The International Rescue Committee, one of the world’s largest humanitarian agencies, provides relief, rehabilitation, and post-conflict support to victims of oppression and violent conflict in 42 countries. IRC is committed to ambitious leadership, innovation, and creative partnerships. The IRC restarted operations in Sudan in November 2019 after successfully obtaining re-registration in Khartoum with the transitional government and launching initial programs to support displaced populations in urban settings around Khartoum. Sudan is currently experiencing multiple challenges that include macroeconomic crisis, armed conflicts and displacement, protracted refugee situations, natural disasters, as well as the Covid-19 pandemic. The result of this crisis is large-scale humanitarian need across the country leaving an estimated 9.3 million people in need. In November 2020, fighting in the Tigray region of Ethiopia led to the flight of around 60,000 refugees to eastern Sudan, further worsening the humanitarian need. In response to growing needs in recent months, the IRC has established a fully functional country program following on the work initially done through the emergency response team and expanded humanitarian activities in the east of the country in response to the Tigrayan refugee crisis.  The IRC currently has two field bases in Gedaref and Damazine in addition to the head office in Khartoum, and in line with the newly developed three-year Strategic Action Plan that runs from FY2022 to FY2024, the IRC will continue strengthening ongoing programming in Khartoum, Gedaref and Blue Nile states and undertake programmatic expansion to new states including Kassala, South Kordofan and South Darfur states.

Reporting to the Deputy Director for Programs (DDP) and technically supported by the Regional Measurement Advisor, the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) Coordinator works in close collaboration with program, grants and support teams to optimize monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning capacities and opportunities of the IRC mission in Sudan to ensure high-quality programming for the clients we serve and support the global ambitions of IRC Strategy 100, especially the Data Ambition, and the Country Strategic Action Plan.

Purose:

To this end, the MEAL Coordinator is responsible to ensure that a monitoring, evaluation and accountability and data management system is in place, sufficiently resourced and successfully implemented from collection to visualization, and to use and that MEAL data is contributing to improved learning and program quality. The MEAL Coordinator is responsible for ensuring that MEAL principles and standards are integrated in every step of the project cycle, as per IRC’s corporate guidelines and contributes to the implementation of the Country Strategic Action Plan and Strategy 100. In support of these goals, the coordinator provides vital technical assistance, capacity sharing, individual mentoring, supervision and training to IRC and Partners MEAL staff.

Strategic Leadership and Partnership

• Establish and drive common strategies and approaches to the country’s Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning, and Accountability processes that reflect and contextualize Strategy 100 and the Country Strategic Action Implementation Plan and ensure that the MEAL structure is fit for this purpose.
• Lead all aspects of MEAL (including client feedback mechanisms) functions across multiple sectors and multiple geographical areas/ large portfolio and or complex environment.
• Develop, coordinate and strengthen capacity sharing partnerships with MEAL counterparts of partner agencies, local organizations and government.
• Represent the IRC on MEAL at internal and external meetings, forums, and other events.
• Champion design, access and use of data by leaders and partners for shared learning, adaptation and evidence-based decision-making.
• Shape and implement MEAL systems and approaches that meet IRC standards and practices, that meet project and program needs, enable accountability to clients, partners, and donors, and foster program learning.
• Reinforce integration of cross-sectoral priorities in MEAL, including gender, protection, safeguarding, disaster risk reduction, Diversity-Equality-Inclusion and Do No Harm.

Technical Oversight

• Provide technical leadership for a strong monitoring system and processes throughout the project cycle from the design, implementation to close-out and learning including:
  • Using learning and evidence from internal and external sources including previous projects to inform proposal design and Theory of Change.
  • Developing and operationalizing, logical frameworks, M&E/MEAL plans, data collection tools, processes for data management, client feedback approaches, quality checks and audits, and data visualization.
  • Developing and advocating for adequate M&E/MEAL budget and staffing structure for all projects.
  • Producing high-quality data, analysis, reports, presentations, and dashboard of key findings that ease and foster learning and decision-making and share in key meetings such as project cycle meetings and strategic senior management team (SMT) meetings.
• Provide technical leadership for the design, method, and conduct of surveys such as baseline and endline, and the commission of evaluations and surveys as required in coordination with program coordinators, technical advisors, and external partners where vital.
• Lead and advocate for the expansion of standard mobile data technology and online dashboard to enhance timeliness and quality of data collection, analysis and visualization.
• Provide technical support to IRC’s effort in meeting its internal and external accountability commitments through the implementation of sound accountability, client feedback, and response mechanisms.

Human Resources

• Promote the growth and development of others in IRC teams and partners: Assess proficiencies; develop and lead targeted learning and training strategy (based on the IRC MEAL Handbook). In particular, coach, mentor and support M&E/MEAL staff, provide vital tools and resources, as well as on the job training.
• Supervise medium to large sized MEAL team across multiple sectors and geographical areas: Set clear performance objectives; manage staff work plans; establish regular performance reviews; champion a positive working environment for professional development; foster an inclusive and respectful team climate, where all staff are valued and respected and can contribute to their maximum potential.
• Lead the recruitment of country MEAL staff, TTA’s, consultants and, support their onboarding.

• A University degree in a relevant subject area (statistics, monitoring & data management, social science, public health, economic development, or a related field) – a technical degree together with additional relevant work experience may substitute for education.
• A minimum 5 years of working experience at high level within Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and learning-related functions.
• A strong understanding of accountability and capacity to provide technical oversight and support for design of Client Feedback Systems.
• Leadership experience and proven technical skills in setting up quality M&E/MEAL system that leads to evidence-based decision-making for multi-sectorial and multi-donor funded programs.
• Demonstrated ability to transfer knowledge to diverse audiences through training, mentoring, and other formal and non-formal methods together with strong presentation and reporting skills;
• Strong management and social skills and proven track record to work with diverse groups of people in a multicultural environment.
• Self-motivated with excellent organization, planning, and analytical skills - able to work without close supervision, including prioritizing work and multi-tasking.
• Technical experience in Statistics, electronic data collection, sampling, evaluation and research methodologies.
• Proficiency and experience with mobile data collection such as Kobo, CommCare, ODK Collect are crucial as well as proficiency with Microsoft Excel; SPSS, SATA or other similar software.
• Knowledge of Tableau, PowerBi or GIS software are additional assets.
• A strong understanding of accountability and proven ability to build Client Feedback Systems is a distinct advantage.
• Willingness to travel to various regional and field-level offices, as needed;
• Fluency in English (written and speaking).

Working environment:

The security situation in Sudan remains unstable following the current political crisis and subsequent weekly protests organized in Khartoum and other parts of the country. There is extreme economic hardship currently experienced by the local communities exacerbated by volatility of the local currency due to high inflation and high youth unemployment. The high costs of fuel, medical care and shortages of basic necessities like bread, water have all impacted negatively on the welfare of the communities. The situation therefore remains tense and unpredictable; other concerns include high criminality rate, presence of armed troops, and looting. 

This position will be based in Khartoum office with 40% travel to the field location in Gedaref, blue Nile, South Kordofan and other locations within Sudan as will be required from time to time.

Standard of Professional Conduct

IRC and IRC employees are required to abide by the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – Code of Conduct which are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Harassment-Free Workplace, Fiscal Integrity, Anti-Retaliation, Combating Trafficking in Persons, and several others.

Gender Equality & Equal Opportunity

We are committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer generous benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances. We welcome and strongly encourage qualified female professionals to apply.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our organization. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

Ensuring the non-disclosure of any information whatsoever relating to the practices and business of IRC acquired in the course of duty, to any other person or organization without authority, except in the normal execution of duty.