Monitoring, Evidence, Acountablity and Learning Assistance Full Time NEW

Roles and responsibilities

The purpose of the MEAL Assistant position is to provide day-to-day operational and technical support to the Area Office operation in implementing Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) activities across NRC programmes.

The position supports routine monitoring, data collection, data quality assurance, community feedback management, reporting and documentation to ensure timely availability of reliable information for programme quality, accountability and learning.

Generic Responsibilities

• Adhere to NRC policies, tools, handbooks, guidelines and established MEAL procedures.
• Support the implementation of delegated MEAL activities in accordance with approved work plans and project requirements.
• Assist in preparing routine monitoring updates, reports and other documentation as required by the MEAL Coordinator.
• Ensure proper filing, organisation and secure management of MEAL-related documents and data.
• Support inclusive and accountable programme implementation, ensuring that monitoring activities consider the needs of vulnerable and marginalised populations.
• Contribute to identifying and sharing observations and suggestions for programme quality improvement.

Specific responsibilities:

• Monitoring and Data Collection
• Conduct routine field monitoring visits to assess project implementation progress, verify reported achievements and identify issues requiring follow-up.
• Participate in post-distribution monitoring (PDM), outcome monitoring, needs assessments, baseline and endline surveys, and other MEAL activities.
• Conduct quantitative and qualitative data collection using approved tools, including household surveys, key informant interviews, focus group discussions and observation checklists.
• Assist in the preparation, testing and administration of data collection tools, including Kobo forms and monitoring checklists.
• Participate in organising field data collection activities, including enumerator orientation, field logistics and coordination with programme teams.
• Document monitoring findings, field observations and implementation challenges, and communicate issues requiring follow-up to the MEAL Coordinator and relevant programme teams.

Data Management and Quality Assurance

•  Collect, enter, clean and validate monitoring data to ensure completeness, accuracy, consistency and timely availability.
• Maintain and regularly update project monitoring databases, indicator tracking tools and relevant MEAL records.
• Conduct routine data quality checks, identify missing information, duplicate records and inconsistencies, and facilitate necessary corrections.
• Assist in verifying reported project achievements and supporting documentation in coordination with programme teams.
• Contribute to timely updating and verification of project monitoring information in NRC’s Global Output and Outcome Reporting System (GORS), as delegated.
• Ensure appropriate filing, secure storage and confidential handling of monitoring data and personal information in line with NRC data protection requirements.

Community Feedback Mechanism (CFM) and Accountability

• Participate in the implementation of Community Feedback Mechanism (CFM) activities in accordance with NRC Ethiopia’s CFM Standard Operating Procedures.
• Conduct community awareness and information-sharing activities on available feedback channels, community rights and feedback-handling procedures.
• Facilitate community feedback collection through established channels for community feedback mechanisms
• Receive, document and refer community feedback through established CFM procedures, ensuring timely and accurate recording.
• Identify and promptly refer sensitive feedback through designated confidential reporting and referral pathways, ensuring confidentiality and safeguarding principles.
• Contribute to documenting recurring community feedback, emerging concerns and issues requiring programme attention.

Reporting, Learning and Programme Support

•  Contribute to the preparation of periodic MEAL reports, project monitoring updates and other reporting requirements.
• Document key monitoring findings, lessons learned, good practices and community feedback trends to inform programme improvement.
• Participate in monitoring debriefings, project review meetings and learning discussions with programme teams.
• Maintain and update monitoring action trackers and follow up on agreed recommendations and corrective actions.
• Coordinate with relevant programme staff to obtain monitoring information and supporting documentation required for MEAL reporting.

Generic professional competencies

• Bachelor’s degree in Statistics, Development Studies, Economics, Information Management or another relevant field.
• Four years and above and above Previous experience or practical exposure to monitoring, evaluation, accountability, data collection or related activities, preferably in a humanitarian or development context.
• Basic knowledge of monitoring and evaluation approaches and data collection methods.
• Experience or familiarity with humanitarian or development programme implementation is an advantage.
• Good communication and basic report-writing skills.
• Working knowledge of English and relevant local languages.

Context related skills, knowledge and experience

• Good knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel and Word.
• Familiarity with KoboToolbox/KoboCollect or other mobile data collection applications.
• Basic skills in data entry, cleaning, verification and preparation of monitoring summaries.
• Understanding of community engagement, accountability to affected populations and feedback mechanisms.
• Ability to communicate effectively and respectfully with diverse communities.
• Willingness and ability to travel regularly to field implementation locations.
• Understanding of confidentiality, safeguarding, data protection and humanitarian principles

Behavioural competencies

• Planning and delivering results.
• Empowering and building trust.
• Communicating with impact and respect.
• Handling insecure environment.