Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) Manager

Job Description

Job Title: MEAL Manager for CIPP (Central African Republic Interfaith Peacebuilding Partnership)

Position Type: Full Time

Location: CAR – Bangui based

Reports to: CIPP Project Director

Job Description:

Background

CRS, in partnership with World Vision, Aegis Trust, Islamic Relief Worldwide, and the Plateforme des Confessions Religieuses de Centrafrique (CAR Interreligious Platform) is implementing the Central African Republic Interfaith Peacebuilding Partnership (CIPP) to support civil society, government, and private sector actors to promote peace in CAR. CIPP is a five-year project (January 2016 – January 2021) funded under USAID’s Global Development Alliance, a public-private partnership model. As such, CIPP benefits from multiple private sector partners as well as consortium members’ private contributions, in addition to USAID funding. The project team is comprised of staff from all five consortium partners working together in a shared office, which helps ensure strong integration across partner activities.

Job Summary

The Program Manager for Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (henceforth, MEAL Manager) oversees and manages MEAL implementation for the CIPP project. As such, s/he collects, analyzes, and reports on information to be shared with program staff, consortium partners, donors, and local stakeholders. S/he works closely with the Project Director to ensure an accurate image of CIPP’s accomplishments and priorities are shared with relevant stakeholders. In line with CIPP’s capacity strengthening objective, s/he offers training and accompaniment to project and partner staff to improve MEAL and reporting capacities.

Specific Responsibilities:

A. Planning and Targeting

1. In collaboration with Project Director, lead the preparation and submission of annual detailed implementation plan (DIP) as well as geographically disaggregated quarterly and annual targets.
2. In collaboration with Project Director, facilitate quarterly learning and planning meetings with CIPP team.

B. MEAL

1. Ensure adherence to CRS MEAL Policies and Procedures as well as USAID monitoring and reporting requirements. Seek the continual improvement of the MEAL system according to CRS MEAL policies and procedures and CRS Data Privacy and Protection Guidelines.
2. Use technology appropriately to improve data collection, visualization, datat management, analysis, and reporting.
3. Supervise the collection of accurate quantitative and qualitative data and maintain quality of project’s electronic database.
4. Analyze quantitative and qualitative data, proactively identifying issues and concerns and supporting decision-making for improved performance.
5. Lead annual program reviews progress and document good practices and lessons learned.
6. Coordinate implementation of beneficiary accountability and feedback mechanisms
7. Lead evaluation events by drafting terms of references, facilitating the development of quantitative and qualitative tools, conducting data collection, leading data analysis and presentation of final reports, and facilitating reflections on key learning.
8. Plan and budget appropriately for quality MEAL activities.

C. Reporting and Knowledge Management

1. Promote knowledge management and collaborative learning processes at the project and program levels, generating robust evidence for project and programmatic learning that leads to action, decision-making and influence
2. Ensure the production of high quality quarterly and annual donor reports, including drafting impact-focused narrative, coordinating with CRS Award Management Officer for financial reporting, and tracking quantitative progress through the Indicator Performance Tracking Table (IPTT) and USAID-specific indicator reporting template.
3. Maintain a donor engagement plan, which includes bi-monthly reports, regular production of success stories and/or technical briefs as well as regular updates to disseminate learning

D. Learning and Publications

1. Oversee program communication strategies for all consortium partners, leading technical reviews to ensure compliance with donor’s branding and marketing requirements as well as CRS’ internal guidance.
2. Promote a culture of reflection, evidence-based learning, and information sharing within the CIPP team, ensuring that learning is incorporated into evolving program plans.
3. Coordinate with other CRS program and MEAL staff to share best practices and lessons learned between CIPP and other CRS programs.

E. Supervision and Capacity Building

1. Build capacity of implementing program staff in MEAL skills relevant to their job requirements and professional development goals.
2. Serve as a technical resource for CRS MEAL Specialist and other CRS MEAL staff.

Typical Background, Experience, and Requirements:

• Master’s Degree in relevant field (monitoring and evaluation, international development, conflict resolution, or related) required. Additional experience may substitute for some education.
• Minimum of 2 years of relevant field-based experience in coordinating or managing light to moderately complex projects required, preferably with an international NGO.
• Experience supporting or preferably leading MEAL activities.
• Experience living and working in a developing country context, preferably with an international NGO. Experience working on peacebuilding projects and/or with conflict-affected communities preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to build staff capacity through trainings and regular accompaniment.
• Excellent written communication skills, with the ability to collate information from multiple sources to tell a persuasive and captivating “story” of project accomplishments, challenges and solutions, and priorities.
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong computer skills with the ability to use technology to improve MEAL outcomes.
• Strong organizational and management skills. Ability to work independently, but also coordinate effectively as part of a team. Strong respect for deadlines.
• Desire and capacity to work in a multicultural environment, with colleagues of diverse experiences, nationalities, and religions.

Physical Requirements/Environment:

The position is based in Bangui, with national and international travel, as required. Travel within CAR includes areas with limited amenities. An ability and willingness to work and live in diverse, challenging and potentially unstable environments is required, as is a willingness to adhere to and cooperate with Agency security protocol. Bangui is a non-accompanied post, though a spouse may accompany with approval.

Foreign Language Required:

Fluent English language oral and written communication skills required; strong French language oral and written communication skills required; knowledge of Sango or other local languages desired.

Supervisory Responsibilities:MEAL Officer

Key Relationships:

Internal:

CIPP: Project Director, Deputy Project Director for Representation and Sustainability, Program Managers, MEAL Officer, Administrative Assistant

CRS/CAR: Head of Programs, Head of Operations, CRS Award Management Officer

CRS:RTA MEAL

External:USAID

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff): These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

• Serves with Integrity
• Models Stewardship
• Cultivates Constructive Relationships
• Promotes Learning

Program Manager Competencies:

These are rooted in the mission, values, and principles of CRS and used by each program manager to fulfill his or her responsibilities and to achieve the desired results.

• Sets clear goals and manages toward them.
• Collaborates effectively with staff and stakeholders.
• Manages financial resources with integrity.
• Applies program quality standards to project design and organizational learning.

Emergency Competencies:

These are rooted in the mission, values, and principles of CRS and used by each staff working in emergencies to fulfill his or her responsibilities and to achieve the desired results.

• Communicates strategically under pressure.
• Manages stress and complexity.
• Actively promotes safety and security.
• Manages and implements high-quality emergency programs

Disclaimer Clause:

This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.

NOTE: Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

About the Organization

Catholic Relief Services was founded in 1943 by the Catholic Bishops of the United States. Our mission is to assist the poor and disadvantaged, leveraging the teachings of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to alleviate human suffering, promote development of all people, and to foster charity and justice throughout the world. Working through local offices and an extensive network of partners, CRS operates on five continents and in 98 countries. We aid the poor by first providing direct assistance where needed, then encouraging people to help with their own development. Together, these approaches foster secure, productive, just communities that enable people to realize their potential. As the official international relief and development agency of the U.S. Catholic community, CRS is also committed to educating the people of the United States to fulfill their moral responsibilities toward our global brothers and sisters by helping the poor, working to remove the causes of poverty, and promoting social justice.