The Danish Refugee Council is one of the world's leading humanitarian NGOs, working in over 30 countries to provide adequate assistance and protection to refugees, asylum seekers, IDPs, returnees, people on the move, and vulnerable local populations/host communities. Currently, DRC is seeking a highly qualified national o International MEAL Coordinator (MEAL Advisor) based in Caracas, Venezuela.
About the job: DRC is managing its operations in Venezuela under the direction of the country office in Caracas and four field offices located in the states of Sucre, Apure, and Zulia (Maracaibo and Santa Barbara de Zulia). DRC Venezuela is implementing an integrated Action encompassing the Protection, Food Security & Livelihood, WASH and Disaster Preparedness sectors.
The overall purpose of the role:
The MEAL Coordinator provides country-level technical advice and capacity strengthening to support the development of DRC Venezuela’s Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning function. Under the supervision of the Head of Programmes, the role works closely with the existing MEAL leadership, MEAL staff, programme teams and partners to strengthen practical systems, improve the quality and use of evidence, and support accountable programming across emergency response, recovery and longer-term interventions.
The role supports a collaborative review of MEAL capacities, systems and ways of working, translates findings into a prioritised improvement plan, and accompanies its implementation through mentoring, coaching and hands-on technical support. The Coordinator promotes sustainable approaches adapted to country needs and team capacities, in line with DRC’s Global MEAL Model and donor requirements.
The position provides advisory and technical coordination support. The existing MEAL leadership retains responsibility for departmental management and day-to-day delivery. Priorities and recommendations are agreed with the Head of Programmes in consultation with relevant colleagues.
Responsibilities:
MEAL development and technical advisory support
- Facilitate a participatory review of MEAL systems, staffing capacities, workflows, tools and coordination arrangements, recognising existing strengths and identifying opportunities for improvement.
- Review how MEAL commitments are translated into workplans and delivered across country and field offices, including the factors affecting timeliness, data quality and utilisation of findings.
- Develop an achievable MEAL strengthening plan with the existing MEAL leadership and Head of Programmes, with clear priorities, responsibilities, timelines and measures of progress.
- Advise on the country MEAL strategy, departmental workplan, resourcing and division of responsibilities between MEAL, programme teams and partners.
- Provide regular, evidence-based recommendations to the Head of Programmes and support follow-up on agreed improvement actions.
Capacity strengthening and accompaniment
- Identify learning needs jointly with MEAL and programme staff and develop a tailored capacity-building plan covering country and field teams.
- Provide structured mentoring, coaching and practical support to MEAL leadership and staff, including through joint field visits and review of actual project tools and outputs.
- Facilitate practical learning sessions on MEAL planning, indicator design, sampling, mixed methods, data analysis, accountability and communication of findings.
- Develop accessible guidance and reusable resources and support their consistent application across offices.
- Assess the application of learning in practice and progressively transfer strengthened tools and processes to the responsible teams.
Results monitoring and programme quality support
- Support the integration of MEAL throughout Project Cycle Management, including proposals, grant opening, periodic reviews and close-out.
- Advise on theories of change, logframes, indicators, MEAL plans and realistic MEAL budgets, in collaboration with technical coordinators and grants colleagues.
- Review and strengthen indicator tracking tables, means of verification and reporting processes to improve consistency, completeness and timely consolidation.
- Support the design and refinement of context-appropriate quantitative and qualitative data collection methods for assessments, baselines, monitoring and outcome measurement.
- Provide technical quality assurance for sampling, data collection, data entry, analysis and reporting, and support resolution of recurrent bottlenecks.
- Work with relevant colleagues to strengthen data protection, secure storage, responsible sharing and practical use of digital collection and visualisation tools.
Accountability to affected populations
- Support MEAL and programme teams in strengthening accessible, inclusive and safe community feedback mechanisms and information provision.
- Review feedback workflows and advise on timely handling, appropriate referral of sensitive complaints and closure of the feedback loop, in line with DRC procedures.
- Build staff capacities on accountability, ethical data collection and Core Humanitarian Standard commitments.
- Support regular analysis of feedback trends and their use in programme reviews and decision-making.
Evaluation analysis and learning
- Advise on evaluation and research planning, methodologies and terms of reference in line with DRC policy and donor requirements.
- Support the analysis and interpretation of monitoring and evaluation findings and their translation into practical programme recommendations.
- Facilitate learning reviews and reflection sessions across teams and partners, documenting lessons and following up agreed actions.
- Support the preparation of clear evidence products and presentation of key findings to programme teams and senior management.
Partner support and coordination
- Work with partnership and MEAL colleagues to assess partner capacities and agree proportionate monitoring, reporting and accountability arrangements.
- Provide targeted technical support and capacity building to partners and facilitate joint learning and harmonisation of tools where appropriate.
- Coordinate technical exchanges across country and field offices and with relevant DRC global MEAL counterparts.
- Represent DRC in relevant technical coordination forums when delegated by the Head of Programmes.
- Perform other relevant duties assigned by the Head of Programmes within the scope of the role.
Experience and technical competencies
- Minimum five years of relevant MEAL experience in humanitarian or development programmes, including country-level technical coordination or advisory responsibilities.
- Demonstrated experience strengthening existing MEAL departments or systems through collaborative assessment, prioritised improvement planning and sustained technical support.
- Proven mentoring, coaching and facilitation skills, including experience supporting national staff and working effectively through technical influence and collaborative relationships.
- Strong practical knowledge of theories of change, logframes, indicator design, sampling, quantitative and qualitative methods, data quality assurance and evaluations.
- Experience translating data and community feedback into programme improvements and organisational learning.
- Experience with accountability mechanisms, CHS, ethical research and data protection in humanitarian settings.
- Advanced Excel skills and experience with digital data collection tools such as KoboToolbox or ODK; experience with Power BI or statistical analysis software is an asset.
- Experience meeting institutional donor MEAL requirements and supporting local partners.
- Strong analytical, organisational and communication skills, with the ability to propose practical solutions and support constructive dialogue.
- Previous experience with DRC systems, Latin American contexts or emergency response is an asset.
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in international development, social sciences, statistics, research, public health or another relevant discipline
- A relevant postgraduate qualification or specialised training in MEAL is an asset.
Languages
- Full professional proficiency in Spanish and English, spoken and written.
We offer:
- The opportunity to be part of one of the best NGOs worldwide.
- Access to over 1,000 free online trainings and certifications.
- Contract duration: subject to budget availability.
- Salary: Band G / Terms of Employment for national or expatriate staff, as applicable
- HCM insurance fully covered by the organization.
DRC Core Competencies:
- Achieving Excellence: Focus on achieving results and ensuring efficient processes.
- Collaboration: Engage relevant parties and encourage feedback.
- Taking the Initiative: Take ownership and initiative while seeking innovation.
- Communicating: Listen and speak effectively and honestly.
- Demonstrating Integrity: Act in accordance with DRC's vision and values.
Application Process: All applicants must upload a cover letter (max. 1 page) and an updated CV (max. 2 pages, without attachments) in English or Spanish, on the DRC employment platform. Applications sent by email will not be considered.
Application Deadline: Sunday, november 01 at 11:59 pm Local Time. Please note that applications will be reviewed continuously, and interviews will be scheduled as soon as a suitable candidate is identified. DRC reserves the right to close the vacancy before the deadline once a suitable candidate is identified.
Start Date: November 2026