Mission and objectives

The Office of the UNHCR was established on 14 December 1950 by the UN General Assembly. The agency is mandated to lead and co-ordinate international action to pro-tect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safe-guard the rights and well-being of refugees. It strives to ensure that everyone can exer-cise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State, with the option to return home voluntarily, integrate locally or to resettle in a third country (www.unhcr.org).

Context

Mali is facing a complex and protracted humanitarian crisis, marked by insecurity, forced displacement of populations, food insecurity, and the impact of climate change. In this context, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) provides protection and assistance to refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), returnees, and host communities, in close collaboration with the Government, United Nations agencies, NGO partners, and donors. The position of Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) Officer is based at the UNHCR office in Bamako, which ensures strategic coordination, programmatic monitoring, and technical support to sub-offices and implementing partners across the country. The MEAL Officer works under the direct supervision of the Senior Data Coordinator and in close collaboration with the Programme, Protection, and Supply units, as well as operational partners. In a dynamic and sometimes volatile operational environment, the MEAL Officer plays a key role in strengthening monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning (MEAL) systems, in order to ensure the quality of interventions, accountability to affected populations, efficient use of resources, and continuous improvement of UNHCR programs in Mali. The position also contributes to the production of data-driven analyses, monitoring of performance indicators, management of feedback and complaint mechanisms, and capacity-building of UNHCR teams and partners in MEAL.

Task Description

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Head of Sub Office in Mopti or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UNV Assistant Public Information will: Establishment and Management of the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) System - Design, finalize, and maintain the project results framework / logical framework in alignment with the theory of change validated by the Mastercard Foundation. - Define, document, and regularly update all MEAL indicators (outputs, outcomes, impact), including cross-cutting indicators related to gender, youth, inclusion, employment, systems change, and safeguarding. - Develop, budget, and regularly update the MEAL Plan, detailing methodologies, roles and responsibilities, timelines, and required resources. - Ensure the systematic integration of MEAL into the annual operational planning process and the project’s strategic management. Implementation and Performance Monitoring - Design, test, and deploy data collection tools tailored to the project’s different components (questionnaires, monitoring forms, interview guides, digital tools). - Establish a structured system for the regular monitoring of activities, deliverables, and results in collaboration with field teams and implementing partners. - Consolidate, analyze, and interpret performance data to identify gaps, trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement. - Produce and update analytical dashboards enabling real-time tracking of key performance indicators. Data Management, Quality, and Security - Establish and manage a centralized, secure MEAL database in compliance with donor requirements. - Develop and implement robust Data Quality Assurance (DQA) procedures, including consistency checks, internal audits, and field verifications. - Ensure data traceability, evidence management (means of verification), and archiving in line with the Mastercard Foundation’s standards. - Train and support teams and partners on MEAL standards, data quality, and ethical data collection practices. Evaluations and Studies - Plan and coordinate baseline studies, mid-term evaluations, and the final project evaluation. - Develop technical terms of reference for evaluations and thematic studies (employability, socio-economic integration, equity, systems change). - Supervise external consultants, ensure quality control of deliverables, and validate methodologies. - Support the analysis and strategic use of evaluation findings for decision-making and project adaptation. Accountability and Feedback Mechanisms - Design and operationalize accountability mechanisms for beneficiaries (feedback, complaints, suggestions). - Ensure that beneficiaries—particularly youth and vulnerable groups—have safe, confidential, and effective access to feedback mechanisms. - Regularly analyze beneficiary feedback and ensure its integration into programmatic decision-making. - Document and report on actions taken in response to feedback received. Learning, Knowledge Management, and Adaptive Programming - Establish structured learning mechanisms (quarterly reviews, strategic reflection workshops, after-action reviews). - Promote the use of MEAL data for the continuous adaptation of interventions and improvement of programmatic approaches. - Produce learning briefs, case studies, and knowledge products. - Document and disseminate best practices, innovations, and lessons learned internally and with the donor. Reporting and Donor Accountability - Produce periodic narrative reports (quarterly and annual) in accordance with the Mastercard Foundation’s formats, standards, and timelines. - Contribute to cost-effectiveness and Value for Money analyses in collaboration with the finance team. - Provide reliable, verifiable, and auditable data for reviews, audits, and supervision missions. - Respond to ad hoc donor requests related to results, impact, and learning. Coordination, Technical Support, and Capacity Strengthening - Provide MEAL technical support to component leads and implementing partners. - Strengthen MEAL capacities of internal teams and partners through training, coaching, and field-based support. - Actively participate in coordination, planning, and performance review meetings. - Contribute to the harmonization of MEAL practices across the different project components. Compliance, Ethics, and Safeguarding - Ensure compliance with ethical standards, personal data protection requirements, and informed consent protocols. - Integrate gender, youth, inclusion, and safeguarding/protection dimensions across the entire MEAL system. - Ensure the project’s compliance with the safeguarding and protection policies required by the Mastercard Foundation. - Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor. Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities: - Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); - Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; - Provide annual and end of assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities. - Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; - Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers; - Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Competencies and values

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNHCR, technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNHCR, procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to work and coordinate with different actors, where appropriate, high degree of autonomy; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented; • Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNHCR in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority. • Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues; • Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment. • Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities; • Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; • Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary; • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNHCR’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

Living conditions and remarks

Le/la volontaire sélectionné (e) devra suivre dès le début de son affectation l’ensemble des formations relatives à la sécurité obligatoires pour tout le personnel des Nations Unies. Vous pouvez vérifier les droits complets à votre poste de ser-vice à : https://app.unv.org/calculator Les conditions complètes de service des volontaires sont disponibles à : https://explore.unv.org/cos