About DEC
Founded in 1987, the Development Exchange Centre (DEC) was born out of research conducted by volunteers from the Canadian University Services Overseas (CUSO) and the Adult and Non-Formal Education Agency (ANFEA), Bauchi State. Their findings highlighted the significant disadvantages and limited representation faced by women particularly across Northern Nigeria. In response, DEC was established as a women focused social enterprise committed to improving the lives, opportunities, and status of women through integrated, sustainable, community driven development.
What began as a platform for exchanging development ideas has evolved into a national programme engine delivering transformative impact for women and their households. Today, DEC implements a wide range of women centered programmes including: Education and, Capacity Building for Women and Girls, Economic Empowerment & Access to Microcredit, Leadership Development & Good Governance Participation, Health and Environmental Awareness
With operations across 24 states and 134 branches, DEC has become a trusted catalyst for women’s economic and social advancement, widely recognized for its pioneering microcredit model and grassroots empowerment approach. DEC’s programmes are strengthened through robust partnerships with government institutions, NGOs, and development agencies who provide financial, technical, and material support. These collaborations continue to enhance DEC’s ability to expand opportunities for women, build community resilience, and support organizations across Nigeria to implement innovative, life changing initiatives
We are recruiting to fill:
Reports to: Executive Director
Duty Station: Bauchi
Department: MEAL Department .
Position Summary
The Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) Manager provides overall leadership, strategic direction, and quality assurance of MEAL functions within DEC. The role involves designing MEAL strategies, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and budgets that ensure adherence to DEC minimum standards and global MEAL frameworks. Working collaboratively with Microcredit and Social Services units, the MEAL Manager drives organizational learning, accountability, and evidence-based decision-making throughout programme and strategy cycles.
2. Roles and Responsibilities
A. Generic Responsibilities
Line Management
Directly manage MEAL staff, including performance management, goal setting, and staff development.
Oversee workforce planning, recruitment, induction, and ensure Duty of Care for team members
MEAL Systems & SOP Management
Develop, implement, and maintain MEAL systems and SOPs that meet or exceed organizational standards.
Ensure alignment with DEC’s MEAL frameworks and adaptation to local context.
Budgeting & Resource Planning
Participate in budgeting processes, including proposal development and MEAL budget planning.
Advocate for adequate MEAL resourcing across all programmes.
Data Quality & Technical Support
Ensure high-quality data collection, analysis, and use across Microcredit and programme teams.
Provide technical input for Theory of Change, logframes, and MEAL budget development.
MEAL Initiatives Implementation
Lead the rollout and adaptation of MEAL initiatives, including digital platforms.
Learning & Evaluation
Lead development of a learning agenda and evaluation plan; manage evaluation activities.
Facilitate learning processes that inform programme and strategic decision-making.
Documentation of success stories of donor and Dec activities
Community Feedback Mechanism (CFM)
Oversee the functionality, inclusiveness, and responsiveness of the CFM.
Information Management Systems
Ensure effective use and improvement of DEC MIS platforms in line with strategic requirements.
Compliance
Ensure compliance with DEC MEAL policies, guidance, and procedures.
B. Specific Responsibilities
Design and manage organizational and programme-level monitoring and evaluation systems, ensuring integrated learning and accurate reporting.
Support the development of theories of change, MEAL tools, and indicators; oversee MEAL plan implementation.
Lead the development and institutionalization of MEAL policies, procedures, and guidance.
Contribute to strategic planning by ensuring MEAL data informs programme effectiveness.
Facilitate MEAL data collection planning, tool development, data analysis, and reflective learning sessions with programme teams.
Provide technical support for assessments, studies, research, and monitoring activities.
Develop and oversee implementation of learning agendas, including evaluations, after-action reviews, and lessons-learned exercises.
Participate in programme design and proposal development, including logframes and M&E budget planning.
Ensure CFM insights are effectively integrated into programme delivery and management decisions.
Integrate DEC’s Safe and Inclusive Protection (SIP) standards into all MEAL tools and processes.
Perform additional tasks assigned by the line manager related to MEAL functions.
3. Scale and Scope of the Position
Financial Responsibilities
Oversee budgeting for MEAL staffing and advocate for adequate MEAL resources.
Manage MEAL budget lines for activities and ensure proper accountability of funds.
Contribute to initiatives that enhance departmental revenue opportunities.
Resources Responsibilities
Oversight of Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) systems:
GORS: Grants and Operational Reporting System
DCH :Data Collection Hub
CORE:Centralized Organizational Reporting Environment
Use and support of DEC People (people management system).
Surveys & Questionnaires: Google Forms, SurveyMonkey, Typeform
Interviews & Focus Groups: Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Skype (for remote interviews)
Note-taking & Recording: Evernote, OneNote, Otter.ai (for audio transcription)
Observation & Field Notes: Notion, Google Docs
4. Critical Interfaces
Core Competency Specialists / Programme Development Managers: Ensure alignment of MEAL strategies with technical approaches.
Managers: Support planning, implementation, and MEAL capacity building.
Partners & Consortium Members: Harmonize MEAL processes, build capacity, and support joint learning.
Grants Teams: Ensure compliance with MEAL requirements for donor-funded projects.
MCM & Head of Programme: Strategic alignment and programme quality.
Head Office MEAL Teams: Align with global MEAL standards and support organizational learning.
5. Generic Professional Competencies
Minimum 6 years of MEAL experience, including 2 years in a managerial role, preferably with national NGOs in Developmental context
Bachelor’s degree in Statistics, Information Systems Management, Social Sciences, Development Studies, or related field.
Strong technical understanding of MEAL principles, quantitative and qualitative methods.
Skilled in data analysis and presenting results to support evidence-based decisions.
Experience with mobile/online data collection and data management systems.
Ability to manage sensitive community feedback in line with data protection standards.
Experience collaborating with NGOs, donors, and local authorities.
Expertise in programme evaluation methodologies.
Proficient in facilitation, capacity building, and learning processes.
Fluent in English; Hausa is an added advantage.
6. Context Related Skills, Knowledge & Experience
Experience working with consortiums or national partners.
Experience managing volunteers or consultants.
Success stories writing skills and documentary skills
7. Behavioural Competencies
Working with people
Analytical thinking
Communication with impact and respect
Coping with change
8. Leadership Profile Competencies
Building meaningful relationships
Empowering people
Acting with integrity
Delivering results
Application Closing Date:
13 March2026.
Method of Application:
Suitably qualified candidates should forward their detailed resume/CV and cover letter in a single file to: [email protected] in a word document or PDF format (as any other format would not be considered) using the Job Title as the subject of the email.
Note:
DEC is an equal opportunity employer. Only applications submitted through the given channel and within the given period will be considered.
Women and persons with special needs are encouraged to apply for this exciting opportunity.
DEC brings to the attention of the public that applying for any position is free of charge. No processing fee is required for your application.
You are not to give any kind of gratification to submit your application.
Any person found to be paying for or giving any form of gratification will be disqualified.
Applications will be shortlisted on a rolling basis
You are requested to report any person demanding/giving payment or gratification via [email protected]
MEAL Manager At Development Exchange Centre
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