Senior 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 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's work encompasses various sectors, including emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. The agency's mission is driven by a collaborative culture that values integrity, accountability, and respect for all individuals. CRS also emphasizes safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation, reflecting its commitment to ethical practices in all its operations.

Job Overview:
The Senior Project Officer for Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) will play a crucial role in overseeing the MEAL processes for the RAPID project. Reporting to the MEAL Manager, the officer will be responsible for monitoring project indicators, developing M&E tools, conducting assessments, managing beneficiary databases, and ensuring data quality. The role also 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 to ensure effective project implementation. The position requires a proactive approach to learning and adaptation throughout the project cycle, ensuring that lessons learned are documented and utilized to improve project outcomes.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Project Officer will organize and support the implementation of all assigned MEAL activities as outlined in the detailed implementation plan, ensuring alignment with CRS program quality principles and donor requirements. Key responsibilities include coordinating logistical and administrative support for MEAL activities, integrating adaptive learning practices, and supporting accountability through project evaluations. The officer will lead the implementation of the feedback, complaints, and response mechanism (FCRM), ensuring that feedback from communities and stakeholders is actively sought and addressed. Additionally, the officer will implement monitoring activities according to project plans, oversee relationships with local stakeholders, and ensure compliance with established MEAL standards. The role also involves capacity building for partners, developing a comprehensive MEAL system, and preparing documentation for trends analysis and case studies.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to make sound judgments and manage relationships effectively with local partners. A proactive, results-oriented approach is essential, along with attention to detail and accuracy in executing responsibilities. Excellent interpersonal skills are required to interact professionally with colleagues from diverse backgrounds. The ability to work independently and maintain confidentiality is also crucial. Preferred qualifications include a master's degree in relevant fields such as information and technology management, statistics, or project management, along with experience in participatory action planning and community engagement.

Educational Background:
A bachelor's degree in information and technology management, statistics, mathematics, computer science, project management, international relations, or a related field is required. A master's degree in a relevant field is preferred and may enhance the candidate's profile.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 5 years of work experience in project support, ideally in the field of MEAL for an international NGO or humanitarian response. Additional experience in areas such as disaster risk reduction (DRR), nutrition, WASH, and food assistance may substitute for educational requirements. Experience in managing MEAL processes in resilience, developmental, or emergency contexts is highly valued.

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

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. CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package for U.S.-based staff, including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, and a retirement savings plan. For candidates employed outside the U.S., benefits are based on the country of employment. The agency is committed to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all individuals, particularly children and vulnerable adults, and expects the successful candidate to adhere to CRS's Code of Conduct. The job description is not exhaustive and may evolve as needed.