Chemonics seeks a MEAL Coordinator to support education programming in Northwest Syria. The Syria Education Programme II (SEP II) aims to provide children living in Northwest Syria with safe, inclusive, and quality education that meets their specialized learning, psychosocial, and protection needs. The MEAL Coordinator will contribute to the MERL team by supporting and field-level monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning activities to ensure the successful implementation of the Manahel programme. We are seeking to recruit for two positions, one based in Idleb and the other in Aleppo. Please state your preference in your application. We are looking for individuals who have a passion for making a difference in the lives of people around the world.
Background:
SEP II, funded by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and running until 2027, provides primary school children access to quality, inclusive and sustainable education in conflict-affected areas of Northwest Syria. The project provides comprehensive support to schools and teachers, including pedagogical supervision, learning assessments, psychosocial support, and safeguarding measures. The goal is to foster hope for future generations by investing in capacity-building and models that facilitate learning.
Position description:
The MEAL Coordinator will be part of the MERL team and will provide support and oversight of field-level monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning for the activities implemented under the Manahel programme. The position will work under the supervision of the MERL Director. The Coordinator is responsible for ensuring effective and timely field monitoring, data collection, and quality assurance processes to support evidence-based programme management. The role involves leading a team of Monitoring Officers to ensure accurate monitoring.
The MEAL Coordinator is tasked with operationalizing the MERL strategy on the ground by supervising monitoring activities, coordinating data collection, and liaising closely with partners and field staff. This position ensures that data quality standards are met and that monitoring findings are regularly analyzed and used to inform program improvement cycles. The Coordinator will also, but not exclusively, follow up with partners on MERL plans, track progress toward anticipated results, review data collection tools and reports, and document project activities. They will work with different stakeholders to ensure a results-oriented monitoring and evaluation approach is in place.
The MEAL Coordinator will adhere to and act in accordance with Chemonics’ professional code of ethics, “Living Our Values,” and will make the principles of the code a part of the program’s culture and operating procedures. They will uphold Manahel's safeguarding standards at all times and will promote a safeguarding culture among partners, beneficiaries, and staff. They will also foster and maintain good relationships with potential and actual grantees, will disclose any affiliations that could be perceived as a conflict of interest, and will maintain confidentiality regarding program activities.
Responsibilities include:
Field Monitoring Leadership
- Lead, supervise, and provide technical guidance to the team of Monitoring Officers to ensure systematic and comprehensive field-level data collection and monitoring of project activities.
- Review and validate monitoring reports and data submitted by Monitoring Officers, providing constructive feedback to improve data quality and reporting accuracy.
- Coordinate regular field visits to verify data collection processes and ensure adherence to program standards and protocols.
- Develop and oversee the deployment and use of data collection tools by field teams, ensuring alignment with the project’s logical framework and partner MERL plans.
- Collaborate with partners’ MEAL teams to ensure timely receipt, cleaning, and validation of monitoring data, addressing any discrepancies promptly.
- Assist in the compilation, analysis, and interpretation of monitoring data to support programme decision-making and reporting requirements.
- Ensure all monitoring tools are regularly updated to reflect programmatic needs and are consistently used by both field monitoring teams and implementing partners. Provide guidance and oversight to ensure correct application and standardization of these tools across all data collection efforts.
- Provide on-the-job training and mentorship to Monitoring Officers and other programme stakeholders to enhance their monitoring skills and understanding of MEAL processes.
- Support the MERL Director and Research & Learning Manager by facilitating learning sessions that translate monitoring findings into actionable programme adaptations.
Data Collection and Quality Assurance
- Develop and oversee the deployment and use of data collection tools by field teams, ensuring alignment with the project’s logical framework and partner MERL plans.
- Collaborate with partners’ MEAL teams to ensure timely receipt, cleaning, and validation of monitoring data, addressing any discrepancies promptly.
- Assist in the compilation, analysis, and interpretation of monitoring data to support programme decision-making and reporting requirements.
- Ensure all monitoring tools are regularly updated to reflect programmatic needs and are consistently used by both field monitoring teams and implementing partners. Provide guidance and oversight to ensure correct application and standardization of these tools across all data collection efforts.
Capacity Building and Stakeholder Support
- Provide on-the-job training and mentorship to Monitoring Officers and other programme stakeholders to enhance their monitoring skills and understanding of MEAL processes.
- Support the MERL Director and Research & Learning Manager by facilitating learning sessions that translate monitoring findings into actionable programme adaptations.
Coordination and Communication
- Maintain daily communication with partners’ MERL staff and field teams to track progress against monitoring plans and resolve operational challenges.
- Collaborate closely with the MERL Director and Research & Learning Manager to align monitoring activities with broader research and learning objectives.
Reporting and Documentation
- Review monthly data received from implementing partners to ensure accuracy, completeness, and timeliness. Coordinate closely with partner MEAL staff to rectify discrepancies and ensure all submitted data meets established quality standards and is presented in an accurate and reliable manner.
- Prepare preliminary drafts of monitoring reports and data summaries for review by the MERL Director.
- Organize and maintain comprehensive monitoring documentation, including digital and hard-copy records, ensuring accessibility and compliance with grant management requirements.
Support to MERL Management
- Assist the MERL Director in evaluating the capacity and performance of partners’ MERL staff and contribute to the development of capacity strengthening plans.
- Participate in periodic MERL strategy reviews and support the integration of new tools or approaches into field monitoring practices.
Other Duties
- Perform any additional tasks related to MEAL functions as assigned by the MERL Director, consistent with the objectives of the program.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Required Skills and Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty and responsibility satisfactorily. The qualifications listed below are representative of the required knowledge, skills, and/or abilities needed to perform the principal duties.
- Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, Statistics, Education, Development Studies, or related fields; a Master’s degree is an asset.
- Knowledge and understanding of Syria context, conflict and security situation in Syria, previous experience in Syria strongly preferred.
- Working knowledge of data collection tools (kobo collect is preferred).
- Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in monitoring and evaluation, preferably in education or humanitarian programs.
- Proven experience supervising field teams and managing data collection processes.
- Strong analytical skills with ability to interpret quantitative and qualitative data.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to work effectively with diverse stakeholders.
- Fluency in Arabic is a must and with good command in English.
Period of Performance:
The assignment is short-term with the possibility of extension.
Location of the assignment:
We are looking to recruit for two positions, one in Idleb and one in Aleppo. Please state your preference in your application.
Supervision and reporting:
The MEAL Coordinator will report to the programme’s MERL Director.
