Project Officer - MEAL (Graduating Generations Project)

Job Posting Organization:
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States, established to save, protect, and transform lives in need across more than 100 countries. CRS operates without regard to race, religion, or nationality, focusing on relief and development work through various programs including emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. Since its inception in 1965, CRS has been active in Kenya, evolving from direct relief efforts to comprehensive development programs that enhance local capacities and partnerships.

Job Overview:
The Project Officer for MEAL will be a vital member of the CRS Kenya Country Program's Monitoring Evaluation Accountability and Learning (MEAL) team. This role involves providing technical support for the Graduating Generations Project, ensuring that data is accessible for programmatic adjustments and evidence-based decision-making. The officer will manage and implement all MEAL activities throughout the project lifecycle, from design to close-out, ensuring compliance with CRS standards and donor requirements. The position requires a service-oriented approach to enhance the effectiveness and adaptability of CRS Kenya's Graduation programming, ultimately improving the impact on vulnerable populations.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Project Officer will be responsible for managing MEAL activities in the Graduating Generations Project, which includes leading the development and implementation of MEAL systems, conducting field-level monitoring and evaluation, and ensuring quality data collection and management. The officer will guide staff and partners in analyzing project data for informed decision-making and adaptive management. Responsibilities also include promoting community feedback processes, documenting lessons learned, collaborating with local partners on MEAL-related reporting, and supporting project design and proposal development. The officer will build the MEAL capacity of project and partner staff, fostering respectful relationships with community members and stakeholders.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree in International Development, International Relations, Demography, Social Sciences, Statistics, Monitoring and Evaluation, or a related field. A minimum of three years of NGO experience in setting up and implementing MEAL systems for projects is required, preferably in areas such as Graduation, Financial Inclusion, or Livelihoods. Candidates should have experience in monitoring projects, data collection and analysis, and using mobile data management applications. Proficiency in MS Office and web conferencing applications is also necessary.

Educational Background:
A Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as International Development, International Relations, Demography, Social Sciences, Statistics, or Monitoring and Evaluation is required for this position. This educational background provides the necessary foundation for understanding the complexities of MEAL systems and their application in humanitarian and development contexts.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of three years of relevant experience in the NGO sector, specifically in establishing and implementing MEAL systems. Candidates should have hands-on experience in monitoring and evaluating projects, conducting surveys, and utilizing data analysis software. Experience in community engagement and participatory action planning is also essential, as is familiarity with mobile data collection tools and information management systems.

Languages:
Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English are mandatory, particularly the ability to write comprehensive reports. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset but is not explicitly required for this position.

Additional Notes:
The position does not entail supervisory responsibilities but requires a willingness to travel up to 60%. CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package and emphasizes a collaborative, mission-driven culture. The organization is committed to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all individuals, particularly vulnerable populations, and expects all staff to adhere to its Code of Conduct. The recruitment process is free of charge, and candidates are encouraged to apply regardless of their background.