MEAL Manager

Job Posting Organization:
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Established to serve the poor and vulnerable, CRS operates in more than 100 countries, focusing on emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. The organization is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation, and it welcomes staff from all faiths and secular traditions who share its values. CRS's mission is deeply rooted in its Catholic identity, and it emphasizes the importance of treating everyone with dignity and respect.

Job Overview:
The MEAL Manager will serve as the lead for monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning (MEAL) for projects in Guatemala and El Salvador. This role is crucial for ensuring that project objectives are met through effective coordination and reporting of MEAL activities. The MEAL Manager will provide technical guidance to staff and partners, ensuring that best practices in MEAL are applied throughout the project cycle. The position requires strong relationship management skills to enhance the impact of the project on the communities served. The MEAL Manager will also facilitate learning and accountability, ensuring that feedback mechanisms are in place and that project data is accurately collected and analyzed to inform decision-making.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The MEAL Manager will be responsible for organizing and leading the implementation of all assigned project MEAL activities in Guatemala and El Salvador. This includes ensuring that learning accompanies project activities, supporting accountability through reflection and learning activities, and analyzing implementation challenges. The role involves leading the rollout of the feedback and response mechanism (FRM), coordinating consultations with government and stakeholders, providing technical assistance to government MEAL personnel, and overseeing MEAL-related relationships with local stakeholders. The MEAL Manager will also supervise inspections of MEAL processes, ensure proper tracking of resources, and coordinate capacity-building activities. Additionally, the role includes facilitating systematic learning and knowledge exchange, promoting harmonization of MEAL approaches across countries, and supporting the development of regional knowledge products.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor's Degree in International Relations, International Development, Economics, Statistics, Systems Engineering, Information Systems, or Data Analytics. Studies in MEAL and ICT4D are considered a plus. A Master's degree in related areas is preferred. Candidates should have a minimum of 5 years of work experience in project support, ideally in MEAL for an NGO. Preferred qualifications include experience with participatory action planning, community engagement, staff supervision, and monitoring projects. Knowledge of child protection, family strengthening, and early childhood development programs is also beneficial.

Educational Background:
A Bachelor's Degree in relevant fields such as International Relations, International Development, Economics, Statistics, Systems Engineering, Information Systems, or Data Analytics is required. A Master's degree in related areas is preferred, and additional studies in MEAL and ICT4D would be advantageous.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of work experience in project support, particularly in the field of MEAL within an NGO context. Candidates should have experience working with partners, community engagement, and monitoring projects, as well as familiarity with child protection and early childhood development programs.

Languages:
Fluency in Spanish is mandatory, and advanced English is a plus. The ability to communicate effectively in both languages will enhance the candidate's ability to perform in this role.

Additional Notes:
This position is open to nationals of Guatemala and El Salvador, with the base potentially located in either country. The role may require up to 50% travel between Guatemala and El Salvador. The duration of the position is contingent upon funding from national projects and internal processes, and candidates must be willing to undergo thorough background checks. CRS is committed to safeguarding program participants and community members from exploitation and abuse, and successful candidates will be expected to adhere to the organization's Code of Conduct.