MEAL officer
Qualifications:
- Location: Deir al-Balah, Gaza
- Vacancy No: JR00000772
- Salary: N/A
- Organization: IRC International Rescue Committee
- Deadline: Varies
Brief details:
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world’s largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you’re a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. The IRC leads the way from harm to home.
The IRC began planning to reopen an oPt country program in mid-2022 and launched an emergency response in Gaza in October 2023. The organization is currently supporting a network of local partners in both Gaza and the West Bank to sustain critical nutrition, protection, education, and early childhood development interventions.
The IRC is working to scale its emergency response while building a longer-term oPt country program in parallel. This effort is being jointly managed by the Emergencies and Humanitarian Action Unit (EHAU) and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, with a view to eventually transition the country program fully under the MENA region.
POSITION OVERVIEW
The Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEAL) Officer is responsible for ensuring the quality preparation and implementation of IRC’s directly implemented and partner programs across the oPt response in Gaza.
This is an all-round position that plays a key role in the implementation of monitoring and evaluation activities across various sectors. The MEAL Officer leads the review, verification, and reporting of data and provides guidance to partners. The MEAL Officer is also responsible for planning and overseeing the collection of primary data, analyzing and reporting findings, and supervising enumerators during field data collection exercises. The MEAL Officer reports to the MEAL Coordinator for the oPt response and works in close coordination with the Project Officers, Partnership team, and sectoral Technical Advisors.
This position will be expected to work in the IRC Office in Deir el Balah, and be able to reach this location, as well as planned visits to IRC sites in other locations inside Gaza.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Monitoring and Evaluation for IRC direct implementation
- Ensure that data is collected, compiled, checked for its quality and completeness in compliance with IRC and donors’ standards for data quality
- Develop and/or update M&E Plans, tools, databases, and monthly reporting formats in close collaboration with the MEAL Coordinator and Thematic sector leads.
- Update the project Indicator Performance Tracking Table (IPTT) and Project Indicator Dashboard (PID) on a monthly basis.
- Develop mobile data collection tools on Commcare and KoBo.
- Conduct field or onsite monitoring exercises and produce regular performance and quality monitoring of implemented project(s), share findings/gaps from field monitoring visits with project respective staff and agree and document actions for improvement.
- Conduct analysis and reporting of various types of assessments.
Partners MEAL support
- Participate in the Partner’s Capacity Review of potential partners as appropriate and contribute to efforts to collaboratively analyze and manage risks identified.
- Work collaboratively to develop and finalize logframes, indicators, and MEAL tools.
- Participate in Partnership Project Opening, Review, and Closure Meetings.
- Collaborate with partners to ensure completeness, correctness, and accuracy of data.
- Work with technical teams to review partner MEAL documents and provide appropriate feedback, along with input into IRC award reports.
- Participate in the review of the performance of the partner, of the IRC, and of the partnership, including successes, challenges and lessons learned.
Capacity Sharing
- Provide MEAL training and mentoring support to IRC staff and partners.
Other
- Any other duties assigned by the MEAL Coordinator.
Key working relationships
Position reports to: MEAL Coordinator Opt response
Other Internal and/or external contacts:
Internal: Thematic Technical Coordinators, Partnership Coordinator.
External: partners, clients.
Qualifications
Education & Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., Statistics, Data Management, Social Sciences, Public Health, Economic Development). A Master’s degree is an asset.
- Minimum of 3 years of progressive experience in MEAL roles, with demonstrated responsibility for data collection, analysis, and system development across multi-sectoral programs.
- Prior experience working with NGOs is required; familiarity with interagency coordination mechanisms is desirable.
- Experience supporting multi-sectoral programs, ideally in one or more of IRC’s core areas in Gaza (Education, Protection).
Technical Skills:
- Strong command of both quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis methodologies.
- Proven ability to design and manage functional, user-friendly MEAL systems that support program quality and evidence-based decision-making.
- Hands-on experience with mobile data collection platforms including KoboToolbox and CommCare; advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel is essential.
- Familiarity with Power BI is a strong advantage.
- Excellent data interpretation and reporting skills, with the ability to clearly communicate complex findings to diverse audiences, both verbally and in writing.
- Strong planning and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritize effectively, and meet tight deadlines.
- Demonstrated ability to lead MEAL initiatives and mentor staff or partners through training and capacity strengthening.
- Strong facilitation, communication, and interpersonal skills with the ability to engage a variety of stakeholders, including local partners and community members.
- Solid understanding of humanitarian accountability standards (e.g., CHS, Sphere) and experience operationalizing these within program design and implementation.
Languages:
- Professional fluency in spoken and written English and Arabic is required.
Standards of Professional Conduct: The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way – Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.
We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
Commitment to Gender, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion: The IRC is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful, and safe work environment where all persons are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. The IRC expressly prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying of the IRC persons in any work setting. We aim to increase the representation of women, people that are from country and communities we serve, and people who identify as races and ethnicities that are under-represented in global power structures.
IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.