About the Danish Refugee Council (DRC)
The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is an independent, non-profit humanitarian organization that supports refugees and internally displaced people worldwide. We operate in conflict-affected regions, along displacement routes, and in host countries where refugees settle.
Job Summary
We are seeking a highly skilled MEAL & Information Management Specialist to join our team in Cameroon. The successful candidate will lead the creation, customization, and roll-out of information management systems, oversee data collection, analysis, and knowledge sharing, and provide technical guidance to MEAL and program implementation teams.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
- Lead the creation, customization, and roll-out of information management systems that respond to DRC's monitoring, evaluation, and data analysis needs across all programs and sectors.
- Oversee the regular maintenance, updating, and security of DRC's databases, dashboards, and related platforms, ensuring reliability and accuracy of information.
- Standardize information management practices across projects in alignment with both global and country strategies.
- Design tools, templates, and guidelines that support accurate and high-quality data collection, entry, and management.
- Provide continuous technical guidance to MEAL and program implementation teams on the use and improvement of information systems.
Data Collection, Analysis, and Knowledge Sharing
- Coordinate data gathering, storage, and management for assessments, surveys, evaluations, and monitoring exercises, ensuring that robust knowledge management systems are in place.
- Partner with Area-based MEAL teams (Far North, Adamawa/East, and Northwest) to establish solid frameworks for data analysis, enabling reliable insights for decision-making and program improvement.
- Develop user-friendly dashboards, visualizations, and reporting tools to clearly communicate findings and track program performance.
- Work with program staff to interpret and apply data results in ways that strengthen program quality and relevance.
- Integrate geographic information systems (GIS) into data collection and analysis processes where suitable.
Capacity Strengthening and Technical Support
- Organize training sessions and mentoring for staff on the use of information management tools and systems, ensuring effective data management practices.
- Offer continuous technical support to Area Office staff and implementing partners, building their skills in data collection, management, and reporting.
- Support the MEAL team in delivering training on data analysis and reporting, contributing to stronger accountability and improved program outcomes.
Data Quality and Protection
- Safeguard the confidentiality and security of data in compliance with DRC's data protection framework and GDPR standards.
- Design and implement robust data quality assurance mechanisms to guarantee accuracy, consistency, and timeliness across program data.
- Conduct routine reviews and audits of data collection processes to detect and resolve potential weaknesses in data quality or protection.
Collaboration and Coordination
- Partner with program teams, MEAL, and IT units to align data systems with broader programmatic strategies and ensure organizational data needs are met.
Accountability and Learning
- Align information management practices with organizational monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning (MEAL) objectives in coordination with relevant departments.
- Contribute to knowledge management by capturing lessons learned, best practices, and case studies, and ensuring these insights inform future programming.
Partnerships
- Assess partner capacity and integrate realistic MEAL expectations into project design (e.g., measurement approaches, deliverables, reporting).
- Lead assessments of partner MEAL/IM capacities, facilitate training plans, and organize capacity-building activities with technical staff support from the Country Office, ensuring active partner participation for stronger ownership.
- Provide partners with tools and systems to comply with donor requirements and DRC's MEAL technical standards.
- Conduct regular monitoring and quality checks to verify partners' compliance with AAP, MEAL, and GDPR standards.
- Where feasible, assist partners in adopting and operationalizing the Core Humanitarian Standards within their organizational frameworks.
- Ensure partners inform communities about project closure, DRC partnership, and service transition.
Other Duties
- Undertake additional tasks as requested by the PDQM or Head of Programs.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (international development, social sciences, statistics, public health, etc.) with at least 4 years of relevant experience, or a Master's degree in a related field.
- Minimum 5 years of proven experience in monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning within humanitarian and development programs.
- Background in working with INGOs, UN agencies, government bodies, and/or local authorities in refugee, migrant, or emergency contexts.
- Demonstrated ability to meet diverse donor requirements, including ECHO, SIDA, EU, DFAT, GIZ, OFDA, and UN agencies.
- Strong grasp of MEAL principles and processes, including database management and reporting.
- Practical experience in DRC's core sectors.
- Solid understanding of mixed-methods approaches, research methodologies, and evidence generation, including participatory practices.
- Proven knowledge of the Core Humanitarian Standards (CHS) and the ability to apply accountability and ethical principles in daily work.
- Advanced expertise in data collection design, implementation, and quality assurance, with practical use of tools such as Kobo Toolbox, ODK, and ComCare.
- Strong quantitative and qualitative analysis skills, with the ability to clearly communicate findings.
- Experience supporting partners within a partnership framework.
- Capacity to facilitate organizational learning processes across programs.
- Skilled in training and facilitation with diverse NGO stakeholders.
- Ability to manage competing priorities under pressure, within time and budget constraints.
- Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Office365.
- Critical thinker with the ability to provide constructive feedback and foster a culture of continuous improvement.
- Strong motivation to learn and progress within the role.
- Excellent communication skills, adaptable to diverse audiences and stakeholders.
- Full professional proficiency in English.
Desirable Qualifications
- Knowledge of ArcGIS/QGIS and qualitative analysis software such as NVivo (or equivalents).
- Fluency in local languages or the language spoken by target communities (please specify).
- Experience working in fragile or insecure contexts, including familiarity with security management.
- Experience in designing and managing information management systems for large-scale humanitarian programs.
- Familiarity with commonly used data collection platforms such as Kobo Toolbox, ActivityInfo, CommCare, ODK, and DEEP.
- Proficiency with statistical software (e.g., SPSS, R) and data visualization tools such as Power BI.
- Certification in advanced MEAL courses/programs.
Required Skills & Core Competencies
DRC Core Competencies:
- Commitment to excellence and quality.
- Strong collaboration and teamwork.
- Ability to take initiative and lead when required.
- Effective communication across diverse audiences.
- Integrity and adherence to ethical standards.
Professional Skills and Attributes:
- Ability to thrive in multicultural and multinational environments.
- Proactive mindset with genuine commitment to teamwork and collaboration.
- Strong interpersonal skills, including patience, diplomacy, and courtesy.
- Excellent organizational and multitasking abilities.
- Flexibility and adaptability to changing contexts.
- Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
- High ethical standards in professional conduct.
- Team player with a positive attitude and sense of humor.
General Regulations
- The employee must comply with DRC's policies on safety, confidentiality, and ethics, including the Code of Conduct and Humanitarian Accountability Framework.
- Engaging in any other paid work during the contract period requires prior authorization from DRC.
- The employee shall refrain from any activities that could negatively impact DRC or its project implementation during the contract period.
- Media engagement (interviews, publication of photos or project-related materials) requires prior DRC approval.
- All project-related equipment loaned by DRC must be returned at the end of the contract or upon request.
Application Process
Applicants are required to submit the following:
A cover letter.
An updated CV (maximum of four pages).
Contact details of three referees (name, phone number, and email), including at least one recent line manager.
Applications may be submitted in French or English.
Equal Opportunity:
DRC is an equal-opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination on the grounds of race, gender, religion, age, marital status, disability, or sexual orientation. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.
Please note: Under DRC policy, international contracts cannot be offered to nationals of the country where the position is based (in this case, Cameroon).
The application deadline is 12 September 2025 at 23:59 GMT.
Please note that the DRC reserves the right to initiate the recruitment process prior to the closing date if a suitable candidate who meets the position's requirements is identified.
