MEAL Assistant at Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS)

The Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) is an international Catholic organisation with a mission to accompany, serve and advocate on behalf of refugees and other forcibly displaced persons. JRS undertakes services at national and regional levels with the support of an international office in Rome. Founded in November 1980 as a work of the Society of Jesus, JRS was officially registered on 19 March 2000 at the Vatican State as a foundation. JRS programmes are found in 51 countries, providing assistance to: refugees in camps and cities, individuals displaced within their own countries, asylum seekers in cities, and to those held in detention centres. The main areas of work are in the field of education, emergency assistance, healthcare, livelihood activities and social services. At the end of 2016, more than 733,400 individuals were direct beneficiaries of JRS projects.

Job Summary

JRS is recruiting for the positions of MEAL Assistants to be based in Dikwa, Ngala and Monguno LGAs of Borno State, respectively,  in preparation for anticipated funding from the European Commission Directorate for Humanitarian Aid (ECHO) for projects to be implemented in Dikwa, Ngala, and Mongono LGAs of Borno State, Nigeria. The Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Assistants will support the MEAL Officer in the design, coordination and implementation of the monitoring and evaluation, research, accountability and learning framework of the project and report to the MEAL Officer. In support to the MEAL Officer, the MEAL Assistants shall ensure overseeing a functional MEAL system for the project as well as support the full-cycle monitoring and evaluation of programs, developing appropriate methodologies and tools to design evaluations.

Key Responsibilities of the position

Role/Mission

• Support data collection at field level using digital tools (e.g., Kobo/ODK) for monitoring, assessments, and surveys.
• Participate in data entry, validation, and cleaning to ensure accuracy and completeness.
• Assist in maintaining indicator tracking tools and updating project databases with verified data.
• Monitor and document feedback from beneficiaries and ensure referrals are logged and followed up appropriately.
• Support routine data quality checks and contribute to infographics and learning displays 
• Assist in the documentation of field-level lessons learned, success stories, and community observations.
• Maintain confidentiality and uphold ethical standards in handling beneficiary information.
• Promote PSEA and safeguarding principles in all MEAL-related work.
• Provide logistical and technical support during learning workshops, community consultations, and training sessions.
• Perform any other relevant tasks as assigned by the MEAL Officer or Project Director.

Required Profile 

Qualification

• Diploma or Bachelor's degree in Social Sciences, Statistics, Education, Development Studies, or related field.
• At least 1–2 years of experience in data collection, MEAL support, or field monitoring in humanitarian or development projects.
• Basic experience using mobile data collection platforms (e.g., KoboToolbox, ODK) and Microsoft Office (Excel, Word).
• Familiarity with accountability principles and safeguarding practices in humanitarian programs.
• Fluency in English and local language (Kanuri or Hausa) is highly desirable.
• Prior experience working in Borno State is an advantage.
• To fill this vacancy, preference is given to Borno State indigenes

Skills and Competencies 

• Strong interpersonal and team collaboration skills.
• Good attention to detail and accuracy in data handling.
• Basic analytical and reporting skills.
• Ability to work under pressure in challenging environments.
• Demonstrated cultural sensitivity and integrity in dealing with vulnerable populations.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and adhere to data protection principles.
• Commitment to safeguarding and protection from sexual exploitation and abuse

NOTE

• Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for further steps in the recruitment process, and assessments may be conducted on-site.
• JRS is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, ethnic group, or disabilities. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment.
• JRS will not request any monetary payment from applicants at any stage of its recruitment process. Any request in this direction should immediately be reported as it is contrary to our values and practices.

Method of Application