Research and Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (RMEAL) officer

Job Description

Background of IRC:

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their future. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC works with people forced to flee from war, conflict and disaster and the host communities that support them, as well as with those who remain within their homes and communities. At-work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. IRC leads the way from harm to home. Began work in Ethiopia, 1999 in response to severe drought that happened in Ethiopia’s Somali region. Currently, providing assistance in ten different regions implementing emergency and development programs in health, water and sanitation, economic recovery and development (ERD), women’s protection and empowerment, education, child protection, and multi-sectoral emergency response.

Job Overview/Summary: 

PlayMatters (2020-2025) is an education initiative funded by the LEGO Foundation. The program reimagines childhood for 800,000 refugee and host-community children across Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Uganda – children whose education and social development has been affected by displacement and trauma. Building on children’s amazing resilience and a growing evidence base supporting Learning through Play methodologies, PlayMatters cultivates holistic learning for children ages 3-12+. PlayMatters is led by the International Rescue Committee and includes Plan International, War Child Holland, Innovations for Poverty Action, the Behavioral Insights Team in partnership with the LEGO Foundation. 

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) seeks RMEAL Officers in Melkadida for the PlayMatters Project. 

 Reporting to and technically supported by the Senior MEAL officer based in Jigjiga, MEAL Manager and Senior Research manager based in Addis and admiratively by field project manager,  the RMEAL Officers work in close collaboration with program teams to optimize research, monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning capacities and opportunities of the IRC mission in Melkedida to ensure high-quality programming for the clients we serve and support the global ambitions of IRC Strategy 100, and the Country Strategic Action Plan.  The RMEAL Officer oversees, leads, and implements 70% of PlayMatters Project and 30% of field office MEAL activities within the Country MEAL team and PlayMatter MEAL Manager

Major responsibilities include:

Leadership and Partnership

• Support all technical aspects and actions of RMEAL regarding the Melkedida Field Officer (PlayMatters Project and Others); respond to program needs; foster high standards and practices for quality data collection, analysis, and reports. Enable accountability to clients, partners, and donors.
• Implement and support RMEAL system and approaches in your areas of expertise and foster learning. 
• Represent IRC at technical meetings, forums, and other events and build partnerships within IRC and area of expertise. 
• Champion access and use of data for shared learning, sound decision-making, and data-informed programmatic adaptations. 

Technical and Data Management

• Run the RMEAL system and processes for Melkedida field officer (PlayMatters project and others) in harmony with the MEAL Country and Global Strategies throughout the project cycle which include:
  • Collaborate with MEAL and non-MEAL staff to ensure that data is collected, compiled, checked for its quality and completeness in compliance with IRC and donors’ standards for data quality.
  • Document and share learning, evidence, and data from previous projects to inform project proposal design.
  • Implement MEAL plans, revise (digital) data collection tools (using CommCare), follow-up on processes for online data management, quality checks, and audits, and updating of data visualization.
  • Undertake regular analysis of monitoring data and work closely with program officers and managers to facilitate decision-making for real-time program adaptation.
  • Produce quality reports and updating dashboards with key findings that foster learning and decision-making and share in project cycle management meetings and team meetings.
  • Identify, document, and share client feedback to improve services and results for our clients.
• Support deployment of surveys such as baseline, midline and end line, and the commission of evaluations in coordination with colleagues and partners.
• Support the use of standard mobile data technology (CommCare and KoboCollect) and online dashboard to enhance timeliness and quality of data collection, analysis and visualization.
• Join and contribute to IRC’s effort in meeting its internal and external accountability commitments through the implementation of sound accountability, client feedback, and response mechanisms. 
• Ensure accurate and timely copying and collating of all research tools, including consent forms. 
• Assist with organization and completion of data collection and research documentation, including secure transportation, filing and storage of all data.
• Review carefully all research planning and design documents to gain a working knowledge of all research plans and activities. 
• Enter data for the evaluation in Excel and other needed software and perform data scanning and copying with the guidance of the Senior Research Manager. 
• Provide data and summaries of data as needed.
• Complete all other tasks assigned by in-country supervisors and Program Manager
• Administrative and Logistical Tasks                                                                
• Assist with completion of all logistical tasks related to organizing the IRC PlayMatters research activities and capacity building activities, in Addis Ababa and the target refugee camps and host communities, including:
• Prepare meetings/training materials as needed.
• Communicating with supervisor according to schedule established and as needed.
• Ensure supply and logistical needs of project and ensure adherence to all relevant IRC logistic and finance policies. 
• Assist the supervisor to complete financial documentation and submit to finance in a timely manner as required by IRC finance policy. 
• Accurately complete requested reports, communicate information and dissemination about activities.

Translation and Interpretation                                             

• Arrange for the translation and interpretation of all research related tools 
• Work with IT support to ensure the functionality of program tools for data collection 

Human Resources  

• Coordinate, lead, foster timely and high-quality achievement, and an inclusive and respectful team climate.
• Promote the growth and development of others in IRC teams and partners: present high-quality technical training and learning material for partners, colleagues, and junior staff. Participate in the recruitment and onboarding of field incentive workers and enumerators.

Job Requirement

Educational Requirements:

• BA/MBA graduate in Social Science field of study

Experience

• 2 years of relevant experience with a first degree or diploma with 5 years of experience

Skills required:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills as well as, an overall ability to be clear and concise in all communications
• Strong organizational and time-management skills; proven ability to prioritize and deliver on time
• Strong analytic problem-solving skills
• Ability to work both independently and in a dynamic, cross-functional global team structure
• Highly proficient in Microsoft Office suite
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with stakeholders at all levels
• Ability to manage and work through change in a proactive and positive manner
• Knowing local language is advantages.