Job Purpose

The MEAL Associate will provide technical and operational support to the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) function of the SD3R project. The role ensures high-quality data collection, performance tracking, results measurement, and accountability to communities and stakeholders. The MEAL Associate contributes to evidence-based decision-making, learning, adaptive management, and compliance with EU/UNDP and Caritas Nigeria standards.

The position works closely with field teams, community structures, traditional leaders, Local Government Authorities, and UNDP counterparts to ensure that interventions on reconciliation, transitional justice, peacebuilding, psychosocial support, VSLAs, and livelihoods are effectively monitored and evaluated.

Key Responsibilities

Programme Implementation (MEAL Support)

1. Support the development and implementation of the project MEAL plan in alignment with the SD3R results framework, UNDP guidelines, and donor reporting requirements.
2. Design and pilot data collection tools for monitoring reconciliation, community healing, traditional justice, peacebuilding, livelihoods, MHPSS, and VSLA activities.
3. Support baseline, midline, and endline assessments, including sampling, tool administration, and data validation.
4. Maintain an updated beneficiary database capturing profiles, participation in activities, trainings received, kits distributed, and livelihood progress.
5. Provide real-time data to programme teams to guide planning, targeting, and prioritization of interventions.
6. Support monitoring of community-based social impact projects and transitional justice activities implemented through small grants.

Capacity Building and Community Engagement

1. Train community volunteers, field facilitators, and local partners on data collection methodologies, indicator tracking, accountability principles, and safeguarding.
2. Build the capacity of community structures (VSLAs, reconciliation committees, traditional leadership platforms) to support MEAL processes, including documentation and reporting.
3. Support participatory monitoring with community leaders, youth groups, women’s networks, and LGAs to strengthen ownership of reconciliation and reintegration initiatives.
4. Facilitate community reflection meetings, learning sessions, and dialogues to ensure continuous feedback and improvement of project interventions.

Coordination and Partnerships

1. Work closely with government partners (including NHRC, LGAs, traditional leaders) to harmonize data collection and promote accountability in reconciliation and justice processes.
2. Collaborate with UNDP M&E teams to align indicators, share updates, and participate in joint monitoring missions.
3. Coordinate MEAL inputs during multi-stakeholder activities such as healing forums, women empowerment activities, social impact projects, MHPSS sessions, and livelihood support initiatives.
4. Represent Caritas Nigeria in MEAL-related coordination meetings at LGA or state level where required.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting

1. Conduct regular field monitoring visits to project sites and complete monitoring checklists, observations, and verification activities.
2. Compile weekly, monthly, and quarterly MEAL reports summarizing progress, gaps, challenges, risks, and recommendations.
3. Support outcome-level evaluations, including surveys, FGD sessions, KIIs, and participatory appraisal techniques.
4. Document success stories, case studies, lessons learned, and human-interest stories highlighting progress in reconciliation, healing, social cohesion, women empowerment, and reintegration.
5. Track and report on project indicators using the Indicator Tracking Table (ITT), ensuring accuracy and timeliness.

Accountability

1. Establish and manage Community Feedback Mechanisms (CFMs) in all target communities, ensuring confidentiality, fairness, and transparency.
2. Track feedback, complaints, and sensitive reports—including gender, protection, and SGBV-related concerns—and escalate appropriately.
3. Ensure accountability standards are followed in beneficiary selection, service delivery, and livelihood support processes.
4. Promote awareness of rights, entitlements, and available services among community members and beneficiaries.

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Development Studies, Social Sciences, Statistics, Economics, Monitoring and Evaluation, or related field.
• Additional MEAL training or certification is an advantage.

Experience:

• 2–3 years of experience in MEAL in humanitarian, recovery, peacebuilding, or development programmes.
• Experience with community-level reconciliation, transitional justice, peacebuilding, or reintegration programming is an added advantage.
• Familiarity working in North-East Nigeria or similar post-conflict settings.
• Demonstrated experience conducting assessments, surveys, and participatory monitoring.

Skills and Competencies:

• Strong analytical, quantitative, and qualitative research skills.
• Proficiency in MEAL tools and software such as KoboToolbox, ODK, Excel, SPSS, or Power BI.
• Excellent interpersonal, facilitation, and communication abilities.
• Fluency in English required; Hausa or Fulfulde highly desirable.
• Ability to work under pressure in multicultural and rural environments.
• Strong documentation and report writing skills.
• Commitment to humanitarian principles, safeguarding, and Caritas Nigeria’s values.

Other Skills

• Proven team player
• Able to work effectively with minimum supervision and in a diverse team environment
• Excellent planning and prioritization skills
• Ability to think tactically
• Good motivator of others
• Willing to work additional hours at crucial times

Physical Demands:

• Ability to spend long hours looking at computer screen and doing repetitive work on a keyboard.
• Ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time.
• Ability to lift 5-50 lbs.

Mode of Application

To apply for this position, kindly submit scanned copies of your certificates, your CV and cover letter as a single PDF document to careers2@ccfng.org using the job title as the subject of your email.

Continued Professional Development CPD:

CARITAS NIGERIA is committed to providing CPD for its Employees. Employees are required to undertake available Training Courses and Research to enhance personal knowledge, skills and experience.

CARITAS NIGERIA fosters the strength and health of its workforce through a Competitive Benefit, Professional Development and Policies/Programs that support healthy Work/Life balance. Join our workforce to help create a society where everyone enjoys… Fullness of Life!