Project MEAL Expert

Location: Kyiv

Period:            2 years. This position is project based  

Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe (DKH) is a German non-government organization (NGO) that renders humanitarian aid in 31 countries with 13 offices across the world. DKH supports people who are affected by crisis related to natural hazards, war, and displacement and focuses on locally-led responses by working in collaboration with a global network of partner organizations. Fostering localized humanitarian action and a long-term equal partnership approach lies at the very core of our work.

Continuously striving to facilitate mutual learning and capacity exchange, DKH aims to identify innovative and customized programmatic approaches and cooperation models. The organization actively seeks to shift power to local partners and communities through the transfer of decision-making opportunities to directly address their own priorities. DKH is part of the Protestant Agency for Diakonie and Development (EWDE) based in Berlin, Germany.—this statement is the most crucial as it not only outlines the unit/ department where the position is situated and how its objectives and deliverables align with the organization's mission, but also provides a concise overview of the job's role in contributing to and supporting that mission, referencing the expected grade level and key attributes of the employee needed for successful execution of responsibilities.

DKH Ukraine Country Office has been established towards the middle of 2023 to work with government agencies, national partner organizations, and the wider humanitarian community to provide emergency response and support resilience-building initiatives across the country. Currently DKH Ukraine has seven partner organizations (PO) in Ukraine and seven PO in neighboring countries. While DKH Ukraine is not planning to direct implement humanitarian projects, it wants to ensure that the partner organisations in Ukraine and the neighboring countries have the administrative and technical capacities to implement their projects and programs according to highest quality standards possible. DKH wants to ensure that the humanitarian response in Ukraine and the neighboring countries is meeting expectations in all relevant aspects, that DKH can fully rely on the partner organizations, and an added value becomes visible through the own presence on the ground. 

DKH`s Ukraine working fields are Basic Needs, Shelter, Winterization, Protection/MHPSS, Livelihood, Humanitarian Demining

PROJECT

A three-year project titled “Integrated humanitarian response for conflict-affected Ukrainians and third-country nationals in Ukraine, Poland, Moldova, and Romania” (the Project) is sponsored by the German Federal Foreign Office (GFFO) and implemented in Ukraine, Poland, Romania, and Moldova. Project’s objective is to ensure the safety, dignified living conditions, protection, and self-reliance of the most vulnerable persons affected by the war in Ukraine. DKH coordinates, supports, and supervises the Project, which is implemented by two local partners and one international partner in Ukraine, two local partners in Poland, one local partner in Romania, and one local partner in Moldova. 

To achieve the Project’s objective, DKH implementing partners aim to cover shelter and basic needs of target populations, address general and child protection concerns (incl. GBV and MHPSS), and provide livelihood and social inclusion support. Additionally, Project funds are used to help both DKH partners and local service providers strengthen their capacites.

Duration of the project: from 01.07.2023 to 30.06.2026.

Position Objective

The Project MEAL Expert works closely with the MEAL Officers and Project Coordinators of DKH Partners to ensure that project achievements at Activity, Output, and Outcome levels are well monitored. To facilitate this, the MEAL Expert leads harmonisation of the MEAL Framework, tools, methods, and timelines throughout the project lifecycle. In collaboration with DKH Partner MEAL officers, The Project MEAL Expert assesses the progress made against the number of targets and milestones set for Project indicators and activities. 

DUTIES & RESPONSABILITIES

PURPOSE

• Design and support the operation of Project’s information management system for accurately reflects the approved Project’s Results Framework (Project Logframe & Activities Table).
• Oversee the Project data collection systems and processes for coordinate data entry and analysis efforts of DKH implementing partners.
• Analyze Project monthly and quarterly reports and monthly coordination meetings, office/field visits and the feedback collected on Project activities to assess Project’s implementation and inform the Project Coordinator and the Head of Program & Partnerships Department of any significant deviations from the approved Project Proposal and deficiencies.
• Oversee the project-bound complaint and feedback mechanism for promoting accountability, improving project effectiveness, building trust, resolving conflicts within the project implementation framework. 

ENGAGEMENT 

• Collaborate with MEAL Officers and Project Coordinators of each implementing partner  to develop and implement Project’s MEAL Plan and MEAL Calendar, monthly and quarterly reports and other relevant tools, which may help Project implementing partners monitor Project achievements at Activity, Output, and Outcome levels.
• Work closely with DKH technical experts to ensure that sector/cluster-specific considerations are integrated into the Project M&E system.
• Communicate with MEAL Officers and Project Coordinators of each implementing partner to be aware of any new Project-related risks and challenges and any adjustments needed to keep Project activities relevant, effective, and efficient.
• Advice to implementing partners establish channels for the Project stakeholders to voice their ideas/suggestions and complaints and maintain accountability to Project beneficiaries, donors, and host communities.
• Build transparent communications for ensuring that key program stakeholders have access to relevant monitoring and evaluation information and results;
• Participate in Information Management working groups at the national and regional levels for fostering collaboration, promoting standards, building capacity, improving data quality, influencing policy, and enhancing preparedness and response capabilities across sectors and regions.

DELIVERY 

• Assisting implementing partners in overcoming technical and methodological challenges and constraints during monitoring activities to adapting the MEAL framework in the light of unanticipated changes.
• Maintain implementing partners strengthen their M&E capacity to track Project progress at Activity, Output, and Outcome levels.
• Ensure that Project M&E system, frameworks, methodologies, analysis and reporting tools are in line with donor requirements and Project’s intervention logic for strengthens the overall impact and success of the project while maintaining transparency and meeting donor expectations
• Ensure the Project implementation and related M&E data are appropriately documented and disseminated at the different levels, capturing both outputs and outcomes in the targeted communities for enhance the overall impact and sustainability of development initiatives by fostering informed participation and collaboration among all stakeholders involved.
• Promote among all project partners a culture of mutual learning for ensure that lessons learned and challenges overcome are well documented.
• Promote the participation of beneficiaries in project design, monitoring, evaluation, and learning processes and encourage their contributions for ensuring that development projects are responsive, impactful, and sustainable. 
• Conducting field visits for the monitoring process.
• Organize and ensure that Project activities and achievements are reported through the RRP and HRP mechanisms for strengthens the overall effectiveness and impact of interventions aimed at addressing the needs of vulnerable populations and promoting sustainable development.

TARGET SKILLS PROFILE

SUSTANTIVE KNOWLEDGE

Level Skilled: Full knowledge of substantive functions, across all operational settings. 

• Familiarity with the core humanitarian principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, and independence, as well as international humanitarian law and standards such as the Sphere Handbook and the Core Humanitarian Standard
• High ethical standards, commitment to the values of the Humanitarian sector and DKH Ukraine.
• Understanding and proficiency in developing and implementing comprehensive M&E frameworks tailored to hummanitarian projects or programs. This includes defining indicators, setting targets, establishing data collection methods, and designing tools for data analysis
• Knowledge of designing and managing accountability mechanisms within projects, such as complaint and feedback mechanisms, to ensure responsiveness to beneficiaries and stakeholders. 
• Exposure and experience in successfully monitoring and evaluating consortia or multi-sectoral projects with several partners is a strong advantage
• Knowledge of cash transfer programming including practical experiences in monitoring of CVA activities is a strong advantage
• Previous work experience in a hostile environment and certified attendance of a personal security course (HEIST, HEAT, etc.) is an advantage

COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Level Advanced: Extended knowledge showing understanding of broader contexts 

• Excellent facilitation, communication and inter-personal skills, and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationship with colleagues, partners, and donors.
• Delivering engaging and informative presentations to convey complex information or concepts to diverse audiences.
• Ability to listen attentively to the needs, concerns, and perspectives of others, and to demonstrate empathy and understanding.
• Articulating ideas, instructions, and information in a clear, concise, and easily understandable manner, both verbally and in writing.
• Building rapport and trust with stakeholders through effective interpersonal communication.

 EXECUTION SKILLS

Level Skilled: Full knowledge of substantive functions, across all operational settings. 

• Proven ability to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines and work with limited supervision.
• Skill in negotiating agreements, resolving conflicts, and persuading others to adopt new ideas or approaches.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to establish effective working relations at all levels
• Broad working knowledge and experience of working with backdonor funded projects
• Ability to work in a team-based environment and achieve common goals
• Experience working with partners and in consortia is an advantage
• Availability to travel within the country and abroad

 TARGETED SPEZIALIZED KNOWLEDGE

• BA Degree in political or social science, or a related field
• Post-graduate qualification in a related field or experience in conducting MEAL activities of large-scale programs 
• Fluent in written and spoken English and Ukrainian.
• Computer literate with significant experience in Microsoft Office and proficiency in MS Excel

To apply for this position, please submit a cover letter, CV, and contact information for three professional references to   Відправити резюме . Please indicate "Project MEAL Expert Application" in the subject line. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until 30 of November, 2024.

DKH Ukraine  is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from qualified individuals regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or age. We thank all applicants for their interest, but only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews.