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 sectors including emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. CRS has a significant presence in Moldova and Ukraine, particularly after the escalation of conflict in Ukraine in 2022, where it has expanded its programming to reach over 500,000 people through a comprehensive strategy that includes shelter, education, and livelihoods. The organization is committed to strengthening local partnerships and enhancing the capacity of local leaders to maximize impact and reach vulnerable populations.

Job Overview:
As the MEAL Technical Advisor II, you will be responsible for leading the technical support on Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) as well as Information Management (IM) for Caritas Ukraine under the USG Department of State-funded program aimed at assisting war-affected individuals in Ukraine. Your role will involve ensuring that robust systems and practices are established to monitor program progress, evaluate performance, and facilitate learning and adaptive management. You will work closely with partner staff to align MEAL systems with donor requirements and CRS/Caritas standards, ensuring high-quality implementation of MEAL activities. This position requires a blend of technical expertise, management experience, and strong interpersonal skills to effectively support vulnerable populations in conflict-affected areas.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide technical solutions to CRS and CUA teams, both remotely and on-site, for strategic planning and application of design" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">program design and implementation standards.
• Guide the development and implementation of high-quality MEAL systems and processes, including ICT4MEAL/IM systems, ensuring alignment 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.
• Conduct periodic reviews of data quality and MEAL systems, assisting staff in identifying and implementing corrective actions.
• Contribute to knowledge management by analyzing program data, evaluating projects, and sharing lessons learned.
• Strengthen the MEAL capacity of staff and partners through training and mentoring.
• Establish and maintain relationships with donors and peer organizations, participating in coordination forums to share best practices.

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in International Development, Humanitarian Assistance, Information Management, MEAL, or a related field.
• Demonstrated application of MEAL and IM principles, including data collection methodologies and analysis in humanitarian programming.
• Experience in project management, capacity strengthening, and institutional development with partner organizations.
• Proven track record in business development and proposal writing for donor funding.
• Strong mentoring and training skills, with experience in applying adult learning principles.
• Excellent relationship management skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate across diverse teams.

Educational Background:
A Bachelor’s degree in International Development, Humanitarian Assistance, Information Management, or MEAL is required, with a preference for candidates holding a Master’s degree in a related field.

Experience:
A minimum of eight years of relevant international experience in an advisory or management role, with at least three years focused on MEAL. Previous experience in 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.

Additional Notes:
This position is contingent on funding confirmation and involves up to 30% field travel within Ukraine, primarily to partner offices. The role may include supervisory responsibilities, which are to be determined. CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package for U.S.-based staff, including medical, dental, life insurance, and retirement savings plans. For candidates employed outside the U.S., benefits are based on the country of employment. The organization is committed to safeguarding program participants and ensuring a safe working environment for all staff.