Research, Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (RMEAL) Officer

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

BACKGROUND:   The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. The IRC leads the way from harm to home. IRC has operated in South Sudan for over 30 years now delivering humanitarian relief, post-conflict assistance, and development programs in both refugees, internally displaced and host community settings. IRC operates in 10 field offices including in Juba with program portfolio covering health, nutrition, Environmental Health (EH), child protection, economic recovery and development (ERD)/livelihoods, women’s protection, and empowerment, Education, and general protection. IRC continues to provide life-saving assistance and humanitarian aid to vulnerable South Sudanese, trying to rebuild their lives and restore peace. The IRC’s new strategy in South Sudan will prioritize improving health, safety, and economic well-being, targeting women, children, and other vulnerable.

Position Summary:

IRC is seeking an RMEAL Officer (PlayMatters) for the implementation of PlayMatters 3.0 (PM3.0), a multi-year initiative funded by the LEGO Foundation. PM3.0 in South Sudan adopts a system-strengthening, learning through Play (LtP) approach to improve access to safe, inclusive, and quality learning for children in crisis-affected and recovery contexts. The programme focuses on strengthening education system’s capacity for uptake and institutionalization of LtP, while expanding access to joyful, inclusive learning opportunities for children in both humanitarian and development settings. Implementation is delivered through a consortium led by IRC, in partnership with War Child Alliance and Plan International, working closely with national and sub-national education actors. More information on PlayMatters can be found here: https://www.playmatters.org

Reporting to the RMEAL Manager, the RMEAL Officer will support the implementation of monitoring, evaluation, accountability, research, and learning (RMEAL) activities at field level, working closely with programme teams, schools, and community stakeholders. The role will be responsible for collecting routine data from schools and other intervention sites, ensuring data quality, and supporting real-time tracking of programme performance. The RMEAL Officer will regularly access schools, training sites, and community locations to conduct monitoring visits, support data collection processes, and verify implementation quality. The position will also support the use of standardised data collection tools, data quality assurance processes, and basic data analysis and visualisation, ensuring that accurate and timely information is available to inform programme improvements. Working closely with teachers, school leaders, partners, and field teams, the RMEAL Officer will help strengthen accountability mechanisms, feedback systems, and learning processes, contributing to adaptive programming and improved delivery of PlayMatters 3.0 interventions in South Sudan.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Data management and quality assurance

• Support the development, adaptation, and deployment of data collection tools aligned to project indicators and ensure their availability in digital systems (e.g., CommCare).
• Train and orient project team, teachers, school leaders, community actors, and enumerators on the use of data collection tools and systems.
• Ensure consistent and timely use of standardised tools and templates for data collection, aggregation, and reporting at school and community levels.
• Lead and coordinate routine data collection across schools, training sites, and community intervention locations, ensuring completeness, accuracy, and timely submission.
• Ensure all collected data is properly stored, validated, and managed within central databases.
• Support data cleaning, basic analysis, and updating dashboards for data visualisation and reporting.
• Conduct regular data quality checks and field-level verification, including spot checks and supervision visits.
• Support implementation and monitoring of feedback and complaints mechanisms using systems such as PAIMS, ensuring community voices are captured and responded to.
• Share analysed data and insights with project teams to inform decision-making and improve programme performance.

Monitoring and evaluation

• Lead the field-level implementation of RMEAL SOPs, ensuring compliance with IRC and PlayMatters standards.
• Track project progress against workplans, indicators, and targets, highlighting gaps and delays.
• Conduct regular monitoring visits to schools and communities to assess activity implementation, participation, and quality.
• Support and/or lead key RMEAL activities including baseline, endline, assessments, client satisfaction surveys, and data quality audits (DQAs).
• Provide technical support to project staff, partners, and incentive workers on data collection, reporting, and record-keeping.
• Ensure proper use and compliance with RMEAL reporting tools, templates, and systems.
• Support integration of monitoring into daily programme activities, ensuring continuous tracking of outputs and outcomes.

Program support, Research, Accountability and learning

• Support the design, updating, and use of project measurement frameworks and tools, including KPI trackers and monitoring systems.
• Collect and document client feedback, success stories, and lessons learned from schools and communities.
• Support the planning and implementation of surveys, assessments, and evaluations, including coordination with field teams and partners.
• Contribute to implementation and impact research activities under PlayMatters, including data collection, documentation, and field-level coordination.
• Ensure that findings from monitoring, research, and feedback are shared with programme teams and used to improve implementation.
• Participate in learning and reflection processes (e.g., After-Action Reviews, partner review meetings) and support documentation of best practices.
• Liaise with project teams and partners to ensure timely sharing of data, learning, and insights in line with project requirements.

Coordination and Representation

• Participate in internal and external coordination meetings (e.g., county/payam forums, technical working groups) as required, representing RMEAL functions and sharing field-level data and insights.
• Work closely with programme, technical, and operations teams to ensure RMEAL activities are effectively integrated into day-to-day implementation and planning.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Statistics, Economics, Demography, Social Sciences, or a related field relevant to Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (RMEAL).
• Minimum of 2 years of relevant experience in data management, monitoring and evaluation, or related functions, preferably in humanitarian or development contexts.
• Basic technical knowledge of M&E concepts and tools, including indicators (outputs/outcomes), logical frameworks, theories of change, data collection methods, and accountability/feedback mechanisms.
• Demonstrated experience in primary quantitative data collection and data entry, preferably in field-based settings (schools and communities).
• Proficiency in mobile data collection tools such as Kobo, CommCare, or ODK; familiarity with data visualisation tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau, or GIS) is an added advantage.
• Strong computer skills, particularly in Microsoft Excel and Word, with experience in basic data analysis and report writing.
• Strong organisational, planning, and analytical skills, with the ability to prioritise tasks, manage multiple activities, and maintain attention to detail.
• Demonstrated problem-solving ability and systematic thinking skills.
• Ability to work in dynamic and challenging environments, with flexibility and resilience under pressure.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with field teams, teachers, community members, and partners.
• Willingness and ability to travel regularly to field sites, including schools and community intervention locations.

Reports to:   RMEAL Manager (PlayMatters)

Working Environment:  The RMEAL officer (PlayMatters) will be based in the IRC office – Rumbek and will be provided with regular administrative and logistics support to perform his/her responsibilities.

The IRC Core Values and Commitments:

Standards of Professional Conduct: The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way Standards for Professional Conduct.  These are Integrity, Service, Accountability and Equality.  In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

Safeguarding and PSEA policy: The IRC has a zero-tolerance policy for safeguarding/PSEA violations by staff, incentive workers, visitors, sub-grantees, suppliers/sub-contractors, and implementing partners. Safeguarding/PSEA at the IRC is an integral to organizational values and ethics, and staff and associates are expected to take all reasonable steps to prevent the sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment of any person linked to the program by both its employees and any downstream partner. The successful candidate will be subject to a thorough background check and satisfactory references.

Promote and actively participate in initiatives and efforts to build team engagement, inclusion and cohesion in IRC. Foster ongoing learning, honest dialogue and reflection to strengthen safeguarding and to promote IRC values and adherence to IRC policies.  IRC strives to build a diverse and inclusive team at all levels who as individuals, and as a group, embody our culture statement creating a working environment characterized by critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity for us to achieve our aspirations as a team and deliver the best possible services to our clients.

Narrowing the Gender Gap: The International Rescue Committee is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including a flexible hour (when possible), maternity leave, transportation support, and gender-sensitive security protocols.

Equal Opportunity Employer: IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants because of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.

“WOMEN, MINORTITIES AND PEOPLE LIVINING WITH DISABILITIES ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY”.

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS

All International Rescue Committee workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. Our Standards are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding, Conflicts of Interest, Fiscal Integrity, and Reporting Wrongdoing and Protection from Retaliation. IRC is committed to take all necessary preventive measures and create an environment where people feel safe, and to take all necessary actions and corrective measures when harm occurs. IRC builds teams of professionals who promote critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity to deliver the best possible services to our clients.

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Why Choose the IRC?

Work that has meaning: Every day at the IRC is a chance to make a difference through a purpose-driven career. Whether you're working directly with communities or providing support behind the scenes, you will be part of a dynamic team that is always innovating, scaling, and testing new and better solutions to ensure the best possible outcomes for the people we serve.

Global scale, dynamic workplace: At the IRC, we believe that the dynamic, global make-up of our team is our strength. When you join us, you're not just starting a job—you will be part of a global organization positively impacting millions of lives in over 40 get to work with colleagues from all around the world—working across time zones and regularly exchanging different ideas, perspectives and insights. You’ll join a team that is dedicated to fostering a supportive environment to create a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and heard.  

Challenging work, innovative solutions: We’re committed to excellence and innovation, and pride ourselves in setting industry-leading standards while practicing evidence and data-lead strategies. Come challenge norms, shatter conventions, and pioneer change while working on real, nuanced and complex issues we face in the world today.  

Community centered: We’re an empathetic community that truly cares for one another. Our comprehensive safety and security initiatives ensure a safe work environment, while our continuous learning and development programs provide ongoing opportunities for personal and career advancement.

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Our Typical Recruitment Process

The interview process typically includes three rounds, though the number may vary depending on the role and level of seniority. It usually begins with a conversation with our recruiting team to learn more about you and your goals. This is followed by an interview with a hiring manager or business stakeholder to explore your background and provide more insight into the role. The final round focuses on assessing your role-specific expertise and may be conducted as a panel interview to evaluate your cross-functional strengths. Before extending an offer, we generally conduct reference checks, and after an offer is made, a standard background check is completed. While we strive for consistency, the process may differ based on the role, business unit, location, job type, legal requirements, and other factors.

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