The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in over 40 countries and 28 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. The IRC leads the way from harm to home. IRC started working in Ethiopia since 2000, and has since implemented projects across the country, supporting refugees as well as internally displaced populations.

Position Summary:

IRC is seeking a MEAL Manager (PlayMatters) for a five-year project, “PlayMatters”, funded by the LEGO Foundation. This position will be a part of the larger PlayMatters initiative to increase play-based learning opportunities for nearly 1 million pre-primary and primary school aged refugee and host community children impacted by the humanitarian crises in East Africa and living in Tanzania, Ethiopia, and Uganda. This project aims to build children’s social, emotional, cognitive, physical, and creative skills through play in their homes, schools, and communities and will be implemented in partnership with War Child Holland, Plan International, Behavioral Insights Team and Innovations for Poverty Action. PlayMatters applies behavioral science and human-centered design as well as adult behavior change theories to transform parents, caregivers, teachers, and policy makers into change agents of playful learning, leading to improved learning and well-being for children. 

The MEAL Manager will be responsible for ensuring that the IRC Ethiopia meets its monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning (MEAL) commitments for the PlayMatters project. S/he will strengthen MEAL capacity and maintain effective close working partnerships with relevant staff, departments and implementing partners in IRC Ethiopia and the PlayMatters consortium to ensure high quality and coordinated implementation of the PlayMatters MEAL functions.

The MEAL Manager will report to the PlayMatters Deputy Coordinator for policy and Advocacy and have a dotted line technical supervision from Ethiopia country Senior MEAL Coordinator. He/She will work closely with the Regional Senior M&E and Research Coordinator to align all MEAL activities with the other countries and the general approach. 

Job Responsibilities: curious

•  Co-design, maintain and oversee the roll-out of project-specific MEAL systems and guidance for tracking project achievements and outcomes.
• Lead and coordinate capacity development for staff and partners to plan, use and comply with project-specific MEAL plans, processes, priorities, and requirements.

• Coordinate the development, management, and utilization of strong data systems to inform project management improvements, learning and reporting.
• Lead and ensure timely and accurate consolidation/analysis of project-related data, information, and reports.
• Design and lead regular consultations, knowledge exchange, accountability and feedback with staff, partners, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Coordinate effective documentation, sharing and regular communication of lessons learned and evidence of good practices on PlayMatters.
• Lead and coordinate the implementation of project specific assessments, performance measurements, research evaluations and impact studies,
• Represent, contribute, and participate as required to inter-departmental and cross sector activities in-country, across the consortium and externally.
• Support greater sharing and use amongst staff and partners of gender sensitive monitoring data including client feedback to ensure interventions are responsive to the needs of clients and are informed by a sound understanding of the context.

• Master’s degree in social sciences, systems science, and/or other relevant fields from an accredited university with at least three years of relevant professional work experience; or bachelor’s degree with more than six years experience.
• Minimum of five years’ experience in an international NGO in a similar role/with similar responsibilities.
• Demonstrated understanding of direct monitoring and evaluation experience, specifically in the humanitarian and development context. Experience in education projects is an advantage.
• Proven experience in mobile monitoring using Kobo Collect, Commcare or other applications.
• Demonstrated experience developing tools and systems for program tracking and documentation.
• Demonstrated experience in staff supervision and capacity building.
• Knowledge of monitoring and evaluation methodologies, including log frame, theories of change, and assessment/evaluations.
• Demonstrated experience of implementing beneficiary complaint and feedback mechanisms is desired.
• High proficiency in Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel and being able to visualize data in (i.e.) Power BI.
• Effective, high-quality communication and writing in English, and interpersonal skills are essential.