Technical Advisor II - MEAL

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Position Title: Technical Advisor II - MEAL
Location: Lilongwe
Country: Malawi
Deadline Date:

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Established to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas, CRS operates in more than 100 countries, providing relief and development services without regard to race, religion, or nationality. The organization focuses on various sectors including emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding, aiming to save, protect, and transform lives in need.

Job Overview:
The Technical Advisor II - MEAL position is designed to provide comprehensive technical advice, guidance, and support to design" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">program design and implementation issues, specifically focusing on Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL). This role is crucial in ensuring that CRS adheres to its program quality principles and standards, donor guidelines, and industry best practices. The advisor will work closely with regional and Country Program (CP) teams to enhance the quality of programming delivered to the poor and vulnerable. The position requires a deep understanding of MEAL processes and the ability to influence and implement strategies that improve program effectiveness and adaptability across various contexts. The advisor will also play a key role in capacity building initiatives, ensuring that staff and partners are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to implement MEAL effectively.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Technical Advisor II - MEAL include but are not limited to:

• Contributing to the development and implementation of agency-wide MEAL strategies, standards, tools, and best practices that engage partners, donors, and governments effectively.
• Supporting the planning and execution of baseline surveys, mid-term surveys, and end-of-project evaluations to monitor project progress and impact.
• Providing technical solutions to regional and CP teams for strategic planning and the application of program design and implementation standards.
• Collaborating with MEAL staff to integrate ICT4D into data collection, analysis, presentation, reporting, and storage processes.
• Leading or contributing to the technical design of large and complex proposals, including defining appropriate monitoring systems and indicators.
• Advising project teams on integrating donor strategies and technical requirements into CRS’ approach.
• Facilitating capacity strengthening initiatives in MEAL programming through training, workshops, and mentoring.
• Contributing to knowledge management and learning by collecting and analyzing program data, evaluating projects, and sharing lessons learned.
• Establishing and maintaining relationships with donors, peer organizations, and research institutions. 1
• Managing talent and supervising MEAL Officers, ensuring team dynamics and staff well-being are prioritized. 1
• Providing financial management assistance for MEAL activities as needed.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires the following qualifications:

• A Master's Degree in Statistics, Operations Research, Development Studies, or a relevant field related to MEAL.
• A minimum of five years of relevant international working experience in an advisory or management role, ideally within an international NGO, with at least three years focused on MEAL programming interventions.
• Proven experience in providing technical assistance and developing successful proposals for external donor funding.
• Demonstrated application of technical principles and concepts in MEAL, with a general knowledge of related disciplines to ensure a cross-sectoral approach.
• Experience in business development, project design, and proposal development, including technical writing.
• Experience in mentoring, coaching, facilitation, and training, applying adult learning principles.
• Proficiency in program monitoring and evaluation, including data collection methodologies, analysis, and presentation.
• Strong networking skills and experience in building relationships with donors, peer organizations, and civil society partners.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Master's Degree in a relevant field such as Statistics, Operations Research, Development Studies, or any field related to Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL). This educational background is essential to ensure that the candidate has the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills to perform effectively in this role.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of relevant international working experience, particularly in an advisory or management capacity. Candidates should have progressive responsibilities, ideally within an international NGO, with a focus on MEAL programming interventions for at least three years. Experience in providing technical assistance and developing successful proposals for external donor funding is also essential.

Languages:
The mandatory language for this position is English. Proficiency in English is crucial for effective communication, documentation, and collaboration with diverse stakeholders. Additional language skills may be beneficial but are not specified as mandatory.

Additional Notes:
The position involves supervisory responsibilities, specifically overseeing four MEAL Officers. The role requires a willingness to travel up to 25% of the time. The job is full-time, and candidates are expected to demonstrate a commitment to the mission and values of Catholic Relief Services. The organization emphasizes safeguarding the rights and dignity of all individuals, particularly vulnerable populations, and candidates must align with these principles. CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes candidates from the regions in which it operates.