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Internals Only : Head of MEAL (Shared Services)

Netherlands - Amsterdam office, Afghanistan (Remote), Central African Republic (Remote), Colombia (Remote), Congo DRC (Remote), Hybrid / Remote, Jordan (Remote)...
Full-time
Fixed-term

Your mission

The Head of MEAL provides strategic leadership for War Child’s Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) function, ensuring high-quality evidence, learning and data systems that strengthen programme quality, organisational accountability and evidence‑based decision‑making. 
The role leads the development and operationalisation of War Child’s global MEAL framework, data strategy and quality assurance systems, with a strong focus on Evidence‑Based Methods (EBMs), Quality of Care (QoC) indicators, and continuous learning. The Head of MEAL manages a global team of MEAL, knowledge and data specialists, supports country offices and partners through mutual capacity strengthening, and positions MEAL as a core enabler of programme excellence, scaling and localisation. 

Position in War Child Alliance

 

Reports to (Solid/Management):  

Director of Quality & Impact 

Reports to (Dotted/Functional):  

n/a 

Department: 

Quality & Impact 

Unit: 

MEAL 

Supervises (list direct reports / roles): 

  • MEAL Team Lead(s)
  • Data Analsyst
  • Information & Knowledge Management Specialist

(Operational) Scope:  

Alliance Shared Services 


What you will do:
  • Set and steward War Child’s global MEAL, knowledge and data strategy, ensuring it drives programme quality, organisational learning and evidence‑based decision‑making. 
  • Ensure effective implementation and continuous improvement of the Global MEAL Framework, aligned with organisational strategy, Theory of Change, thematic priorities and Evidence‑Based Methods (EBMs). 
  • Guarantee that MEAL systems enable accountability, learning and adaptive management at global and country levels, strengthening programme relevance and impact. 
  • Lead the integration of MEAL across the EBM portfolio, ensuring consistent application of Quality of Care (QoC) indicators, evidence standards and learning processes. 
  • Provide organisational oversight of evidence and QoC data, ensuring consolidated analysis informs leadership review, strategic direction and scaling decisions. 
  • Enable continuous adaptation, localisation and scale‑up of EBMs, using MEAL evidence to guide improvement and contextual relevance. 
  • Uphold alignment with international MEAL and quality standards, strengthening organisational credibility, consistency and best practice. 
  • Provide authoritative technical leadership in MEAL, knowledge and data, guiding global, country and partner teams to strengthen quality and coherence of practice. 
  • Ensure robust MEAL data governance and digital enablement, safeguarding ethical, secure and effective use of programme data while strengthening digital tools, dashboards and insight generation. 
  • Build and lead a high‑performing global MEAL function, ensuring strong team leadership, capacity strengthening across countries and partners, and positioning War Child as a credible sector leader in evidence, accountability and learning. 
ROLE-SPECIFIC OR CONTEXT RESPONSIBILITIES 
  • Ensure MEAL systems serve organisational priorities across programming, fundraising, advocacy and accountability. 
  • Act as a strategic partner to senior leadership by translating complex MEAL data into actionable organisational insights. 
  • Support localisation by promoting proportional, partner‑appropriate MEAL approaches and mutual capacity strengthening. 
  • Embed accountability to children and communities through feedback mechanisms and learning loops. 
  • Align MEAL processes with donor requirements without compromising organisational learning priorities. 
  • Strengthen internal collaboration between MEAL, Programme Quality, R&D, Advocacy, Communications and Funding teams. 
  • Support organisational change processes by ensuring learning and evidence guide adaptation and decision‑making. 
  • Represent War Child in global MEAL, learning and accountability networks and initiatives. 
  • Promote a learning culture that values reflection, curiosity, and continuous improvement.

Your profile

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, EXPERIENCE  
 
Education 
  • Relevant academic background in MEAL, social sciences, development, public policy, data or related fields. 
  • Master’s degree desirable. 
Experience 
  • Relevant experience in MEAL, knowledge management and/or data analysis. 
  • Significant experience working in humanitarian or post‑conflict contexts. 
  • Demonstrated leadership of global or multi‑country MEAL systems and teams. 
  • Experience designing and operationalising MEAL frameworks, tools and learning systems. 
  • Strong experience with EBMs, quality frameworks and international standards. 
  • Experience in capacity strengthening, training design and facilitation. 
  • Proven ability to work through organisational change processes 
Languages 
  • Fluency in English is required for this role.  
  • Additional languages may be useful depending on stakeholder groups and organisational context, for example Arabic, Dari, French, Spanish, or Ukrainian 
(Technical) Knowledge 
  • Sound knowledge and understanding of children’s rights 
  • Knowledge of localisation and anti-racism issues and practices in humanitarian aid and development sectors. 
  • Knowledge of geopolitical trends and conflicts in the world. 
  • Knowledge of digital tools and software such as Mural, Miro, Sharepoint, MS Teams, etc. 

What we offer


  • Location : We work with global teams with team members being based in different locations. War Child is currently operates in: Afghanistan, the Central African Republic, Colombia, DR Congo, Germany, Jordan, Lebanon, the occupied Palestinian territory, South Sudan, Sweden, Syria, Uganda, Ukraine (soon to be registered), and Yemen. We also have offices in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Preference is given to applicants who reside and have valid working permits. War Child does not offer relocation.
  • Type of Contract : Local contract with salary and secondary labour conditions based on the in-country salary scale, local T&C's will apply.
  • Internals only may apply.
Why You Should Apply
  • Meaningful Impact : Contribute directly to improving the lives of children and families affected by conflict through quality education and long-term, sustainable change.
  • Professional Growth: Join a dynamic organisation that values learning, innovation, and professional development, with opportunities for capacity building and growth through the role and War Child’s global network.
  • Global Reach : Play a key role in scaling a ground-breaking programme across multiple conflict-affected contexts worldwide.
  • Collaborative & Inclusive Culture : Work alongside passionate, mission-driven colleagues in a diverse, inclusive and respectful workplace that prioritises safety, fairness and equal opportunity for all.

How to Apply

Qualified candidates are encouraged to submit their applications (CV and motivation letter in English) by July 10 2026. We are reviewing submissions on a rolling basis, so early applications are strongly recommended. ________________________________________________________________________________
By submitting your application you certify that all of the statements made in your application are true, complete, and correct and are made in good faith. You understand that falsifying, misrepresenting or intentionally withholding information will be grounds for rejection of your application or withdrawal of any offer of appointment or, if an appointment offer has been accepted, this will be ground for employment sanctions, such as, but not limited to, instant dismissal. In addition, you understand that you need to submit a Criminal Record Certificate and that, if you fail to submit it, no employment relationship can be established.

Disclaimer
  • Only applications received via our website are processed.
  • If we appoint a suitable candidate before the given closing date, we reserve the right to remove the vacancy from our website before that date. In such a case, any responses received after that time are not processed.
  • It could be that during our selection process the closing date for the vacancy is extended. If so, and you have not yet heard from us, your application will remain active.

Over ons

Onze organisatie
War Child is een dynamische organisatie waar een informele sfeer heerst en waar veel ruimte is voor creativiteit en eigen initiatief. Het imago dat War Child extern uitdraagt, is een blauwdruk van het werk op het hoofdkantoor: het is dynamisch, vernieuwend, integer en gericht op het behalen van resultaten tegen lage kosten. War Child besteedt zoveel mogelijk budget aan het helpen van kinderen in oorlog en doet er daarom alles aan om de kosten zo laag mogelijk te houden. Onze arbeidsvoorwaarden zijn op het niveau van de Nederlandse NGO sector. Het kantoor is gevestigd in de Amsterdamse wijk Watergraafsmeer. We werken in een hybride vorm, met de combinatie van thuis en op kantoor.

Veiligheid
War Child werkt vanuit humanitaire waarden en normen. Van mogelijke nieuwe collega’s vragen we hetzelfde. Voor War Child staat de veiligheid van de kinderen en jongeren die we steunen voorop. We bestrijden elke vorm van misbruik. Omdat we willen dat kinderen en jongeren geen enkel risico lopen komt dit uitgebreid aan bod bij de werving van nieuwe collega’s. Als onderdeel van sollicitaties vragen we daarom om referenties naar aanleiding van het Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme en een recente Verklaring Omtrent Gedrag (VOG).

Gelijke kansen
War Child droomt dat alle kinderen in vrede kunnen leven, wie ze ook zijn en waar ze ook opgroeien. Daarom is War Child trots dat we gelijke kansen bieden aan iedereen die met ons wil werken. We bevorderen diversiteit en willen dat iedereen zich bij ons thuis voelt. War Child selecteert mogelijke nieuwe collega’s ongeacht hun gender, ras, nationaliteit, beperking, leeftijd of seksuele voorkeur.
 
Sollicitaties
We besteden zoveel mogelijk van onze inkomsten aan de ondersteuning van kinderen en jongeren. Daarom werken we efficiënt. Dat betekent dat we alleen sollicitaties bekijken die we via onze websites ontvangen. Mochten we een geschikte persoon vinden vóór de sluitingsdatum, verwijderen we de vacature van onze websites. Sollicitaties die we later ontvangen, kunnen we dan niet meer in behandeling nemen.