Program Manager (PM) II – Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL)

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 without regard to race, religion, or nationality. The organization focuses on various sectors including emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. CRS is committed to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all people, especially children and vulnerable adults, ensuring they live free from abuse and harm. The organization fosters a collaborative, mission-driven culture that emphasizes improving the lives of the poor globally. With a diverse workforce, CRS welcomes individuals from all faiths and secular traditions who share its values and commitment to service.

Job Overview:
The Program Manager (PM) II for Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) is tasked with leading the design and implementation of the country program’s MEL framework. This role is crucial for ensuring that the MEL framework aligns with the country program’s 2030 strategy and meets donor requirements. The PM II will oversee the implementation of agency-level MEL requirements and improvement plans, promoting continuous quality improvement across all MEL functions. The position involves providing technical support to project-based MEL staff, ensuring that monitoring and evaluation systems are robust, inclusive, and cross-sectoral, taking into account gender, disability, peacebuilding, and safe programming considerations. The PM II will also contribute to program and proposal design by providing evidence-based insights and ensuring that MEL components are donor-responsive. The role includes guiding start-up activities, evaluations, and adaptive management practices, fostering a culture of learning through reflection sessions and knowledge management systems, and overseeing digital data systems for effective decision-making.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead the design and implementation of the country program’s MEL framework, ensuring it aligns with the CP’s 2030 strategy.
• Ensure timely completion of all agency-level MEL requirements and country office level MPP self-assessment improvement plans while promoting continuous quality improvement of MEL implementation across the CP.
• Provide technical support to project-based MEL staff to establish and maintain effective monitoring, evaluation, and learning systems and standards.
• Contribute to proposal development by ensuring MEL components are robust and compliant with donor expectations.
• Coordinate and lead MEL-related start-up activities for new projects, including baseline assessments and data collection systems set-up.
• Advise project teams on adaptive management practices through regular analysis of monitoring and evaluation data.
• Foster a learning culture by facilitating regular reflection sessions and establishing a MEL community of practice.
• Collaborate with project teams to develop visibility materials highlighting lessons learned.
• Provide capacity-strengthening on MEL for staff and partners, including developing training curricula and conducting workshops. 1
• Oversee the development of digital data collection systems for real-time monitoring and user-friendly data visualization tools. 1
• Provide line management to the MEL team, ensuring clear roles and promoting a high-performance culture.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant subject area such as statistics, measurement and evaluation, data science, social science, public health, or a related field; additional experience may substitute for some education.
• Minimum of 8 years of relevant working experience in an advisory or management role with progressive responsibilities, ideally with an international NGO, including at least five years in MEL programming interventions.
• Previous experience managing MEL-related activities for large donor-funded projects is preferred.
• Experience providing technical assistance and developing successful funding proposals.
• Demonstrated application of technical principles and concepts in MEL, with general knowledge of related disciplines to ensure a proper cross-sectoral approach.
• Experience in mentoring, coaching, facilitation, and training applying adult learning principles.
• Proficiency in program monitoring and evaluation, including data collection tools and methodologies, data analysis, and presentation.

Educational Background:
A Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field such as statistics, measurement and evaluation, data science, social science, public health, or a related area is required. Additional experience may substitute for some educational requirements, indicating that practical experience is highly valued alongside formal education.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 8 years of relevant working experience, particularly in advisory or management roles with progressive responsibilities. Candidates should have at least five years of experience specifically related to programming interventions in Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL). Experience managing MEL activities for large donor-funded projects is preferred, along with a background in providing technical assistance and developing successful funding proposals.

Languages:
Fluency in both oral and written English and Amharic is required for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset, but English and Amharic are mandatory for effective communication within the role.

Additional Notes:
This position is classified at salary grade 10 and includes supervisory responsibilities. The role may require travel up to 20%. CRS offers a supportive work environment with comprehensive benefits, including maternity and paternity leave, medical and life insurance coverage, and opportunities for professional development. The organization is committed to fostering a family-friendly workplace and encourages applications from qualified female candidates and persons with disabilities. CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prioritizes safeguarding the rights and dignity of all individuals.