Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning Officer (MEAL)

Organizational Background

Action Against Hunger works to end hunger worldwide by designing practical solutions, influencing policy, and reaching millions of people each year through programs that prevent and treat hunger. The organization operates in 50 countries, with more than 8,300 staff members working alongside communities to tackle the underlying drivers of hunger such as climate change, conflict, inequality, and emergencies. Its aim is a world where no one suffers from hunger.

Action Against Hunger USA is part of the global Action Against Hunger network. As an independent NGO, it currently runs operations in eight countries: Kenya, South Sudan, Somalia, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Zambia, and Haiti. The organization manages more than $100 million in programs and employs about 1,800 permanent staff across New York City, Washington D.C., Nairobi, and country offices. Further growth is expected.

In Zambia, the organization has been active since 2021, delivering humanitarian and development programming that strengthens resilience and helps protect lives and livelihoods.

Role Purpose

The Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning Officer will be responsible for strengthening high-quality MEAL systems, tools, and practices that support evidence-based decisions, adaptive programming, and accountability to stakeholders. For the ECHO project in Mantapala Refugee Settlement, this position will lead the creation, implementation, and ongoing improvement of monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning processes. The role includes timely data collection, detailed analysis, prompt reporting, and robust community accountability. The officer will work closely with program teams in a complex humanitarian environment with limited resources, and up to 60% travel within the settlement and host communities will be required.

Working Relationships

Internally, the role reports to the MEAL Manager, works with the Project Coordinator and the Health & Nutrition, WASH, and Cash & Livelihoods teams, supervises enumerators and field data collectors, and collaborates with accountability and safeguarding focal points.

Externally, the officer will engage with community leaders in Mantapala Refugee Settlement, camp management, and health facility staff. The role also involves coordination with partner organizations, local authorities in Nchelenge District, and ECHO where reporting requires it, as well as contact with community feedback and complaint-handling channels.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and roll out the project MEAL plan, indicator tracking tools, and reporting formats aligned with ECHO requirements.
• Create data collection instruments suited to health, nutrition, WASH, and cash activities.
• Make sure indicators include gender, protection, accountability, and inclusion dimensions.
• Support digital data workflows using Kobo Toolbox, ODK, or CommCare.
• Organize baseline surveys, post-distribution monitoring, rapid assessments, and endline evaluations.
• Oversee routine monitoring for CMAM, health services, WASH indicators, and cash support.
• Carry out data quality checks and ensure standards are consistently met.
• Supervise enumerators and field teams during data collection activities.
• Maintain project databases and keep data entry, cleaning, and validation on schedule.
• Examine quantitative and qualitative information to produce actionable insights for program improvement.
• Build dashboards and visual reports using Excel, Power BI, or similar tools.
• Monitor progress against ECHO indicators and target values.
• Support donor reporting, situation reports, and internal project updates.
• Develop learning products such as briefs, case studies, and success stories.
• Lead after-action reviews and reflection discussions.
• Use findings and lessons learned to improve implementation and decision-making.
• Strengthen feedback and complaints response systems for affected communities.
• Ensure complaints are recorded, tracked, and resolved quickly.
• Promote feedback channels that are safe, inclusive, and easy to access.
• Support community engagement and information-sharing efforts.
• Train staff, volunteers, and partners on MEAL systems, data collection methods, ethical data handling, and safeguarding.
• Build the team’s ability to use data for practical decisions.
• Support early warning monitoring and trigger indicators for emergencies.
• Contribute to rapid assessments within 3 to 14 days after shocks.
• Help ensure the MEAL system can scale up quickly during emergencies.

Qualifications and Experience

The ideal candidate should hold a bachelor’s degree in Monitoring and Evaluation, Public Health, Statistics, Development Studies, Social Sciences, or a related discipline. A postgraduate qualification in M&E or Project Management would be a strong advantage.

Applicants should bring 4 to 5 years of MEAL experience in humanitarian or development contexts, with emergency programming experience preferred, especially on ECHO-funded projects. Practical exposure to health, nutrition/CMAM, WASH, or cash-based programming is important, and experience in refugee or displacement settings is highly desirable. Strong hands-on ability with digital data collection and analysis tools is also required.

The role calls for a solid understanding of MEAL frameworks and Core Humanitarian Standards, strong data analysis and report writing capability, and proficiency with Excel, Kobo Toolbox, and Power BI, SPSS, or STATA. A clear grasp of Accountability to Affected Populations is essential. The officer must be able to perform in remote, resource-limited, and high-pressure settings, and should have excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Fluency in English, both written and spoken, is required, while knowledge of local languages is an advantage.

Desirable Attributes

Experience with Action Against Hunger or a similar international NGO is beneficial. A strong working understanding of ECHO compliance and reporting expectations is desirable, along with a demonstrated commitment to gender equality, protection mainstreaming, and ethical data management. Active membership in ZAMEA, the Zambia Monitoring and Evaluation Association, is also preferred.

Benefits and Equal Opportunity

Action Against Hunger USA offers staff an attractive salary and benefits package. The organization is committed to equal employment opportunities and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, ancestry, sexual orientation, national origin, age, handicap, disability, marital status, or veteran status, in line with applicable employment laws.