Monitoring Evaluation Accountability and Learning (MEAL Technical Associates II) at Catholic Relief Services

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. We welcome as part of our staff and as partners people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and commitment to serving those in need.

The CRS Zambia program office opened in September 1999, following an extensive and participatory assessment in collaboration with the Zambian Catholic Commission for Development (CCD). Programming has transitioned from its early stages augmenting CRS private resources with outside public funding. Opportunities abound in Zambia for quality programming that meets the needs of the poorest in a country where the vast majority (80%) lives below the poverty line and approximately 14% are HIV positive. The overall programming focus of CRS Zambia is HIV and Food Security.

Job Summary:

The MEAL Technical Associate will provide technical analysis and support in the area of Monitoring Evaluation Accountability and Learning in line with Catholic Relief Services (CRS) program quality principles and standards, donor guidelines, and industry best practice. The MEAL TA will provide technical support and monitoring oversight to the programs to advance the delivery of high-quality programming to the poor and vulnerable. Working closely with technical experts your skills and knowledge will contribute to determining how effective, adaptive and innovative CRS’ MEAL programming is across the globe.

Job Responsibilities:

• Provide input into the design and revision of Theory of Change, Results Framework, Proframe, MEAL narrative and MEAL budgets during proposal development.
• Support the MEAL Coordinator in participatory processes for designing MEAL systems to ensure that new projects have MEAL operating manuals within 120 days of project start date.
• Research and analyze technical information from a variety of sources for technical problems to support CP teams in achieving technical excellence in ongoing MEAL
• Support the development of project documents and tools, as well as technical manuals or guidance, training materials, and quality improvement and assessment guidelines.
• Prepare presentations and coordinate project communication needs through writing and editing communication resources, such as case studies, brochures, briefs, peer-reviewed articles or reports, for both internal and external audiences.
• Coordinate and/or perform various activities in support of project design and implementation, including but not limited to needs assessment, strategic planning, program design and proposal writing, monitoring and evaluation, and technological solutions.
• Collect and disseminate MEAL related information and resources to CRS staff and partners and assist with organization, design and coordination of training workshops to support capacity building efforts. Identify new approaches and methods for online learning.
• Contribute to the learning agenda by researching and analyzing information, conducting literature reviews, mappings or information gathering from various internal and external sources on assigned topics. Coordinate maintenance of virtual resource and documentation databases.
• Work with the Business Development Manager to ensure that past performance references are developed for all projects and posted to Project Gateway.
• Support the MEAL Coordinator in the development of TORs for the project and implementation of all evaluation events, including, but not limited to, baseline and final evaluation activities, special surveys, pilot programs, client verification activities and operational research
• Conduct regular visits to project sites to provide relevant, clear, high-quality, and timely onsite technical support and mentoring.
• Collaborate with staff and implementing partners to ensure that MEAL systems capture and transmit Beneficiary and Service Delivery Indicators (BSDI) data annually according to agency standards, definitions and processes.
• Support annual projects’ Self-Assessment exercise for the Country Program.
• Review the quality of data collected from the various projects to ensure it is in line with CRS M&E standards.

Typical Background, Experience & Requirements:

Education and Experience

• Bachelors in international development, Social Sciences, or Economics or other fields related to MEAL required.
• Masters preferred.
• Minimum of five years of relevant work experience with an international NGO, with at least one year of field-based programming experience.
• Additional experience may substitute for some education.
• General knowledge of technical principles and concepts in MEAL.
• Knowledge of program design requirements and regulations of major donors.
• Knowledge of project design and proposal development.
• Knowledge of latest technological tools that have the potential to be applied in MEAL.
• Strong English writing skills.
• Proficient in MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, knowledge-sharing networks.
• Experience working with web-based data collection platforms (e.g ODK, KoboToolBox, iFormBuilder, CommCare)

Personal Skills

• Good relationship management skills with ability to work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary and multicultural teams
• Strategic, analytical, problem-solving and systems thinking capacity and skills
• Good writing skills
• Strong data collection and research skills and ability to interpret and analyze data
• Proactive, resourceful and results-oriented

Required/Desired Foreign Language: None

Travel Required: 50%

Key Working Relationships:

Supervisory and internal relationships

Who? Use generic titles
WHY? Explain the purpose of communication, not what is discussed

How Often

1. Business Development Specialist
Coordination and support
As requested

2. MEAL Coordinator

Supervision & day-to-day business activities
Constantly

3. Program/project Managers

Day to day business activities
Daily

4. Chiefs of Party

Meetings and MEAL Updates
As needed

5. Head of Programming
Coordination
As requested

External relationships:

Who? Use generic titles
WHY? Explain the purpose of communication, not what is discussed

How Often

1. Partner’s project managers

Monitoring and Evaluation, Accountability and Learning
Monthly

2. Partner’s  Field Officers

Monitoring and Evaluation, Accountability and Learning
Monthly

3. Partner’s  M&E officers

Monitoring and Evaluation, Accountability and Learning
Monthly

4. Donors

To understand reporting requirements
Monthly

5. Researchers

Monitoring and Evaluation, Accountability and Learning
Seldom

Agency-wide Competencies: These are rooted in the mission, values, and principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and to achieve the desired results.

• Trusting Relationships
• Professional Growth
• Partnership
• Accountability

CRS’ talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

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