Job Description

Title: MEAL Officer
Reporting to: Project Manager
Duty Station: Karachi (Field-based)
Unit: Programmes
Section: Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL)

Summary of Key Functions

The MEAL Officer will be responsible for monitoring, evaluating, and ensuring the accountability of the project activities implemented under the Building Institutional Capacity and Resilience Against Natural Disasters (BRAND) project in Karachi. This position involves tracking project progress, collecting data, conducting assessments, and ensuring that project activities adhere to quality standards. The MEAL Officer will play a key role in strengthening the project’s learning, ensuring beneficiaries’ feedback is integrated, and supporting decision-making with evidence-based insights.

Roles and Responsibilities

Monitoring and Evaluation:

Develop and implement monitoring and evaluation (M&E) plans for project activities in Karachi.

Support the design and implementation of data collection tools, including surveys, focus group discussions (FGDs), and other relevant assessments.

Regularly monitor the progress of project activities against the work plan, ensuring they are on schedule and aligned with the project’s goals and objectives.

Collect and analyse data on key performance indicators (KPIs) and project outputs, providing regular reports to project management and donors.

Track the project’s progress towards expected results and outcomes, identifying potential issues and proposing corrective actions.

Data Management and Reporting:

Ensure accurate and timely data collection, entry, and analysis, maintaining high standards of data quality and consistency.

Prepare and submit regular reports on project progress, highlighting achievements, challenges, and recommendations for improvements.

Coordinate with project staff to ensure data is appropriately documented and stored, following organizational and donor guidelines.

Assist in preparing periodic progress reports for internal stakeholders and donors, ensuring data is clearly presented and analyzed.

Accountability and Feedback Mechanisms:

Establish and maintain beneficiary feedback and complaints mechanisms (including hotlines, suggestion boxes, and community meetings).

Regularly collect and respond to feedback from beneficiaries, ensuring their voices are heard and their concerns are addressed in a timely manner.

Provide technical support to the project team to ensure accountability standards are met in all project activities.

Promote the integration of accountability and transparency practices into all project phases, including design, implementation, and evaluation.

Learning and Knowledge Sharing:

Support learning processes within the project, identifying lessons learned and areas for improvement.

Facilitate the sharing of monitoring and evaluation findings with key stakeholders, including project teams, donors, and beneficiaries.

Assist in organizing learning events, workshops, and other activities to promote the sharing of good practices and key lessons from the project.

Field Monitoring and Support:

Regularly conduct field visits to monitor activities and ensure compliance with monitoring and evaluation standards.

Provide support and guidance to field staff in data collection, reporting, and ensuring the integration of MEAL principles into field operations.

Conduct beneficiary assessments and surveys to ensure that project activities are effectively addressing the needs of the target population.

Conduct post-distribution monitoring (PDM) and other evaluations as required by the project to assess the impact of interventions.

Capacity Building and Training:

Provide training to project staff on MEAL processes and tools, including monitoring, reporting, and the use of data collection systems.

Build the capacity of field staff to integrate MEAL systems into day-to-day project activities.

Qualifications and Skills

Education: A Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, International Development, Monitoring and Evaluation, or a related field.

Experience:

At least 2 years of experience in monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning within humanitarian or development projects.

Experience in designing and implementing M&E systems, data collection, and reporting.

Familiarity with donor M&E requirements, including ECHO, UNHCR, or other related donor guidelines.

Experience in community-based monitoring and accountability mechanisms is an asset.

Skills:

Strong knowledge of M&E methodologies, tools, and best practices.

Strong data management and analytical skills, with experience using data analysis software (e.g., Excel, SPSS, or similar).

Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively with beneficiaries, colleagues, and stakeholders.

Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks.

Knowledge of accountability frameworks and principles in humanitarian response.

Ability to work in a fast-paced, field-based environment and manage multiple tasks under pressure.

Additional Information

Travel: Regular field visits to project sites within Karachi.

Languages: Fluency in English required. Knowledge of Urdu or Pashto/Dari are highly desirable.