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.

The purpose of this position is to design, manage, strengthen, and give strategic direction to the DFSA MEAL system. The Advisor will provide technical expertise and leadership to produce and analyze quality evidence and data through monitoring, assessments, and evaluations. The Advisor will work closely with staff and partners to develop monitoring systems and tools. The Advisor will be responsible for coordinating and supervising MEAL activities. S/he will work with CRS and partner staff to build MEAL capacity for adaptive management.

The Advisor is expected to have a high level of initiative and to use critical thinking skills to identify and fill MEAL gaps. S/he should have the ability effectively promote evidence-based program management.

Fonctions
Job Responsibilities
MEAL Strategy and Systems Design

• Provide strategic direction for the development and maintenance of MEAL systems and the roll-out of new initiatives.
• Ensure that the DFSA MEAL systems are in compliance with CRS’ global and regional policies, procedures, standards and strategic initiatives and USAID/FFP MEAL and Reporting policies and guidance.
• Ensure the consistency of indicators and tools across all partners, sectors, and programs as appropriate, maintaining a bank of key program indicators.
• Develop and regularly update the DFSA MEAL operating manual, covering data collection tools, data flow maps and analysis plans for program quality and donor reporting.

MEAL Implementation

• Provide strategic high-level feedback, analysis and interpretation of data and information throughout the program startup and implementation processes.
• Lead the preparation and review of MEAL work plans.
• Lead mandated evaluations, needs assessments, annual surveys, case studies and other research efforts.
• Support the project team and MEAL team in the implementation of assessments, gender, age and diversity analysis, stakeholder analysis, organizational capacity assessments and other pre-program data collection and analysis.
• Support staff and partners to incorporate participatory methods into community level MEAL systems and tools.
• Ensure that transparent high-quality accountability systems, including participant feedback and response mechanisms, are operational and effective.
• Ensure that participant feedback is adequately captured, addressed, analyzed, and used by program team.
• Development and maintain MEAL data bases.
• Support learning-to-action activities to systematically analyze data to promote adaptive management and to document and incorporate lessons learned into program design and implementation.
• Conduct regular field monitoring visits events.
• Collect and analyze lessons learned and best practices from previous and ongoing programs capturing the impact of activities to ensure they inform the DFSA strategy as appropriate.
• Leverage lessons learned, best practices, program data, evaluations, and other information to generate donor communication pieces, proposal annexes, success stories, case studies and other high-quality, results-based documentation.
• Contribute to donor reports through high quality project data interpretation and report inputs.
• Manage CRS’s MEAL requirements (e.g., annual data quality assessments, participant count reporting and MEAL Policies and Procedures self-assessments).

Partnership/Capacity Building

• Provide training, coaching, mentoring and technical guidance to staff and partners on MEAL and the DFSA MEAL system.
• Collaborate with the Madagascar Country Program MEAL Manager to share learning and resources across the country program.
• Keep up to date with CRS and global MEAL learning.
• Provide feedback to staff and partners to improve the MEAL system and ensure quality implementation of MEAL activities.

ICT for MEAL

• Lead the development of project tracking, record keeping and filing methodologies for all activities.
• Work with IT staff to maximize the value and utility of ICT4D in MEAL initiatives.

Supervision and Coaching/Mentoring
• The Monitoring and Evaluation Advisor will supervise project MEAL staff and participates in the hiring and supervision either directly or indirectly of staff. Additionally, s/he will provide support in mentoring staff.

• A master’s degree in a quantitative field (economics, agricultural/development economics, statistics, biostatistics, nutrition, applied sociology, anthropology, or other relevant subject) with significant training in quantitative methods. PhD preferred.
• Eight years relevant work experience (six years with PhD) in a development setting preferably with an international NGO, with at least six years of experience of progressively increasing MEAL responsibility in international development projects and at least two years of experience as a supervisor; Title II and ICT4D experience preferred. The candidate must have experience in leading the M&E of a large project.
• Experience working with large donors, USAID/FFP and/or USAID/FTF preferred.
• Strong conceptual knowledge about theories of change, logic model, food and nutrition security indicators, M&E plans, data quality assurance, data utilization and gender integration into M&E.
• Demonstrated experience and expertise in developing and operationalizing a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation plan; familiarity with FFP M&E and Reporting Policy and Guidance for the components of an M&E plan.
• Demonstrated expertise and experience in developing and operationalizing routine monitoring systems designed to track both output and outcome indicators from project design to implementation (including work with results frameworks and theories of change) as well as building staff capacity to use systems; experience with participatory MEAL system required.
• Strong quantitative background and demonstrated expertise in designing annual monitoring surveys including probabilistic sampling strategy and estimating sample size, developing appropriate weights and analyzing quantitative data; previous experience with leading and managing studies and consultants.
• Demonstrated expertise in designing qualitative studies, in-depth knowledge about qualitative sampling and experienced in using interview and interactive tools to generate qualitative information and analysis.
• Demonstrated experience in leading participatory analytical processes and learning required.
• Skills in analyzing, interpreting and communicating information to various stakeholders.
• Experience in developing data quality assurance strategies, data management and data visualization; including proficiency in database development/management, SPSS, Stata, EPI-Info, Access, Excel.
• Experience with facilitation, capacity strengthening and partnership building through formal and informal training, with the capacity to empower staff through opportunities for professional growth and development.
• Ability to self-manage and succeed in matrix management model, with demonstrated proactive and flexible nature in resolving problems and leading a productive, committed team.
• Detail-oriented and excellent time management skills with the ability to meet deadlines and deliver required results in a timely and quality manner.
• Knowledge of CRS’s program quality and MEAL standards and of Catholic Social Teaching preferred.
• Cultural sensitivity, patience, flexibility, and ability to work well in a multi-sectoral and multi-cultural team and to work closely, understand and support local Church partners.
• Ability to work in a challenging and stressful environment with unexpected challenges.
• Experience working in a variety of developing environments preferred; knowledge of the Madagascar context valued.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite, including Word, Excel and Outlook required

Conditions particulières






Knowledge, Skills and Abilities


• Excellent relationship management skills with ability to influence and get buy-in from people not under direct supervision and to work with individuals in diverse geographical and cultural settings.


• Strong strategic, analytical, problem-solving and systems thinking skills with capacity to see the big picture and ability to make sound judgment


• Strong written and oral communication skills


• Strong presentation, facilitation, training, mentoring, and coaching skills


• Proactive, resourceful, and results-oriented





Required Languages – English and French fluency required

Travel - Must be willing and able to travel up to 30-50 % domestically with periodic international travel.

All interested candidates must submit: Cover Letter, Resume, Diplomas with the mention "Technical Advisor II, Monitoring and Evaluation Lead " in the subject line.

This position is contingent upon grant and candidate approvals by the donor.

***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.

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

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer