MEAL Officer

• Location: Based in Lahj
• Reporting to: MEAL Manager / Project Manager
• Start date: ASAP
• Contract duration: 4 Months
• Contract type: Fixed term (full time)

The National Foundation for Development and Humanitarian Response (NAHR) is a not-for-profit and non-governmental organization (NGO) that was established June 2012 in Yemen. Our vision is a peaceful and stable Yemen free of poverty, in which all people have equal access to basic needs and human rights, and our mission is to provide an integrated humanitarian and development response to aid Yemen and other conflict-affected countries through a professional, neutral, and transparent approach. 
We aim to achieve our overall vision and mission by working to enhance local communities' development and stability through identifying structural causes of poverty, raising awareness, increasing access to basic services, and focusing on building citizens' capacities, especially women and youth, so as to enable their participation in the decision-making process that leads to sustainable development and a peaceful society within their developing and conflict-affected countries. NAHR aims to accomplish these goals through its seven core programs: Food Security and Livelihoods (FSL); Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH); Health and Nutrition; CCCM; Education; Gender and Protection; Shelter and Non-food items (NFIs); and Peacebuilding and Governance.
In the process of recruitment, selection, and appointment NAHR implement a range of procedures and actions including Criminal Background Checks/ International vetting/Certificate of good conduct to ensure children and vulnerable adults are safeguarded and abuse is prevented.
NAHR has zero tolerance on sexual exploitation and abuse. All employment offers are conditional upon the receipt of satisfactory references and the signing our code of conduct, Safeguarding Policy with a particular focus on Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Child Safeguarding. This position will also be subject to robust reference and background screening checks.
NAHR is committed to the highest standards of openness, probity and accountability, as outlined in it’s own internal Code of Conduct and through signing up to the Core Humanitarian Standards. The Code of Conduct requires trustees, officers and employees to observe high standards of business and personal ethics in the conduct of their duties and responsibilities. As employees and representatives of NAHR, we must practice honesty and integrity in fulfilling our responsibilities and comply with all applicable laws, regulations and our Code of Conduct.

Job Profile: 

Under the supervision of the MEAL Manager, the MEAL Officer will make sure to maintain an effective monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning system of NAHR projects. The tasks will include routine monitoring of activities, providing monitoring reports, conducting field visits to ensure compliance with established standard and requirements. The MEAL Officer reports directly to the MEAL Manager. 

Responsibilities, Tasks & Duties: 

• Work with and support NAHR’s Senior Staff, the Directors of Relief and Development Programs, and the Program Managers in preparing program MEAL plans, indicators and mechanisms for M&E in line with strategic program plans and budgets.
• Support the development of the logical framework for projects, including MEAL support during proposal development to ensure adequate MEAL budget forecasts for field and office activities.
• Support planning, implementation and follow-up of evaluations by: writing terms of references, preparing project summaries, participating in the selection of external consultants for evaluating NAHR projects, and technically and financially coordinating with consultant in relation to field assessments.
• Track outputs and expected results of ongoing projects and the extent of completion of various activities and present findings to NAHR leadership, the Directors of Relief Programs and Development Programs, and Program Managers at monthly meetings allocated for this purpose.
• Ensure the achievement of results and outputs necessary for development and humanitarian response according to the needs of local communities.
• Develop and design information management systems resulting from monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning activities, such as progress reports, databases and complaint mechanisms.
• Report to NAHR’s Senior Management in a timely manner on the progress and completion of project/program implementation, including obstacles faced and technical, administrative and financial solutions proposed.
• Supervise MEAL staff as well as advocacy, communication and media officials for relief and development programs. 
• Monitor and assist Program Managers in preparing long-term plans for the projects they manage, specifying a timeline for issuing reports to donors 
• Follow-up and supervise staff preparing news reports and stories published on NAHR’s website 
• Introduce low-cost techniques to improve project performance in the organization and facilitate mechanisms for updates of reports.
• Provide MEAL support during audits 

Coordination and Representation:

• Work on developing and reviewing program strategies in partnership with the concerned authorities and affected populations in project governorates and districts 
• Coordinate with NAHR’s directors of relief and development programs and other concerned departments while planning new projects within the framework of the programs to develop the necessary indicators according to the MEAL policy
• Coordinate needs assessments with governorate and local authorities and provide support to field staff to document evaluation findings, including an analysis of beneficiary needs.
• In coordination with the Director of Development Programs, the Director of Relief Programs and the Coordinator of the Peace building and Governance Program, assess the institutional capacities of local organizations before signing any partner sub-agreements to carry out field activities and services with NAHR and make recommendations to senior management.
• Upon acceptance of grants, immediately coordinate with program managers and other the relevant departments to prepare executive plans for procurement, follow up and evaluation.
• Continuously coordinate with the directors of relief and development programs, program managers, and department managers to ensure the number, review and delivery of periodic, mid-term, and annual reports are submitted for review and approval to senior staff, donors and other stakeholders in a timely-manner.

The role of the MEAL Officer is not limited to the specific duties mentioned above. It is subject to change with the evolution of the conflict and in accordance with NAHR’s vision and mission. As such, the MEAL Officer is required to manage all unforeseen issues and circumstances in relation to the monitoring and evaluation and should remain adaptable to perform responsibilities that may not be mentioned above, as and when required. 

Qualifications 

Essential

• Bachelor’s degree in statistics, anthropology, sociology, public health, or another relevant field
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in MEAL related role in an NGO environment, preferably in a humanitarian context
• Solid conceptual understanding about different components of MEAL
• Demonstrated skills in supporting MEAL systems
• Strong experience in information management systems
• Experience of, and commitment to working through systems of community participation and accountability to affected populations
• Previous experience of managing a team and managing projects
• Demonstrated strong monitoring and evaluation skills, including planning/participating in evaluations
• Ability to work both in an advisory and a hands-on implementation capacity
• Ability to write clear and well-argued assessment and project reports
• Commitment to the aims and principles of NAHR. 
• English and Arabic language proficiency (speaking, reading, writing)

Desirable:

• Politically and culturally sensitive with qualities of patience, tactic and diplomacy
• Excellent communication skills: written and oral 
• Flexible and able to work well under pressure
• Capable of working collaborative with team members to achieve results
• Relates and works will with people from different cultures, genders, religions and backgrounds