MEAL Technical Advisor II

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, CRS operates in more than 100 countries, providing relief and development services without regard to race, religion, or nationality. The organization focuses on various areas including emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. The Moldova and Ukraine Country Office has rapidly expanded its programming in response to the humanitarian crisis following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, reaching over 500,000 people through a comprehensive strategy that includes shelter, education, and livelihoods. The office aims to strengthen local leadership and partner capacity to amplify its impact and reach even more vulnerable populations. The funding for CRS' initiatives comes from institutional donors and private emergency funding, ensuring a robust support system for its operations in the region.

Job Overview:
As the MEAL Technical Advisor II, you will be responsible for leading the technical support related to Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) as well as Information Management (IM) for Caritas Ukraine under the USG Department of State-funded program, Multi-Sector Assistance to War-Affected People in Ukraine. Your role will involve ensuring that effective MEAL systems and practices are established to track program progress, assess performance, and facilitate learning and adaptive management. You will work closely with partner staff to align MEAL systems with donor requirements and CRS/Caritas program quality standards. This position requires a combination of technical knowledge, management experience, and strong interpersonal skills to effectively support vulnerable and conflict-affected populations across Ukraine. Your contributions will be vital in enhancing the quality and impact of the programs implemented by CRS and its partners.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide technical solutions to CRS and CUA teams, both remotely and on-site, for strategic planning and the application of design" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">program design and implementation standards, ensuring high-quality MEAL activities.
• Guide and oversee the development and implementation of high-quality MEAL systems and processes, including ICT4MEAL/IM systems, ensuring compliance with program quality principles and donor guidelines.
• Support the design and deployment of effective IM systems and digital tools for data collection, analysis, and visualization to enhance data use and reporting quality.
• Conduct periodic reviews of data quality and MEAL/IM systems for large emergency programs, assisting staff in identifying and applying corrective actions.
• Contribute to knowledge management by collecting and analyzing program data, evaluating projects, measuring program impact, and sharing lessons learned.
• Strengthen the MEAL capacity of staff and partners through training, mentoring, and the development of learning strategies and tools.
• Establish and maintain relationships with donors, peer organizations, and research institutions, and participate in coordination forums for MEAL to promote best practices.

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in International Development, Humanitarian Assistance, Information Management, MEAL, or a related field.
• Demonstrated application of technical principles in MEAL and IM, including data collection methodologies, data analysis, and presentation in multisectoral humanitarian programming.
• Experience working with partner organizations on project management, capacity strengthening, and institutional development.
• Proven experience in business development, project design, and proposal development, including technical writing for MEAL-related documentation.
• Experience in mentoring, coaching, and training, applying adult learning principles.
• Strong networking skills and experience in building relationships with donors and civil society partners.
• Excellent relationship management skills and the ability to influence and work with diverse individuals.

Educational Background:
A Bachelor’s degree in International Development, Humanitarian Assistance, Information Management, or MEAL is required. A Master’s degree is preferred, indicating a higher level of expertise in the relevant fields.

Experience:
A minimum of eight years of relevant international experience in an advisory or management role with progressive responsibilities is required, including at least three years focused on MEAL. Previous experience providing technical assistance and developing successful proposals for external donor funding is essential.

Languages:
Fluency in English (written and verbal) is required. Knowledge of Ukrainian or Russian is considered an advantage, enhancing communication and collaboration within the local context.

Additional Notes:
This position is contingent on funding confirmation. The role may require up to 30% field travel within Ukraine, primarily to partner offices. The successful candidate will be expected to adhere to CRS’ Code of Conduct and commitment to safeguarding program participants and community members from exploitation and abuse. CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, and a retirement savings plan for U.S.-based staff, while benefits for candidates employed outside the U.S. will be based on the country of employment.