MEAL Officer – SHINE Project job at ZOA Uganda

About ZOA

ZOA International is an international humanitarian and development organization supporting people affected by armed conflict and natural disasters. ZOA works with communities during emergencies and recovery phases, helping people rebuild their lives and regain opportunities for self-reliance.

ZOA operates across Africa, South America, the Middle East, and Asia, working with approximately 900 employees and local partners worldwide.

ZOA Uganda

ZOA Uganda operates offices in Kampala, West Nile (Arua), Acholi (Gulu), and Karamoja (Amudat). The organization works in relief and recovery programmes focusing on:

• Food security and livelihoods
• Education
• Conflict management
• Land rights

ZOA Uganda is seeking a MEAL Officer to support the UNICEF SHINE Project based in Moroto.

Job Purpose

The MEAL Officer will lead and support Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning activities for the UNICEF SHINE Project. The role is responsible for ensuring effective tracking of project results, quality data collection and analysis, accountability to stakeholders, and documentation of learning to improve programme outcomes.

The officer will support the development and implementation of MEAL systems, tools, and processes to measure project outputs, outcomes, and impact while ensuring compliance with ZOA and donor standards.

The SHINE Project aims to increase access to equitable, inclusive, safe, and quality education for children and adolescents in Karamoja, particularly girls, children with disabilities, pastoralist children, adolescent mothers, and other vulnerable groups.

Key Responsibilities

1. Monitoring

• Develop and implement MEAL systems, frameworks, tools, and processes aligned with ZOA standards and project objectives.
• Support the development of:
  • MEAL plans
  • Indicator Tracking Tables
  • Data Collection Tools
  • Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
  • Terms of Reference (ToRs)
  • Data protocols
• Work with project teams to ensure timely collection of accurate and relevant data.
• Organize joint monitoring visits with project teams, partners, government stakeholders, and other relevant actors.
• Strengthen the use of digital data collection technologies such as KoboCollect, CommCare, and ODK.
• Lead data analysis, visualization, interpretation, and presentation of MEAL findings.
• Prepare inputs for donor and internal project reports.
• Conduct Data Quality Audits and Data Quality Assessments in coordination with the MEAL Coordinator.
• Support capacity building of project staff and partners on MEAL systems, tools, data collection, and reporting.
• Ensure quality production of project visibility materials including:
  • Flyers
  • Leaflets
  • Project information sheets
  • Community engagement materials

2. Evaluation

• Support the design of assessments, evaluations, and research studies.
• Develop and review evaluation Terms of Reference.
• Participate in consultant and firm selection processes for assessments and evaluations.
• Coordinate internal and external evaluations in collaboration with:
  • MEAL Coordinator
  • Project Manager
  • Deputy Project Manager
  • Technical teams
  • Partners
• Review and contribute to evaluation reports.
• Serve as the focal person for MEAL-related support within the SHINE Project.

3. Accountability

• Support implementation of ZOA’s commitments under the Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS).
• Ensure Feedback and Complaints Mechanisms (FCM) are functional, accessible, and properly managed.
• Promote community participation and ensure affected populations' voices are incorporated into programme improvements.
• Train staff, partners, beneficiaries, and stakeholders on feedback and complaints procedures.
• Maintain accurate documentation of feedback and complaints received.
• Analyse feedback trends and provide recommendations for programme improvement.
• Promote compliance with:
  • ZOA Code of Conduct
  • Safeguarding policies
  • Do No Harm principles

4. Learning

• Develop and implement project learning agendas and learning questions.
• Promote a culture of evidence-based decision-making.
• Document:
  • Best practices
  • Success stories
  • Innovations
  • Lessons learned
• Support learning events, reflection meetings, and project reviews.
• Facilitate knowledge-sharing sessions with project teams, partners, and stakeholders.
• Coordinate collaboration between MEAL and programme teams.
• Participate in MEAL networks and coordination platforms with:
  • Government authorities
  • UN agencies
  • NGOs
  • Implementing partners

5. Other Responsibilities

• Perform any other duties assigned by the supervisor.

Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field such as:
  • Statistics
  • Quantitative Economics
  • Development Studies
  • Social Sciences
  • Population Studies
  • Anthropology
  • Related disciplines
• Postgraduate Diploma in Monitoring and Evaluation is an added advantage.

Professional Experience

• Minimum 3 years’ experience designing, implementing, and managing MEAL systems.
• Experience working on education projects with international organizations.
• Experience working with vulnerable communities.
• Experience working with donor-funded projects, especially UNICEF-funded programmes, is an advantage.
• Experience working in Karamoja is highly desirable.

Technical Skills and Knowledge

• Strong knowledge of MEAL systems and frameworks.
• Experience using digital data collection platforms including:
  • KoboCollect
  • CommCare
  • ODK
• Strong data processing and analysis skills.
• Experience using statistical software such as:
  • SPSS
  • STATA
• Ability to prepare donor-quality reports.
• Experience training teams on:
  • Data collection
  • Monitoring tools
  • Assessment methodologies
• Strong understanding of participatory monitoring and evaluation approaches.
• Ability to coordinate with local government stakeholders.

Key Competencies

• Excellent communication and facilitation skills.
• Strong analytical and reporting skills.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Strong organizational and planning skills.
• High integrity and professionalism.
• Strong interpersonal and networking skills.
• Cultural sensitivity and ability to work in diverse environments.
• Commitment to inclusion, including persons with disabilities.
• Self-motivated and proactive approach.
• Commitment to ZOA’s mission, vision, and Christian values.

Language Requirements

• Knowledge of local languages, particularly Ngakarimojong and Pokot, is desirable.
• Strong English communication skills required.

Working Conditions

• Based at the ZOA Moroto Field Office.
• Regular field visits to project locations required.
• Occasional travel to other ZOA offices for:
  • Learning activities
  • Training
  • Coordination meetings
  • Experience sharing
• Full-time position requiring flexibility during:
  • Reporting periods
  • Field activities
  • Travel schedules

What ZOA Offers

• A challenging and meaningful role within a humanitarian and development context.
• Opportunity to work with an experienced and committed team.
• Competitive remuneration and benefits aligned with the NGO sector.
• Opportunities for professional growth and learning.

• Develop and implement MEAL systems, frameworks, tools, and processes aligned with ZOA standards and project objectives.
• Support the development of: MEAL plans, Indicator Tracking Tables, Data Collection Tools, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Terms of Reference (ToRs), Data protocols.
• Work with project teams to ensure timely collection of accurate and relevant data.
• Organize joint monitoring visits with project teams, partners, government stakeholders, and other relevant actors.
• Strengthen the use of digital data collection technologies such as KoboCollect, CommCare, and ODK.
• Lead data analysis, visualization, interpretation, and presentation of MEAL findings.
• Prepare inputs for donor and internal project reports.
• Conduct Data Quality Audits and Data Quality Assessments in coordination with the MEAL Coordinator.
• Support capacity building of project staff and partners on MEAL systems, tools, data collection, and reporting.
• Ensure quality production of project visibility materials including: Flyers, Leaflets, Project information sheets, Community engagement materials.
• Support the design of assessments, evaluations, and research studies.
• Develop and review evaluation Terms of Reference.
• Participate in consultant and firm selection processes for assessments and evaluations.
• Coordinate internal and external evaluations in collaboration with: MEAL Coordinator, Project Manager, Deputy Project Manager, Technical teams, Partners.
• Review and contribute to evaluation reports.
• Serve as the focal person for MEAL-related support within the SHINE Project.
• Support implementation of ZOA’s commitments under the Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS).
• Ensure Feedback and Complaints Mechanisms (FCM) are functional, accessible, and properly managed.
• Promote community participation and ensure affected populations' voices are incorporated into programme improvements.
• Train staff, partners, beneficiaries, and stakeholders on feedback and complaints procedures.
• Maintain accurate documentation of feedback and complaints received.
• Analyse feedback trends and provide recommendations for programme improvement.
• Promote compliance with: ZOA Code of Conduct, Safeguarding policies, Do No Harm principles.
• Develop and implement project learning agendas and learning questions.
• Promote a culture of evidence-based decision-making.
• Document: Best practices, Success stories, Innovations, Lessons learned.
• Support learning events, reflection meetings, and project reviews.
• Facilitate knowledge-sharing sessions with project teams, partners, and stakeholders.
• Coordinate collaboration between MEAL and programme teams.
• Participate in MEAL networks and coordination platforms with: Government authorities, UN agencies, NGOs, Implementing partners.
• Perform any other duties assigned by the supervisor.

• Strong knowledge of MEAL systems and frameworks.
• Experience using digital data collection platforms including: KoboCollect, CommCare, ODK.
• Strong data processing and analysis skills.
• Experience using statistical software such as: SPSS, STATA.
• Ability to prepare donor-quality reports.
• Experience training teams on: Data collection, Monitoring tools, Assessment methodologies.
• Strong understanding of participatory monitoring and evaluation approaches.
• Ability to coordinate with local government stakeholders.
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills.
• Strong analytical and reporting skills.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Strong organizational and planning skills.
• High integrity and professionalism.
• Strong interpersonal and networking skills.
• Cultural sensitivity and ability to work in diverse environments.
• Commitment to inclusion, including persons with disabilities.
• Self-motivated and proactive approach.

• Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field such as: Statistics, Quantitative Economics, Development Studies, Social Sciences, Population Studies, Anthropology, Related disciplines.
• Postgraduate Diploma in Monitoring and Evaluation is an added advantage.
• Minimum 3 years’ experience designing, implementing, and managing MEAL systems.
• Experience working on education projects with international organizations.
• Experience working with vulnerable communities.
• Experience working with donor-funded projects, especially UNICEF-funded programmes, is an advantage.
• Experience working in Karamoja is highly desirable.