MEAL Officer

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 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. CRS is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation, and it welcomes staff from diverse faiths and secular traditions who share its values and commitment to serving those in need. The agency's work culture is collaborative and mission-driven, aiming to improve the lives of the poor globally.

Job Overview:
The MEAL Officer will be responsible for overseeing all Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) activities related to emergency child health projects. This includes monitoring project indicators, developing M&E tools, conducting assessments, managing beneficiary databases, and implementing accountability mechanisms. The officer will compile reports on a monthly, bi-monthly, and quarterly basis, ensuring that all MEAL activities align with donor regulations. The position requires frequent travel to project areas and collaboration with various stakeholders, including the coordinator" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">MEAL Coordinator, Project Manager, and Emergency Coordinator, to ensure effective technical support and project implementation.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The MEAL Officer's duties include facilitating workshops, leading nutrition assessments, tracking project performance against indicators, managing beneficiary databases, conducting baseline studies, and performing on-site monitoring and post-distribution surveys. The officer will also carry out market assessments, analyze project data, ensure timely evaluations, develop M&E tools, and promote the use of ICT4D solutions. Additionally, the officer will establish feedback mechanisms, support the development of electronic data entry tools, train enumerators, supervise data collection, maintain IT equipment, and compile yearly beneficiary data. The role requires a proactive approach to collecting and sharing lessons learned and best practices from program implementation.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess excellent interpersonal skills, the ability to maintain confidentiality, and the capability to work effectively under pressure. A commitment to gender-responsive programming and attention to detail is essential. The officer should demonstrate a proactive, results-oriented approach and have a strong understanding of the responsibilities of NGOs in protecting beneficiaries from exploitation and abuse. Familiarity with various data management and statistical software is also required, along with the ability to work collaboratively in diverse teams.

Educational Background:
A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Information and Technology Management, Statistics, or a relevant equivalent field is required. Candidates should have a thorough technical knowledge of MEAL practices and experience in database management, as well as familiarity with quantitative statistical management programs such as Microsoft Access, SPSS, EPI-INFO, STATA, and Microsoft Excel. Knowledge of Microsoft Power BI and GIS/GPS technology is considered an advantage.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least 4 years of full-time experience in Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning, preferably with an international NGO. Demonstrated experience in participatory action planning, community engagement, and project monitoring is preferred. Proficiency in using MS Windows and MS Office packages is also necessary.

Languages:
Fluency in English, Hausa, and Fulani is required, with proficiency in any other local languages being desirable. This linguistic capability is essential for effective communication with beneficiaries and stakeholders in the project area.

Additional Notes:
The position requires a willingness to travel up to 20% of the time to field locations. CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package for U.S.-based staff, including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, and a retirement savings plan. For candidates employed outside the U.S., benefits are based on the country of employment. The agency emphasizes its commitment to safeguarding and expects all staff to adhere to its safeguarding policies and procedures. The successful candidate will be required to sign and comply with CRS's Code of Conduct.