Senior Project Officer for Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL)

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 worldwide. The organization is committed to improving the lives of the poor and vulnerable, regardless of race, religion, or nationality. CRS engages in various programs including emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. The agency emphasizes a collaborative, mission-driven culture and welcomes individuals from all faiths and secular traditions who share its values. CRS is dedicated to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation, and its processes reflect this commitment. The organization has a diverse workforce and prioritizes candidates from the regions in which it operates, ensuring that its staff reflects the communities it serves.

Job Overview:
The Senior Project Officer for Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) will play a crucial role in overseeing the MEAL functions for the RAPID project under the guidance of the MEAL Manager. This position is responsible for monitoring project indicators, developing M&E tools, conducting assessments, managing beneficiary databases, and ensuring data quality. The officer will also be tasked with developing and implementing accountability mechanisms and compiling reports on a monthly, bi-monthly, and quarterly basis. Additionally, the role involves providing technical support and capacity building to CRS partners and sub-recipients on MEAL processes. The officer will be based in Plateau and will collaborate closely with the CRS Emergency Coordinator for technical support, ensuring that MEAL activities are integrated throughout the project cycle and that lessons learned are documented and utilized effectively.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Project Officer will organize and support the implementation of all assigned project MEAL activities as outlined in the detailed implementation plan, adhering to CRS program quality principles, standards, and MEAL policies. Key responsibilities include coordinating logistical and administrative support for MEAL activities, ensuring that learning accompanies project activities, integrating adaptive learning practices, and supporting accountability through project evaluation activities. The officer will analyze implementation challenges, report inconsistencies, and lead the roll-out of the feedback, complaints, and response mechanism (FCRM). Monitoring activities will be implemented according to the project’s Detailed Implementation Plan, ensuring data quality through annual assessments. The officer will oversee MEAL-related relationships with local stakeholders, respond to information needs, supervise ad hoc inspections, and coordinate capacity building activities. Additionally, the officer will develop a MEAL system, ensure timely documentation of activities, assist in preparing trend analysis reports, and apply responsible data guidance in line with GDPR and data protection standards.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a bachelor's degree in information and technology management, Statistics/Mathematics, Computer Science, project management, International Relations, or a related field. A master's degree in a relevant field is preferred. The position requires a minimum of 5 years of work experience in project support, ideally in MEAL for an international NGO or humanitarian response. Additional experience in humanitarian response, disaster risk reduction, nutrition, WASH, and food assistance may substitute for education. Candidates should demonstrate strong analytical and problem-solving skills, relationship management abilities, and a proactive, results-oriented approach. Attention to detail, excellent interpersonal skills, and the ability to work independently are essential.

Educational Background:
A bachelor's degree is required in fields such as information and technology management, Statistics/Mathematics, Computer Science, project management, International Relations, or in the field of MEAL. A master's degree in a relevant discipline is considered a plus and may enhance a candidate's qualifications for the role.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience in project support, particularly in the field of MEAL within an international NGO or humanitarian context. Candidates should have experience working with partners, participatory action planning, and community engagement. Familiarity with data management software and experience in database management and data analysis are also essential.

Languages:
Proficiency in English and Hausa is required for this position. Knowledge of additional local languages will be considered an advantage, enhancing communication with diverse community members and stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in Plateau State, Nigeria, and requires the candidate to be willing to travel up to 40% of the time. The role involves supervisory responsibilities over data collectors and requires strong working relationships with internal and external stakeholders. CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package for U.S.-based staff, including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, and retirement savings plans. For candidates employed outside the U.S., benefits are based on the country of employment. The agency is committed to safeguarding program participants and ensuring a safe working environment for all staff.