MEAL Coordinator (Nationals Only)

POSITION SUMMARY:

HIAS is working closely with its implementation partner in Ukraine, and with newly identified partners in neighboring countries, to rapidly respond to the immediate needs triggered by the invasion and attacks on Ukraine. The conflict in Ukraine has set off a wave of displacement internally, and into countries along Ukraine’s western borders. HIAS’ response is focused on multi-purpose cash programming, MHPSS, child protection, GBV reduction, prevention, and response, and legal protection. HIAS is working directly with local implementation partners, local NGOs and other civil society actors to support vulnerable refugees and displaced populations. As the situation is dynamic, complex and experiencing rapid changes, HIAS will continue to assess and identify new potential areas of operation and implementation partners, and will continue to develop our response strategy, programmatic interventions and positioning moving forward.

HIAS Ukraine seeks an experienced MEAL Coordinator, Ukraine. The MEAL Coordinator, Ukraine will be responsible for developing, maintaining and improving systems to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness, strategic alignment, cost and overall impact of HIAS programming within Ukraine, including programming implemented through partners.

This position will report to the Country Director, HIAS Ukraine. This role will work closely with programmatic and technical staff within the response team, as well as coordinate with HQ-based colleagues within Strategy & Measurement, emergency technical staff and other HIAS departments as necessary.

The MEAL Coordinator, Ukraine is responsible for implementing monitoring and evaluation policies, systems and information collection tools for HIAS’ work in Ukraine, including both direct implementation and with partners. They are responsible for data analysis and data collection and management support across all locations in Ukraine, ensuring both data quality and general compliance and results reporting on programmatic performance progress against program goals and deliverables.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

MEAL STANDARDS & SYSTEM

• Implements key MEAL standards, processes and systems/tools that support HIAS’ organizational planning, monitoring, evaluation and reporting requirements.
• Establishes monitoring system and appropriate indicators for HIAS’ emergency response, in alignment with Sphere standards, global guidance and other benchmarks.
• Drafts and maintains up-to-date MEAL plan, ensuring that team roles and responsibilities are well-defined and understood; coordinates inputs from team members on a continuous basis.
• Identifies and advocates for the budget/resources needed for the MEAL components of projects.
• Provides remote and on-site training for relevant team members and partner staff on monitoring system, accountability mechanisms, best practices in data collection and other topics.
• Provides mentorship and technical support to local partner MEAL leads, including guidance on best practices and HIAS standards.
• Establishes channels through which monitoring and accountability information is shared on a continuous, accessible basis with response team and partners, including technical coordinators and management roles, in order to support adaptive management and real-time learning.
• In the event that the response becomes a protracted emergency, supports evaluation and learning activities as appropriate within the region.
• Supports other M&E/MEAL functions, as delegated.

MONITORING & REPORTING

• Plans and leads data collection, analysis and review activities, including developing and/or adapting appropriate methods and tools for the context.
• Coordinates with HIAS program leads and partner staff to ensure quality data collection, standardizing collection methods, results and analysis, and aligning these to HIAS’ results reporting framework(s) as relevant.
• Tracks, analyzes and regularly reports on program indicators, progress against targets, program successes and lessons learned.
• Develops strategies for assessing the quality of collected data for the indicators and manage tools and methods for assessing data quality for all indicators.
• Performs basic and intermediate statistical analysis from databases and through statistical programming, including developing baseline assessments and tracking data and progress against baselines.
• Develops and produces charts, graphs, infographics and other visual representations of program activities and accomplishments; aggregates reporting at the country office and regional level; supports organizational-level reporting.
• Travels to field offices across response countries to monitor program implementation, provide operational assistance and support compliance with program management standards.

ACCOUNTABILITY TO AFFECTED POPULATIONS

• Implements accountability mechanisms in line with HIAS’ accountability framework and program guidance.
• Establishes complaints and feedback mechanisms (CFMs) that are safe, accessible, context-appropriate and preferred by affected people; implements standard operating procedures to review, respond to and escalate feedback and complaints received on a continuous basis.
• Ensures accessible two-way information sharing and implements community consultation activities, as appropriate.
• Ensures that AAP data is collected routinely throughout the project cycle.
• Coordinates closely with safeguarding focal points and actively promotes Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) standards among HIAS staff and people served.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS:

• Undergraduate degree in relevant field is required.
• 2-3 years of experience focused on or related to M&E/MEAL; field experience and experience in complex, challenging and/or insecure environments preferred.
• English fluency required; Ukrainian and/or Russian fluency required.
• Dynamic individual with a proven ability to achieve results in a demanding, fast-paced and often insecure environment.
• Ability to manage, track and report on program data; proficiency with Excel in tracking and analyzing data.
• Demonstrated experience conducting rapid needs assessments and/or using assessment findings to make programmatic recommendations and inform monitoring systems.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement capacity building training of staff on MEAL.
• Experience in both direct implementation as well as sub-partner management preferred.
• Excellent writing and communication skills, including familiarity with writing funder reports, SOPs and other program management documents.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment and meet strict deadlines; ability to multi-task and prioritize effectively.
• Excellent critical thinking skills and a proactive, creative approach to problem-solving.
• Willingness to relocate for up to 6 months and at short notice (within 2-3 weeks).
• Ability to work well with others and rapidly adapt to new countries/contexts.
• Flexibility to work in challenging environments and with high workloads, potentially with limited mobility.
• Ability to travel within Ukraine and to countries in the region as needed, security situation permitting.

DISCLAIMER:

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. It is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, skills required or permanent location. Location is subject to change based on programmatic needs. Flexibility is essential as we grow and develop. The successful candidate must be comfortable in a fast-paced, changing work environment with many crucial deadlines. All team members may be required to perform duties outside of their normal work hours of responsibilities as needed.

SAMPLE HIRING PROCESS:

We are committed to a fair and respectful hiring process, and we do our absolute best to respond to every applicant. We prioritize communication and transparency with all candidates, even those who are not moving forward. Here’s a snapshot of our hiring process:

Step 1: Submit your application!

Step 2: Phone screen with a Human Resources staff person.

Step 3: Interview with the hiring manager.

Step 4: Interview with a panel of HIAS employees.

Step 5: Reference check.

Step 6: Offer and background check.

Step 7: Start your professional journey with HIAS!

Note: Some of our hiring processes may vary, and not all candidates will advance to each step.

ABOUT US:

Over one hundred years ago, the Jewish community founded HIAS (originally the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society) in New York City, the immigrant gateway to America. Supporting Jews fleeing persecution and poverty in Eastern Europe, our founders were guided by the traditions, texts and history of the Jewish people—a history of oppression, displacement and diaspora. HIAS has since helped generations of Jews facing violence because of who they were, and HIAS remains committed to helping Jewish refugees anywhere in the world. Today, our clients at HIAS come from diverse faiths, ethnicities and backgrounds, as do our staff. We bring our experience, history and values to our work across five continents, ensuring that refugees today receive the vital services and opportunities they need to thrive.

HIAS is a learning community, committed to diversity and inclusion. We do our work with integrity, accountability, transparency and a commitment to the highest ethical standards. We seek employees from diverse backgrounds and life experiences to join our teams located in the United States and across the globe. People who identify as BIPOC, people with disabilities, people from the LGBTQ+ community and people with lived experiences of forced displacement or immigration are all encouraged to apply. We are committed to building a diverse workforce that reflects our vision, mission and values.

VISION:

HIAS stands for a world in which refugees find welcome, safety and opportunity.

MISSION:

Drawing on our Jewish values and history, HIAS provides vital services to refugees and asylum seekers around the world and advocates for their fundamental rights so they can rebuild their lives.

VALUES:

Welcome • Acogimiento • Hospitalité

We Welcome the Stranger

Justice • Justicia • Justice

We Pursue Justice

Empathy • Empatía • Empathie

We Approach our Clients with Empathy

Partnership • Compañerismo • Coopération

We Believe in Changing the World through Partnership

Courage • Coraje • Courage

We Act with Courage to Build a Better World

Resilience • Resiliencia • Résilience

We Adapt and Thrive, Continuously Demonstrating our Resilience

DIVERSITY:

HIAS is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, ethnic background, ancestry, citizenship status, religious creed, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, registered domestic partner or civil union status, familial status, pregnancy, childbirth, military status, protected veteran status, political orientation or other legally protected status.

SAFEGUARDING:

HIAS is committed to the protection of children, vulnerable adults and any other person from any harm caused directly or indirectly due to their coming into contact with HIAS. We will not tolerate sexual exploitation, abuse or any form of child abuse or neglect by our staff or associated personnel. Any candidate offered a job with HIAS will be expected to sign and adhere to HIAS’ Code of Conduct and Safeguarding policies. All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records. HIAS also participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. Likewise, HIAS will share this information when other organizations inquire about current and former HIAS staff as part of their recruitment process. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.