MEAL Manager

Job Posting Organization:
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Established to serve those in need, CRS operates in more than 100 countries worldwide, focusing on various sectors including emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. The organization is committed to improving the lives of the poor and vulnerable, regardless of race, religion, or nationality. CRS has a collaborative, mission-driven culture and prioritizes safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation. The agency employs a diverse workforce and welcomes individuals from all faiths and secular traditions who share its values and commitment to service. The organization emphasizes the importance of integrity, accountability, and collaboration in its operations, ensuring that its processes reflect a commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all people.

Job Overview:
The MEAL Manager position is a critical role that provides direct technical and management leadership for Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) activities across multiple countries in the Asia region. The individual in this role will leverage their technical expertise to assist program teams in designing effective monitoring systems, ensuring accountability to beneficiaries and donors, delivering impactful evaluations, and fostering a culture of learning in alignment with donor and agency standards. The MEAL Manager will play a pivotal role in ensuring that CRS collects high-quality data that supports adaptive management and continuous learning, thereby enhancing the impact of its programming. This position requires the ability to provide MEAL leadership in both development and emergency contexts, ensuring that the organization meets its strategic objectives and maintains high standards of quality in its programming.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The MEAL Manager will be responsible for providing comprehensive management support, guidance, and technical oversight of all MEAL systems in both new and existing projects. This includes supporting the entire project cycle to ensure effective design, start-up, implementation, and close-out in accordance with CRS policies, donor guidelines, and industry best practices. The role involves coaching MEAL talent, developing tailored individual development plans, and advising non-MEAL staff on MEAL objectives. The MEAL Manager will coordinate the development of data management systems, establish feedback and complaints mechanisms, design evaluation processes, and facilitate learning events. Additionally, the individual will support research initiatives, contribute to the strategic learning agenda, and ensure the integration of innovations and best practices in MEAL. The role also includes collaborating with various stakeholders to design and deliver capacity strengthening activities for staff and partner organizations across assigned countries and the broader Asia region.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master's Degree in International Development, International Relations, Statistics, or a related field. MEAL skills and experience are essential, with a minimum of 5 years of relevant field-based experience in MEAL coordinating, managing, or technical advisory roles for moderately complex projects, preferably within an international NGO context. Additional experience may substitute for some educational requirements. The ideal candidate will have staff management experience conducive to a learning environment, proficiency in MS Windows and Office applications, and demonstrated ability to write high-quality technical proposals. Experience in project development, MEAL systems design, and the implementation of program studies and evaluations is highly desirable, along with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Educational Background:
A Master's Degree in a relevant field such as International Development, International Relations, or Statistics is required for this position. Candidates with additional experience may be considered in lieu of formal educational qualifications. The educational background should provide a solid foundation in the principles and practices of monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning, as well as familiarity with the operational standards of international NGOs.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of relevant field-based experience in MEAL roles, including coordinating, managing, and providing technical advisory support for moderately complex projects. Candidates should have a proven track record of working in international NGO settings, demonstrating their ability to navigate the complexities of MEAL in diverse contexts. Experience in both development and emergency settings is advantageous, as is familiarity with donor requirements and best practices in MEAL.

Languages:
Professional fluency in written and verbal English is mandatory for this position. Candidates should possess strong communication skills to effectively engage with diverse stakeholders and facilitate learning and collaboration across teams. Additional language skills relevant to the Asia region may be considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's ability to work effectively in multi-lingual environments.

Additional Notes:
The MEAL Manager position may involve travel up to 30% of the time, requiring flexibility and a willingness to engage with various stakeholders in different countries. The role is expected to be full-time, and candidates should be aware that CRS prioritizes hiring individuals who are citizens or permanent residents of the countries where the organization operates. The compensation and benefits package will be based on the country of employment, with U.S.-based staff receiving a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, life insurance, vision, and a retirement savings plan. The successful candidate will be expected to adhere to CRS's Code of Conduct and commitment to safeguarding program participants and community members.