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 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 is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation, and it welcomes candidates from diverse backgrounds who share its values and commitment to serving those in need. The agency's processes and policies reflect its dedication to protecting the rights and dignity of all individuals, especially those who are most vulnerable. Furthermore, CRS prioritizes hiring local candidates from the regions in which it operates, ensuring that its workforce is representative of the communities it serves.

Job Overview:
The MEAL Officer position is a critical role within the Country Program's Early Recovery programming in the Philippines. The officer will work closely with the MEAL Manager, programming staff, implementing partners, and community members to operationalize monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning (MEAL) systems. The primary goal is to support CRS's mission to serve the poor and vulnerable by ensuring that relevant data is collected, documented, managed, and made accessible to project stakeholders. The MEAL Officer will also play a key role in capacity building efforts for both CRS and its partners, ensuring that all staff are equipped to effectively implement MEAL practices. This position requires a proactive approach to data management and community engagement, as well as a commitment to continuous improvement in program quality and accountability.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The MEAL Officer will be responsible for several key duties, including:

• Supporting the coordination and implementation of the adaptive MEAL plan for the Early Recovery Program, ensuring alignment with CRS program quality principles, standards, and MEAL policies.
• Monitoring and reporting MEAL-related challenges and gaps to inform necessary adjustments to plans and implementation schedules.
• Assisting partners in reflecting on project experiences and learning from them.
• Supporting the implementation of the Early Recovery Program’s feedback, response, and complaint mechanism (FCRM) to ensure community feedback is actively sought and addressed.
• Conducting field-level project monitoring and evaluation activities, including digital data collection, and assisting partners in timely evidence-based analysis of project data.
• Collaborating with local partners to prepare MEAL-related reports according to established schedules.
• Identifying staff MEAL capacity needs and monitoring capacity-building activities to ensure effective impact.
• Completing project documentation for assigned MEAL activities and assisting in the identification of information for case studies and reports on promising practices.
• Supporting program learning and decision-making by engaging with project data and sharing insights with project management.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor's Degree in community development, social sciences, statistics, or a related field. Additionally, 2-3 years of experience in the field of MEAL within an NGO context is required. Experience in intervention areas such as WASH, Shelter, and Livelihoods is considered a plus. Familiarity with participatory action planning and community engagement is also beneficial. Proficiency in MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) is essential. Personal skills such as observation, active listening, analytical thinking, and sound judgment are crucial for success in this role. The ability to build good relationships with local partners and community members, along with attention to detail and a proactive, results-oriented approach, is highly valued.

Educational Background:
A Bachelor's Degree is required for this position, with a focus on community development, social sciences, statistics, or any related field. This educational background provides the necessary foundation for understanding the complexities of MEAL systems and their application in humanitarian contexts.

Experience:
The position requires 2-3 years of relevant experience in the field of MEAL, particularly within an NGO setting. Candidates should have a demonstrated ability to engage in monitoring and evaluation activities, as well as experience in community engagement and participatory planning processes. Familiarity with working alongside local partners and government agencies is preferred, as is experience in sectors such as WASH, Shelter, and Livelihoods.

Languages:
Fluency in both spoken and written English and Filipino is required for this position. This bilingual proficiency is essential for effective communication with community members, stakeholders, and project partners.

Additional Notes:
The MEAL Officer position is based in the Bicol Region or Cebu Province, with the expectation of travel up to 50% of the time. This role is contingent upon donor funding, and the successful candidate will be expected to adhere to CRS's Code of Conduct and safeguarding policies. The organization emphasizes its commitment to equal opportunity employment and prioritizes candidates who are citizens or permanent residents of the countries where CRS operates.