Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Specialist

About the role

The Danish Refugee Council Syria is looking for a MEAL Specialist to play a leading role in developing, implementing and managing the MEAL strategy and workplan, and to support accountability commitments and learning needs. The role contributes to mainstreaming MEAL across the project cycle, supports MEAL staff in area offices, and strengthens national partners' capacities. It is based in the Damascus Country Office with at least 30% travel to area and field offices, on a 6-month contract (extension depending on performance and funds).

Key responsibilities

• Adapt DRC's Global MEAL Model to Syria, apply the MEAL guidance and foster collaboration with programme staff and internal stakeholders.
• Lead, alongside the MEAL Manager, the development of M&E tools and guidelines for data collection, collation and reporting, and maintain MEAL plans, indicator tracking tools and data protection protocols.
• Design data collection instruments using quantitative and qualitative methods, analyse data and produce reports, and support Technical Coordinators and grants personnel in designing Logical Frameworks and proposals.
• Support the rollout of CHS assessments, help manage the Community Feedback Mechanism, build staff capacity in accountability systems and support CHS certification/self-assessment.
• Plan and run data analysis, visualisation and learning events, and share findings with programme teams and the Senior Management Team.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field plus at least 4 years of experience in MEAL for humanitarian and development programmes.
• Experience with international or national NGOs and UN agencies in humanitarian settings, and with strengthening national partners' MEAL systems.
• Strong knowledge of Theories of Change and Logical Frameworks, and of donor requirements such as ECHO, Danida, SDC, Sida and UN agencies.
• Fluent Arabic and English, including translation and report writing.

Required skills

• Advanced skills in Kobo Toolbox, ODK and similar data collection tools, and advanced Excel, MS Word, PowerPoint and Office365.
• Desirable: SPSS, PowerBI or Tableau, ArcGIS/QGIS, NVivo, and experience in capacity-building training.

Applications close on 21 November 2026 and require a cover letter and an updated CV (no more than four pages) in English; CV-only applications will not be considered.