MEAL Lead – RRISE Programme

About the role

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is seeking a Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Lead for the FCDO Nigeria RRISE programme, which is expected to be delivered through a Locally Led Response Intermediary Model (LLRIM). The IRC would hold the FCDO grant and work through national and local NGOs and CSOs to deliver food security, protection, nutrition, WASH, health and shelter assistance across the Northeast and Northwest of Nigeria, with a funded capacity-strengthening component. The position is full time, based in Abuja with regular travel to the NE and NW, and open to expatriates (qualified nationals strongly encouraged).

Key responsibilities

• Develop, manage and implement a MEAL system covering all programme sectors, using qualitative and quantitative methods.
• Design and oversee a centralized MEAL information management system with standardized tools, GEDSI-disaggregated indicators and a consolidated dashboard.
• Triangulate the MEAL system with the independent needs and sector data function that informs targeting.
• Manage the relationship with the independent monitoring and learning function and the independent accountability partner, keeping them separate from delivery.
• Ensure the accountability partner's AAP mechanisms meet IRC and FCDO standards and represent the lead organization in inter-agency AAP coordination.
• Lead Value for Money monitoring and reporting under FCDO's 5Es framework, including cost and efficiency data and benchmarking.
• Support a structured adaptive management protocol for underperformance, with root cause analysis and improvement plans.
• Train and mentor national and local NGO and CSO partners on MEAL systems, KPIs and data quality.
• Oversee baseline surveys, mid-term and final evaluations, and research design and implementation with IRC's Airbel Impact Lab.
• Prepare the MEAL section of annual work plans and the results framework, and produce learning briefs and donor report sections.
• Provide technical oversight of MEAL budgeting and conduct regular site visits.

Required profile

• Advanced degree (Master's) in social science, international development, evaluation research, statistics or a related field; equivalent experience may substitute.
• Minimum 7 years of MEAL/MEL/MERL/M&E experience in large-scale, multi-sector humanitarian or FCDO-funded programming, ideally at intermediary or consortium level.
• Experience in hard-to-reach and insecure regions, and with adaptive management in locally led models.
• Experience building independent accountability and client feedback systems is a distinct advantage.
• Fluency in English; Hausa or other local languages are an advantage.

Required skills

• Mobile data collection tools such as Kobo, CommCare or ODK Collect.
• Microsoft Excel, SPSS, STATA or similar; Tableau, Power BI or GIS are additional assets.
• Strong negotiation, leadership, mentoring and reporting skills.