Technical Advisor 1 – Monitoring Evaluation Accountability and Learning (MEAL). 220 views

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 programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding.

CRS has been supporting activities continuously in The Gambia since 1964 and has long-standing relationships with partners and communities. CRS’ current programming in the Gambia includes work in  malaria, agricultural livelihoods, microfinance (SILC), migration and peace building with a particular focus on youth in the Gambia and the effects of climate change.  CRS has recently won a $28.5 million dollar, 5-year project funded by the United States Department of Agriculture through their McGovern-Dole Food for Education program to assist the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (MoBSE) to expand the Home-Grown School Feeding program.  CRS is recruiting qualified staff to implement the project entitled Na Dinding O la Karango leh Kumayata” (NDOKK) which in the Mandinka language means “Our Children’s Education is our Priority” in 186 schools in 4 regions in the Gambia. This position will be based in Banjul, The Gambia.

Job Summary:

You will serve as the technical lead for quality Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) design, including tools and methods appropriate to scope, context, and technical requirements of the NDOKK project. This includes managing and coordinating MEAL activities as well as relationships with partners and other project stakeholders to assist the achievement of the project objectives advancing Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) work serving the poor and vulnerable. Your technical skills in MEAL, data management and analysis, donor compliance, and learning will ensure that the project  delivers high-quality programming and continuously works towards improving the impact of this project.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Develops and puts in place the project MEAL system. Leads and manages MEAL implementation activities through most of the project cycle – start-up, implementation and close-out – in line with CRS program quality principles and standards, donor requirements, and good practices.
• Effectively manages talent and supervises ICT4D Officer. Manage staff well-being and performance by coaching, strategically tailoring individual development plans and completing performance management for direct reports.
• Provides technical lead for quality MEAL design, including tools and methods, appropriate to scope, context, and technical requirements of a project
• Provides technical lead for analysis of MEAL data, qualitative and quantitative
• Ensures quality of data and data management practices
• Integrates data analysis, reflection and interpretation and use with ongoing project activities
• Ensures compliance with donor and agency MEAL requirements
• Communicates agency approach to MEAL and key findings, as appropriate, among CP colleagues and partners
• Cultivates relationships with community members and stakeholders
• Shares MEAL learning and experiences in broader regional discussions
• Plans and budgets appropriately for quality MEAL activities
• Ensures quality management practices of MEAL activities
• Identifies staff capacity needs and technical MEAL assistance needs of partner organizations and contribute to capacity strengthening and required interventions to support quality project implementation. Trains project stakeholders in the project MEAL system and donor requirements.
• Leads the process of the production of donor reports and as well as the organization of quarterly partner meetings.

Required Languages – Fluency in English with at least one local language (Mandinka, Wolof, Jola) spoken;

Travel – Must be willing and able to travel up to 30%.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills with ability to make sound judgment.
• Strong relationship management skills and the ability to work effectively with local stakeholders.
• Experience in communication with communities and implementation of accountability mechanisms
• Data analysis (quantitative and qualitative) and database management
• Excellent communication and drafting skills for effective reporting in English
• Proactive, results-oriented, and service-oriented
• Attention to details, accuracy and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities

Basic Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in International Development, International Relations, Sociology, Statistics or in a related field is required.
• Additional experience may substitute for some education.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant field-based experience in coordinating or managing light to moderately complex projects required, preferably with an international NGO.

Preferred Qualifications

• Leadership experience in MEAL is highly desirable.
• Experience engaging with partner organizations.
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), standard Statistical data analysis packages of SPSS, Stata or R, Web Conferencing Applications, information management systems.

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff)

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.

• Integrity
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation
• Builds Relationships
• Develops Talent
• Strategic Mindset
• Accountability & Stewardship

Supervisory Responsibilities: one (1) ICT4D Officer

Key Working Relationships: Reports to the Chief of Party (COP)

Internal: Chief of Party, Deputy Chief of Party, Programs and Operations Management Teams, Regional technical advisors, ICT Manager

External: Community members, partner staff, especially MEAL staff, other local stakeholders, CRS MEAL community, Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education staff, etc.

QUALIFIED WOMEN ARE HIGHLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY

Application (CV, Cover letter and other relevant documents) should be submitted by email to GM_HR@crs.org

Deadline: 6^th May 2024. Applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered.