JOB DESCRIPTION

PROJECT

Integrated Shelter, Food Security and Livelihoods Support for Safe, Dignified and Sustainable Return in Abul Thohur (Idleb) and Madiq Castle (Hama)

DUTY STATION

Idlib, Syria, with regular field visits to Madiq Castle, Hama Governorate, and other project locations as required

ABOUT THE PROJECT

IHH is implementing an integrated humanitarian and early-recovery project funded by the OCHA Syria Humanitarian Fund (SHF), supporting safe, dignified and sustainable return in Abul Thohur, Idleb Governorate, and Madiq Castle, Hama Governorate.

The project combines shelter rehabilitation, winterization and Core NFI assistance, cash assistance for food, bakery rehabilitation and subsidized bread provision, agricultural support for returning wheat farmers, and rehabilitation of community irrigation infrastructure. These complementary interventions aim to address urgent household needs, restore essential infrastructure, protect agricultural livelihoods and strengthen community recovery.

JOB SUMMARY

IHH is seeking four MEAL Field Assistants to support the implementation of monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning activities across the project's target locations. Working under the guidance of the IHH MEAL Department, the postholders will conduct field data collection and monitoring, verify beneficiary and activity information, support post-distribution and post-implementation monitoring, document community feedback, and report findings in a timely and accurate manner.

The role involves frequent field visits across the project's multi-sector activities, including shelter rehabilitation, winterization and Core NFI assistance, cash-for-food assistance, bakery rehabilitation and subsidized bread provision, agricultural support, and irrigation infrastructure rehabilitation. MEAL Field Assistants will use approved tools and methods to collect reliable evidence, check data quality, and help ensure that affected people can safely access information and feedback channels.

The position requires strong attention to detail, impartiality, respectful communication, and strict adherence to informed consent, confidentiality, data protection, safeguarding and PSEA requirements. MEAL Field Assistants support field-level monitoring and data collection under the MEAL team's guidance; they do not independently change project targeting, make programme decisions, or investigate sensitive complaints.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Field Monitoring and Data Collection

• Conduct regular field monitoring visits to project locations in Abul Thohur and Madiq Castle in accordance with the approved MEAL plan, documenting activity progress, implementation quality, access constraints and emerging issues.
• Collect quantitative and qualitative data using approved methods and tools, including KoboToolbox or other digital data-collection platforms, structured questionnaires, observation checklists and approved monitoring forms.
• Support distribution monitoring and post-distribution monitoring (PDM) for cash assistance, winterization, Core NFI and food assistance, including beneficiary interviews and verification of whether assistance was received safely and as intended.
• Support monitoring of shelter rehabilitation, bakery rehabilitation and subsidized bread activities, agricultural support and irrigation infrastructure works by collecting field observations and beneficiary feedback, without replacing technical inspections or engineering certification.
• Participate in baseline, endline, post-implementation monitoring, market monitoring, needs assessments and other data-collection exercises as assigned by the MEAL Officer.
• Conduct key informant interviews (KIIs), focus group discussions (FGDs) and household surveys when assigned and trained, ensuring that questions are asked consistently and responses are recorded accurately.
• Report delays, access constraints, implementation gaps, safeguarding concerns and other issues through the appropriate reporting lines without delay.

Data Quality and Documentation

• Check completed questionnaires and monitoring forms for completeness, consistency and accuracy before submission, and promptly flag missing data, anomalies, potential duplication or other discrepancies to the MEAL Officer.
• Use approved digital tools and data-collection protocols, including consent procedures, skip logic and validation rules, and seek guidance when a tool or question is unclear.
• Support first-level data cleaning, data entry, coding, verification and organization of quantitative and qualitative information using approved systems and templates.
• Maintain accurate and organized electronic and hard-copy MEAL records, including survey forms, field visit notes, monitoring checklists, attendance records and supporting evidence.
• Prepare clear field notes and concise monitoring updates, ensuring that findings are factual, traceable and submitted within agreed deadlines.
• Collect photographs or other supporting evidence only when authorized and appropriate, and in line with consent, safety and data-protection requirements.
• Support the compilation of indicator tracking information and reporting inputs by submitting complete, timely and verifiable field data to the MEAL team.

Accountability to Affected People and Feedback Mechanisms

• Inform beneficiaries and community members about available feedback and complaints channels and how to access them safely, including during field visits and monitoring exercises.
• Receive, record and refer feedback or complaints through IHH's approved Complaints and Response Mechanism (CRM), following the established procedures and confidentiality requirements.
• Escalate sensitive protection, safeguarding, fraud, corruption or sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA) concerns immediately through designated reporting channels; do not investigate such cases independently or share details with unauthorized persons.
• Support follow-up and closure of feedback cases only as instructed by the responsible CRM or MEAL focal point, and contribute to communicating authorized responses to affected people where appropriate.
• Apply impartiality, non-discrimination, accessibility and do-no-harm principles, and report barriers that may prevent women, older persons, persons with disabilities or other vulnerable groups from participating safely.
• Coordination, Reporting and Learning
• Coordinate with the MEAL Officer and relevant programme and field teams to schedule monitoring visits and ensure safe, timely access to project locations, while maintaining the independence and impartiality of MEAL functions.
• Provide timely updates on completed monitoring activities, data-collection progress, field constraints, beneficiary feedback and issues requiring follow-up.

Contribute to periodic monitoring summaries, PDM reports, assessment findings, lessons learned and other reporting products using approved formats.

• Share evidence-based observations with the MEAL team to support corrective action, adaptive management and learning, while respecting confidentiality and need-to-know access.
• Support logistics for surveys, interviews, focus group discussions and monitoring visits, including coordination of appointments and preparation of approved tools and materials.
• Perform other related MEAL duties assigned by the supervisor, consistent with the role and project needs.
• REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
• Bachelor's degree or diploma in Social Sciences, Statistics, Economics, Development Studies, Public Health, Information Management or another relevant field.
• At least 1–2 years of relevant experience in MEAL, monitoring and evaluation, field data collection, research or accountability activities, preferably with a humanitarian or development organization.

Experience working directly with conflict-affected, displaced or vulnerable communities in Syria is an advantage.

• Practical experience conducting field visits, household surveys, interviews, focus group discussions, beneficiary follow-up or post-distribution monitoring.
• Familiarity with digital data-collection tools such as KoboToolbox, ODK or equivalent platforms is an advantage.
• Basic working knowledge of Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and Word, and the ability to organize and check data accurately.
• Understanding of accountability to affected populations, feedback and complaints mechanisms, informed consent, confidentiality, data protection, safeguarding and PSEA principles.
• Ability to follow approved questionnaires and protocols, maintain impartiality, and report data-quality concerns accurately.
• Strong communication, interpersonal and organizational skills, with the ability to engage respectfully with diverse communities.
• Ability to work independently in the field, manage competing priorities and travel regularly to project locations in Abul Thohur and Madiq Castle.
• Fluency in Arabic, both written and spoken, is essential. Working knowledge of English is an advantage.Knowledge of Turkish is also an advantage.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Field monitoring and accurate data collection.
• Data quality checks, verification and documentation.
• Beneficiary communication, accountability and safe referral of feedback.
• Use of digital data-collection tools and adherence to approved protocols.
• Confidentiality, impartiality and ethical engagement with affected people.
• Reporting, teamwork and timely escalation of issues.
• Attention to detail, organization and time management.
• Commitment to humanitarian principles, safeguarding, PSEA and data protection.
• WORKING CONDITIONS

The positions will be field-based, with regular travel to project locations in Abul Thohur, Idleb Governorate, and Madiq Castle, Hama Governorate, according to the approved MEAL plan and operational needs. The successful candidates must be willing and able to work regularly in the field and coordinate closely with the IHH MEAL Department, programme teams and affected communities.

Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.