• This position can be based in Brussels, Belgium (preferred); Geneva, Switzerland; or Nairobi, Kenya.

About CIVIC
Center for Civilians in Conflict’s mission is to improve protection for civilians caught in conflicts around the world. We bring the voices of civilians themselves to those making decisions affecting their lives. We support communities affected by conflict in their quest for protection and strengthen the resolve and capacity of armed actors and relevant institutions to prevent and respond to civilian harm.That includes advising international organizations, governments, militaries, and armed non-state actors to adopt and implement policies, tools, and training to prevent, minimize and respond to civilian harm. When civilians are harmed we advocate for the provision of amends and other post-harm assistance. Learn more at civiliansinconflict.org


About the Position

CIVIC is seeking highly qualified applicants for the position of Senior Advisor, Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) who will be an integral part of the CIVIC program team reporting to the Director of Programs and working closely with the Directors and project field office teams. CIVIC seeks a talented individual who will assume the full responsibility of creating an organizational MEAL plan as well as be responsible for designing and implementing MEAL activities for CIVICs projects. The position holder will have a global vision of all CIVIC programs and provide high quality technical and project management inputs to support CIVIC’s existing portfolio of projects as well as our efforts to develop new ones. The successful candidate will work closely with the program team in the development and implementation of projects, participate in the writing of reports and proposals and lead lessons learned sessions to ensure improvement in project implementation. They will also be responsible for managing complaint mechanisms (feedback). The Senior MEAL Advisor will provide coordination of monitoring and evaluation staff in close collaboration with programs and contribute to their ongoing learning.


Job Purpose: To design and implement Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) activities across the organization.
Location: Brussels, Belgium (preferred); Geneva, Switzerland; or Nairobi, Kenya
Travel: Up to 40% required (international)
Staff Reporting: CIVIC MEL Advisor(s); possible consultants; indirect support of field-based MEL staff

Key Functions
Organizational Monitoring & Evaluation

• Lead CIVIC in establishing performance measures, planning and managing evaluations and assisting CIVICs Senior Management in using performance information for decision-making and resource allocation;
• Contribute to the development and updating of MEAL country strategies, consolidation of MEAL work plans, and MEAL working framework for all ongoing projects, including protection of civilians outcomes indicators based on existing analysis;
• Ensure that MEAL observations/findings are taken into account and recommendations are incorporated into future concept notes, project proposals, and implementation plans;
• Ensure the review and update of MEAL guidelines as needed;
• Coordinate implementation of MEAL policies and procedures as described in CIVIC’s standard MEAL guidelines and ensure timely and consistent usage of CIVIC MEAL tools;
• Contribute to the effective deployment of MEAL collection and reporting system for all staff and partners through training, site visits, manuals;
• Develop monthly and quarterly reports for Senior Management in order to highlight trends and patterns of program implementation; keep program activities on schedule; measure progress towards objectives and advise on formulation of revised action;
• Review and if necessary update design of MEAL templates, which will include key project performance indicators used by CIVIC to ensure consistency in objectives and success indicators of all organizational programs;
• Provide advice and guidance to CIVIC Country Directors, Program Managers, and senior staff on MEAL implementation;
• Lead the design of CIVIC’s annual and long-term MEAL strategies, approaches, and plans;
• Help identify gaps in CIVIC’s knowledge and contribute to periodic revisions of CIVIC’s organizational learning questions and agenda; and
• Lead organizational learning sessions alongside other CIVIC staff.

Project-Specific Monitoring & Evaluation

• Lead the technical development and implementation of specific projects’ MEAL plans;
• Assist Directors and/or Program Officers in developing program work plans and overall monitoring framework;
• Develop data collection procedures;
• Guide, oversee, and advise monitoring and evaluation data collection activities;
• Conduct data quality assurance checks;
• Generate data reports in compliance with donor procedures and grant agreements;
• Draft MEAL reports for senior staff;
• Organize and conduct mid-term and post-project evaluations;
• Participate in Portfolio Review exercises;
• Liaise with key donors and funding partners to discuss and agree upon CIVIC’s approach to MEAL;
• Participate in and represent CIVIC at external learning events; and
• Develop program-specific learning agendas to incorporate learning questions, activities, and research/analysis products into the project design.

Qualifications/Experience

• At least 7 years’ experience working in a senior advisor/management MEAL-related role across multiple countries and contexts, delivering high quality programs and technical support;
• Master's-level education (e.g. MSc/MA/MEng) in a relevant subject or equivalent field experience;
• Demonstrated ability to design and establish MEAL systems in Protection of Civilians programs;
• A good understanding of contemporary human rights issues, particularly those related to conflict, peace building, and stabilization contexts;
• Strong skills in collecting, analyzing, interpreting, and encouraging the use of both qualitative and quantitative data;
• Proven ability using data and analysis to influence programmatic change;
• Demonstrated experience leading assessment activities and designing, managing, monitoring, and evaluating programs in development for international NGOs;
• Strong training and facilitation skills;
• Excellent communication and relationship building skills, including cultural sensitivity and ability to adapt to new environments and ways of working;
• Excellent writing and editing skills in English; fluency in one or more additional language(s) is advantageous, especially French and/or Arabic;
• Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and a commitment to and passion for CIVIC’s mission.

Additional Details

• CIVIC seeks to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool in the belief that employees from diverse backgrounds are critical to achieving our goals. We strongly encourage applications from persons with diverse backgrounds and experiences.
• Note to Recruiters and Placement Agencies: CIVIC does not accept unsolicited agency resumes. CIVIC does not pay placement fees for candidates submitted by any agency other than its approved partners.
• To apply, please send your resume and a cover letter explaining your interest in CIVIC’s work.