MEAL Partnership Specialist

MEAL Partnership Specialist

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC), one of the world’s leading NGOs, with a focus on responding to displacement, have been registered in Sudan since 2004, delivering life-saving programming in protection, emergency response, shelter, food security and livelihoods, disaster risk reduction, camp management, and humanitarian mine action. DRC has implemented projects in Central Darfur, South Kordofan, Gedaref, Port Sudan, and White Nile. Sudan hosts one of the largest displaced populations in Africa, with over 3.7 million internally displaced people and over 1.1 million refugees from South Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Central African Republic, Chad, Yemen and Syria. Against a background of political crisis, Sudan faces economic and social turmoil, with sharp increases in food and energy costs, further exacerbated by disease outbreaks and ongoing conflict.

POSITION PROFILE

The overall purpose of the role :

The MEAL Partnership Specialist supports the strengthening of Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) systems and practices of DRC’s local partners, including national NGOs, CBOs, and volunteer groups such as Emergency Response Rooms and Mutual Aid Groups.

Working under the supervision of the MEAL Manager and in close coordination and technical guidance from the Partnership Manager/ Partnership Coordinator, the role provides tailored technical support to partners in developing MEAL frameworks, data collection tools, partners’ IPTTs, FCM and reporting systems while ensuring compliance with DRC MEAL standards and donor requirements.

The position focuses on improving data quality, verification of Means of Verification (MoVs), capturing and sharing lessons learnt, and accuracy of reporting practices, including consolidation of indicators in the indicators in the Indicator Performance Tracking Table (IPTT). It also contributes to strengthening partners’ capacities and promoting the use of the data for accountability, learning and program design and improvement.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Support to Local Partners:

• In collaboration with partners and under the guidance of the MEAL Manager, support the design of a logical framework, indicators and MEAL workplans for partner implemented projects.
• Provide ongoing technical support to partner MEAL focal points in developing and reviewing data collection tools for surveys, assessments, and monitoring activities in line with DRC MEAL standards and donor requirement.
• Work closely with Area Office teams to support partners in developing their workplans aligned with agreed objectives and implementation timelines.
• Ensue partners implement verification exercises in line with DRC MEAL SOPs and guidelines.
• Review Means of Verification (MoVs) submitted by partners to ensure quality, completeness, and compliance with project requirements.
• Conduct regular follow-ups with partner organizations to support accurate and timely reporting of achievements.
• Support the documentation and consolidation of reported indicators in the IPTT and ensure alignment with approved logframes.
• Collaborate with partners during planning and implementation of assessments such as baselines, PDMs, and end-lines.
• Reviews partner reports (narrative and MEAL related sections), provide technical feedback and follow up on identified gaps or inconsistencies.

Capacity Strengthening:

• Conducts MEAL Due Diligence (DD) assessments of partners during the onboarding to identify gaps in systems, tools and capacities.
• Contribute to the development and lead on the implementation of partners capacity building plan from MEAL perspective through technical support for each partner as per their assigned tier (1,2 or 3) resulted from the MEAL DD.
• Conduct targeted coaching and on-the-job mentoring for partner MEAL staff in data collection, quality assurance, and analysis techniques.
• Assist partners in aligning their monitoring tools and methodologies with DRC MEAL minimum operating procedures (MOPs) and donor expectations.
• Facilitate learning and knowledge sharing across partners to improve MEAL practice and use of data.

Monitoring and Evaluation:

• Participate in joint monitoring visits with programme, operations and partner teams as per the agreed monitoring plan.
• Support partners in digital data collection (e.g., KoboToolbox) and ensure a proper data management practices.
• Ensure harmonization and alignment of Scope of work, IPTTs, MEAL Framework, and data collection processes across different partners and sectors.
• Conduct data quality checks, including validation and triangulation of partner reported data against field observations and other sources.
• Identify data inconsistencies and follow up with partners to ensure corrective action are taken

Accountability and Learning:

• Support partners in integrating accountability mechanisms (Community feedback Mechanism and Information sharing), in coordination with the accountability team and Area Office management.
• Monitor the responsiveness of partners to community feedback and escalate delays or issues when needed.
• Support partners in documenting lessons learned and best practices from project implementation.
• Promote the use of monitoring and feedback data to inform programme improvement and adaptive management.

Coordination and Representation:

• Participate in relevant MEAL coordination meetings (internal and external) as delegated.
• Ensure consistent communication and guidance between DRC and partners on MEAL standards and expectations.
• Support coordination of MEAL activities between DRC and implementing partners.
• Act as a technical focal point for partner MEAL-related issues.
• Contribute to joint planning and review sessions with implementing partners, documenting key MEAL-related action points and decisions.

Additional Tasks

Perform any additional tasks requested by the MEAL Manager or Partnership Manager as deemed necessary to support the overall programmatic objectives of the DRC Sudan mission.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCES

• Minimum 3 years of experience in MEAL, preferably with a focus on partnerships or capacity development.
• Proven experience in developing, reviewing, and applying data collection tools.
• Strong understanding of civil society landscaping as well as the importance and challenges of local organization are faced with/can potentially face in fluid contexts such as Sudan.
• Strong understanding of monitoring systems, MEAL frameworks, and indicator tracking.
• Experience with data management tools and platforms (e.g., Excel, ONA, Kobo).
• Strong interpersonal and facilitation skills with the ability to work effectively with local organizations.
• Bachelor's degree in Social Science, Development Studies, Statistics, or a related field is preferred.
• Full working proficiency in English and Arabic is required.

b ) Desirable

• Knowledge of ArcGIS/QGIS, NVivo (or other qualitative analysis software)
• Experience of working in insecure environments and of security management; when relevant.
• Experience in developing/ guiding information management systems for large humanitarian programs, as relevant.
• Familiarity with the relevant data collection software, preferably Kobo Toolbox, Activity info, Commcare, ODK, DEEP, nvivo, ONA etc.
• Experience in statistical software, SPSS, R and visualisation tools such as PowerBi.
• Certification in Advance MEAL programme/course

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS: (include certificates, licenses etc.)

•   A Bachelor’s degree in relevant field (international development, social sciences, statistics, public health, etc.) + at least 2 years of relevant experience

Language:

• English (fluent)

Arabic (fluent).

ALL EMPLOYEES 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 act in line with our vision and values.

POSITION DETAILS

• Type of contract : National
• Contract Length : 12 months
• Band : Non-management
• Salary Range Starting from, USD 2,300.00
• Duty station: Port Sudan- Country Office
• Start date: As soon as possible
• Closing Date for Application : 14/September /2026

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for national employees.

WHAT WE OFFER

1. Two Bonuses (during two Eid festivals)
2. National Social Insurance
3. Medical Insurance
4. Excellent Working Environment and Opportunity for Growth
5. Various Learning and Development Platforms

APPLICATION PROCESS

1. Applications must be submitted through the mentioned link on the page by clicking on Apply Button.
2. All applicants must send a cover letter along with an updated CV (we encourage CV no longer than four pages) in English.
3. Mentioning  three referees' details of your present supervisor and HR along with past employment supervisor with CV.

Note : Applications sent by email will not be considered. In addition, DRC doesn’t charge any fee for any of its recruitment process & believes in equal opportunity in employment regardless.

If you have questions, you can visit our FAQ page. 

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, female 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, color, race,

marital status, or other protected characteristics.

***FRAUD ALERT***

It has been brought to the attention of the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) that there have been instances of fraudulent job offers, purporting to be from DRC in Sudan. These offers reportedly concern fraudulent employment opportunities to applicants asking for money. DRC would like to stipulate that the organization never charges or accepts any money from job seekers during the recruitment process. DRC recommends that you do not respond to unsolicited offers of employment.