- February 15, 2022
- Posted by: humanitarianweb
- Category: Humanitarian Jobs
The Syria crisis is often described as the worst humanitarian catastrophe since the end of the Cold War. Today, 13.4 million people in Syria – more than half of the country’s population – are in need of humanitarian assistance with needs increasingly being exacerbated by economic decline. Of these, 6.8 million are refugees and asylum-seekers who have fled the country. This is no short-term humanitarian episode. The devastating human consequences to huge numbers of people will endure for decades. The destruction of relationships, communities, livelihoods, homes and infrastructure will take years to repair.
IRC is offering a robust humanitarian response to the Syria crisis a rapidly expanding portfolio, supported by more than 1000+ staff in Syria Country Program. IRC is undertaking programs in Syria and the neighboring countries of Turkey, Iraq, Lebanon and Jordan in the fields of health, child protection, early childhood development, education, women’s protection and empowerment, non-food items and food distribution, cash assistance, water and sanitation, protection and rule of law, and livelihood programming. Our work in these challenging settings gives rise to some of the most pressing issues facing contemporary humanitarian action, including questions of access, security, funding and coordination.
Job Overview/Summary
Reporting directly to the MEAL Coordinator, the Snr. MEAL Manager will strengthen the MEAL efforts, approaches and systems to foster learning and accountability for our clients; support IRC’s global and measurement ambitions of Strategy 100 and the Country Strategic Action Plan. The Snr. MEAL Manager will oversee the MEAL aspects of all sectors within the Northeast Syria (NES) hub MEAL team.
Responsibilities
Technical Support Oversight
• Establish and maintain strong MEAL systems and practices in NES that are in compliance with the Syria CP MEAL strategy, global guidelines and standards, encompassing both programs implemented by IRC as well as programs implemented in partnership with partners;
• Ensure that all activities IRC and/or partner implemented activities are properly tracked and monitored through the Syria CP/IRC and/or project specific monitoring tools and practices;
• Provide MEAL technical assistance to program teams and provide technical inputs into the set-up, implementation and close-out stages of program management, i.e. measurement methodologies, plans and tools, and data collection, quality assurance, management and analysis;
• Support the implementation of internal or external program evaluations
• Organize and support culture of learning that is focused on using data for making programmatic and evidence-based decisions;
• Contribute to the MEAL Unit’s, and wider country program’s, programmatic and organizational learning efforts;
• Work with the Syria IM and T4P Manager and the NES Snr. Data and Reporting Officer to identify information or data management gaps to develop and apply (digital) technology solutions;
• Consult with the Regional Senior Client Responsiveness Specialist and the NES Snr. CR Officer for ensuring that the latest and most developed CR practices are in place.
• Assist program and partnership units to maintain and improve upon compliance initiatives that intersect with M&E;
• Recruit, support and oversee the technical quality of work by MEAL unit team members supporting the unit’s and program teams’ implementation of MEAL systems.
• lead the implementation of assessments and research activities in NES aimed at generating a strong evidence base for IRC programming, as well as to inform IRC advocacy;
• Contribute to the greater sharing and use of data (including client feedback data), research and learning within IRC’s program sectors, to ensure interventions are responsive to needs and informed by a sound understanding of the humanitarian context in NES.
• Support the development of strong proposals and generating high-quality reports that reflects achievements of ongoing or ending projects.
• Ensure that Theories or Change (TOCs) and Logical frame works (Logframes) of all newly developed proposals are based on the Syria CP strategy and Macro Logframe;
• Ensure that all activities and achievements are reported on a monthly basis into the Syria CP Aggregated Data Management System (ADMS) and that all reports are validated for being final, accurate, and complete;
• As the primary budget holder for MEAL activities in NES, the Snr. MEAL Manager must manage, and track all MEAL budgets and related expenses in NES and other Amman based MEAL support functions.
• Facilitate the dissemination of MEAL findings to programs by preparing learning materials, briefs, fact sheets, and presentations.
• Oversee the dissemination and implementation of adequate Client Responsiveness mechanisms across NES per the Syria CP/IRC SOPs and policies for ensuring that client feedback channels are accessible by clients and community members.
• Ensure that CR data from both IRC and partner implemented projects are systematically collected, recorded, analyzed and utilized for program adaptation, learning and to inform future program designs and decision making.
Leadership and Partnership
• Hire, supervise, and build the capacity of NES MEAL team members in relevant technical and managerial competencies;
• Coordinate with the MEAL Coordinator and Snr. Program Quality Coordinator for ensuring that IM staffing within the programs is consistent with the Syria CP M&E Policy and SOP.
• Implement remote management capacity building approaches to build the strengths of the team in NES;
• Support in the identification of capacity building needs and coordinate with the MEAL Coordinator for addressing and responding to them;
• Coach, train, supervise and mentor direct-report staff, including communicating clear expectations, setting annual performance objectives, providing regular and timely positive and constructive performance feedback, and providing documented semi-annual performance reviews;
• Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions;
• Adhere to and act in accordance with the IRC Global HR Policies and Procedures, and communicates through word and example a high standard of compliance with all applicable policies and regulations.
Partnership and Capacity Building
• Build the capacity of program and partners’ staff in relevant technical and management competencies.
• Schedule, organize and lead the delivery of training sessions for IRC and partner staff based on the pre-set capacity building plan approved by the MEAL Coordinator.
• Provide feedback to the MEAL Coordinator and technical Coordinators on all program technical data quality and systems strengths and issues to improve.
• Champion robust partner relationship management characterized by the core partnership principles from IRC’s Partnership Excellence for Equality and Results System (PEERS) of responsibility, results-oriented approach, equality, transparency, and complementarity
• Ensure appropriate proactive and reactive communications and engagement with IRC partners to implement sub-grant agreements and complete program deliverables through regularly scheduled partnership management meetings
• As requested, present the IRC or MEAL team in internal or external meetings.
Staff Performance Management, Learning & Development
• Hire, supervise, and build the capacity of team members in relevant technical and management competencies.
• Develop and implement remote management capacity building approaches to build the strengths of the team teams in Syria.
• Coach, train, supervise and mentor direct-report staff, including communicating clear expectations, setting annual performance objectives, providing regular and timely positive and constructive performance feedback, and providing documented semi-annual performance reviews.
• Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.
• Approve and manage time, attendance and leave requests to ensure adequate departmental coverage; ensure monthly, accurate timesheet submission and carry out probationary reviews.
• Hold high-quality meetings with each direct report on a regular and predictable basis, minimally on a monthly basis.
• Provide a measurable development plan including on-the-job learning with the aim of strengthening technical capacity, exchanging knowledge within the team and providing guidance on career paths.
• As required, identify staff performance issues and work with Human Resources to document and address these in accordance with the National Staff Employment Policies.
• Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.
• Promote and monitor staff care and well-being. Model healthy work-life balance practices. Support appropriate interventions in response to identified staff care needs of both national and international staff.
• Look for opportunities to support staff in their career growth, where appropriate. As part of succession plan and nationalization goals, identify, train and develop capability and capacity of national staff to successfully transition role and responsibilities, by the end of assignment.
Required Experience/qualification/Skills
• A University degree in a relevant field (such as: statistics & data management, social science, public health, development economics, or a related subject area) – a technical degree together with additional relevant work experience may substitute for education.
• A Minimum 5 years of working experience in Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning-related functions.
• Technical skills in setting up quality M&E/MEAL processes and creating logical frameworks and data analysis that leads to learning and action.
• Technical skills and experience in setting up and managing client feedback mechanisms and community participation.
• Proficiency and experience with mobile data collection such as Kobo, Commcare, ODK Collect is vital as well as proficiency with Microsoft Excel, SPSS, STATA or other similar software. Knowledge of Tableau, PowerBi, or GIS software tools are additional assets.
• Demonstrated analytical, systematic-thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Proven ability to transfer knowledge to diverse audiences through training, mentoring, and other formal and non-formal methods together with presentation and reporting skills are a strong asset.
• Confirmed ability to lead, mentor and empower a small to medium professional team.
• Self-motivated with good organization, planning skills, including prioritizing work and multi-tasking.
• Proficiency in English Language both written and spoken. Proficiency in Arabic AND/OR Kurdish is an added value.
Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:
• Excellent writing skills and experience in writing proposals/concept notes.
• Strong understanding and knowledge of USAID, PRM, FCDO, UNHCR, UNICEF, SIDA, SV, EU/ECHO and other donor rules and regulations.
• Proven competency with program design, M&E, proposal writing (including logical frameworks) and building budgets.
• Excellent management and coordination skills.
• Solid ability to provide team-building, coaching, and development for staff as well as encourage cross-functional collaboration and cooperation.
• Superior understanding of the challenges facing partner organizations in access to and management of sub-grants, incorporating robust capacity-building in all sub-award programs.
• Ability to work independently while being a strong team player.
• Excellent relationship-building, interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively represent IRC at forums and with donors.
• Full professional competency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.
• A commitment to IRC’s mission, vision, values and IRC Way – Professional Code of Conduct.
• Credible written, presentation and verbal communication skills; ability to convey information effectively and solid experience providing training and staff development
• Validated sense of professional discretion, integrity, and ability to handle complex situations diplomatically and to effective resolution.
• Excellent management and interpersonal skills and a solid ability to promote harmonious/cohesive teamwork, in a cross-cultural context.
• Validated ability to plan long-term, organize priorities and work under administrative and programmatic pressures with detail orientation and professional patience.
• Highly collaborative and resourceful; ability to establish positive working relationships with senior level management and all other partners to maximize cooperation and productivity.
• Curiosity, a desire to continually learn and develop and a sense of humor is a must.
• Analytical ability in creating effective solutions to complex matters while adhering to labor laws and internal policies.
Language/Travel:
• Professional fluency in spoken and written English.
• Familiarity with Arabic is an advantage
• Travel up to 30% throughout the governorates and the region.
Key Working Relationships:
Position Reports Directly to: Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability & Learning (MEAL) Coordinator
Position directly Supervises: M&E Manager, Snr. Data and Reporting Officer, Snr. Client Responsiveness Officer
Key Internal Contacts: All programme staff in addition to the following departments/units; Grants, Partnership, Finance, Access and Security, and Supply Chain.
Key External Contacts: Partner organizations, other humanitarian actors, working groups or clusters, Contracted (TPM) Monitors.
Professional Standards: IRC staff must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way – Global Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability and Equality. In accordance with these values, IRC operates and carries out policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti-Workplace Harassment, Respect at Work Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.
Returning National Candidates: We strongly encourage national or returning national candidates to apply for this position. If you are a citizen of the Country in which this position is based and are currently located outside of your home country and possess over two years of international work experience, the Middle East Region has introduced an attractive remuneration package. The package includes competitive compensation, return flight to post, shipping allowance, temporary housing and a relocation allowance. Certain restrictions may apply. IRC strives to attract, motivate and retain qualified national staff in our programs.
Accountability to Clients: IRC staff must adhere to the commitment of contributing to the sustainability and development of its (CR) Client Responsiveness Mechanisms, preserving the culture of prioritizing the needs of our clients and affected communities by systematically listening to their perspectives and using their feedback to make programmatic decisions and give them greater influence over program design and delivery.
Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances.
Client Responsiveness: IRC staff must adhere to the commitment of contributing to the sustainability and development of its (CR) Client Responsiveness Mechanisms, preserving the culture of prioritizing the needs of our clients and affected communities by systematically listening to their perspectives and using their feedback to make programmatic decisions and give them greater influence over program design and delivery.
Diversity and Inclusion: at IRC MENA, we are passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. Organizations that are diverse in age, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, ethnicity, nationality, and perspective are validated to be better organizations. More importantly, creating a safe workspace environment where everyone, from any background, can do their best is the right thing to do. So, bring your whole self to work.
How to apply
https://rescue.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home/requisition/24483?c=rescue