MEAL Officer – Multi-Country Programmes at Danish Refugee Council in Nairobi, Kenya

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    MEAL Officer – Multi-Country Programmes

    Danish Refugee CouncilNairobi, Kenya

    Posted

    3 days ago

    Apply by

    31 Aug

    Contractor
    On Site
    Mid
    Charity, NGO & Non-Profit
    Data, Analytics & AI

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    Job Description

    The MEAL Officer supports the delivery of a Sudan crisis localization facility's Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) system, working under the direction of the Technical Adviser. The role is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the Fund's monitoring tools, data and learning processes, and providing practical support to the Fund's developmental evaluation, community feedback and partner learning processes. The role helps ensure that the Fund's systems-led, axis-based and locally led approach is grounded in timely, good-quality evidence and community insight.

    Key Responsibilities

    • Operate and maintain the Fund's MEAL systems, databases and data collection tools, keeping them up to date and functioning
    • Coordinate routine and continuous data collection across axes, supporting the shift away from periodic-only monitoring towards real-time learning
    • Continuously quality-assure data collection, upholding data quality, protection and confidentiality standards
    • Ensure data is disaggregated by age, gender and disability to support gender, equality and social inclusion analysis
    • Support the Technical Adviser in developing and refining core MEAL tools, including the Theory of Change, results framework and indicators
    • Compile and collate monitoring data and partner reporting into inputs for regular reporting cycles
    • Support the capture and documentation of lessons learned and help maintain the Fund knowledge management and learning resources
    • Help organise and document participatory learning and reflection sessions
    • Support the coordination with the external Developmental Evaluation team on their data and information needs, under the Technical Adviser's oversight.
    • Support community listening and feedback mechanism, ensuring community perspectives feed into Fund learning and decision-making
    • Provide tailored and proportionate MEAL support to partners, applying a tiered approach that avoids over-burdening smaller, community-based recipients
    • Support partner MEAL capacity strengthening in coordination with the Technical Assistance Facility (TAF), framed around strengthening partners' existing systems rather than imposing external standards
    • Provide practical training and coaching to stakeholders on data collection tools and processes

    Required Qualifications

    • Mandatory: At least 3 years of professional experience in a MEAL, monitoring or data-focused role with humanitarian and development organisations
    • Solid practical skills in data collection, data management, cleaning and basic analysis, including experience with digital data collection tools e.g. Kobo
    • Proficiency in common computer packages e.g. Word, Excel, Power point etc
    • Demonstrated ability to organise workloads, meet deadlines and continually adapt approaches
    • Experience working in a cross-cultural team environment
    • Demonstrated commitment and strict adherence to confidentiality
    • Previous experience working with local partners, community-based organisations and other types of community groups.
    • Desirable: Previous experience working in a DRC legal entity.
    • Desirable: Previous experience working with Dynamics or a different robust ERP system such as SAP, Oracle, etc.
    • Desirable: Basic knowledge of Power Apps or experience with internal grants systems development.
    • Desirable: Previous experience in East Africa / Sudan.
    • University degree in demographics, social sciences, statistics and MEAL or equivalent practical experience
    • English – full fluency, oral and written required
    • Arabic – full fluency, oral and written required

    Job Details

    Job Function

    Data, Analytics & AI

    Minimum Experience

    3 years

    Education Level

    Bachelor’s Degree

    Area of Study

    Social Sciences

    Field of Study

    Statistics

    Languages

    English, Arabic

    Additional Information

    How to Apply: Interested and qualified? Go to Danish Refugee Council on drc.ngo to apply.

    Show MEAL Rigor and Field Savvy in Your Application

    This role sits at the heart of a localization fund, so the hiring team will look for someone who can balance technical data skills with genuine respect for partner-led systems. They want evidence that you can turn raw data into learning that shapes decisions, not just reports.

    1. Lead with your data toolkit: On your CV, list the specific digital data collection tools you have used, especially Kobo, and any experience with Power Apps or ERP systems like Dynamics. Mention the types of datasets you have managed and cleaned, and give a concrete example of how you ensured data quality in a previous role.

    2. Prove your MEAL methodology: Be ready to explain how you have operationalized a Theory of Change or results framework. Describe a time you developed indicators and aligned them with donor requirements, and how you balanced rigor with the need for real-time learning.

    3. Show your partner-first mindset: Since the role emphasizes supporting local partners without over-burdening them, share an example of how you adapted MEAL processes to fit a small community-based organization. Highlight your experience in capacity strengthening and coaching.

    4. Demonstrate your cross-cultural communication: With English and Arabic fluency required, prepare to discuss how you have worked in multicultural teams, especially in East Africa or Sudan. Give an example of how you navigated language or cultural barriers to achieve project goals.

    5. Highlight your confidentiality and ethics: MEAL roles handle sensitive data. Mention your experience with data protection protocols and how you have maintained confidentiality in past roles. Be specific about any training you have delivered on data ethics.

    6. Prepare for a practical test: Many MEAL interviews include a data exercise. Practice cleaning a messy dataset, creating a simple dashboard in Excel, or designing a data collection form in Kobo. Show your analytical thinking and attention to detail.

    7. Align with the localization agenda: Understand the shift from top-down monitoring to community-driven learning. Be ready to discuss how you have incorporated community feedback into program decisions, and how you would support a developmental evaluation.

    8. Ask smart questions: In the interview, ask about the Fund's current MEAL tools, how they measure success, and what the team's biggest data challenges are. This shows you are already thinking about how to add value from day one.

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    Tags

    MEAL
    monitoring
    evaluation
    data collection
    Kobo