MEAL Assistant

Overall Responsibility

The MEAL assistant is part of the Support team based in Beirut and will be expected to travel to the field to ensure high quality data collection, conduct program implementation monitoring and evaluation, needs assessment, data entry, data analysis, tracking the progress of services implementation and other relevant monitoring and evaluation support to IRL projects's needs. S/he reports directly to the MEAL Officer . The MEAL Assistant is responsible to supervise all the programme activities based on the project/s objectives and to follow the PCM cycle; planning, organization, implementation monitoring and evaluation. The Monitoring & Evaluation Officer is responsible after the coordination with the Programme Manager to ensure that all project/s activities are implemented in good quality and quantity as well.

The MEAL assistant will be based in IRL's Beirut office with exceptional travels to the fields.

Major Responsibilities:

1. Monitoring:

Assist in adapting an M&E system to more accurately collect, monitor and verify program activities based on lessons learned and best practices, and ensure they are aligned with the program indicators and annual plan;

In coordination with the MEALs Officer and Country director, develop M&E frameworks including M&E plans and Indicator Tracking Tables;

Develop/update/adapt monitoring and evaluation tools, in coordination with the MEAL Officer and Programmes manager to ensure quality tracking of project outputs and outcomes, including tools to assess impact of activities;

Provide technical guidance and recommendations to Programmes team on data collection, measurement and sampling methodologies to ensure quality data is collected and applied;

Ensure that data collection tools and templates, including assessments, baselines, monitoring forms, and final evaluations are properly used in field according to high quality standards;

Support in the analysis of quantitative and qualitative data that is being collected from the activities through M&E tools. Contribute with narrative analysis, trending, and interpretation of results in coordination with the programmes team.

2. Evaluation and Learning:

Support the Programmes team in designing and implementing mid-term and/or final program evaluations.

Provide regular updates and analysis of main M&E data and findings to MEAL Officer to assess progress and suggest adaptations of the program.

3. Accountability and Reporting:

Assist the MEAL officer to design/update and support the technical team to implement a beneficiary feedback system to ensure IRL is accountable to the Beneficiaries .

Support the MEAL officer and staff in donor reporting through inputs on progress towards targets, ensuring accuracy of indicator figures, and drafting M&E sections of reports.

Consolidate activities’ information on a monthly basis to be used by program staff for reporting and decision making purposes.

Respond to queries by MEAL officer on number of beneficiaries reached and other indicators.

Participate in internal office coordination and planning meetings and workshops.

Flexibility on other duties as assigned for program or professional development.

4. Project management:

Conduct need assessments.

Regularly review for the project’s work plan.

Implement field visits and ensure the good quality and quantity of the project/s outcomes.

Draft concept notes and project proposals in line with the identified needs and funding opportunities in coordination with the Programme Manager.

Review concept notes and project proposals drafted by the programme team and IR stakeholders.

dentify, facilitate, coordinate and when necessary deliver targeted training to programme team and stakeholders.

Providing necessary support to Programme Manager in arranging any meeting/ training/ seminar/ workshop, etc.

Willing and able to travel frequently for extended periods to remote areas of the projects or any other place directed by Programme Manager.

The Monitoring & Evaluation is expected to spend 40% of his/her time in the field. 

5. Security

Follow and respect the security policy, guides and instructions.

Report any security event or incident to the security focal point for any incident that might took place in the working environment all the time. 

6. Communication and networking

Works directly in the field with children, families and stakeholders of the project locations he/she is allocated to.

 Is IRL M&E focal point in the communities and represents the organization.

Attend sector Working Groups and other internal and external meetings as required and when needed in coordination with the programme manager

Supports and assists in the network mapping of resources

Develop and maintain positive and professional relationships with the partner organization, donors, politicians, key government officials, civil society groups, religious groups, NGOs, INGOs, CBOs, media outlets, etc.

Identify potential partners and discuss the possibility and the level of partnership with the programme manager.

7. IRL policies;

Ensures a strict adherence to IRL Child Protection, Media, security policies, at all times.

Report any branch or misconduct he/she might observe and hear to the programme manager ASAP.

Islamic Relief considers the welfare and protection of children, young people and people at risk to be paramount to the organization. With a zero tolerance approach Islamic Relief have is committed to safeguarding people within our programs and projects from Exploitation and Abuse which also describe standards in behavior expected from the organization, its staff and representatives towards each other and those we serve. Any candidate offered a job with Islamic relief will be expected to sign Islamic Relief Safeguarding Policies and code of conduct alongside to their contract of employment

This job description may change based on the situation in the field. All staff are expected to show high level of flexibility in order to respond to the ever-evolving situation. Furthermore, he/she can be required to perform other related duties as identified by his/her supervisors.