Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning Officer (MEAL) at Action Against Hunger

Description

Organizational Background
Action Against Hunger leads the global movement to end hunger. We innovate solutions, advocate for change, and reach 24 million people annually with proven hunger prevention and treatment programs. As a nonprofit that works across 50 countries, our 8,300 dedicated staff members partner with communities to address the root causes of hunger, including climate change, conflict, inequity, and emergencies. We strive to create a world free from hunger for everyone and for good.
Action Against Hunger USA is part of the Action Against Hunger International network. As an independent NGO, Action Against Hunger USA currently manages operations in eight countries: Kenya, South Sudan, Somalia, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Zambia, and Haiti. Action Against Hunger-USA has over $100 million in programs and approximately 1,800 permanent staff based in New York City, Washington D.C., Nairobi, and country offices. Additional growth is anticipated.
We have been present in Zambia since 2021 working in both humanitarian and development contexts to build resilience and protect lives and livelihoods.
Purpose of the Role
The Monitoring and Evaluation Officer will support the implementation of high-quality M&E systems, tools, and practices that enable evidence-based decision-making, adaptive management, and accountability to stakeholders. The MEAL Officer will lead the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning systems for the ECHO project in Mantapala Refugee Settlement. This role ensures real-time data collection, rigorous analysis, timely reporting, and strong community accountability. The officer will work closely with program teams to enable adaptive management and evidence-based decision-making in a complex, resource-constrained humanitarian setting. Up to 60% travel within the settlement and host communities is required.
ENGAGEMENT & WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
Internal:

Reports to MEAL Manager
Works closely with Project Coordinator, Health & Nutrition teams, WASH team, Cash & Livelihoods team
Supervises enumerators and field data collectors
Collaborates with the Accountability and Safeguarding focal points

External:

Engages with Mantapala Refugee Settlement community leaders, camp management, and health facility staff
Coordinates with partner organizations, local authorities (Nchelenge District), and ECHO (as required for reporting)
Liaises with community feedback mechanisms and complaint response channels

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
1. MEAL System Design & Implementation

Develop and operationalize the project MEAL Plan, Indicator Tracking Table (ITT), and ECHO-aligned reporting frameworks
Design context-appropriate data collection tools for health, nutrition, WASH, and cash interventions
Ensure integration of gender, protection, accountability, and inclusion indicators
Support digital data systems using Kobo Toolbox, ODK, or CommCare

2. Data Collection, Monitoring & Quality Assurance

Coordinate baseline, post-distribution monitoring (PDM), rapid assessments, and endline evaluations
Support routine monitoring of CMAM, health services, WASH indicators, and cash assistance
Conduct Data Quality Assessments (DQAs) and ensure adherence to data quality standards
Supervise enumerators and field teams during data collection exercises

3. Data Management, Analysis & Visualization

Maintain project databases and ensure timely data entry, cleaning, and validation
Analyze quantitative and qualitative data to generate insights for program improvement
Develop dashboards and visualizations (Excel, Power BI, or similar tools)
Track progress against ECHO indicators and targets

4. Reporting & Learning

Contribute to donor reports (ECHO), SitReps, and internal updates
Produce learning briefs, case studies, and success stories
Facilitate After-Action Reviews (AARs) and reflection sessions
Ensure lessons learned inform adaptive programming and decision-making

5. Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP)

Strengthen community feedback and complaints response mechanisms (CRM)
Ensure complaints are documented, tracked, and resolved in a timely manner
Promote safe, inclusive, and accessible feedback channels
Support community engagement and information-sharing activities

6. Capacity Building

Train field staff, community volunteers, and partners on:

MEAL tools and systems
Data collection methodologies
Ethical data management and safeguarding

Build team capacity in data use for decision-making

7. Emergency Preparedness & Crisis Modifier Support

Support early warning monitoring and trigger indicators
Contribute to rapid assessments within 3–14 days of shocks

Ensure MEAL systems are adaptable for emergency scale-up

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
Education

Bachelor’s degree in Monitoring & Evaluation, Public Health, Statistics, Development Studies, Social Sciences, or related field
Postgraduate qualification in M&E or Project Management = strong advantage

Experience

Minimum 4–5 years of MEAL experience in humanitarian or development settings
Proven experience in emergency programming (ECHO-funded projects strongly preferred)
Hands-on experience in health, nutrition (CMAM), WASH, or cash-based interventions
Experience in refugee or displacement contexts is highly desirable
Strong experience with digital data collection and analysis tools

Skills & Competencies

Deep knowledge of MEAL frameworks and Core Humanitarian Standards (CHS)
Excellent data analysis and report writing skills
Proficiency in: Excel, Kobo Toolbox, Power BI / SPSS / STATA
Strong understanding of Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP)
Ability to work in remote, resource-constrained, high-pressure environments
Strong interpersonal and communication skills
Fluency in English (excellent written and spoken)
Working knowledge of other local languages is an asset

Desirable Attributes

Prior experience with Action Against Hunger or similar INGO
Strong understanding of ECHO compliance and reporting requirements
Demonstrated commitment to gender equality, protection mainstreaming, and ethical data management

·       Active membership with ZAMEA (Zambia Monitoring and Evaluation Association) 

Benefits

Action Against Hunger – USA provides all staff with an attractive salary and benefits package . We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, ancestry, sexual orientation, national origin, age, handicap, disability, marital status or as a veteran. Action Against Hunger- USA complies with applicable laws governing non discrimination in employment

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