BACKGROUND
Anera is a nonprofit organization founded in 1968 that provides resources for refugees in Jordan and supports livelihood, education, and humanitarian relief projects.
Millions of refugees from conflict currently live in Jordan. The country has more than two million Palestinian refugees registered with UNRWA, and about 655,000 Syrian refugees registered with UNHCR. From 2004 to 2011, Anera maintained an office in Jordan that managed primary and vocational education programs, public health, disability support, and women’s empowerment for families in poor communities and refugee camps.
In 2019, Anera returned to establish a permanent presence in Jordan in support of the refugees residing there. Anera has found strong support from Jordanian government officials, donors, and leading international organizations in the humanitarian and development fields. Today, Anera is officially registered with the Ministry of Social Development and is a key member of UN sector working group meetings, covering the areas of health, education, livelihoods, and basic needs.
Position Summary:
The MEAL Assistant will provide essential support to the MEAL team in ensuring effective monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning across all programs. Working closely with the MEAL Officers and MEAL Manager, the Assistant will help implement MEAL systems, support data collection and analysis, and contribute to reporting.
This role is ideal for a candidate looking to gain hands-on MEAL experience, while contributing to improving program quality and accountability.
Responsibilities and Duties of MEAL Assistant:
- Support the MEAL officer and/or MEAL Manager in the development, maintenance and update of results-based M&E plans and systems by the identification of baseline data, targets, and data sources and data collection methods.
- Conduct regular field visits to provide guidance to and support the M&E needs of field staff, with support from MEAL Officer and/or MEAL Manager.
- Support in monitoring policies compliance and evaluate implementation and program procedures.
- Draft monitoring reports in collaboration with the MEAL officer; assess the extent of the use of evaluation findings as well as lessons learned.
- Assist in drafting program reports as needed.
- Assist in managing the accuracy of information flow and ensure deadlines are met.
- Assist in the training of relevant staff on MEAL procedures.
- Carry out other relevant MEAL tasks requested by the MEAL Officer and/or MEAL Manager.
Design
- Assist the MEAL officer and/or MEAL Manager in the development of project results frameworks, log frames, MEAL plans and detailed implementation plans for MEAL activities collaboratively with program staff.
- Assist in the development and refinement of project related MEAL tools collaboratively with the MEAL officer and/or MEAL Manager.
Monitoring
- Field test MEAL tools and modify as necessary with close coordination of the MEAL officer and/or MEAL Manager.
- Assist in the maintenance of efficient data collection systems with the help of field and partner staff and assist in preparation of monthly/quarterly reports to donors in collaboration with the MEAL officer and/or MEAL Manager.
- Assist in the development and maintenance of information tracking systems (tracking sheets or databases).
- Assist the MEAL officer and/or MEAL Manager in the analysis of data which will be used to share progress, trends, gaps with program staff and develop improvement plans as needed.
- Ensure timeliness of MEAL activities.
Evaluation/Assessments
- Assist in the design of methodologies and tools for internal assessments, surveys, and evaluations.
Accountability
- Assist the MEAL officer and/or MEAL Manager to collaboratively develop and adapt feedback mechanisms based on beneficiary preferences for how to provide feedback to partner organizations and CRS in coordination with the MEAL officer.
- Assist the MEAL officer and/or MEAL Manager in incorporating accountability into regular MEAL activities, such as assessment, design, monitoring and evaluation and other learning activities such as regular reflection sessions.
Learning
- Support the MEAL officer and/or MEAL Manager to ensure that lessons learned and best practices are identified and incorporated into current programming and new project designs as applicable.
- Support the MEAL officer and/or MEAL Manager to catalogue lessons learned and achievements in the field for better programmatic design and decision making, and for donor reporting and cultivation.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, development, or related discipline; a Master’s degree is a plus.
- Formal training in monitoring, evaluation, and learning methodologies is an asset.
- Up to 2 years of relevant experience in MEAL or field data collection; experience with NGOs is a plus
- Experience in data collection, entry, basic analysis (quantitative and quantitative) and reporting.
- Familiarity with data management and digital data collection tools such as Excel, KoboToolbox, ODK, CommCare, and/or Power BI is a plus.
- Strong interpersonal skills and proficiency in English and Arabic.
- Advanced interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills in English and Arabic
- Good organizational and time management skills, with the ability to meet deadlines.
- Strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams and community members.
Anera, which has no political or religious affiliation, works on the ground with partners in Palestine (West Bank and Gaza), Lebanon and Jordan. We mobilize resources for immediate emergency relief and for sustainable, long-term health, education, and economic development. Our staff serve in their communities, navigating the politics that constrict progress to get help where it’s needed most.
