MEAL Officer, Syria (National Position)

Near East Foundation (NEF)

Job Advertisement – Syria

Position Title: MEAL Officer, Syria (National Position)
Location: Syria
Reporting to: MEAL Manager
Contract Type: Full-time

Background:

The Near East Foundation (NEF) is seeking candidates for the MEAL Officer to be based in Syria. NEF is a non-profit international development organization that has supported livelihoods recovery and community-based economic development in the Middle East, Africa, and Caucasus since 1915. NEF draws on local teams, experience, and partnerships in these regions to create community-led solutions to improve livelihoods and local governance among conflict and crisis-affected groups, while maintaining neutrality and ensuring inclusiveness in our approach. Working through a network of country offices and local partners, NEF currently has operations in ten countries: Armenia, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Mali, Morocco, Palestine, Sudan, South Sudan, and Syria. Our programs are organized around three pillars: Inclusive Economic Development, Climate-resilient Development, and Stabilization and Peacebuilding.

Position Description:

The Near East Foundation (NEF) is dedicated to delivering comprehensive MEAL services that effectively address the needs of vulnerable populations. The MEAL Officer will be responsible for developing and implementing robust monitoring and evaluation systems aligned with NEF’s MEAL procedures. This role will ensure that NEF’s projects and programs are effectively monitored, evaluated, and achieve their intended impact.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Technical and Systems Development
   • Implement the MEAL policies and procedures as outlined in NEF’s MEAL requirements and ensure adherence to the prescribed tools and standards.
   • Support the MEAL manager in developing M&E plans, Indicator Tracking Tables and M&E/Data Collection tools.
   • Ensure tools are fit for purpose and contextually appropriate through continuous review and adaptation.
   • Support the effective roll-out of MEAL data collection and reporting systems using AKVO/KOBO.
2. MEAL Implementation and Management
   • Conduct assessments, monitoring, and evaluations, including baselines, mid-term, and end-line evaluations as per ToRs and mission plans.
   • Develop and oversee the implementation of data collection and analysis methodologies, such as surveys , focus group discussions, and key informant interviews, ensuring high-quality standards.
   • Train and supervise MEAL Assistants and field staff on digital data collection tools, using KOBO/AKVO, ensuring quality standards are met.
   • Monitor data collection activities and ensure adherence to quality assurance protocols.
   • Verify and clean collected data for accuracy, consistency and completeness.
   • Perform basic quantitative and qualitative analysis and contribute to project reports with graphs, tables and data visualizations.
   • Coordinate with Program Managers and Siraj centers Managers to ensure logistical support for MEAL activities.
   • Undertake regular field visits to monitor and support project activities and verify data collection processes.
   • Maintain and update electronic and paper-based systems for tracking project indicators and progress.
   • Ensure that assessment protocols, including informed consent and ethical guidelines, are followed.
   • Supervise pre-tests of assessments and provide feedback on content and technical considerations (e.g., kip patterns, logic checks, etc.).
   • Ensure regular follow-ups with the relevant focal points on databases and NEF’s systems and make sure they are updated on a regular basis.
   • Develop success stories from the field.
3. Accountability and Feedback Mechanisms
   • Oversee the implementation and management of accountability and feedback mechanisms, ensuring compliance with NEF’s policies.
   • Supervise the handling of beneficiary feedback and complaints through various channels, including WhatsApp, complaint boxes, and direct reporting.
   • Ensure all feedback and complaints are recorded, categorized, and responded to in line with the SOP.
   • Conduct follow-ups on complaints to ensure timely and effective resolution.
   • Oversee call checks with beneficiaries to assess satisfaction and gather insights for program improvements.
   • Ensure proper documentation and reporting of all complaints and feedback to relevant focal points.
4. Evaluation and Learning
   • Promote the proactive dissemination and utilization of knowledge gained from MEAL activities among project managers and NEF staff.
   • Document and share lessons learned and best practices, ensuring they contribute to the improvement of ongoing projects and influence future strategic planning.
   • Support project implementation by providing timely insights on project successes and challenges to enable adaptive programming and informed decision-making.
   • Participate in and contribute to the MEAL community of practice.
   • Facilitate mid-term and final evaluations in coordination with the MEAL Manager.
   • Support the implementation of learning events and review sessions at locations as needed.
   • Perform other MEAL-related tasks as assigned by the supervisor.
   • Qualifications & Requirements:
   • Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, Development Studies, Statistics, Economics, or a related field.
   • Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in MEAL roles within the humanitarian or development sector.
   • Strong knowledge of MEAL principles, frameworks, and best practices.
   • Proficiency in developing and implementing MEAL tools, including surveys, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions.
   • Experience with data analysis tools and software (e.g., Excel, AKVO, KOBO).
   • Demonstrated ability to develop and manage MEAL databases.
   • Experience in designing and implementing MEAL frameworks for multiple projects.
   • Ability to produce high-quality reports with data visualization and insights for decision-making.
   • Strong communication skills with the ability to present complex information clearly in both English and Arabic
   • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
   • Ability to work collaboratively in a multicultural environment.
   • Familiarity with donor requirements and reporting standards.