Emergency MEAL Technical Advisor

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 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 it welcomes individuals from diverse faiths and secular traditions who share its values and commitment to serving those in need. The agency's work culture is collaborative and mission-driven, aiming to improve the lives of the poor globally. The organization has a comprehensive benefits package for U.S.-based staff and adjusts salary and benefits for those employed outside the U.S. based on local standards. CRS emphasizes the importance of safeguarding program participants and adheres to a strict Code of Conduct, reflecting its commitment to the rights and dignity of all individuals.

Job Overview:
The Emergency MEAL Technical Advisor will provide essential technical advice, guidance, and support on design" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">program design and implementation issues, particularly focusing on larger projects related to emergency Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL). This role is crucial in ensuring that the programming aligns with CRS's quality principles, donor guidelines, and industry best practices. The advisor will work closely with regional and Country Program (CP) teams to enhance the delivery of high-quality programming aimed at assisting the poor and vulnerable. The position requires a strong technical background in MEAL to assess and improve the effectiveness, adaptability, and innovation of CRS’s programming globally. The advisor will also contribute to the development of agency-wide strategies and tools that engage partners, donors, and governments effectively, ensuring a cross-sectoral approach that integrates gender, protection mainstreaming, and disaster risk reduction.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Emergency MEAL Technical Advisor will be responsible for several key duties, including:

• Contributing to the development and implementation of agency-wide strategies, standards, tools, and best practices in emergency MEAL.
• Providing technical solutions to regional and CP teams for strategic planning and program design, ensuring high-quality implementation.
• Leading or contributing to the technical design of large and complex proposals, including defining monitoring systems and indicators.
• Advising project teams on integrating donor strategies and technical requirements into CRS’s approach.
• Contributing to capacity strengthening initiatives for MEAL staff and partners through training, mentoring, and developing learning strategies.
• Engaging in knowledge management by collecting and analyzing program data, evaluating projects, and sharing lessons learned.
• Establishing and maintaining relationships with donors and peer organizations, participating in forums to promote CRS’s work.
• Customizing digital forms for data collection and designing data visualization approaches for effective reporting.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must demonstrate a solid application of technical principles and concepts in MEAL, with a general knowledge of related disciplines to ensure a cross-sectoral approach. Proficiency in MS Office applications, web conferencing tools, and information management systems is essential. Experience in business development, project design, and proposal development in MEAL is required, along with skills in mentoring, coaching, and training. Candidates should have a strong background in program monitoring and evaluation, including data collection methodologies and analysis. Excellent relationship management skills are necessary, along with the ability to influence and collaborate with diverse teams. Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills are also critical for success in this role.

Educational Background:
A Bachelor’s Degree in statistics, economics, international development, or a related field is required. A Master’s Degree in a relevant field is preferred and may provide an advantage in the selection process.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of eight years of relevant international working experience in an advisory or management role, ideally within an international NGO. This experience should include at least three years working on programming interventions specifically in emergency MEAL. Previous experience in providing technical assistance and developing successful proposals for external donor funding is also required.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, and proficiency in French is required. Knowledge of Portuguese or Arabic would be considered an added value, enhancing the candidate's suitability for the role.

Additional Notes:
The position is expected to last for 18 months, tentatively from July 1, 2026, to December 31, 202

• Candidates must be willing to travel up to 50% of the time, with deployments typically lasting from one to three months based on the needs of the country program or partner. The role does not include supervisory responsibilities. CRS emphasizes personal accountability, integrity, trust-building, collaboration, and a commitment to learning among its staff. The organization prioritizes candidates who are citizens or permanent residents of the countries where CRS operates.