MEAL Officer - AHEAD Project

The MEAL Officer leads Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning activities for the AHEAD project, focusing on generating evidence to demonstrate the effectiveness and cost-efficiency of Anticipatory Action for conflict-induced displacement. The role involves impact evaluation, data management, community accountability, and capacity building within a humanitarian context in Somalia.

Responsibilities

• Support the design and lead the country-level impact evaluation for AHEAD Somalia, including data collection tools, sampling strategy, statistical analysis, and complementary qualitative methods to assess the effectiveness of Anticipatory Action compared to reactive response.
• Manage quantitative data collection using KoBo and qualitative analysis, ensuring all data is disaggregated by age, gender and diversity.
• Facilitate the "ground-truthing" process by validating AI-driven machine learning forecasts against community-level early warning indicators provided by local peacebuilding and protection committees.
• Organize after-action reviews following each activation, contribute to country case studies, and participate in cross-country learning exchanges through the AHEAD MEAL Technical Working Group.
• Document the co-design of AAPs and AA mechanisms, track endorsement at national coordination level, and identify opportunities where AHEAD evidence can influence response priorities and funding decisions.
• Implement and manage Community Feedback Mechanisms (CFMs), including call centres and help desks, to track community perceptions and ensure interventions are safe and accessible for marginalized groups.
• Monitor and report on specific project indicators, including forecasting accuracy, stakeholder use of forecasts, and beneficiary perceptions of timely/dignified response.
• Conduct financial and output analysis to determine the cost-efficiency and Value for Money of proactive Anticipatory Action interventions compared to reactive ones.
• Support Hard-to-Reach assessments to identify access strategies and specific vulnerabilities of populations in constrained conflict zones.
• Train project staff, partners, and community committees on MEAL tools, data handling procedures (GDPR compliance), and conflict-sensitive monitoring.
• Compile evidence and learning reports to be shared at national Technical Working Groups and global forums to influence policy change.
• Provide high-quality data and narrative inputs for quarterly Global Snapshots, annual narrative reports, and donor-specific financial/narrative packages.
• Participate in bi-weekly calls with the Global MEAL Lead and monthly AHEAD MEAL Technical Working Group.

Requirements

• Minimum Bachelor degree in a relevant field (Statistics, Economics, Social Sciences, Information Management, or International Development), Master’s degree in a related field is desirable.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in MEAL within a humanitarian or development context, preferably in fragile settings affected by conflict.
• Relevant certifications in Monitoring & Evaluation, data analysis, or impact evaluation (e.g., SPSS, Stata, or R) are an added advantage.
• Minimum 2–3 years specifically in research and/or impact evaluation (RCTs, quasi experimental, or similar analytical work).
• Demonstrated experience in leading or co-leading impact evaluations and quasi-experimental studies, with a strong understanding of causal inference methodologies.
• Strong knowledge of designing and managing control and treatment group studies in humanitarian or development contexts, including sampling strategies, baseline comparability, and bias mitigation techniques.
• Advanced proficiency in digital data collection tools, specifically KoBo Toolbox and qualitative management platforms (e.g. Nvivo or Atlas.ti).
• Proven expertise in statistical analysis for impact evaluations, with hands-on experience using statistical software (e.g., SPSS, Stata, R, or Python) to conduct analyses such as regression modeling, propensity score matching, and outcome comparisons.
• Experience in data visualization and the ability to interpret complex forecasting models or earth observation data is highly desirable.
• Strong understanding of Age, Gender, and Diversity Mainstreaming (AGDM) and conflict-sensitive "Do No Harm" approaches.
• Practical experience applying MEAL approaches in Anticipatory Action or Early Warning Early Action (EWEA) programming, including trigger-based frameworks, forecast accuracy assessment, and activation timeline monitoring.
• Familiarity with financial analysis or tracking Value for Money (VfM) indicators.
• Excellent organizational skills with close attention to detail and the ability to work under pressure with tight reporting deadlines.
• Familiarity with humanitarian coordination mechanisms and key international standards.
• Commitment to and understanding of DRC’s aims, values and principles.
• Proficiency in written & spoken both English and Somali.

Skills

• Monitoring and Evaluation
• Impact Evaluation
• Randomized Controlled Trials
• Quasi-Experimental Methods
• Causal Inference Methodologies
• Sampling Strategies
• Bias Mitigation Techniques
• Digital Data Collection
• KoBo Toolbox
• Qualitative Analysis
• NVIVO
• ATLAS.ti
• Statistical Analysis
• SPSS
• STATA
• Python
• Regression Modeling
• Propensity Score Matching
• Data Visualization
• Forecasting Models
• Earth Observation data application
• Age Gender Diversity Mainstreaming
• Conflict-Sensitive Approaches
• Do No Harm Principle
• Anticipatory Action Programmes
• Early Warning Early Action
• Trigger-based Frameworks
• Forecast Accuracy Assessment
• Activation Timeline Monitoring
• Financial Analysis
• Value for Money Tracking
• Humanitarian Coordination
• Report Writing

Languages

English, Somali