Within the overall Programme Unit (PU) of NRC Ukraine, specifically under the Programme Support Unit function (PSU), the Monitoring, Evidence, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) Coordinator plays a key role in establishing and implementing systems and standards to promote evidence-based decision-making, and effective tracking of programme and project performance for the benefit of NRC’s Core Competencies (CCs) which include Information, Counselling and Legal Assistance (ICLA), Shelter & Settlements/ WASH, Education, Protection from Violence and Cash response.
The role of the MEAL Coordinator is to coordinate and adapt NRC’s Monitoring, Evidence, Accountability and Learning systems and standards at Country Office (CO) level and facilitate their roll-out at Area Office (AO) level.
The coordinator ensures that MEAL systems, plans, tools, and procedures are effectively implemented, and provides technical supervision, capacity building, and guidance to MEAL staff and programme teams.
The MEAL Coordinator will contribute to quality programming through supporting access to and promoting the use of relevant and timely information (both on the output and outcome levels) on programme scale, relevance, and effectiveness. Within this context, the MEAL Coordinator will provide technical support to in-country staff pertaining to MEAL and build capacity to apply effective, cost-efficient and contextualised MEAL systems in adherence to NRC global MEAL policies and framework. The position plays a bridging role between strategic MEAL frameworks set at CO level and their practical application across projects, ensuring that evidence inform programme decision-making, learning, and adaptation.
The MEAL coordinator reports directly to the MEAL manager at the country office and will work closely with area-level MEAL teams to harmonise MEAL plans, systems, and processes as necessary.
Generic responsibilities:
Compliance and adherence to NRC policies and a specific responsibility for the NRC MEAL functions policies and procedures.
Support and contribute to the development, revision and implementation of MEAL systems, including Standard Operation Procedures (SOPs), guidance and work plans in alignment with the global NRC MEAL framework and discussions with technical teams.
Coordinate implementation and harmonisation of NRC MEAL systems, SOPs, and standards at AO and CO.
Participate in programme design and proposal discussions, including theory of change development, log frame design and budgeting for MEAL as requested.
Provide technical support and cooperate with area MEAL & Programme teams in planning and executing MEAL, including quality data collection methodology, data management, interpretation and utilisation of information for evidence-based decision-making.
Ensure systems and processes are in place to guarantee high-quality reporting in NRC’s Global Output and Outcome Reporting System (GORS).
Contribute to organisational learning through supporting specific analysis, facilitating lessons learned discussions, debriefs and reports.
Capacity building and training of programmes and MEAL support staff on NRC MEAL systems, processes, and requirements.
Support and contribute to the processes of country office and programme-level monitoring and evaluation systems ensuring the learning is integrated, accurate and relevant.
Support and contribute to ensuring compliance with NRC MEAL Minimum Standards and support the development and implementation of action plans to address areas of partial or non-compliance
Specific responsibilities:
Support CC leads to develop monitoring tools, methodologies, sampling strategies, and necessary guidelines to ensure collection of output and outcome indicators in consultation with other MEAL and program colleagues.
Support the use of monitoring, evaluation, and CFM data and coordinate learning processes to ensure programme adaptation and evidence-based decision-making across projects and core competencies, ensuring NRC institutional learning moments are implemented as a minimum standard and expanded where relevant.
Lead the documentation and provision of timely MEAL reports/dashboards/factsheets/learning papers that facilitate evidence-based decision-making, both internally within NRC Ukraine and externally with partners and donors. This includes the completion of data analysis of outcome data at CO Level where required.
Support partnership team to ensure adequate MEAL systems, processes and SOPs are in place, including inductions on MEAL requirements and organisational assessments with NRC partners.
Support partner organisations to understand core MEAL and reporting requirements, including GORS bulk-uploading forms and monitoring tools, in collaboration with the information management team.
Ensure support for the design and review of partnership logframes, indicators and MEAL reporting requirements to ensure alignment with NRC mandatory indicators, donor indicators and that monitoring arrangements are feasible and agreed with partners based on their technical and operational capacity.
Facilitate and coordinate third-party monitoring requests in collaboration with area-office MEAL/project teams as necessary.
Support monitoring and evaluation data quality assurance by reviewing output and outcome data and verifying their accuracy, completeness and compliance with NRC indicator definitions and reporting requirements across project monitoring and reporting processes. Use PCM moments, GORS monthly meetings and other relevant processes to identify, raise and address data quality issues in a timely manner.
Other MEAL activities, as agreed with senior management and program staff that contribute to quality programming in NRC Ukraine.
Generic professional competencies:
At least 3 years’ experience in an international NGO, preferably in an emergency or post-conflict setting, including MEAL capacity and systems development
Demonstrated experience with and knowledge of principles and current approaches to monitoring and evaluation in emergency and development programs, using both quantitative and qualitative methods.
Understanding of data and information needs for programme management and decision making
Strong understanding of MEAL principles and current approaches in relief and/or development settings, using both quantitative and qualitative methods.
Skilled in data analysis, interpretation of trends, and communication of findings.
Experience in facilitating the capacity-building efforts of diverse colleagues, preferably including local partner agencies
Demonstrated ability to transfer knowledge to diverse audiences through training, mentoring and other formal and non-formal methods
High-level English language proficiency
Analytic and computer skills, including MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Access) and quantitative analysis
Experience using KoBo/ODK; additional experience with one or more of the following: SPSS, STATA, Power BI, GIS is desirable
Context/ Specific skills, knowledge and experience:
Higher education, preferably within the field of social sciences, statistics, research, international development or economics, or other related fields of study.
Knowledge of the humanitarian context in Ukraine and NGO operation dynamics.
Knowledge of Ukrainian language highly preferred.
Technical competency and experience implementing various programme evaluation methodologies and approaches.
Demonstrated knowledge of major humanitarian and development donors.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills to promote smooth collaboration amongst various teams and departments.
Excellent planning, time management, problem-solving, and team-working skills.
Highly approachable, trustworthy and confidential
