Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Officer

Position role: MEAL officer

Duty Station: Kyiv, with frequent travel to program sites (Kharkiv, Chernigiv, Sumy regions)

Summary of the role:

Corus International has been working in Ukraine since the beginning of the war in 2022 and implements a series of programs ranging from supporting the displaced, vulnerable population in mobile health service access, agriculture, and livelihood restoration to winterization and other humanitarian needs. The Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Officer will report to and work under the administrative supervision of the Program Director/Program coordinator.

DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES:

The MEAL Manager will bring significant experience and fresh ideas to lead on MEAL system implementation, reviews, and evaluations, MEAL budgeting, and MEAL recruitment, as well as support proposal writing and log frame development. The post holder will ensure that all Corus International in Ukraine and Partner projects are supported to ensure the quality, effectiveness, and appropriateness of their programs.

The Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Officer will be responsible for designing, coordinating, and implementing the monitoring and evaluation, research, and learning framework of all programs implemented by Corus International. He or she will develop a systematic monitoring framework to improve the qualitative and quantitative evidence. He or she will also provide technical assistance to the implementing partners, particularly concerning monitoring, reporting, and governance issues.

 Programmatic and Technical Support: 

• Setting up the MEAL system
• Assist in the revision of the project log frame matrix, particularly in the areas of performance indicators and their measurement;
• Assist in developing and/or finalizing the project Work Plan and keep it updated in accordance with project activities and timeframes as relevant.
• Develop the overall framework for project M&E, such as a mid-term project review, impact assessment, and final evaluation. Develop a project Performance Monitoring Plan with relevant data collection systems.
• Review the quality of existing data in the project subject areas, the methods of collecting it, and the degree to which it will provide good baseline statistics for impact evaluation.
• Develop baseline data for each project component and for all project indicators.
• With collaborating partners, review existing approaches and management information systems and agree on any required changes, support and resources.
• Develop a plan for project-related capacity-building on M&E and for any computer-based support that may be required.
• Organize and undertake training with collaborating/implementing partners on M&E as required.
• Implementation of M&E and coordination:
• Collect data on a regular basis to measure achievement against the performance indicators.
• Check data quality with partners.
• Maintain and administer the M&E database; analyse and aggregate findings.
• Support project progress reporting, project mid-term review and final evaluation.
• Identify areas where technical support to project partners is required. Organize refresher training on M&E for partners as required.
• Identify lessons learned and develop case studies to capture qualitative outputs of the project.
• Provide advice to the supervisor on improving project performance using M&E findings.

Communication and Coordination 

•  Produce reports on M&E findings and prepare presentations based on M&E data as required.
•  Provide the Project Manager with management information she/he may require.
• Check that monitoring data are discussed in appropriate forum and in a timely fashion in terms of implications for future action. If necessary, create such discussions to fill any gap.
• Perform other duties as may be assigned by the Project Manager and the CEO of the Foundation.
• Produces regular updates on project implementation status.
• Leads or where necessary coordinates internal and external baseline and endline data collection and training of relevant staff and data collectors (ensures activities of the consultant-led data collection is well coordinated).

REQUIREMENTS:

• University degree in statistics, an area of social development or equivalent, demographics, public policy, international development, economics, or a related field. An advanced certificate in M&E, statistics, or economics is preferred.
• Advanced in English and Ukrainian, both verbal and written.

Experience:

• Experience in designing, implementing, and operating project M&E systems from project initiation to closeout stages.
• Experience in designing and managing beneficiary monitoring and database systems.
• Experience in strategic planning and performance measurement, including indicator selection, target setting, reporting, database management, and developing M&E and performance monitoring plans.
• Knowledge of the major evaluation methodologies (e.g. qualitative, quantitative, mixed-method, and impact) and data collection and analysis methodologies.
• Experience in planning and managing surveys.
• Experience and proficiency in developing and refining data collection tools (e.g., KoboToolbox, CommCare, Atlas), statistical programs (SPSS, STATA), and data visualization tools (Power BI, Tableau).
• Experience with data quality assessments and oversight.
• Experience in managing and providing training to partners and target beneficiaries.
• Ability to facilitate and serve as project liaison for externally-managed evaluations.
• Ability to present complex information in a succinct and compelling manner
• Ability and willingness to change work practices and hours, and work with incoming surge teams, in the event of emergencies

 Preferrable experience:

• Recommended a minimum of three (3) years of professional experience in an M&E position responsible for implementing M&E activities of international development projects, preferably with solid experience in more than one of Corus’ priority sectors: health, livelihoods, protection, GBV.
• Highly developed cultural awareness and ability to work well in an international environment with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures

Competencies and Soft Skills:

• Good knowledge of program implementation, monitoring, evaluation techniques, and practices.
• Familiarity with impact assessment is an advantage.
• Good knowledge and experience regarding gender, protection mainstreaming.
• Good moderation, facilitation, and training skills.
• Demonstrated ability to liaise and negotiate with the private sector, government, and social partners.
• Ability to perform various conceptual analyses required for formulating, administering, and evaluating projects.
• Excellent analytical skills.
• Ability to work in a team and good interpersonal skills.
• Good computer applications skills.
• Good organizational skills.
• Ability to deal with people with tact and diplomacy.
• Ability to build on relevant knowledge within and outside a charity organization/Foundation and actively share her/his experience and expertise with colleagues and partners.
• Ability to work independently with a minimum of supervision.
• Ability to work under time pressure and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work in diversified environments.

Work Conditions:

The position is a national hire based in Kyiv with expected regular travel to the project sites (often in areas requiring prior security and travel authorization approvals). Corus Ukraine does not operate in the front-line zones; however, it may come close to the geographies that may be classified as extremely high risk; the position will be expected to comply with relevant safety and security protocols enforced and followed for that matter.

The position is subject to relevant travel and perdiem policy for trips outside of its duty station.

Given the complexity or urgency of the project activities, extended operating hours or, at times, working on the weekends may be requested.

A MEAL officer must be flexible and willing to work in a rapidly changing environment, committing to upholding the organization's humanitarian principles and values.

Corus International prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type. It affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability status, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by U.S. or International law.

RESUME SUBMISSION:

Please send your resume and cover letter to

Відправити резюме  

Be sure to indicate the title of the vacancy: MEAL officer

Deadline for resume submission: 7th February, 2025

CANDIDATE SELECTION:

The interviews will be held by video using either Teams or Zoom applications, and the candidate may be requested to come for an in-person follow-up interview at the Corus Ukraine office in Kyiv. References will be checked before extending the offer.

Corus will only contact shortlisted candidates. By submitting your resume, you agree to the processing and storage of your personal data in accordance with Ukrainian legislation on personal data protection.