MEAL OFFICER

TEAM PURPOSE:

The MEAL team works towards ensuring that quality monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning is implemented in programmes and projects in Syria, in line with relevant Oxfam standards and global best practice. The team ensures that MEAL findings inform and contribute to the continuous improvement of Oxfam’s interventions.

JOB PURPOSE:

The Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Officer is a position within the MEAL unit under the supervision of the MEAL Manager. MEAL Officer will support in monitoring and evaluation of Oxfam Syria Country Strategy 2026-31 by leading the projects data-informed strategic planning and decision-making. He/she will work independently and as a member of a team to plan and execute research and evaluation of projects, including collecting, compiling, validating, and analysing data; and designing and producing charts, graphs, briefs, presentations, and reports that describe and interpret findings for project/program progress and outcome and impact monitoring. He/she will be committed to delivering high-impact and actionable learnings and evaluation that informs, guides, and influences practice and policy with innovation, enthusiasm, flexibility, thoughtfulness that contribute to document lessons learned as the projects/programs evolve. He/she will support in designing a MEAL system, conduction evaluations and assessments, work planning, tracking progress of objectives, development of data collection instruments and sampling strategies, onsite research and data collection, documenting best practices, writing/reviewing required reports and liaising with stakeholders on technical matters related to learning and future programming. He/she will be responsible to oversee the community feedback and response mechanism.

• Work closely with the programme (includes Thematic team Leads), the Area Managers and MEAL team

in Hub offices.

• Work closely with Oxfam partners.

• Commitment to Oxfam’s overall aims and policies including demonstrable commitment to gender

equality and equal opportunities in all aspects of Oxfam’s work.

• Problems vary and include a combination of routine and complex.

• Work pattern is a mixture of reactive and project work and strategic planning.

• Required to make sound judgements regularly within agreed processes using a good understanding

of the team and the facilities of the team

• To coordinate with and be the point of contact for teams indicated as being in your remit, in relation

to data protection and privacy.

• 50% of time in hub offices providing support to MEAL Officers at hub level and Partners for

improvement of learning and future programming.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Job Responsibility # 1: Designing and management of impact measurement system # Time 20%.

• Support in designing and management of impact measurement system which enhance learning and

quality programming with respect to OCS 2021-24 including working to build synergies and aligned

MEAL processes across all Hub Offices & Country Program.

• Support in setting up Impacts measurement System incorporating MEAL standards and guidelines

including Oxfam Program Quality Standards.

• Support in identifying and synthesizing good practices and lessons learned

• Support partners in designing of monitoring systems, and that data collection and analysis from field

visits are coordinated and standardised across programmes to feed into to programme performance

monitoring, with special attention to humanitarian response.

• Design and manage the databases with Information Management Officer to ensures the availability of

all required information based on OCS performance indicators.

• Manage the online databases at CO that ensures the availability of all required information based on

program/project performance indicators; web-based monitoring will prefer if possible.

• Provide support to the MEAL Manager and programme teams in project/programme design and

proposal development, in line with Oxfam’s programme quality standards – particularly on results

frameworks and indicators.

• Work with the programme teams in implementing Learnings into the future programming by ensuring

quality and consistency with Oxfam standards.

Job Responsibility # 2: Measuring and reporting the success of Oxfam interventions through reviews,

evaluations, and learnings . # Time 30%

• Contribute the periodic measurement of MEAL Framework of the Oxfam Country Strategy /OCS/.

• Conduct outcome harvesting to identify, describe, verify, and analyse outcomes at all levels through

tracking milestones and evaluating the relationship between the achievements and key program

outcomes.

• Support the implementation of Monitoring and Evaluation Plans in partnership with program/project

team by regularly tracking progress on all targets and indicators, communicating progress,

promoting learning, and advising corrective measures where necessary.

• Drawing on learnings and analysis of key program performance and management indicators,

provided professional input to management reports, including relevant sections of the annual and

donor’s reports.

• Plan and develop processes for qualitative and quantitative data collection (gender disaggregated),

developing tailored monitoring plan, operating database systems and outcome and impact

measurement.

• Provide M&E summaries to the program implementation teams to facilitate documentation of best

practices and dissemination of lessons learnt, to the key stakeholders and donors.

• Visit field areas to ensure quality and compliance with MEAL system.

• Taking lead in data capture and reporting using monitoring tools to track program indicators as per

the performance framework including timely and accurate publication of program achievements

• Plan and coordinate project reviews (Realtime Reviews, After Action Reviews . . . ) , evaluations to be

conducted internally or externally as required by project M&E plan.

• Conduct quality control tests on all incoming data and supervise data entry and data

cleaning/editing processes.

• Coordinate and share learning related to MEAL practices and general best practices and lessons

learnt across field offices and Partner team and encourage sharing of monitoring results both

between and within sectoral teams.

• Conduct field monitoring and evaluation visit to target project areas to strengthen MEAL process

• Support the MEAL Manager in the design and management of evaluations, including: the coordination

of field-based data collection activities, review of evaluations reports, sharing of evaluation findings

and recommendations with intended audiences.

• Collecting best practices, case studies which demonstrate qualitative and quantitative changes

over the period

Job Responsibility # 3: Management of Community Feedback and Accountability System # Time 30%.

• Support in establishing, operationalisation and strengthening up Community Feedback Mechanism

(CFM) system incorporating MEAL standards and guidelines including CHS principles.

• Setting up and managing community feedback mechanism for the programme, including tracking of

follow-up, ensuring adherence to agreed standards.

• Ensure that accountability indicators and standards are integrated into plans and operations of the

project team.

• Provide support and training for other staff, at all levels of the organization, to improve their

understanding of the concept of accountability, and how to apply it in their day-to-day work.

• Support Area Managers, Sector Leads and Partner team to roll out participatory methods throughout

the project cycle, to ensure that beneficiaries’ participation is meaningful.

• Encourage staff and management to engage in downward accountability, putting the most

vulnerable children and adults in the communities where we work at the centre of what we do.

• Provide technical support for program unit to include an accountability mechanism in every proposal.

• Produce clear and quality reports that demonstrate accountability and learning.

Job Responsibility # 4: Support and Capacity Building of Oxfam and partners staff on MEAL mechanism #

Time 20%.

• Promote awareness and understanding of quality standards among program staff (including SPHERE

standards, Core Humanitarian Standards [CHS] and Oxfam PQ Standards).

• Support and train Oxfam & Partner staff on MEAL research methodologies & tools/databases.

• Conduct CHS, CFRM session for Oxfam & partners staff.

• Plan, Support and facilitate learning sessions at field level.

• Provide support and training for Oxfam and Partner staff, at all levels to improve their understanding

of the concept of CHS, MEAL and accountability.

• Provide technical support for program unit to include an accountability mechanism at field level

• Undertake periodic monitoring and technical support visits to partner working areas to assess

progress against agreed MEAL system and recommend corrective actions as appropriate.

• Work closely with partner MEAL staff or focal points and provide support as appropriate.

• Provide training to partners on accountability and support them in setting up own mechanisms.

• Any other task (s) assigned by Line manager.

Essential:

•Self-Awareness

• Agility, Complexity, and Ambiguity

• Strategic Thinking and Judgment

In Addition:

• A bachelor’s degree in development studies, social science, or related discipline with 3 years of

relevant experience as monitoring, evaluation, and learning /MEAL/ Officer or Coordinator within

the development in humanitarian sector i.e. WASH, FES, Gender and protection.

• Or Diploma degree in one of the development studies, social science, or related discipline,

combined with substantial relevant experience of 5 years in monitoring, evaluation, and learning

within the development in humanitarian sector i.e. WASH, FES, Protection and Gender, may be

accepted in lieu of a bachelor’s degree.

• Proven experience in designing and implementing monitoring and evaluation systems, tools, and

methodologies.

• Strong data collection, analysis, and reporting skills, including proficiency in quantitative and

qualitative methods.

• Demonstrated proficiency in statistical analysis software, including ability to write complex

syntax, and Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, and Survey CTO is required.

• Excellent analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex data and generate meaningful

reports and recommendations.

• Demonstrated ability to design and implement monitoring and evaluation frameworks, plans, and

tools.

• Proficiency in English and Arabic both verbal and written.

Desirable

• Strong technical competence in research and monitoring and evaluation methods

• Previous experience of working on programmes such as WASH, livelihood, and gender is

preferable.

• Familiarity with the Core Humanitarian Standard is an advantage.

• Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and meet

deadlines.

• Attention to detail and commitment to producing high-quality work.

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team.

• Flexibility and adaptability to work in challenging and dynamic environments

• Experience working with local partners.

How to apply

As part of your online application, please upload your up to date CV and Cover Letter explaining your suitability against the essential criteria in the job profile.

Please Apply through the link: https://jobs.oxfam.org.uk/jobs/vacancy/25091/description