Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Specialist – Türkiye
Department: Programs and Advocacy
Reports to: Project Officer, with functional relation to the MEAL Advisor in The Hague
Background:
The Netherlands Refugee Foundation (Stichting Vluchteling, SV) is an emergency relief organization that worldwide supports partner organizations to assist displaced populations. In case of acute need, the Netherlands SV provides funding to international and national partners in order to provide direct assistance, such as shelter, medical care, clean drinking water and sanitation. In the Netherlands, SV provides information to the Dutch public about the situation of refugees and internally displaced as well as about emergency aid in general. The Netherlands Refugee Foundation currently has a diverse and enthusiastic team with around 55 employees, working predominately from The Hague.
The Netherlands Refugee Foundation is launching the ASPIRE program: “Advancing Sustainable Partnerships to Improve Resilience & Empowerment” which aims to advance the leadership of local and national organizations in Iraq, Lebanon, and Türkiye, through equitable, multi-annual partnerships that focus on the priorities and aspirations of these organizations by integrating streams of organizational capacity strengthening and direct funding. ASPIRE has the following two objectives: 1. Protection of refugees and internally displaced persons by in-country partners; and 2. Access to improved services, facilities and information systems for displaced persons and host communities.
The program will be applied in the three countries simultaneously, during a period of five years where The Netherlands Refugee Foundation will prioritize working with community-based, refugee-led, women-led, and small NGOs
Next to this, following the earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria in February last year, SV established an emergency response program in Gaziantep in Türkiye where it has a small presence. Funding partner organizations in both countries, SV responded to assist survivors almost immediately after the earthquake struck. SV also makes it a priority to learn from its response in Türkiye and Syria, especially from its semi-operational model and its proximity to partners.
Summary:
The MEAL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning) Specialist will be responsible for the design, coordination and implementation of comprehensive and holistic program-based MEAL framework.
One of SV’s ambitions in the ASPIRE program is to support locally led MEAL in humanitarian contexts. The MEAL Specialist will play a critical role in the development and implementation of these MEAL frameworks, with a particular emphasis on empowering local partners to take ownership of MEAL processes and utilize data for improved outcomes that extend beyond the project level. The MEAL Specialist would conduct regular monitoring and evaluation activities, coordinate and/or support data collection and analysis, create a knowledge management system, and foster a culture of learning and adaptation within the project team and with SV’s partners.
Particular emphasis will be on:
- Providing expertise in the design and implementation of monitoring protocols for the ASPIRE program and earthquake response;
- Developing, piloting and testing the implementation of a locally-led MEAL framework approach, including policies, guidelines and tools;
- Preparing for, and coordination of, a baseline, mid-term and evaluation for the ASPIRE program in Türkiye, following IOB (Dutch Government Policy) standards, and a number of thematic evaluations in Türkiye and NW Syria for the earthquake response;
- Where necessary, supporting local partners in the ASPIRE program to strengthen their MEAL systems, including a focus on gender and conflict sensitive programming and integration of the Core Humanitarian Standard and/or facilitating learning on MEAL between partners;
- Capitalizing on learning for SV’s operationality model and from its proximity to in-country partners for both the earthquake response and ASPIRE programs;
- Subject to funding, support one of SV’s partners in following ECHO MEAL standards
Responsibilities:
- Develop guidelines and tools on partner monitoring, evaluation plans, activities that increase our accountability to affected populations and support institutional learning within SV and between partners
- Lead on the implementation of the SV program level MEAL framework, which includes adherence to IOB standards
- Ensure locally led MEAL frameworks and data collection instruments are culturally sensitive, participatory, and empowering for partners
- Collect, clean, and analyze data from the program-level monitoring and evaluation activities, and ensure these are situated within a knowledge management system
- Produce regular MEAL reports with a focus on sharing findings and insights with in-country partners for action and learning.
- Ensure that locally owned Monitoring & Evaluation systems and accountability mechanisms (such as tailored Feedback and Complaints mechanisms) are in place for all projects
- Create learning opportunities for and with partners
- Facilitate knowledge-sharing and peer-to-peer learning to promote locally led MEAL best practices
- Support SV learning efforts on topics identified in the Türkiye/Syria strategy, including localization, capacity strengthening, humanitarian access and health
- Attend project meetings and contribute to discussions on MEAL, with a focus on ensuring that local voices and perspectives are incorporated into decision-making processes.
- Assist the SV MEAL Adviser in further developing and implementing the framework for Accountability to Affected Population, based on the Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS) and informed by SV’s Accountability Improvement Plan, providing an in-country perspective. And ensure that this framework becomes integrated into the in-country MEAL framework.
- Together with the MEAL adviser, develop and disseminate learning papers on locally led MEAL, capturing lessons learned and best practices from the project and sharing them with a broader audience
- Assist in writing project proposals for institutional and major private donors.
What do we expect from you?
- At least 5 years of experience in MEAL, with a demonstrated commitment to empowering local partners and promoting locally led MEAL practices.
- Proficiency in quantitative and qualitative data collection methods and analysis
- Strong writing and communication skills, with the ability to produce clear, concise, and engaging reports, learning papers, and presentations. Preferably in Arabic and English. Turkish language skills would be an asset.
- Excellent interpersonal and facilitation skills, with the ability to build relationships, facilitate discussions, and promote collaboration among diverse stakeholders
- Strong attention to detail, with the ability to ensure accuracy and consistency in data collection, analysis, and reporting.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team, with a strong sense of collaboration and a willingness to share knowledge and expertise.
- Enjoying to providing support to an organization that is finding new ways of working and being able to be flexible and quickly adapt where needed
- Preferably, experience in data analysis using statistical software for identifying patterns and insights that can inform program improvement and adaptation.
- Preferably knowledge of/experience with integrating CHS in MEAL
- Demonstrable work experience in the region would be an advantage
- Willingness to travel, especially within Türkiye, to NW Iraq and Lebanon (ASPIRE) and to conflict areas in NW Syria (Earthquake Response)
- You endorse the goals and aims of Stichting Vluchteling
- Your nationality, or a work permit, permits you to work in Türkiye, SV is not in the position to apply for a work permit
What do we offer you?
- A dynamic consultancy position in a professional organization of about 50 employees
- A function with room for own initiative and new ideas
- Opportunity to work on meaningful projects that are making a difference in the lives of refugees, IDPs, and host communities.
- Chance to collaborate with a diverse team of professionals and contribute to a culture of learning and growth.
- A consultancy contract for initially six months, based preferably in Gaziantep, Türkiye, with some traveling within Türkiye and to Syria.
- Renumeration and working conditions appropriate for a non-profit organization, depending on education and experience.
- Start date is negotiable, but the preference would be April 2024
The NRF has a Code of Conduct, containing the values and principles of the Refugee Foundation, including with regard to integrity & reliability and the prevention of any form of discrimination and / or abuse of power. Every employee must endorse these and act accordingly at all times. Taking references and requesting a Certificate of Good Conduct (VOG) are part of the application procedure. Stichting Vluchteling is part of the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme.
How to apply
Something for you? Then respond as soon as possible.
Send an e-mail before 24-03-2024 with your motivation and your CV to Benoit De Gryse via solliciteren@vluchteling.nl stating “MEAL Specialist Türkiye”. Shortlisted applicants will be notified before 01-04-2024.
For more information about this vacancy, please send your queries to solliciteren@vluchteling.nl
Acquisition is not appreciated.