Duty station:  Kyiv, Ukraine.

1. Background/Context

The Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Manager is responsible for leading the strategic

direction and ensuring quality assurance at the country level. This role involves designing and

implementing a comprehensive strategy, developing Standard Operating Procedures, and managing the budget for the MEL Unit. The MEL Manager ensures that NRC in Ukraine meets and exceeds NRC’s MEL minimum standards. Additionally, the MEL Manager is tasked with planning and generating the evidence and insights necessary to inform the program and strategic decisionmaking.

1. Generic Responsibilities

The following is a brief description of the role:

• Responsible for developing the Country Office monitoring, evaluation, and learning strategy and processes, responding to contextual challenges but also ensuring alignment with the regional strategy and global MEL framework, policy, and strategy.
• Develop country office-specific MEL Standard Operating Procedures responding to contextual challenges, according to the NRC MEL minimum standards, ensuring necessary resources.
• Provide technical input to program monitoring and evaluation plans, including methodological guidance and resource planning.
• Ensure the rollout and use of global and regional MEL developments at the country office level. Also, lead technical new developments to respond to MEL needs in the context.
• Provide technical MEL support, guidelines, and capacity building across the country office.
• Line manages country office MEL staff and provides capacity building for area office MEL staff.
• Ensure learning moments are institutionalised in the country office, with systems in place for analysing and using MEL data and supporting the program and Country Management Group to interpret and use learning for strategic and program decision-making. This includes contributing to the development, learning, and adaptation of multi-year program strategies.
• Lead the development of the country evaluation plan and ensure evaluations are completed as per NRC Evaluation Policy and handbook. Encourage the absorption of lessons and recommendations from evaluations, assessments, technical visits, and learning reviews.
• Collaborate with the Head of Programmes and Head of Programme Support Unit to determine suitable MEL indicators and initiatives that advance MEL practice in the country office.

1. Professional Competencies

• At least 5 years of relevant experience in a related field.
• Advanced degree in economics, research methods, social sciences or in a related field.
• Significant experience in MEL in the humanitarian sector.
• Proven experience in the management of personnel.
• Advanced expertise in qualitative and quantitative data analysis and related tools.
• Experience working with local actors to implement and manage MEL systems.
• Demonstrated experience in facilitating training sessions and capacity sharing initiatives.
• Knowledge of the context in Ukraine or neighbouring countries is preferred.
• Knowledge of Ukrainian or Russian is highly desirable.

Find more details about the role HERE.

1. What We Offer

• Duration and Type of contract: 12 months.
• Salary/benefits: According to NRC salary scale, terms and conditions.
• Duty station:  Kyiv, Ukraine.

Find out more about the benefits of working for NRC HERE.

Important information about the application process:

• Internal candidates only: please click on the suitcase icon labelled “I am an employee” to be redirected to NRC’s internal careers site.
• When creating your profile, include your full name as given on your passport. Complete all the system-required fields for experience, employment history and education.
• Submit your application and CV in English, taking care to attach your latest CV.
• Applications that do not meet the minimum standards in terms of experience or qualifications will generally not be considered. Unsolicited applications not related to this specific job advertisement will not be considered.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. We receive many applicants for each vacant position.

Why NRC?

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is an independent humanitarian organization helping people forced to flee. Our 15,000 staff work in crises across 40 countries, providing life-saving and long-term assistance to millions of people every year.

Watch this short video to see NRC in action.

NRC has been present in Ukraine since 2014. Since the escalation of the war in 2022, we have been continuously scaling up our response across the country and working with national partners.

Eight years of conflict in the east of Ukraine escalated into a full-scale war on 24 February 2022, causing death, destruction and displacement for millions of people across the country. 17.6 million people were estimated to be in need of humanitarian assistance in 2023, including 6.3 million internally displaced people and 11.3 million people who returned or remained home. Almost 16 million people received humanitarian assistance in 2022.

Throughout the winter months, the Russian Federation attacked critical energy infrastructure, leaving thousands with no heating, water or gas. Many residential buildings were also damaged and destroyed, killing and injuring civilians and forcing millions more to leave their homes. While indiscriminate attacks continued in different regions of Ukraine, the south was struck by the Kakhovka Dam breach on 6 June 2023, causing flooding and the displacement of thousands of people in the area, and leaving many regions without access to clean drinking water. Those who decided to remain are struggling to access food, water, health care, education and other essential services.

The most vulnerable people are still in need of safe housing, protection services and livelihoods support among other needs. Displaced people in rural areas are also struggling to access services. Many of those in need of assistance live in the areas beyond the control of Ukrainian government, where the response is limited due to access constraints.

• Learn more about NRC HERE and NRC Ukraine HERE.

Internal candidates are encouraged to apply, and we are also open to external applicants who can show a commitment to NRC and being part of a challenging, but important mission to make a difference.

NRC might review applications before the advertised deadline, therefore interested candidates are encouraged to apply early.