This post is contingent on donor funding and donor approval of the candidate. 

About CRS: 

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through agriculture, livelihoods, emergency response, HIV, health, education and peacebuilding programming.

Job Summary:

As Program Manager for Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) of the Resilience Food Security Activity (RFSA), you will manage and provide technical oversight of the development and implementation of the MEAL system of a Resilience Food Security Activity. Your technical skills and knowledge will ensure the delivery of high-quality programming and continuously work towards improving the impact of its multi-sectoral programming.

The Program Manager II – MEAL (MEAL Manager) will ensure that the project Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) plan adheres to CRS’ MEAL Policies and Procedures and donor requirements. The Program Manager II – MEAL will be responsible for designing and implementing the high-quality MEAL System that meets stakeholder information needs and will inform adaptive management and project and agency learning. He/she will work closely with the Strategic Learning Advisor (SLA) to ensure data is used for learning and continuous adaptive management.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Provide management, guidance, and technical oversight for MEAL activities throughout the project cycle to ensure project design, start-up, implementation and close-out of the RFSA project are in line with CRS quality principles and standards and MEAL policies, procedures, and practices, donor guidelines, and industry best practices. Oversee and manage MEAL system of a complex multi-sectoral program.
• Strengthen the capacity of Project MEAL staff and partners by providing and supporting regular coaching, supervision, performance appraisal and capacity building to enhance their skills and professional development. Champion the development of program learning – identify opportunities for learning, research and publications and implementation of MEAL policy. Facilitate the dissemination of promising practices and lessons learned to contribute to the agency knowledge management agenda. Promote the application of learning to improve program quality and to strengthen agency influence among external stakeholders. Ensure integration of MEAL-related innovations and best practices.
• Provide management, guidance, and technical oversight for the development and implementation of high-quality MEAL systems and processes, including ICT4MEAL and the application of responsible data principles as per agency and donor requirements.
• Promote MEAL policies and industry good practices, champion the analysis and use of project performance data to inform decision-making and identify lessons learned. Facilitate connections between colleagues and peers to generate and share evidence-based learning.
• Provide management, guidance and technical oversight for project or program evaluation events and research, including the development of terms of reference or study protocols that include evaluation/learning questions, a balance of qualitative and quantitative methods, appropriate consideration of ethical and data protection standards, and the necessary technical rigor.
• Lead and oversee the quality of evaluation data through good data management. Support the identification, recruitment, and management of external evaluators or research partners to ensure high quality evaluation, research, and learning.
• Oversee MEAL-related technical assistance and capacity strengthening activities for staff and partner organizations to enhance program quality and impact.
• Oversee the identification, assessment and strengthening of partnerships relevant to MEAL and the appropriate application of partnership concepts, tools and approaches.
• Oversee timely and appropriate project MEAL expenditures in line with financial plans and efficient use and stewardship of project material sources.
• Provide technical lead for analysis of MEAL data, qualitative and quantitative, for use in learning and adaptive management.
• Ensure USAID’s best practice guidelines on Collaborating, Learning and Adapting (CLA) are applied.

Agency REDI Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

Agency competencies clarify expected behaviors and attitudes for all staff. When demonstrated, they create an engaging workplace, help staff achieve their best, and help CRS achieve agency goals. These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

• Personal Accountability – Consistently takes responsibility for one’s own actions.
• Acts with Integrity – Consistently models values aligned with CRS Guiding Principles and mission.  Is considered honest.
• Builds and Maintains Trust – Shows consistency between words and actions.
• Collaborates with Others – Works effectively in intercultural and diverse teams.
• Open to Learn – Seeks out experiences that may change perspective or provide an opportunity to learn new things.

Agency Leadership Competencies:

• Lead Change – Continually looks for ways to improve the agency through a culture of agility, openness, and innovation.
• Develops and Recognizes Others – Builds the capacity of staff to reach their full potential and enhance team and agency performance.
• Strategic Mindset – Understands role in translating, communicating, and implementing agency strategy and team priorities.

***Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation. 

Disclaimer:  This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position. This position is contingent upon award of the funding opportunity to CRS and USAID’s approval of the proposed candidate.

CRS’ talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

CRS prioritizes candidates who are citizens/ permanent residents of the countries where we have CRS offices.

CRS is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. CRS does not unlawfully discriminate in any aspect of the employment process on the basis of race, color, ancestry or national origin, religion, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability or handicap, medical condition or pregnancy, protected veteran status, or genetic information and any other non-merit-based status protected by Country law. We are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities.