Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a leading protection agency with a mandate to protect, advocate and promote durable solutions for displacement affected populations.

DRC has been operating in Ukraine since 2014, currently DRC employs over 700 staff in Ukraine and will continue significant scale-up in 2024 to implement emergency response in the Protection, Livelihoods, Shelter/NFIs and Humanitarian Disarmament and Peacebuilding (humanitarian mine action) sectors, using direct interventions, support to duty bearers and civil society organizations (CSOs), and partnerships with CSOs. DRC will continue and adapt its durable solutions portfolio to the evolving context.

DRC is currently looking for a Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability & Learning (MEAL) Team Leader in Kharkiv.

About the job

As MEAL Team Leader you will work together with the MEAL Operations Manager to oversee the daily operations of DRC’s MEAL team. The MEAL Team Leader will work with MEAL Officers and assistants to implement MEAL activities in line with minimum standards and project MEAL plans. The MEAL Team Leader will travel regularly to DRC areas of operation within their area of operation to ensure that MEAL staff are supervised, trained, and well-supported in their ongoing work, and that MEAL outputs are to a relevant standard and in line with donor requirements.

This role has an Area East focus and ensures compliance to DRC procedures and guidelines within the Kharkiv and Sloviansk offices. MEAL Team Leader is expected to travel extensively (approx. 50% of their time) between these two areas, and possibly others as DRC’s operational coverage expands.

Your main duties and responsibilities will be:

Quality Management:

• Responsible for the development and implementation of MEAL plans in pursuit of high impact and cost effective program strategies and activities.
• Participate in project Kick-off meetings, review meetings and close-out meetings in order to highlight cross-project components aimed at replicating good practices and strengthening synergies between projects or programs.
• Work with area-based MEAL staff to regularly update activities and indicators according to internal procedures and donor reporting requirements.
• Work with the MEAL Operations manager to operationalize MEAL deliverable such as needs assessments etc. in line with donor requirements and DRC program priorities.

Programme Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning:

• Support the MEAL Operations Manager and Specialists to development systems, tools and templates that enhance monitoring of program outputs and quality, generate quality evidence on program outcome and promote and ensure use of data for decision-making processes.
• Work with the MEAL Operations manager to ensure that DRC’s team members are supporting all efforts towards accountability, specifically to beneficiaries and in line with international standards, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring.

Team management:

• Proactively support and advise on recruitment and induction of MEAL and relevant programme and project staff.
• Coordinate the daily activities of the area-based MEAL team members • In cooperation with the MEAL Operations manager, develop capacity building plans and operationalize these through trainings and ongoing support and oversight.

Leading the Team:

• Accountable for people management of employees, usually working in the same area of work.
• Accountable for ensuring that agreed work plans and tasks set by the next-level up Manager are implemented on time.
• Hiring and termination of employees and conducting performance appraisals (closely overseen by the next-level manager).

About you

To be successful in this role, we expect you to have at least 2 years of technical experience in Monitoring and Evaluation, and information management.

Moreover, we also expect the following:

• Bachelor’s degree in development economics, statistics, research methods, or a similar field.
• Previous staff management experience.

• Proven ability to create and utilize qualitative and quantitative Monitoring and Evaluation methods and analyses in organizational planning

• Knowledge of English – not lower than upper Intermediate

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’ five core competencies:

• Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process.

• Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.

• Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.

• Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly.

• Demonstrating integrity: You uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to our values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

We offer

• Contract length: Open-ended contract after successful completion of a 3-month probationary period

• Band: G

• Designation of Duty Station: Kharkiv

• Start date: October 2024

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for National Staff.

Application process

All applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages) in English.

Applications sent by email will not be considered.

Closing date for applications: 22nd September 2024