Monitoring , Evaluation and Learning Manager

NRC is looking for a Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Manager (MEL) to join the Iraq Mission. The role holder will be responsible for leading the strategic direction and quality assurance of monitoring and evaluation in the country office. The MEL Manager will design and implement a strategy, SOPs, and budget for MEL which ensures the Country Office is meeting and exceeding MEL minimum standards.

**This role is open to Iraqi nationals only**

What You Will Do

• Design, lead, and manage Country Office and program level monitoring and evaluation systems ensuring the learning is integrated, accurate and relevant. Ensure the findings and M&E systems are institutionalized.
• Lead the process of developing the country evaluation plan, and ensure that evaluations are completed as per the NRC Evaluation Policy and evaluation handbook and encourage absorption of lessons and recommendations being provided by various CO events: evaluations, assessments, technical visits, learning reviews; and that monitoring data feed into management decisions
• Maintain and improve the beneficiary feedback and complaints mechanism (as the current cornerstone of Iraq’s accountability framework), ensuring staff capacity and integration of the system across all area offices
• Lead the effort in continuously evaluating CO and AO MEL staffing structure in response to external variables, MEL team’s mandate, project and programme MEL activity and team resourcing.
• Support internal improvement processes through the development of an annual M&E strategy, based on use and analysis of standard M&E tools and checklists; and global theory of change and mandatory indicators
• Lead the development, rollout, and updating of Iraq specific MEL SOPs
• Contribute to fundraising through ensuring robust TOCs, MEL plans, log frames, MEL activities, budgets and staffing are incorporated into programme and project proposals
• Capture and disseminate learning from global studies, evaluations, annual learning reviews
• Internal and external presentation of context, needs, and response analysis to support internal learning and external influencing. This can be for both programme-based advocacy aims, as well as steering donors, using evidence to inform fundraising.
• Provides technical support and advise to programme staff on methods and tools for needs assessments and other types of research including supporting the development of MSNA tools and support to context analysis
• Provide technical MEL guidance for innovation and technology for MEL and database management.

What You Will Bring

• 5-7 years of demonstrated management experience in design, implementation, and oversight of monitoring, evaluation, and research for large to mid-scale international projects or programmes
• Advanced degree in economics, research methods, social sciences or a related field
• Technical competency and prior experience implementing various programme evaluation methodologies and approaches
• Excellent analytic, communication, interpersonal, writing, collaboration, problem-solving, planning/organizing, and facilitation skills.
• Advanced experience in qualitative and quantitative data analysis and tools
• Fluency in spoken and written English.
• Experience within supporting MEL for one of NRC’s core competencies is an asset

What Makes This Position Attractive?

• The humanitarian crisis in Iraq remains one of the largest and most volatile in the world. Four years since the end of active armed conflict, displacement in Iraq remains complex with protracted and secondary displacement.
• This is an opportunity to contribute to protection and assistance internally displaced Iraqis, Syrian refugees, returnees, and host communities, focusing on those in protracted displacement in camps, informal settlements, and areas of return, with a particular emphasis on hard-to-reach populations.
• Meaningful work that responds to the diverse needs, priorities, and concerns raised by beneficiary communities. We are continuing to shift towards early recovery programming, aiming for sustainable development, providing integrated and localised services to assist the displacement-affected populations while maintaining our capacity to respond to immediate humanitarian needs.
• Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply and join our work culture which empowers every employee to share ideas and take responsibility.

What We Offer

• Erbil, Iraq duty station.
• This role is open to Iraq Nationals only
• 12-month contract
• 30% travel, approximately within the area of operation
• Grade 8 in NRC’s Salary Scale. NRC offers a competitive compensation and benefits package.
• NRC is an equal opportunities employer and aims to have staffing diversity in terms of age, gender, ethnicity, nationality, and physical ability.
• We think outside the box, encourage ideas, and give responsibility to all employees at all levels. You will have many opportunities to be heard and take the initiative.

Key Information – Please Take Note When Applying

• We highly encourage you to learn more about the role: please review the full Job Description here.
• Learn more about NRC’s operation in Iraq here.
• To apply as an internal candidate, click on the suitcase icon “I am an employee” on the top right of the page to be redirected to NRC’s internal career site.
• Apply by completing all the system-required fields of your employment history, experience, responsibilities, and education in your application.
• Ensure to attach your latest CV.
• Submit your application and CV in English.
• When creating your profile, include your full name as per your passport or ID.
• Unsolicited applications not related to this specific job advertisement will not be considered.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. We receive many applicants for each vacant position. Unfortunately, we do not have the resources to give detailed feedback to applicants who have not been shortlisted.
• For any queries, please email us at [email protected] with “MEL Manager-Iraq” as the subject line.

ABOUT US

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is an independent humanitarian organisation helping people forced to flee. We work in crises across more than 31 countries, providing emergencies and long-term assistance to millions of people every year. We stand up for people forced to flee, advocating their rights. NORCAP, our global provider of expertise, helps improve international and local ability to prevent, prepare for, respond to and recover from crises. NRC also runs the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre in Geneva, a global leader in reporting on and advocating for people displaced within their own country.

Employment with NRC may lead to employment in or deployment to Regions, Countries, Areas or Offices that may be host to considerable health, safety and security risks. NRC takes this very seriously and we have procedures in place to reduce known risks, but will never be able to take away all risks.

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