MERL Officer (Dar Al Salam, North Darfur) – Plan International

By Osama Elsheikh Last updated Apr 3, 2026

Job Description

Organization	Plan International
Job Title	MERL Officer
Requisition ID	53835
Location	Dar Al Salam, North Darfur
Reports to	Senior Programme Manager

Grade	C2
Closing Date	7 April 2026

The Organisation

Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organisation that advances children’s rights and equality for girls. We believe in the power and potential of every child but know this is often suppressed by poverty, violence, exclusion and discrimination. And it is girls who are most affected.

Working together with children, young people, supporters and partners, we strive for a just world, tackling the root causes of the challenges girls and vulnerable children face. We support children’s rights from birth until they reach adulthood and we enable children to prepare for and respond to crises and adversity. We drive changes in practice and policy at local, national and global levels using our reach, experience and knowledge.

For over 85 years, we have rallied other determined optimists to transform the lives of all children in more than 80 countries.

We won’t stop until we are all equal.

Dimensions of the Role

The Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning (MERL) Officer plays a central role in ensuring that SHF/USG programmes are evidence-based, accountable, and results-driven. The MERL Officer is primarily responsible for collaborating closely with the SHF project team and the M&E Coordinator at the Programme Area level ( Dar Al Salam, Shangiltobayi and Tawila) to coordinate data collection, analysis, interpretation, and reporting of project results to stakeholders and donors at all levels.

The role also involves monitoring project progress at the field level to ensure alignment with planned targets and indicators. In addition, the MERL Officer supports field staff and partners to effectively implement appropriate monitoring and evaluation activities, strengthening data quality, promoting learning, and enhancing the overall effectiveness of programme delivery.

The Officer will also oversee the implementation and management of Community Feedback Mechanisms (CFM), including the rollout of the Child-Friendly Feedback Mechanism (CFFM) and broader community engagement approaches. These will be implemented in line with Plan International policies, SHF community feedback guidelines, and international humanitarian standards, ensuring that beneficiary feedback is systematically collected, analysed, and acted upon to improve programme quality and responsiveness.

The Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning (MERL) Officer plays a central role in ensuring that SHF/USG programmes are evidence-based, accountable, and results-driven. The MERL Officer is primarily responsible for collaborating closely with the SHF project team and the M&E Coordinator at the Programme Area level to coordinate data collection, analysis, interpretation, and reporting of project results to stakeholders and donors at all levels.

Key Deliverables

1. Programme Monitoring and Tracking

Develop and implement monitoring frameworks, including indicators, tools, and plans
Track progress against logframes, indicators, and targets
Support use of tools such as IPTTs, DIPs, and 5Ws reporting
Assist on generating and implementing annual work plans and Detailed Implementation Plans (DiP).
Work closely with Project Managers, Technical Advisors, and field teams
Work with the CVA project coordinator and Officers to generate the monthly projects review narrative report.

Provide guidance on indicator definitions, data collection, and reporting tools
Support programme design with evidence and needs assessment data
Participate in cluster coordination and inter-agency assessments
Assist M&E coordinator on preparation of the quarterly and annual reports of the Program Area with the support of the PMs & PAM.
Conduct regular field monitoring visits to assess implementation quality

2. Data Collection and Management

Design and oversee data collection tools and methodologies (surveys, PDMs, assessments)
Ensure data is accurate, reliable, and disaggregated (age, gender, disability)
Manage project databases and ensure timely data entry, cleaning, and validation
Promote use of digital tools (e.g., Kobo,) where applicable
Lead or support baseline, midline, and endline evaluations
Conduct Post-Distribution Monitoring (PDM) and other outcome-level assessments
Analyse findings to assess effectiveness, relevance, and impact
Document lessons learned and best practices to inform future programming
Analyse quantitative and qualitative data to generate actionable insights
Support adaptive management by identifying gaps and recommending improvements
Use data to inform strategic decisions and programme adjustments
Train staff and partners on M&E tools, systems, and methodologies
Build capacity in data collection, analysis, and use for decision-making
Strengthen local partner systems for monitoring and reporting

4. Reporting and Documentation

Contribute to donor reports (SHF/USG) with quality data and analysis
Prepare internal reports, sitrep, dashboards, and situation updates
Ensure consistency between narrative and quantitative reporting
Support evidence generation for advocacy and visibility materials

5. Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP)

Establish and monitor feedback and complaints mechanisms (CFMs)
Ensure community feedback is collected, analysed, and responded to
Promote participation of beneficiaries in programme design and evaluation
Track indicators such as complaints received and resolved

6. Quality Assurance and Compliance

Ensure adherence to SHF donor requirements and humanitarian standards (e.g., CHS, Sphere, INEE)
Conduct data quality assessments (DQAs)
Verify that activities meet technical and quality benchmarks
Support compliance with protection mainstreaming and safeguarding standards

Others

Any other functions and responsibilities of appropriate nature to projects Monitoring and accountability assigned by the supervisor.

Ensures that Plan International’s global policies for Child Protection (CPP) and Gender Equality and Inclusion (GEI) are fully embedded in accordance with the principles and requirements of the policy including relevant Implementation Standards and Guidelines as applicable to their area of responsibility. This includes, but is not limited to, ensuring staff and associates are aware of and understand their responsibilities under these policies and Plan International’s Code of Conduct (CoC), their relevance to their area of work, and that concerns are reported and managed in accordance with the appropriate procedures.

Key relationships

Internal Communication:

M&E Manager and SHF Program Manager – High level of Communication to report, seek approvals, sharing views to strengthen the program area and to ensure continues support for the program and Finance.
Humanitarian Response Manager – High level of communication to support and provide hand holding support to understand the model and to respond to queries
Regular communication with Support Services, finance and program, Program Quality Unit in main office to share reports and updates.

External Communication:

Implementing Partners – high level of communication to share and understand progress of the projects.
Community Committee & Members: high level of communication and support

Technical expertise, skills and knowledge

Skills

Presentation skills

Negotiation skills
Analytical and logical skills

Communication skills

Good command of written and spoken English and Arabic languages.
Good skills in spread sheet and word processing computer application
Good skills in computer information and communication.
Good managerial skills.
Excellent skills in reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills.
Ability to communication via internet.
Ability to respond and solve challenges at first stage.
Ability to document program knowledge.
Ability to think creatively for development of new ideas and for presenting them to others.
Strong interpersonal skills to cope up with stress and managing work effectively.
Demonstrated Leadership skills to maintain team work and to build capacity of team members.
Knowledge and expertise

Bachelors or Master’s degree in either Statistics, Economics, Population Studies, Development Studies, Monitoring and Evaluation, Project Management or any other relevant field of study.
Demonstrable experience in monitoring and evaluation and staff coordination.
Experience with SHF or US funded projects will be added advantage
Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills including good listening skills, influencing, negotiation and coaching.

Essential

A BSc degree in Business Administration, statistics and economics…. etc
Fluency in English and Arabic, writing and speaking skills is required.
Strong understanding of the Logical Framework Analysis (LFA) as well as capacity to develop and analyse problem and make strategic decision.
Strong ability to work with team and work independently and meet tight deadlines.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, teamwork, flexibility, innovation and leadership skills.
Experience with Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point and Outlook

Desirable

Understanding and commitment to Plan International values, mission and mandate.
Proven ability to influence change at an operational and strategic level based on Plan International’s Country Strategy both among staff and implementing partners

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Location: Dar Al Salam, North Darfur

Reports to: Senior Programme Manager

Grade: C2

Closing Date: 7 April 2026

Equality, diversity and inclusion is at the very heart of everything that Plan International stands for.

We want Plan International to reflect the diversity of the communities we work with, offering equal opportunities to everyone regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

Plan International is based on a culture of inclusivity and we strive to create a workplace environment that ensures every team, in every office, in every country, is rich in diverse people, thoughts, and ideas.

We foster an organisational culture that embraces our commitment to racial justice, gender equality, girls’ rights and inclusion.

Plan International believes that in a world where children face so many threats of harm, it is our duty to ensure that we, as an organisation, do everything we can to keep children safe. This means that we have particular responsibilities to children that we come into contact with and we must not contribute in any way to harming or placing children at risk.

A range of pre-employment checks will be undertaken in conformity with Plan International’s Safeguarding Children and Young People policy. Plan International also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this scheme we will request information from applicants previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.

Please note that Plan International will never send unsolicited emails requesting payment from candidates.

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