MEAL Coordinator Middle East Program

BACKGROUND

Protestant Agency for Diakonie and Development (Evangelisches Werk fur Diakonie und Entwicklung- EWDE) – Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe (DKH) – with Type 1 Office in Germany, is a humanitarian agency providing funds for emergency aid worldwide. Since the end of 2021, Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe (DKH) has been working on reorganizing its global offices, guided by the vision to strengthen regional and local structure: Operative decision-making power will be where operations happen and support DKH’s mission to empower our partners and engage in localized humanitarian assistance. DKH overcomes geographical boundaries and understands itself as one organization.

DKH’s Regional Hub Asia, based in Amman, Jordan, provides comprehensive program support to DKH Country Program and local partners in the region. The Middle East Program (ME-MCP) currently implements programs in Türkiye, Syria, Lebanon, Gaza/oPT, and Iraq. Programmatically, we focus on markets and livelihoods, protection, food security, DRR and climate change impact mitigation, and emergency response

Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe aspires to restore the life and hope of people in dignity. We empower our partners. Together, we invest in preparedness, response, and resilience. Complying with DKH’s mission and in the face of the ongoing humanitarian crises in the Middle East, The ME Program strategy for 2024-2026 embodies a steadfast commitment to fostering dignity, resilience, sustainability, and equal partnerships.

We take localization and partnership to the next level (1) by committing and aiming for equitable and long-term partnerships, (2) by shifting power to our partners and communities through transfer of decision-making and funding opportunities, and (3) by amplifying the voices of local partners and communities.

This position is instrumental to the application of the ME Crisis Strategy through adapting and harmonizing the MEAL practices, procedures, and tools of the ME Program at large to the best possible standards. The MEAL Coordinator will modify the ME Program’s added value and accountability in relation to project cycle management in the various countries in which we conduct programs.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Location: Amman, Jordan

Starting date: 01.11. 2024 or Earlier Upon Avialabilty

Contract duration: 12 months (extendable)

Reporting to: Representative of the ME Program

Working under the supervision of the Representative of the ME Program and in close collaboration with the program staff within the ME Program and the MEAL Adviser in Berlin, the MEAL Coordinator is responsible for fulfilling the following tasks:

SYSTEMS and PROCEDURES (30%)

• Evaluating and upgrading the current Project’s MEAL indicators, minimum standards, and tools
• Develop a flexible and operational remote MEAL system for the ME Program projects
• Establish Program level Reporting and evaluation SoPs
• Establish partnership evaluation tools and SoPs
• Collaborate with the MEAL Advisor in Berlin in establishing and harmonizing MEAL practices and tools worldwide.

Project Cycle Support (20%)

• Support program teams in the stages of collection/ analysis/ use of data at the various stages of the project cycles including needs assessments, monitoring, and evaluation.
• Review project proposals and reports focusing on MEAL plans and MEAL activities to ensure compliance with existing MEAL standards and best practices.
• Strengthen MEAL components and plans in concept notes, and proposals, and address existing gaps.
• Support teams in following up on the implementation of evaluation recommendations
• For selected projects, lead the evaluation process and the related reporting activities.
• Upon request develop and lead the implementation of ToRs, tools and SoPs aiming at program and partnership evaluations.

Building MEAL Capacities (20%)

• Sensitize and strengthen MEAL capacities of program staff and partners through training, coaching, and mentoring.
• Promote the use of innovative and appropriate MEAL technologies and tools and practices.
• Ensure standards and guidelines are known, understood, and applied by all stakeholders.

Strengthening Accountability (15%)

• Sensitization on accountability, including common standards (e.g. CHS) and good practices
• Ensure the existence of safe, accessible, inclusive, and context-specific feedback and complaint mechanisms and respective systems and processes for all projects within the ME Program countries.

Institutional Learning and Knowledge Management (15%)

• Promote and strengthen the culture of learning and knowledge management, as well as the practice of sharing and exchange between DKH offices and its partners within the ME.
• Support internal and external evaluations, learning events, and research initiatives.
• Sensitize and strengthen the MEAL capacities of DKH and partners through training, coaching, and mentoring.
• Promote the use of innovative and appropriate MEAL technologies and tools and practices.
• Ensure standards and guidelines are known, understood, and applied by all stakeholders.

QUALIFICATION, EXPERTISE AND SKILLS

Substantive Knowledge:

• Proven progressive experience in designing and managing MEAL in humanitarian aid contexts, including project activities, indicators, log frames, theory of change etc.
• Honed experience in developing and implementing and maintaining MEAL systems, tools, and procedures.
• Proficiency in MEAL software (e.g. SPSS, STATA) and data collection platforms (e.g. KoboToolbox, ODK).
• Strong analytical skills with experience in qualitative/ quantitative research methodologies and analysis.
• Proven experience in developing high-quality (publishing level) MEAL reports in English (and preferably Arabic).
• Demonstrated experience in capacity building through training, mentoring, and coaching.

Communication Skills:

• Strong intercultural and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trust and maintain successful relationships with diverse stakeholders, and excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proven capacity and willingness to engage with partners with diverse capacities and interests related to MEAL.
• Significant experience in working with local partner organizations based on equal partnership principles and in providing technical guidance and support for developing MEAL systems and tools.
• Strong IT literacy skills related to the role.

Execution Skills:

• Being highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to work under pressure with minimal supervision.
• Outstanding personal attitude: especially a sense of responsibility, concern for quality, result orientation; integrity, and commitment.
• Proven high level of time management and commitment leading to proven work efficiency and effectiveness.
• Positive and proactive attitude, with the ability to innovate and drive improvements in MEAL practices, coupled with strong problem-solving and strategic thinking skills.
• Commitment to humanitarian principles, passionate about gender and inclusion as well as localization.
• Ability and willingness to travel regularly.

Targeted Specialized Knowledge:

• University degree in MEAL or related discipline.
• At least 5 years of experience in similar positions, incl. experience in monitoring and evaluation of humanitarian programs, including diverse MEAL modalities, such as remote monitoring.

How to apply

HOW TO APPLY

If you recognize yourself in this profile, we welcome you to send your updated resume and a cover letter in English outlining specifically your motivation and skills relevant to the advertised position (not more than 2 pages) to the following e-mail address: applications.jor@diakonie-katastrophenhilfe.de. Please mention MEAL Middle East Multi-Country Program Coordinator in the subject line.

The closing date for applications is Sunday, September 15, 2024. All applications will be treated confidentially. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.