MEAL Officer

Job Posting Organization:
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Established to serve those in need, CRS operates in more than 100 countries, providing relief and development assistance 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 children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation, and welcomes candidates from the regions in which it operates. The agency's processes and policies reflect its dedication to protecting the rights and dignity of all individuals, particularly those who are most vulnerable.

Job Overview:
As a member of the Tudituale project team, the MEAL Officer will oversee all Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) activities of the project and report on them to support the work of Catholic Relief Services (CRS) in serving poor and vulnerable populations. The role requires a rigorous and service-oriented approach to ensure that the project consistently applies best practices and continually works to enhance the impact of its benefits for those served. The MEAL Officer will coordinate and implement all assigned project activities according to the detailed implementation plan, adhering to CRS's quality program principles and standards, MEAL policies, donor requirements, and sector best practices. This position will also involve actively seeking feedback from community members and stakeholders, supporting data collection and analysis, and contributing to the overall learning and decision-making processes of the program.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The MEAL Officer will support the coordination and implementation of all project activities assigned to them, as outlined in the detailed implementation plan, in line with CRS's quality program principles and standards, MEAL policies, donor requirements, and sector best practices. Responsibilities include monitoring challenges and gaps identified in MEAL and reporting them to guide adjustments to implementation plans and timelines. The officer will assist partners in reflecting on project experiences, lead the launch and implementation of the feedback and response mechanism (FCRM), and actively seek feedback from community members and stakeholders. They will support MEAL activities, FCRM, and project safeguarding at the field level, including digital data collection, and assist partners in rapid data collection and analysis. The officer will collaborate with local partners to prepare MEAL reporting aspects according to established timelines, collect information on MEAL capacity needs, and track capacity strengthening activities. Monthly routine data quality assessments (RDQA) will be conducted with project implementation partners, and daily and weekly data entry monitoring will be performed through digital data collection on Power BI. The MEAL Officer will contribute to capacity building for implementation partners and the MEAL team, ensuring compliance with agency MEAL policies and procedures, and assist in identifying useful information for case studies and reports on promising practices. They will support program learning and decision-making by asking thoughtful questions, working with project data, reflecting on information from community members and partners, and sharing insights with project management.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a Bachelor's degree, with a preferred focus in Statistics, Mathematics, Economics, Social Sciences, or other relevant fields. A minimum of 2 years of professional experience in project support is required, with experience in MEAL for an NGO considered a plus. Additional experience may substitute for some educational requirements. Experience in capacity building for partners in MEAL is also advantageous. Candidates should possess strong observational, active listening, and analytical skills, with the ability to make sound judgments. Good relationship management skills and the ability to work closely with local partners and community members are essential. Attention to detail, accuracy, and punctuality in executing assigned responsibilities are critical, along with a proactive, results-oriented, and service-focused approach.

Educational Background:
Candidates must have at least a Bachelor's degree, with a preference for a degree in Statistics, Mathematics, Economics, Social Sciences, or other relevant fields. A higher degree such as a Master's may be beneficial but is not mandatory. The educational background should provide a solid foundation in quantitative and qualitative analysis, as well as an understanding of social dynamics and community engagement.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 2 years of professional experience in project support, particularly in the areas of monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning. Experience in working with NGOs and in the MEAL field is highly desirable. Candidates should demonstrate a track record of successfully supporting project implementation and data management, as well as experience in capacity building and training of partners in MEAL practices.

Languages:
Fluency in French (both written and spoken) is mandatory, along with proficiency in local languages of the Kasai Central region. Knowledge of English is considered an asset, enhancing communication with international stakeholders and partners.

Additional Notes:
This position is based in one of the three health zones of the project (Maswika, Yangala, Lubondaie) in the Kasaï Central Province, with over 80% of the work involving field travel. The role does not involve supervisory responsibilities. The successful candidate will be expected to adhere to CRS's Code of Conduct and participate in safeguarding efforts to protect program participants, community members, staff, and volunteers from exploitation and abuse. The position may require the candidate to undergo pre-employment medical clearance and comply with work permit eligibility requirements, particularly for expatriates.