Program Manager II - BMU MEAL Manager

Job Posting Organization:
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Established in 1943, CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need across approximately 100 countries, regardless of race, religion, or nationality. The organization focuses on various areas including emergency response, agriculture, education, water and sanitation, climate resilience, disaster risk reduction, capacity strengthening, social cohesion, justice, and health. The Philippines program, established in 1945, is the longest-running CRS country program globally, with over 60 staff members working on extensive programming in emergency response, recovery, and disaster risk reduction. CRS Philippines collaborates with a strong network of church partners, government agencies, and NGOs throughout the country. Recently, CRS has integrated its operations in the Philippines and the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) into one Business Management Unit (BMU), with the Philippines as the lead country responsible for various functions including Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL).

Job Overview:
The Program Manager II - BMU MEAL Manager will lead and provide strategic direction for the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) initiatives for various projects implemented by CRS in the Philippines and FSM. This role is crucial in ensuring that effective systems and processes are in place to support high-quality programming that advances CRS's mission of serving the poor and vulnerable. The BMU MEAL Manager will be responsible for coordinating and supervising MEAL activities, collaborating closely with CRS program teams and partner staff to develop and implement high-quality monitoring systems and tools for evidence-based monitoring of indicators. Additionally, the BMU MEAL Manager will supervise project MEAL officers across both countries, ensuring that accountability and business development initiatives are effectively advanced.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Program Manager II - BMU MEAL Manager include:

• MEAL Strategy and Design: Provide input into the design and strategic direction of the overall MEAL system for various projects across the BMU, ensuring alignment with CRS MEAL policies and donor requirements. Support project teams in designing and implementing vulnerability assessments, stakeholder mapping, gender analyses, and other pre-program data collection efforts. Collect and analyze lessons learned and best practices from ongoing programs, ensuring they inform program strategies. Collaborate with senior management to identify strategic opportunities for program expansion.
• MEAL Implementation: Lead evaluations, needs assessments, annual surveys, and other research efforts, ensuring compliance with CRS global reporting requirements. Develop and manage a countrywide accountability tracking system that supports project decision-making and risk management. Ensure high-quality accountability mechanisms are in place, including beneficiary feedback and response systems. Facilitate learning-to-action events and cross-learning sessions to promote adaptive management and document lessons learned.
• MEAL Capacity Building: Provide training, mentoring, and technical assistance to CRS program teams, MEAL teams, and implementing partners to ensure effective MEAL implementation. Support partners in incorporating participatory methods into community-level MEAL systems. Conduct field monitoring and periodic data quality audits, providing technical assistance as needed.
• MEAL in Business Development: Lead MEAL design for proposals, developing results frameworks, indicators, and monitoring systems aligned with donor and CRS requirements. Serve as the MEAL focal point during business development, ensuring accountability and learning mechanisms are integrated into proposals.

Required Qualifications:
The required qualifications for the Program Manager II - BMU MEAL Manager position include:

• Education: A Master's degree in statistics, biostatistics, economics, agriculture, environmental sciences, or a related field with a strong quantitative background. Additional experience may substitute for some educational requirements.
• Experience: A minimum of five years of experience working in a development setting, preferably with an international NGO, with progressively increasing MEAL responsibilities in international development projects. Experience in Landscape Management and Restoration, Climate Smart Agriculture, or Sustainable Agriculture Practices is preferred. At least three years of supervisory experience is required.
• Preferred Qualifications: Demonstrated expertise in developing and operationalizing routine monitoring systems, strong ICT4D skills, GIS mapping experience, and familiarity with donor MEAL guidelines. Experience in data quality assurance strategies, data management, and data visualization is also preferred. Strong facilitation and capacity strengthening skills are essential, along with experience engaging with partner organizations and government stakeholders.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Master's degree in a relevant field such as statistics, biostatistics, economics, agriculture, or environmental sciences. A strong quantitative background is essential, and additional experience may substitute for some educational requirements. Candidates should have a solid understanding of MEAL methodologies and tools, as well as experience in data analysis and interpretation.

Experience:
Candidates for the Program Manager II - BMU MEAL Manager position should have a minimum of five years of experience working in a development setting, preferably with an international NGO. This experience should include progressively increasing responsibilities in Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) within international development projects. At least three years of supervisory experience is required, demonstrating the ability to lead and mentor teams effectively.

Languages:
The mandatory language requirement for this position is English, with Filipino also being required. Proficiency in both languages is essential for effective communication within the organization and with external stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This position may involve travel up to 30% of the time. The role includes supervisory responsibilities for MEAL Officers and requires strong analytical, problem-solving, and relationship management skills. The successful candidate will be expected to adhere to CRS's Code of Conduct and commitment to safeguarding program participants and community members from exploitation and abuse. The organization prioritizes candidates who are citizens or permanent residents of the countries where CRS operates.