Our vision: is for everyone living in West Asia-North Africa and the diaspora to be able to access and engage with the internet, mobile services, and other networked spaces safely and without fear of censorship, surveillance, or repercussion.
Our mission SMEX advances freedom of expression and the right to privacy in WANA through research and reporting, monitoring state and tech companies’ policies, protecting the safety and security of online users, and collaborating with regional advocates to sustain a safer digital space.
Job Title
MEAL Assistant
Job Overview
We are seeking a dedicated and detail-oriented MEAL Assistant to join our team. The MEAL Assistant will play a key role in ensuring the effective monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning of our programs and grants. This position involves close collaboration with the MEAL Unit, project leads, and sub-grantees to ensure high-quality program implementation, accountability, and continuous improvement. The ideal candidate will have strong analytical skills, experience in MEAL frameworks and logic modules, and a passion for driving impactful change.
Responsibilities
Grants Programs:
- Review the MEAL sections of proposals and support the selection process for new sub-grantees.
- Collaborate with the grantmaking focal point/project leads and sub-grantees to determine appropriate evaluation methods for each grant.
- Ensure sub-grantees report against established indicators and submit comprehensive narrative reports.
- Support capacity assessment, building, and strengthening of sub-grantees in MEAL practices.
- Establish and maintain effective communication channels with sub-grantees.
- Collect sub-grantee reports as per the timeline agreed upon with SMEX.
- Review reports to identify trends, challenges, and lessons learned, and share findings with the Senior MEAL officer and management.
- Assist in facilitating end-line project evaluations to ensure thorough assessment and documentation of outcomes.
- Contribute to annual reflection sessions to assess overall performance, identify key insights, and strategize for future improvements.
- Document evaluation findings and maintain comprehensive records for transparency, learning, and continuous improvement.
- Prepare a compilation of the Narrative reports submitted by the subgrantees.
- Ensure that data collection tools are established and in place for the subgrantees.
- Utilize various evaluation methods and research questions by the end of every project
- Keep the timeline updated for each project.
Feedback, Complaints, and Response Mechanism:
- Collect beneficiaries’ feedback through the various channels that SMEX installed.
- Receive, record, and classify complaints for attention by the MEAL and refer the cases as per the SOPs.
- Manage the database and lead the innovation of new mechanisms, tools, and channels to improve the current processes.
- Generate reports on the implementation and use of feedback channels, including limitations and challenges.
- Facilitate the establishment and running of a feasible feedback channel and routine follow-up for its functionality.
- Apply different data sampling techniques to conduct feedback surveys.
- Support the analysis and creation of visualization to present the FCRM data and findings to the upper management.
- Provide ideas and recommendations to strengthen accountability mechanisms and ensure that feedback received is used to inform program design and implementation.
Project/program progress Monitoring &Reporting:
- Support the MEAL team in ongoing monitoring and evaluation activities.
- Assist with testing and validating tools before implementation.
- Work with program teams to coordinate timely data collection
- Support communication of M&E findings to relevant stakeholders
- Support implementation of M&E events like Focus group discussions, reflection sessions, etc.
- Help integrate lessons learned into ongoing projects to ensure continuous improvement.
Qualifications
- Familiarity with SMEX’s core work and a shared commitment to human rights values, including privacy, users’ rights, digital surveillance, data protection, freedom of expression, accessibility, and open culture.
- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., Social Sciences, Development Studies, Statistics, Computer Science etc..).
- Have a basic understanding of Feminist evaluation and a background in mixed methodologies.
- At least 2 years of experience in MEAL-specific work, preferably in grantmaking projects and USAID/EU Commission monitoring and evaluation.
- Experience in implementing feedback channels.
- Knowledge and experience in designing and implementing MEAL plans and setting performance indicators.
- Strong computer proficiency, especially in G Suite, Microsoft Office, and Activity Info.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with diverse teams.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and Arabic
- Proven analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret data and provide actionable recommendations.
- Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships and collaborate effectively with diverse teams and stakeholders.
- Understanding of confidentiality principles and the ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and integrity.
- Ability to work within a multicultural setting, demonstrating cultural sensitivity and adaptability.
Behavioral Competencies
- Time management
- Analytical Thinking
- Problem-Solving
- Effective Communication
- Adaptability
Additional Information
Duty Station: Beirut, Lebanon
Office Presence: Hybrid/Office
Employment Status: Full-Time
Reporting Line: Senior MEAL Officer
Salary: $1,200- $1,500/month
Application
The applicant should fill in this form.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
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