ROLE TYPE: 1 year FTC

LOCATION: Amman, Jordan (National position) Travel to Aden, Yemen may be required occasionally.

REPORTING TO: Project Director/Chief of Party

CLOSING DATE: 4th September 2024

About Ark

ARK is a social enterprise, empowering local communities through the provision of agile and sustainable interventions to create greater stability, opportunity and hope for the future.

We believe that strong, resilient communities are the foundation of local, national, regional and international development and stability - and ultimately a safer, peaceful and more prosperous world. At ARK, we have delivered research and programmatic interventions validating this approach in over twenty countries since 2008. As a social enterprise we work in partnership with communities, our donors, and other implementers to build local capacities, generate opportunity and bring about sustainable change.

Learn more about our impact here: https://www.ark.international/impact

About The Role

ARK's MEAL function plays a key role in the evidence-based design and delivery of ARK's portfolio of programmes and projects, ranging from conflict prevention and mitigation, stabilisation and development to security sector capacity building and the climate/conflict nexus, among other areas.

We're now recruiting a MEAL Manager to oversee the design and implementation of compliant, coherent, and quality MEAL systems on specific peacebuilding and resilience projects and programmes ARK delivers for USAID in Yemen. The MEAL Manager will make a key contribution to the quality, effectiveness, adaptability, and appropriateness of ARK's delivery, as well as its accountability to donors and affected communities/populations. The MEAL Manager will technically collaborate with, supervise, and quality assures local MEAL Managers and Officers to design and implement cross-cutting MEAL systems, methodological approaches, and learning and adaptation opportunities. The MEAL Manager will work closely with other MEAL colleagues, project personnel, and other colleagues across research and strategic communications functions to ensure that MEAL is coherent and joined up with other ARK functions and activities. The MEAL Manager will also coordinate with ARK's business development and research teams in the design of bids/new programme proposals and build relationships with a range of partners and institutions. The MEAL Manager will also take on a leading role in the recruitment of new MEAL expertise as needed (consultants and full-time staff), coordinating with senior management and the finance department to ensure appropriate budgeting of existing and future MEAL colleagues.

What You'll Be Doing

System Design and Implementation

• Oversee the development and implementation of organisational MEAL systems, methodologies, technologies, and tools, based on industry standards/best practice with other ARK MEAL Managers and senior advisors
• Promote all aspects of MEAL to support the creation of an organisational culture which prioritises quality, adaptive programming based on learning, and accountability to donors and beneficiaries
• Build strong relationships with the project management and other members of the project delivery team to provide support as required to ensure MEAL systems are understood and supported.
  
  
  

Staff Management, Mentorship, and Development

• Supervise, define expectations, support technically, quality assure and provide feedback on the work of junior MEAL colleagues, based on professional best practice and the technical requirements of our donors
• Lead, in close coordination with senior management, the Project Manager, HR and finance department, the identification and recruitment of new MEAL capabilities/expertise as needed
• Ensure clear reporting lines between the MEAL Manager and MEAL Officers, as well as other project personnel
• Assess training needs and develop and roll out MEAL training packages for MEAL and operations/programme delivery staff as well as delivery partners e.g. Civil Society Organisations
  
  
  

External Reporting, Relationships and Representation

• Oversee high-quality, evidence-based analysis and reporting that illustrate progress and impact and the adequate communication of findings to donors and stakeholders
• Oversee dashboards and reporting platforms that present data and findings to clients and partners
• Oversee the relationship with third-party entities engaged by clients to conduct Third Party Monitoring (TPM) and Data Quality Assessments (DQA), including handling communications, and tracking and acting upon recommendations
• Represent ARK Group in relevant MEAL/specialist fora
  
  
  

Promoting Learning for Adaptation

• Collaborate with the project management to ensure MEAL systems and processes are utilisation-focussed to facilitate evidence-based adaptive programming
• Conduct regular reviews and audits of project deliverables to maintain high standards and compliance with good practice
• Quality assure the timeliness, accuracy, validity, reliability, integrity, completeness of indicator data
• Provide technical guidance on the identification of lessons learned and support facilitation of learning across project activities
• Coordinate closely with the Head of Research and research staff to ensure best use of resources and capitalisation of synergies between research teams and MEAL teams
  
  
  

Business Development and Programme Design

• Contribute to the company's business development activities, including programmatic ideation and drafting MEAL sections of bids, concept notes and full programme proposals, in coordination with colleagues from other departments involved in the process
• Ensure that MEAL is an integral part of the project design stage and features in all proposal development, including budgeting for MEAL resources
  
  
  

Requirements

Competencies

• Communication - The ability and willingness to align one's own behaviour with the needs, priorities, and goals of the organization, and to act in ways that promote the organization's goals or meet organizational needs
• Teamwork - The ability to work effectively as part of a team, including the ability to collaborate, build relationships, and contribute to a positive team dynamic
• Attention to Detail - Closely observing and managing small aspects of tasks, ensuring accuracy and precision in work
• Planning and Organising - The ability to develop clear, efficient and logical approaches to work
• Adaptability - The willingness to accept changes and ability to maintain effectiveness in a changing environment
• Influencing - The ability to demonstrate a high level of persuasiveness and influence in a variety of situations
• Commitment and Interest in the Topic - The openness to new ideas and the desire to continuously learn and develop new skills
  
  
  

Essential Skills And Qualifications

• Extensive MEAL track record in the international development, stabilisation, or humanitarian sectors, working with governmental and intergovernmental donors.
• Extensive experience overseeing MEAL activities on USAID projects, including familiarity with USAID standard indicators, CLA Frameworks, TPM and DQA processes, etc
• Experience working in fragile and conflict-affected states, including experience working remotely or semi-remotely.
• In-depth knowledge of Monitoring & Evaluation tools, techniques and approaches, including complexity-aware monitoring and adaptive management models
• Experience line-managing MEAL teams/professionals.
• Proven experience in using social science, mixed-methods research/data collection methodologies.
• Experience utilising qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection and analysis, as well as advanced knowledge of relevant data collection, management, analysis and visualisation software including dashboards
• A track record of working in/on at least 2 different geographies/continents
• Commitment to the conduct of ethical research with human subjects and advanced knowledge of gender mainstreaming, conflict sensitivity and Do-No-Harm principles
• Advanced computer literacy/skills
• Experience supporting the pursuit of new business, including competitive bidding.
  
  
  

Desirable Skills And Qualifications

• Master's degree in a relevant subject, e.g. International Development, International Relations, Political Science, Sociology, Anthropology or Area Studies
• Experience with data management and visualisation software/tools
• Experience of working on/in Yemen
• Full professional fluency in Arabic and English
  
  
  

Benefits

Why join ARK?

• Impactful Work: Your expertise will directly impact the lives of those in need.
• Global Reach: Collaborate with international experts and local stakeholders.
• Innovation: Engage in pioneering solutions for sustainable change.
• Career Growth: Expand your horizons with varied projects and challenges.
  
  
  

Our People

Our team covers a diverse range of professional backgrounds, from diplomacy, humanitarian, development and the military, to the UN, civil society groups, multilateral organizations, journalism and the private sector.

Smart: We think deeply about things. We're proud of our institutional knowledge and our grounding in rigorous research, which we use to make informed decisions.

Humble: Our work leaves little room for pride or arrogance. Our operating environment is constantly evolving, and we recognize out limitations. We believe in and rely on the education and experiences of others while remaining quick to read, invite feedback, and ask sensible questions.

Accountable: Each of us want ARK, its partners, and beneficiaries to succeed. This means taking initiative, assuming ownership when necessary and never giving up on our beneficiaries. We are committed and accountable, to both our donors and the communities we serve.

Collegiate: We know we are stronger together and that every contribution counts. We trust each other and always support each other.

Outspoken: We tackle diverse challenges, and we always want to find the best solution to a problem. We aren't afraid to share our opinions, and we want to hear those of others too.

ARK Group is an equal opportunity employer. We actively seek a diverse applicant pool and encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. ARK Group does not discriminate on the basis of ability, age, gender identity or expression, national origin, race and ethnicity, religious beliefs or sexual orientation. We welcome all kinds of diversity. ARK Group places human dignity at the center of its development and stabilization work and is this committed to the protection from sexual exploitation and abuse of children and adults. All ARK Group employees and related personnel are expected to share this commitment and only those who also uphold these values will be recruited as part of our team. This vacancy is therefore subject to a range of due diligence checks.