Project Officer – Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, & Learning (MEAL)

Job Title:                             Project Officer – Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, & Learning (MEAL)

(Ref: 2023/002)

Department:                      Program Quality – Emergency Programs

Grade:                                  7

Reports To:                         CP MEAL Manager

Country/Location:           Somalia, Mogadishu      

Length of Contract:         7 months with strong likelihood of extension

About CRS

CRS is an International non-governmental organization supporting relief and development work in over 100 countries around the world. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need, without regard to race, religion, or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work are accomplished through programs such as emergency response, health, livelihoods, microfinance, and peacebuilding.

CRS has a long history of supporting local civil-society organizations in Somalia and has implemented development and emergency programming in multiple sectors, primarily supported by the United States Agency for International Development. CRS’ work in Somalia supports populations across 5 regions of Somalia, with emergency presence concentrated in the South-Central area. CRS Somalia’s large flagship project currently covers the sectors of WASH, Health, Nutrition, Protection for the most vulnerable populations (SHARPEN). CRS has been working closely with and channelling resources and support to local organizations in Somalia since the 1960s. In addition to high-value emergency response and peacebuilding projects, CRS is also working on developing additional activities, including the newly funded Cash Assistance, Nutrition, and Accountability project (CashNCaps).

Job Summary:

As MEAL Project Officer (PO), your role will be primarily focused as a member of the Emergency Programs team (with significant investment to the flagship SHARPEN project), monitoring and reporting on all project activities, processes, outputs, outcomes and context in support of CRS’ work serving the most vulnerable. You will be expected work with a thorough, service-oriented, capacity strengthening approach that will ensure that the project consistently applies best MEAL practices, develops and implements a strong MEAL system (that generates data that enables evidence-based decision-making and adaptive management), and ultimately leads to high quality of programming. Adherence to these principles with ensure increased impact on beneficiary communities.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Support the coordination and implementation of Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) project activities as outlined in the detailed implementation and MEAL plans, CRS program quality principles and standards, CRS MEAL Policies and Procedures, donor requirements, and good MEAL practices.
• Assist MEAL Manager in the maintenance of a MEAL Operating Manual, inclusive of an organized, comprehendible “library” of all MEAL documentation (e.g., reports, data sets, forms, etc.).
• Provide technical guidance and capacity building support to project implementing partners on data quality, robust data collection, systematic analysis, high-quality reporting, feedback from participants, and data use for decision-making.
• Conduct data verification and quality assurance on both monitoring and non-sensitive feedback reported by implementing partners and support action planning to address gaps/weaknesses.
• Systematically monitor, identify, and report on any challenges, gaps, or anomalies in programming to leadership and relevant program staff.
• Support the planning, implementation, and follow-up of regular reflection on project data and experiences amongst program and partner staff.
• Support the CP MEAL Manager in timing and tailoring MEAL evidence and data to targeted audiences for use, decision-making, and adaptive management.
• Collaborate with local partner to prepare high-quality performance and, as relevant, evaluation reports per established reporting schedule and partner agreements.
• Assist with identifying and collecting information for case studies and briefs on promising practices and learning.
• Carry out routine support supervision to projects, including progress monitoring, and preparation of detailed field/project reports per established reporting schedule and partner agreements.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree strongly preferred.
• Minimum of 2 years of work experience with NGOs in project support/management with at least one year of work experience in Monitoring and Evaluation, and strong interest in MEAL.
• Experience collecting and evaluating data, quantitative reasoning.
• Additional experience may substitute for some education.

Required Languages – Excellent verbal and written communication in English and Somali is required.

Travel - Position will be based in Mogadishu, Somalia. Must be willing and able to travel up to 50% to project field locations, as security conditions permit.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Analysis, observation, and problem-solving skills with ability to make sound judgment.
• Good relationship management skills and the ability to work closely with local partners and community members.
• Strong and proactive organizational and trouble-shooting skills required.
• Attention to details, accuracy, and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities.
• Proactive, results-oriented and service-oriented.
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Demonstrated commitment to respect, equity, diversity, and inclusion including gender equality.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in participatory action planning and community engagement.
• Experience in ensuring quality of monitoring, learning, and accountability efforts, preferred.
• Experience with quantitative and qualitative data analyses and statistical software (Excel, SPSS, etc.) preferred.
• Experience using ICT4D data collection/management software (e.g., Commcare, Kobo) preferred.

Agency REDI 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.

• Personal Accountability
• Acts with Integrity
• Builds and Maintains Trust
• Collaborates with Others
• Open to Learn
• Strategic Mindset
• Develops and Recognizes Others
• Leads Change

Supervisory Responsibilities (if none, state none): N/A

Key Working Relationships:

Internal: CP MEAL Manager, Emergency Coordinator, Program Managers, P2P MEAL Manager, P2P COP/DCOP, Grants & Compliance Officer, HRD and MEAL Regional technical advisor. 

External: Implementing Partners and other NGO staff.

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

What we offer:

CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package and the opportunity to work in a collaborative, mission-driven culture that is committed to improving the lives of the poor throughout the world.

CRS’ emphasis on family values supports benefits, including maternity and paternity leave, policies that promote exclusive breastfeeding, the availability of a baby room at the office, and flexible working hours where possible.

We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

CRS Somalia strives to be a place where a diverse mix of talented people want to come and work, stay, and do their best.

CRS provides equal employment opportunity to all qualified employees and applicants for employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ancestry or national origin, sex, age, marital status, physical or mental disability or handicap, medical condition and any other status protected by law. As an equal opportunity employer, CRS will recruit, hire, train and promote persons solely on their qualifications and abilities. Women are highly encouraged to apply.

By applying to this job, I understand and acknowledge that CRS requires its staff to treat all people with dignity and respect and to actively prevent harassment, abuse, exploitation, and human trafficking. Further, I understand that if I am a successful candidate, I will be subject to a comprehensive background check, and my personal/professional references will be asked to evaluate my behaviors related to the above safeguarding-related topics.

If your qualifications and experience meet this job requirements, please submit a written application, quoting the job title and reference number, and updated CV including daytime contact phone numbers, as well as names and contact information of three references to reach the below mentioned by close of business, April 11, 2023.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interview.

Human Resources Manager

Catholic Relief Services-Kenya/Somalia program

Email: [email protected]

Note: CRS does not charge any fees from applicants for any recruitment. Further, CRS has not retained any agent in connection with this recruitment.