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, providing assistance without regard to race, religion, or nationality. The organization focuses on various areas 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 candidates from diverse backgrounds who share its values and commitment to serving those in need.

Job Overview:
The Senior Project Officer, MEAL will serve as the lead for monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning (MEAL) within the project team in Malawi. This role is crucial for facilitating the achievement of project objectives by coordinating and reporting on all MEAL activities. The officer will provide technical guidance and advice to staff and implementing partners, ensuring that best practices in MEAL are applied throughout the project lifecycle. The position requires strong coordination and relationship management skills to enhance the impact of the project on vulnerable children and families. The officer will also be responsible for ensuring that learning is integrated into project activities and that accountability mechanisms are in place to respond to feedback from communities and stakeholders.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Project Officer will organize and lead the implementation of all assigned project MEAL activities as outlined in the Work/Detailed Implementation Plan. Responsibilities include ensuring that learning accompanies project activities, supporting accountability through reflection and learning activities, analyzing implementation challenges, and leading the roll-out of the feedback and response mechanism (FRM). The officer will coordinate the collection, analysis, validation, and reporting of project data, facilitate consultations with government and stakeholders, provide technical assistance to government MEAL personnel, and oversee MEAL-related relationships with local stakeholders. Additionally, the officer will ensure proper tracking of resource use for MEAL activities, support capacity building, and ensure timely documentation of MEAL activities.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor's Degree in International Relations or a related field, with a minimum of 4 years of work experience in project support, ideally in MEAL for an NGO. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, good relationship management abilities, and a proactive, results-oriented mindset are essential. Attention to detail and a strong understanding of child protection and early childhood development programs are also required. Familiarity with government-led monitoring systems and experience in low-resource settings are preferred qualifications.

Educational Background:
A Bachelor's Degree is required, with a preference for degrees in International Relations or related fields. Additional experience may substitute for some educational requirements, indicating that practical experience is valued alongside formal education.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 4 years of relevant work experience in project support, particularly in the field of MEAL within an NGO context. Experience in monitoring projects and collecting data, as well as familiarity with child protection and early childhood development programs, is highly desirable. Candidates should also have experience working with local partners and community engagement.

Languages:
Proficiency in English and Chichewa is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of additional languages may be considered an asset but is not required.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in Lilongwe, Malawi, and may involve travel up to 25%. 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 successful candidate will be expected to adhere to CRS's Code of Conduct and safeguarding policies, reflecting the organization's commitment to protecting vulnerable populations. The recruitment process is contingent upon the successful award of the project.