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 serve those in need, CRS operates in more than 100 countries, focusing on various areas such as emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. The organization is dedicated to saving, protecting, and transforming lives without regard to race, religion, or nationality. CRS is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation, and it welcomes individuals from diverse backgrounds who share its values and commitment to service.

Job Overview:
The Senior Project Officer - MEAL will serve as the lead for monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning (MEAL) within the project team in Uganda. This role is crucial for ensuring that project objectives are met through effective coordination and reporting of all MEAL activities. The officer will provide technical guidance and support to staff and implementing partners, ensuring that best practices in MEAL are applied throughout the project lifecycle. The incumbent will be responsible for fostering relationships with stakeholders, ensuring that feedback mechanisms are in place, and that learning is integrated into project activities. The role requires a proactive approach to problem-solving and a commitment to improving the impact of the project on the communities served.

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. This includes ensuring that learning accompanies project activities throughout the project cycle, supporting accountability through reflection and learning activities, and analyzing implementation challenges. The officer will lead the roll-out of the feedback, complaints, and response mechanism (FCRM), ensuring that feedback from communities is actively sought and addressed. Responsibilities also include coordinating consultations with government and stakeholders to identify MEAL system strengths and gaps, providing technical assistance to strengthen data collection and reporting, and overseeing MEAL-related relationships with local stakeholders. The officer will supervise inspections of MEAL processes, ensure proper tracking of resources, and coordinate capacity-building activities. Timely documentation of MEAL activities and preparation of trend analysis reports will also be part of the role.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor's Degree in International Relations or a related field, with a focus on MEAL being a plus. A minimum of 4 years of work experience in project support, particularly in MEAL for an NGO, is required. Experience with child protection, family strengthening, and early childhood development programs is essential. Candidates should demonstrate strong analytical and problem-solving skills, good relationship management abilities, and a proactive, results-oriented mindset. Attention to detail and a strong understanding of monitoring and information management systems are also necessary.

Educational Background:
The position requires a Bachelor's Degree in International Relations or a related field, with a focus on MEAL being advantageous. This educational background should provide the candidate with a solid understanding of the principles and practices of monitoring and evaluation, as well as the ability to engage with various stakeholders effectively.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have at least 4 years of relevant work experience in project support, specifically in the field of MEAL within an NGO context. Experience in monitoring projects, collecting data, and working with government-led monitoring systems is highly desirable. Familiarity with child protection and social service systems will be beneficial for this role.

Languages:
Strong written and spoken English is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset, but English is the primary language required for communication and documentation.

Additional Notes:
This position is open to Ugandan nationals only and is contingent upon the successful award of the project. The deadline for applications is September 18, 2026, at 5:00 PM. The role may require travel up to 30% to project locations and field offices outside of Kampala. CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages individuals from marginalized backgrounds and people with disabilities to apply. The successful candidate will be expected to adhere to CRS's Code of Conduct and safeguarding policies.