CRS Program Manager I - MEAL

Job Posting Organization:
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Established to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas, CRS operates in more than 100 countries, providing relief and development services. The organization focuses on various sectors including emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. CRS is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation, and it emphasizes a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees are treated with dignity and respect. The organization has a strong Catholic identity, which is central to its mission and operations, and it welcomes individuals from all faiths and secular traditions who share its values and commitment to serving those in need.

Job Overview:
The CRS Program Manager I - MEAL position is a critical role that involves acting as the technical advisor and process lead for quality Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) for the project. The individual in this role will provide leadership, management, and technical oversight for the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of the project's MEAL system. This includes ensuring the timely availability and use of high-quality performance data, participant feedback, and learning information to monitor implementation, measure results, meet donor and CRS requirements, strengthen accountability, and support adaptive management. The Program Manager will supervise project MEAL staff and collaborate closely with project leadership, technical teams, implementing partners, and other stakeholders to enhance MEAL capacity, promote evidence-based decision-making, and improve program quality.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• MEAL System Leadership and Performance Management: Provide technical leadership and management of MEAL activities throughout the project cycle, ensuring alignment with CRS program quality principles, donor requirements, and industry best practices. Lead the development and continuous improvement of the project MEAL system, coordinate tracking and analysis of project performance information, and ensure compliance with donor and CRS MEAL requirements.
• Data Management, Digital Systems, and Data Quality: Oversee qualitative and quantitative MEAL data collection, management, analysis, and reporting systems. Establish data-quality assurance processes and ensure responsible management of participant and project information.
• Field Monitoring and Implementation Quality: Coordinate field monitoring and project-quality review activities, applying risk-based monitoring approaches to identify challenges and verify performance.
• Accountability and Participant Feedback: Provide oversight for project accountability mechanisms, ensuring participant feedback is systematically recorded and used to improve project quality.
• Partner Coordination and Capacity Strengthening: Maintain effective relationships with implementing partners and assess MEAL capacity needs, coordinating targeted training and support.
• Learning, Assessments, and Evaluation: Lead project learning activities and ensure assessment and evaluation designs meet technical and ethical standards.
• Reporting and Management Information: Ensure timely consolidation and reporting of project performance information for internal and external requirements.
• Risk, Compliance, and Safeguarding: Communicate risks and ensure compliance with safeguarding and ethical conduct requirements.
• Staff Management and Resource Stewardship: Supervise MEAL staff, manage performance, and ensure responsible stewardship of MEAL resources.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a Bachelor's degree in Monitoring and Evaluation, Statistics, International Development, Public Health, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Food Security, Economics, Social Sciences, or a related field. Additional experience may substitute for some education. Candidates should have a minimum of seven years of relevant field-based experience, including progressive responsibility for designing, managing, or strengthening MEAL systems for moderately complex donor-funded projects, preferably with an international NGO. Strong experience in quantitative and qualitative methods, data analysis, and data-quality assurance is essential, along with experience in digital data collection and management information systems.

Educational Background:
A Bachelor's degree in a relevant field is required, with a preference for candidates holding a Master's degree in Monitoring and Evaluation, Statistics, International Development, Public Health, Food Security, Economics, or a related field. The educational background should provide a solid foundation for understanding MEAL systems and methodologies.

Experience:
Candidates should possess a minimum of seven years of relevant experience in the field, with a focus on designing, managing, or strengthening MEAL systems for donor-funded programs. Experience with integrated MEAL systems, including monitoring, evaluation, accountability, learning, data management, and reporting is crucial. Additionally, candidates should have experience supervising staff and working collaboratively with implementing partners.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, and proficiency in at least one local language is preferred. This linguistic capability is essential for effective communication with diverse stakeholders and communities.

Additional Notes:
The position may require travel up to 40%, with regular visits to project implementation locations in Marsabit and Turkana. The role involves supervising senior project officers and a database manager/analyst, and it emphasizes a collaborative work environment. CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package and promotes family values, including maternity and paternity leave, flexible working hours, and support for breastfeeding. The organization is committed to equal employment opportunities and encourages applications from women and persons with disabilities.