Project Officer MEAL

Job Posting Organization:
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Established to serve the poor and vulnerable, CRS operates in more than 100 countries worldwide. The organization focuses on various areas including emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. With a mission-driven culture, CRS is committed to improving lives without regard to race, religion, or nationality. The agency emphasizes safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation, and welcomes individuals from diverse backgrounds who share its values.

Job Overview:
The Project Officer MEAL will play a crucial role in the CORE Group Partners Project (CGPP) team, specifically focusing on monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning (MEAL) activities related to malaria projects in Bauchi State. This position requires a thorough and service-oriented approach to ensure that best practices are consistently applied and that the impact of the project benefits the communities served. The officer will be responsible for accurate data collection, reporting, validation, and analysis, which are essential for strengthening malaria surveillance systems and enhancing program performance. The role will also involve promoting data use for decision-making and ensuring that the project aligns with CRS program quality principles and donor requirements.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Project Officer MEAL will support the implementation of the MEAL framework as outlined in the detailed implementation plan. Key responsibilities include strengthening routine malaria data reporting through the District Health Information System (DHIS2), monitoring and reporting on challenges or gaps, assisting partners in reflecting on project experiences, and coordinating project evaluation activities. The officer will also collect information on staff capacity needs, monitor capacity building activities, complete project documentation, and assist in identifying information for case studies. Additional duties include conducting routine data validation meetings, supporting quarterly data quality assessments, providing technical support to health facility staff, and developing monitoring reports and dashboards for program review meetings. The officer will participate in supportive supervision and monitoring visits, document lessons learned, and ensure timely submission of program monitoring reports to the CGPP Secretariat.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree in health sciences, epidemiology, statistics, demography, or a related field. A minimum of 4-5 years of experience in monitoring and evaluation of health programs is required, along with experience in participatory action planning and community engagement. Familiarity with health management information systems (HMIS) and DHIS2, as well as experience conducting data quality and validation assessments, is essential. Proficiency in developing and using electronic supervisory checklists is also necessary. The ideal candidate should demonstrate strong observation, active listening, and analytical skills, with the ability to make sound judgments and maintain good relationships with local partners and community members.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Bachelor’s degree in health sciences, epidemiology, statistics, demography, or a related field. A Master’s degree in information management, epidemiology, biostatistics, or a related field is preferred, particularly for candidates with experience in malaria, maternal and child health, or infectious disease programs.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 4-5 years of relevant experience in monitoring and evaluation of health programs. Candidates should have experience supporting donor-funded health programs and should be familiar with malaria, maternal and child health, or infectious disease programs. Experience in developing data visualization and dashboards, as well as interpreting data for decision-making, is also advantageous.

Languages:
The mandatory language for this position is English, and proficiency in Hausa is also required. Knowledge of additional languages may be considered a plus, but English and Hausa are essential for effective communication within the role.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in Bauchi, Nigeria, and may require travel up to 75%. 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 successful candidate will be expected to adhere to CRS's Code of Conduct and safeguarding policies. The agency prioritizes candidates who are citizens or permanent residents of the countries where CRS operates.