Duty Station: Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria (with frequent travel to project locations across Northeast, Northwest, and North Central Nigeria)
Reports To: MEAL Manager/Head of Programs
Contract Type: Full-time
Contract Duration: Six (6) months, renewable subject to performance and funding
1. Organizational Background
Vision for Inclusive Solutions and Transparency Initiative (VISTA Initiative) is a national non-governmental organization with a strong focus on women and girls, established in response to the humanitarian crisis in Nigeria. The organization prioritizes interventions in the Northeast, Northwest, and North Central regions, where communities face the impacts of armed conflict, natural disasters, climate-induced displacement, and deep socio-economic marginalization.
VISTA Initiative delivers life-saving humanitarian assistance while advancing sustainable development, climate-resilient programming, and peacebuilding solutions for crisis-affected and underserved populations. The organization places particular emphasis on addressing the needs of women, children, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and the elderly, ensuring that disability inclusion is fully mainstreamed across all programs.
VISTA Initiative thematic areas of intervention include providing equitable access to Education, improving access to safe Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) services, delivering essential Health care and Nutrition support, and ensuring protection for vulnerable populations. VISTA Initiative also strengthens Food Security, facilitates Early Recovery and Livelihoods, and provides critical support in Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM), Shelter, and Non-Food Items (NFI). The organization promotes Governance and Civic Engagement, fosters Peacebuilding and Social Cohesion, and integrates climate change adaptation and mitigation actions into all relevant sectors to strengthen community resilience against climate-induced risks.
VISTA Initiative is firmly guided by the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence, operating without political or religious bias and upholding a strong commitment to equity, inclusion, and non-discrimination. The organization employs a community-driven, rights-based approach, ensuring programs are informed by local needs, promote inclusive participation, and address barriers faced by marginalized groups. Its work aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and reflects the Humanitarian Development Peace Nexus (HDPN) by bridging emergency response with long-term recovery, governance reform, climate resilience, and social cohesion.
2. Purpose of the Position
The MEAL Officer will lead the implementation of monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning systems across all VISTA Initiative programs. The position ensures high-quality data collection, analysis, reporting, accountability to affected populations (AAP), and learning for continuous program improvement.
The MEAL Officer will also support proposal development, donor reporting, assessments, and evidence generation to strengthen funding opportunities and program impact.
3. Key Responsibilities
A. Monitoring and Evaluation
- Design and implement MEAL frameworks, logical frameworks, indicators, and data collection tools for all projects.
- Support baseline, midline, endline, and post-distribution monitoring (PDM) assessments.
- Ensure timely and accurate collection of quantitative and qualitative data across sectors.
- Monitor progress against targets and flag performance gaps for corrective action.
B. Data Management and Quality Assurance
- Ensure data quality through regular verification, validation, and data cleaning.
- Maintain secure databases and dashboards for program performance tracking.
- Analyze data and produce clear, actionable insights for program teams and management.
- Ensure data protection, confidentiality, and ethical standards are upheld.
C. Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP)
- Establish and manage complaints and feedback mechanisms (CFMs) that are safe, confidential, inclusive, and accessible.
- Ensure community feedback is systematically collected, analyzed, and used to improve programming.
- Promote transparency and participation of beneficiaries, especially women, girls, and persons with disabilities.
D. Learning and Knowledge Management
- Document lessons learned, best practices, success stories, and challenges.
- Facilitate learning sessions, after-action reviews, and reflection meetings.
- Support adaptive management by sharing evidence-based recommendations.
E. Reporting and Donor Compliance
- Contribute to donor reports, situation reports, and internal performance updates.
- Ensure MEAL components of donor proposals and reports meet quality and compliance standards.
- Provide evidence and data visualizations to support advocacy and donor engagement.
F. Proposal Development and Assessments
- Provide technical inputs for proposals and concept notes, including indicators, results frameworks, and MEAL budgets.
- Support needs assessments, evaluations, and research activities.
- Contribute to evidence-based advocacy and fundraising initiatives.
G. Capacity Building and Coordination
- Train staff and partners on MEAL concepts, tools, data collection, and AAP principles.
- Provide on-the-job coaching and mentoring to field teams.
- Coordinate with sector leads, partners, and external evaluators.
H. Risk Management and Compliance
- Identify MEAL-related risks and propose mitigation measures.
- Ensure compliance with donor requirements, humanitarian standards, and organizational policies.
- Support audits, evaluations, and learning reviews.
4. Key Deliverables
- Functional MEAL systems across all programs.
- High-quality data sets, dashboards, and analytical reports.
- Timely donor and internal reports supported by verified evidence.
- Operational complaints and feedback mechanisms.
- Learning products and recommendations to improve program quality.
5. Required Qualifications and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Statistics, Economics, Social Sciences, Development Studies, or related field (Master’s degree is an advantage).
- Minimum of 3 years’ experience in MEAL roles, preferably in humanitarian or fragile contexts.
- Strong experience with data collection tools (Kobo, ODK, CommCare, or similar).
- Experience conducting assessments, evaluations, and PDMs.
- Knowledge of donor reporting requirements (UN, INGOs, ECHO, USAID, etc.) is an advantage.
6. Core Competencies and Skills
- Strong analytical, reporting, and data visualization skills.
- Good understanding of AAP, safeguarding, and humanitarian standards.
- Ability to work independently and in challenging field environments.
- Excellent communication and coordination skills.
- Proficiency in MS Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and MEAL software tools.
- Fluency in English; Kanuri, Hausa, or Fulani is an advantage.
7. Safeguarding and Code of Conduct
The WASH Officer must adhere to VISTA Initiative Code of Conduct, Child Safeguarding Policy, and PSEA Policy. Any form of exploitation, abuse, or misconduct will not be tolerated.
8. Equal Opportunity Statement
VISTA Initiative is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from women, persons with disabilities, and candidates from diverse backgrounds.
9. Method of Application
Interested candidates are invited to submit the following documents in a single PDF file, including at least two professional references:
- Cover letter detailing suitability for the role
- Updated CV
- Copies of academic and professional credentials
Submission Instructions:
- Apply via this link:
- Deadline for submission: 10th February 2026 by 12:00 PM
Important: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
