MEAL Assistant

Job Title: MEAL Assistant

Reports to: MEAL Officer

Location: Kakuma, Turkana County

Classification: Fulltime-Local Hire; as such this position is not eligible for R&R and the incumbent will be responsible for their own accommodation arrangements.

Starting Date: As soon as possible

Duration: Upto Dec 2026

BACKGROUND

IsraAID is an Israel-based non-governmental organization that was founded in 2001 and has since its inception worked in emergency and long-term development settings in over 55 countries. IsraAID’s mission is to support people affected by humanitarian crises by partnering with local communities around the world to provide urgent aid, assist recovery, and reduce the risk of future disasters.

JOB PURPOSE

The purpose of this position is to provide technical and administrative support to the MEAL team in day-to-day activities including data collection and field supervision, entry, cleaning, analysis, reporting, and accountability mechanisms. The role is designed to offer practical exposure to MEAL processes while strengthening IsraAID’s commitment to evidence-based programming. The incumbent will report to the MEAL officer.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

MEAL Planning, Tools & Data Management

• Conduct background research to inform programme design.
• Support development of logframes and theories of change.
• Support in developing MEAL plans with clear indicators, tools, analysis, and reporting frameworks.
• Support in designing and refining of data collection tools (baseline, endline, FGDs, KIIs).
• Review and improve existing tools and data systems.
• Integrate team feedback to strengthen data management processes.
• Ensure timely data entry and updates in LogAlto and other systems.

Monitoring & Reporting

• Lead accurate, timely data collection using participatory approaches.
• Conduct field monitoring, evaluations, and desk reviews.
• Analyze qualitative and quantitative data and share findings.
• Train staff on tools, data collection, and reporting.
• Facilitate learning and adaptive programming based on findings.
• Support preparation of program updates, donor reports, and completion reports.
• Track MEAL workplans and flag risks or delays for corrective action.

Assesment, Surveys & Evaluation

• Coordinate baseline, endline, and ongoing evaluations.
• Support assessments (KAP, PDM, Baseline, real-time evaluations).
• Develop TORs and support recruitment of external evaluators.
• Review survey reports to ensure quality and accuracy.
• Promote use of evaluation findings for programme improvement.

Learning, Accountability & Capacity Building

• Strengthen accountability systems, including feedback mechanisms (FRM).
• Collect and analyze community feedback for programme improvement.
• Build staff capacity in MEAL tools and approaches.
• Promote learning, documentation of best practices, and knowledge sharing.
• Support two-way communication with communities.

Coordination & Representation

• Assist in maintaining strong stakeholder and partner relationships.
• Represent the organization in coordination forums in the absence of the MEAL Officer.
• Ensure continuous communication of findings to inform decision-making.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE AND TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES:

• Bachelor’s degree in one of the following fields: social sciences, statistics, demographics, monitoring and evaluation or a related field.
• Minimum of one (1) year of experience working in the field of MEAL (including indicator selection, target setting, data collection and analysis, facilitating learning processes, reporting, database management, and developing M&E and performance monitoring plans);
• Knowledge of the major evaluation types (process, impact etc.), methodologies (qualitative, quantitative, mixed method) and data collection and analysis methods.
• Experience in developing data collection instruments.
• Planning and managing surveys, developing and refining data collection methods and tools, conducting data quality assessments and oversight - experience and knowledge of participatory MEAL methods.

Skills

• Technical MEAL Skills
• Data Management
• Research & Analytical Skills
• Communication Skills
• Accountability & Ethics
• Adaptability & Flexibility

Key Behaviours

• Professional
• Analytical thinker
• Results oriented
• Teamwork and collaboration
• Committed to learning.

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT AND DEMANDS:

• Typical office environment with field visits demands.
• Ability to work in a fragile context.

Level of Contact with Children:

High contact: Frequent interaction with Children

LANGUAGES

English and Kiswahili, Local language is an added advantage.

ETHICAL STANDARDS

IsraAID has zero tolerance towards any acts of misconduct and Sexual Exploitation and Abuse. The recruitment process will include all candidates’ declarations and reference checks focused on misconduct and SEA.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

IsraAID is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or disability status.