Internals Only : MEAL Team Lead (Cluster) at War Child Alliance

Town of Chautauqua, New York, Afghanistan -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

25 Sep, 26

Salary

0.0

Posted On

27 Jun, 26

Experience

5 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

MEAL Strategy, Quality of Care Framework, Monitoring and Evaluation, Strategic Leadership, Technical Oversight, Results-Based Planning, Theory of Change, Data Quality Assurance, Adaptive Management, Capacity Building, Localization, Humanitarian MEAL, Accountability to Affected Populations, Data Protection, Donor Engagement, Microsoft 365

Industry

Non-profit Organizations

Description

Your mission The MEAL Lead provides strategic leadership and technical oversight for War Child’s Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) systems, including the Quality of Care (QoC) Framework and MEAL for humanitarian and emergency responses, across the War Child Alliance and with strategic partners. The role is responsible for the effective operationalisation of MEAL strategies, frameworks, and tools, ensuring that evidence, learning, and accountability are consistently embedded in programmes and organisational initiatives. Through line management of MEAL Coordinators and engagement in strategic planning and reporting processes, the role drives programme quality, organisational learning, and evidence‑based decision‑making at scale. What you will do: Lead the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of organizational MEAL strategies, frameworks, standards, and tools, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities, accountability commitments, and evidence needs. Support results‑based planning and strategic program design processes, including the development, validation, and use of theories of change to guide planning, implementation, monitoring, and learning Lead the integration and operationalization of Quality‑of‑Care indicators within the War Child Alliance, implementing partners and strategic partners, ensuring consistent application and use for performance monitoring and improvement. Lead the onboarding of partners and implementing teams on Quality of Care and MEAL systems for EBMs and EIMs, providing ongoing technical support to ensure effective application and use. Oversee technical quality assurance of MEAL systems, processes, and data, including standardization of indicators, interpretation of results, and evidence generation to ensure credibility, comparability, and use. Strengthen organizational learning and adaptive management through consolidation and use of evidence and insights. Build and strengthen MEAL capacity across teams and partners through guidance, tools, training, mentoring, and on‑the‑job technical support. Lead the operationalization of the MEAL localization agenda, including application of the localization matrix and support to partner‑led MEAL systems, capacities, and leadership, in line with organizational commitments. Contribute to the development of the organizational MEAL strategy and MEAL positioning within the Alliance. Line manages MEAL Coordinators and oversees the performance, coherence, and effectiveness of the MEAL function across contexts, where applicable ROLE-SPECIFIC OR CONTEXT RESPONSIBILITIES Provide leadership on Humanitarian MEAL, ensuring context‑appropriate, timely, and adaptive MEAL approaches that support rapid decision‑making, accountability to affected populations, and learning (through coordinating After Action Reviews) in emergency and fragile contexts. Lead development and governance of Quality of Care and Reach indicator guidance, systems, and tools. Support the design, oversight, and strengthening of accountability and feedback mechanisms to ensure meaningful participation of affected populations and response to community feedback. Establish and maintain EBM and reach dashboards consolidating program delivery and learning insights. Ensure ethical, safe, and responsible data collection, management, and use, in line with data protection, safeguarding, and organizational policies. Promote systematic use of MEAL evidence and learning to inform program adaptation, strategic decision‑making, and organizational priorities. Provide technical MEAL inputs to donor engagement, proposal development, and compliance with evidence and reporting requirements. Promote alignment and coherence of MEAL, Quality of Care, and evidence systems across the War Child Alliance. Support multi‑sectoral, technical, and rapid needs and strengths assessments. Ensure internal and external communication of MEAL and learning results, including contributions to communications products. Represent War Child in relevant global and inter‑agency MEAL, quality, and evidence networks. Undertake regular travel to support implementation, oversight, and learning. Your profile KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, EXPERIENCE Education Bachelor’s degree in Monitoring & Evaluation, Social Sciences, Development Studies, Public Policy, or a related field. Master’s degree in a relevant discipline is an asset. Experience Progressively responsible experience in MEAL or Monitoring and Evaluation roles. At least 3 years’ experience working in humanitarian, development, or conflict‑affected contexts. Demonstrated experience designing, leading, and institutionalising MEAL systems and frameworks. Proven experience providing strategic and technical advisory support to country teams and partners. Experience contributing to organisational strategy, programme design, proposals, implementation, and reporting. Proven experience developing tools, methodologies, guidance, and delivering training and learning activities. Strong experience coordinating and leading cross‑functional teams, working groups, or communities of practice. Languages Fluency in English is required for this role. Additional languages may be useful depending on stakeholder groups and organisational context, for example Arabic, Dari, French, Spanish, or Ukrainian (Technical) Knowledge Advanced knowledge of MEAL methodologies, tools, and systems. Strong expertise in Quality of Care frameworks, indicators, and best practices. Solid understanding of accountability to affected populations approaches. Experience with assessment methodologies, results frameworks, learning and adaptation processes. Ability to design and assess indicators and measurement systems for programme and organisational initiatives. Strong proficiency in Microsoft 365 tools (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Teams, SharePoint). Sound understanding of ethical evidence use, safeguarding, and child‑centred programming principles. What we offer Location : We work with global teams with team members being based in different locations. War Child is currently operates in: Afghanistan, the Central African Republic, Colombia, DR Congo, Germany, Jordan, Lebanon, the occupied Palestinian territory, South Sudan, Sweden, Syria, Uganda, Ukraine (soon to be registered), and Yemen. We also have offices in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Preference is given to applicants who reside and have valid working permits. War Child does not offer relocation. Type of Contract : Local contract with salary and secondary labour conditions based on the in-country salary scale, local T&C's will apply. Internals only may apply. Why You Should Apply Meaningful Impact : Contribute directly to improving the lives of children and families affected by conflict through quality education and long-term, sustainable change. Professional Growth: Join a dynamic organisation that values learning, innovation, and professional development, with opportunities for capacity building and growth through the role and War Child’s global network. Global Reach : Play a key role in scaling a ground-breaking programme across multiple conflict-affected contexts worldwide. Collaborative & Inclusive Culture : Work alongside passionate, mission-driven colleagues in a diverse, inclusive and respectful workplace that prioritises safety, fairness and equal opportunity for all. How to Apply Qualified candidates are encouraged to submit their applications (CV and motivation letter in English) by June 22, 2026. We are reviewing submissions on a rolling basis, so early applications are strongly recommended. ________________________________________________________________________________ By submitting your application you certify that all of the statements made in your application are true, complete, and correct and are made in good faith. You understand that falsifying, misrepresenting or intentionally withholding information will be grounds for rejection of your application or withdrawal of any offer of appointment or, if an appointment offer has been accepted, this will be ground for employment sanctions, such as, but not limited to, instant dismissal. In addition, you understand that you need to submit a Criminal Record Certificate and that, if you fail to submit it, no employment relationship can be established. Disclaimer Only applications received via our website are processed. If we appoint a suitable candidate before the given closing date, we reserve the right to remove the vacancy from our website before that date. In such a case, any responses received after that time are not processed. It could be that during our selection process the closing date for the vacancy is extended. If so, and you have not yet heard from us, your application will remain active. About us The War Child Alliance is an international non-governmental organization committed to providing psychosocial support, child protection, youth empowerment programming and quality education to the children affected by armed conflict. We implement evidence-based interventions to empower key stakeholders—including governments, educators, caregivers, and communities—to foster children’s wellbeing, education, and self-determination. We work with global teams with team members being based in different locations. War Child is currently operates in: Afghanistan, the Central African Republic, Colombia, DR Congo, Germany, Jordan, Lebanon, the occupied Palestinian territory, South Sudan, Sweden, Syria, Uganda, Ukraine (soon to be registered), and Yemen. We also have offices in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Learn more about War Child and our programmes https://www.warchild.net/ Safeguarding and Integrity Our work with children and at-risk adults to keep them safe is the most important thing we do. We are committed to the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults in all areas of our work. We have zero tolerance for any behaviours and practices that puts children and/or vulnerable adults at risk of abuse and/or harm. All (prospective) employees will be expected to be compliant with and sign up to our Child Safeguarding policy, our Code of Conduct and PSEA: Adults at Risk Policy. You can find the Child Safeguarding and Adults at Risk policy here: Integrity & Safeguarding - Home Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) and Belonging (DEIB) We value diversity and inclusion and are committed to ensuring that all our people and job applicants are treated fairly, irrespective of where, what or whom they were born, or of other characteristics. We want to offer a safe and inclusive workplace where all our people, especially those who are currently marginalised or underrepresented, can be themselves at work. If you have any questions about our commitment to Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) and Belonging (DEIB) do get in touch: JEDI.team@warchild.net

Responsibilities

Provide strategic leadership and technical oversight for Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) systems across the War Child Alliance. Lead the design and implementation of MEAL frameworks and Quality of Care indicators to drive evidence-based decision-making and program quality.