Meal Assistant

Danish Refugee Council, one of the world's leading humanitarian NGOs, is currently looking for a highly motivated MEAL Assistant for our operations in the Shire Field Office.

Overall purpose of the role:

Assist in the development and implementation of the MEAL strategy and workplan; and contribute to DRC strategy, DRC accountability commitments and learning needs and priorities in the area of responsibility.

Assist in the effective implementation of the monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning strategies and global standards; support mainstreaming MEAL throughout the PCM and reinforce quality programme management in the area of responsibility.

Your main duties and responsibilities will be:

Under the supervision of the Area Manager and MEAL Specialist, the MEAL Assistant will be responsible for:

MEAL capacities and commitments

• Follow data protection protocols and steps.
• Support capacity building, training for programme and sectors and field staff to improve the field monitoring or any other MEAL needs.
• Follow accountability and ethical standards in everyday work.
• Engage in collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders to ensure engagement and support for quality evidence and MEAL in the area of responsibility.

Results Monitoring and programme quality support

• Assist colleagues in Project Cycle Management, in line with DRC guidance and division of labour, accommodating external requirements and internal evidence needs. Specifically, assist in the implementation of the MEAL plans, indicator tracking tools and other relevant tools for the area of responsibility.
• Assist in project Kick-off meetings, Quarterly Review meetings and Close-out meetings in order to highlight cross-project components aimed at replicating good practices and strengthening synergies between projects or programmes.
• Assist in the implementation and data collection for results frameworks and monitoring processes and tools at the right level.
• Carry out field-level data collection and field monitoring.
• Apply ethical principles in the field work, including with regards to DRC Code of Conduct and in line with Protection referral protocols and SOPs.
• Implement protocols for data protection, storage, sharing, and security in the area of responsibility.
• Support the analysis and ensure reporting of MEAL qualitative and quantitative data collected in line with internal information needs and external reporting obligations.
• Support the Project Manager, programme teams and grants management in line with the MEAL plans.

Accountability

• Support implementation of the different mechanisms for community engagement and feedback in monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning in the area of responsibility.
• Assist in the implementation of DRC's Community Feedback Mechanism.
• Register and follow up to complaints as assigned by the managers and process complaints in a timely, safe and accountable manner.

Evaluation, analysis and learning

• Support data gathering as relevant.
• Support sharing MEAL findings, feedback, and learning.
• Regularly present the key MEAL findings and feedback to the supervisors.
• Participate in and assist in the internal or external evaluation processes as required.
• Perform other duties as directed by the Area Manager and MEAL Specialist.

Experience and technical competencies:

Essential

• At least 1 year experience working with NGOs and/or the humanitarian sector, and use of data collection tools.
• Ability to collect data and perform data quality steps.
• Ability to follow and communicate instructions in relation to ethical principles.
• Ability to discuss and follow priorities.
• Skill in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and general data literacy.
• Ability to think critically.
• Interest to explore and learn about data collection software.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Fluency in local language or the language of communities (Tigrigna)

Desirable

• Fluency in local language or the language of communities (Tigrigna)
• Experience with DRC Core Sectors
• Direct experience involving data collection, working as an enumerator, and/or working with the communities.
• Experience working in insecure environments, when relevant.

Familiarity with the relevant data collection software, preferably Kobo Toolbox, ODK.EDUCATION: (include certificates, licenses, etc.)

• Bachelor's degree in relevant field (international development, social sciences, statistics, Economics, public health, etc.) + at least 1 year of relevant experience.

LANGUAGE: (indicate Fluency level)

• Excellent skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing English.
• Strong skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing Tigrigna and Amharic languages preferred.

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC' five core competencies:

Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process.

Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.

Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.

Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly.

Demonstrating integrity: You uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to our values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

We offer

Contract length: 6 Months

Contract Type: National

Contract Band: I2 - Non-Management Designation of Duty Station: Shire, North Ethiopia Field Office

.Start date: February 2026

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with the Danish Refugee Council's Terms of Employment for National employees

Offers will be extended only once funding has been confirmed

Application process

All applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages) in English. Applications sent by email will not be considered.  For further information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult our website.

Gender Equality: DRC is committed to achieving gender parity in staffing at all levels. In light of this, women candidates are particularly encouraged to apply to bridge the gender gap.

Equal Opportunities: DRC is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment based on mutual respect for all employees.

We do not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, disability status, religion, ethnic origin, colour, race, marital status, or other protected characteristics.

We strongly encourage female candidates to apply for the position!

We encourage only qualified Ethiopian Nations to apply. DRC considers all applicants based on merit.

Skills Required:

• Economics / Statistics
• Food / Preparation
• Political / Science / Ir
• Social / Science / Project / Management / Development