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 save, protect, and transform lives in need, CRS operates in more than 100 countries, providing relief and development programs that address various issues such as emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. The organization is committed to serving the poor and vulnerable without regard to race, religion, or nationality, and welcomes individuals from all faiths and secular traditions who share its values. CRS emphasizes safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation, and its processes reflect this commitment. The agency's work culture is collaborative and mission-driven, focused on improving lives globally. It has a comprehensive benefits package for U.S.-based staff and offers packages based on the country of employment for international staff. The organization prioritizes candidates who are citizens or permanent residents of the countries where it operates, reflecting its commitment to local engagement and support.

Job Overview:
The MEAL Manager will be responsible for managing and providing technical oversight for Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) in the development and implementation of the Haiti Resilience security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Food Security Activity (RFSA), known as Ayiti pi Djanm. This role is crucial in ensuring that effective MEAL systems and processes are established to support high-quality programming that advances CRS's mission of serving the poor and vulnerable. The MEAL Manager will leverage their management skills and knowledge to ensure that the country program delivers high-quality programming and continuously improves the impact of its resilience initiatives. The position requires a strategic approach to project design, implementation, and close-out, ensuring alignment with CRS quality principles, donor guidelines, and industry best practices. The MEAL Manager will also champion program learning, facilitate the dissemination of promising practices, and promote the application of learning to enhance program quality and strengthen agency influence among external stakeholders.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The MEAL Manager will provide comprehensive management, guidance, and technical oversight for MEAL throughout the RFSA project cycle. This includes ensuring that project design, start-up, implementation, and close-out adhere to CRS quality principles and standards, as well as MEAL policies and procedures. Key responsibilities include managing talent for MEAL, supervising the MEAL team, and fostering team dynamics and staff wellbeing. The MEAL Manager will identify opportunities for learning and research, facilitate the dissemination of lessons learned, and promote the application of innovations and best practices. They will oversee the development and implementation of high-quality MEAL systems, including the integration of ICT4MEAL and responsible data principles. The role also involves managing evaluation events and research, ensuring ethical standards, and overseeing the quality of evaluation data. The MEAL Manager will contribute to capacity strengthening initiatives for staff and partners, lead knowledge management efforts, and ensure effective accountability systems are in place. Additionally, the position requires overseeing project MEAL expenditures and strengthening partnerships relevant to MEAL.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor's Degree in International Development, International Relations, or a related field in Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning. Additional experience may substitute for some educational requirements. A minimum of 8 years of relevant field-based project management experience is required, with at least 3 years specifically in MEAL. Experience managing MEAL for complex projects is essential. Preferred qualifications include a Master's Degree and experience working with international NGOs. Candidates should demonstrate strong MEAL skills, experience with large donors (preferably USG), and a solid understanding of theories of change, logic models, and food security indicators. Familiarity with innovative learning practices and the ability to transfer knowledge through training and mentoring are also important.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Bachelor's Degree in International Development, International Relations, or a related field focused on Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning. A Master's Degree is preferred and may enhance a candidate's qualifications. The organization values additional experience that may substitute for formal education, indicating a flexible approach to candidate evaluation based on practical knowledge and skills.

Experience:
The MEAL Manager position requires a minimum of 8 years of relevant field-based project management experience, with at least 3 years dedicated to Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning. Candidates should have experience managing MEAL for complex projects, demonstrating their ability to navigate the challenges associated with large-scale initiatives. This level of experience is crucial for ensuring that the MEAL systems implemented are effective and aligned with both agency standards and donor expectations.

Languages:
Fluency in English and French is required for this position. Proficiency in both languages is essential for effective communication within the organization and with external stakeholders. Additional language skills may be considered an asset but are not mandatory for this role.

Additional Notes:
This position is contingent on funding confirmation and donor approval of the identified candidate. The MEAL Manager will have supervisory responsibilities, overseeing the MEAL Officer, Data Analyst, Sr ICT4D Officer, and Accountability Officer. The role may require travel, with expectations of up to 30-50% domestically and periodic international travel. CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package for U.S.-based staff, including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, and a generous retirement savings plan. For candidates employed outside the U.S., benefits packages are based on the country of employment. The organization emphasizes its commitment to safeguarding program participants and staff from exploitation and abuse, and successful candidates are expected to adhere to CRS's Code of Conduct.