feedback process with relevant stakeholders.
• Work with editor and designer to finalize research products for dissemination on public platforms.
• Produce actionable evidence-based recommendations to improve quality and efficacy of WFP cash programming in terms of delivery mechanism, targeting system, information management and accountability to beneficiaries.
• Support the delivery of learning events: draft terms of reference, promote dissemination with the relevant stakeholders, facilitate presentations and panel discussions as well as extract key learning from this cash MEAL and draft ongoing lessons learned documents.
• Conduct regular literature review and remain abreast of MEAL approaches and metrics for humanitarian Cash & Voucher Assistance (CVA) and social protection programmes.
• Promote standardization of technical approaches and guidelines for cash MEAL, including processes such as assessments, monitoring and evaluation.
• Establish partnership with relevant research and academic institutions as appropriate, to build CAMEALEON’s evidence base, carry out operational research and document learning.
• Identify and monitor risks, constraints, technical issues and escalate issues related to cash based on evaluations, field visits and periodic reports for timely leadership action.
• Coordinate with technical focal points of different organizations and NRC technical units to share information, ensure learning is shared.
• Line-manage the IM coordinator and define the IM strategy in relation to data storage, analysis and retention.
• Lead on the data protection strategy of the data collected as part of the research activities.
• Attend sectoral workshops, engage with sectoral research initiatives in Lebanon and the region and look for opportunities to disseminate research outputs in relevant fora.
• Ensure activities take into account gender, safe programming, and people with special needs.

Professional competencies required

• Minimum 5 years of experience in a humanitarian/recovery context with senior level expertise in monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning activities.
• Experience in humanitarian cash and voucher assistance or social protection programmes.
• Advanced understanding and experience on at least 3 of the following: vulnerability assessments; targeting systems; multi-purpose cash outcome indicators; CVA process monitoring; remote data collection methods; programme evaluations; participatory research methods.
• Ability to use research evidence to inform actionable recommendations and advocacy notes to influence policy-making.
• Proven ability to draft research TORs, survey tools, write research reports and present findings
• Experience with independent/3rd party monitoring approaches desirable.
• Experience with UN systems desirable.
• Good understanding and programmatic experience on various cross cutting issues such as gender and protection.
• Fluency in English, both written and verbal.

Context/specific skills, knowledge and experience:

• Experience in advocacy work.
• Experience with coordination mechanisms (cluster and sectorial).
• Experience working in complex and volatile contexts.
• Knowledge of the context in the Middle East region (preferably Lebanon, Jordan, or Turkey).
• Experience in capacity building and community mobilization.
• Experience with start-up, exit or similar context.

What We Offer

NRC is an equal opportunities employer and aims to have staffing diversity in terms of age, gender, ethnicity, nationality and physical ability.

We offer an opportunity to match your career to a compelling cause and a chance to meet and work with people who are the best in their fields.

Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply and join our work culture that empowers every employee to share ideas and take responsibility: At NRC we think outside the box. We encourage ideas and give responsibility to all employees at all levels, to help solve the complex issues that we face. You will have many opportunities to be heard and take initiative.

We are also looking for people who share our values:

• To be dedicated in what we do;
• To be innovative with our solutions;
• To act as one unified and inclusive team;
• To be accountable to the donors that make our work possible; the people we exist to serve, and to each other… the members of our NRC family.

Additional Information:

Duty Station: Beirut, Lebanon (This is non-family duty station)

Duration of contract: 12 months, full-time, in accordance with local labour laws.

Grade 9 in NRC’s grading structure

Travel: Up to 30% to field locations when needed

Reporting line: CAMEALEON Consortium Manager