Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning Officer at Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is an International non-governmental organization supporting relief and development work in over 100 countries around the world. CRS programs assist persons on the basis of need, regardless of creed, ethnicity or nationality. CRS works through local church and non-church partners to implement its programs, therefore, strengthening and building the capacity of these partner organizations is fundamental to programs in every country in which CRS operates. CRS re-established presence in Nigeria in 2000 and currently focuses on vulnerable children, agriculture, health and HIV, extractives and governance, and peace building programming.

We are recruiting to fill the vacant position below:

Job Title: Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning Officer

Job Ref Code: MLF91919
Location: Yola, Adamawa
Department: Programs
Project: Feed the Future (FTF) Nigeria Integrated Agriculture Activity Project
Reports To: Program Manager II
Band: 7

Background

• With donor support from USAID, Catholic Relief Services (CRS/Nigeria), as subgrantees to International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and in partnership with the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Borno State Agricultural Development program and Adamawa State Agricultural Development Program will implement the Feed the Future Nigeria Integrated Agriculture Activity Project; a sustainable agriculture-led economic growth; strengthened resilience among people and systems; and a well-nourished population, especially among women and children in targeted locations of Borno and Adamawa states.
  

Job Summary

• Under the direction of the Program Manager II, the MEAL Officer will be responsible for all MEAL related activities for Feed the Future Integrated Agriculture Activity implemented by CRS in northeast Nigeria, including, but not limited to: designing MEAL systems, leading SMILER processes, monitoring progress on project indicators, elaboration of M&E tools, conducting needs/market/post activity assessments, beneficiary database management, recalibration of beneficiary targeting at project mid-point, development and implementation of accountability mechanism as well as compilation of monthly, bi-monthly, and quarterly reports.
• The MEAL Officer will be based in Yola with frequent trips to project areas and will report to the FTF Nigeria Integrated Agriculture Activity PM II in Yola, working closely with the Emergency MEAL Coordinator, based in Maiduguri, and the MEAL Manager IITA in Yola.

Specific Job Responsibilities
Monitoring and Evaluation:

• Design and manage Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning system through providing high-quality technical support and leading the recovery MEAL team
• Facilitate to design and conduct of MEAL surveys including PDMs, evaluation, baselines and others related to the project; in close consultation with the recovery and resilience program and MEAL staff
• Develop or adapt project specific MEAL tools and carry out field testing where necessary.
• Track donor and CRS reporting requirements and deadlines and provide MEAL information to Program Managers for drafting reports.
• Determine role of all actors involved in providing technical support to project monitoring and evaluation.
• Ensure consistency of standards, harmonization of information and input from beneficiaries and sharing of learnings.
• Maintain the project database and supervise related matters
• Facilitate to perform quantitative and qualitative analysis of data for project requirements
• Verify data for completeness, correctness and consistency and follow up on any data/program quality issues.
• Lead regular MEAL field visits to collect data with the help of partners, assess the application of MEAL tools, and assist in preparation of monthly/quarterly report to donors and CRS office.
• Identify bottlenecks in the program MEAL systems, recommend appropriate solutions and ensure follow-through.

Accountability:

• Lead the development and implementation of feedback and response channels to reflect the preferences of community members and beneficiaries of the project
• Coordinate and support emergency response for accountability specific requirements including accountability needs for distributions interventions
• Facilitate to orient program staff and partners on the basic principles and practices of beneficiary accountability.
• Ensure that beneficiary feedback is adequately analyzed and documented.
• Ensure that all sensitive and not sensitive cases are channeled (including documentation) according to the framework with a high level of confidentiality and neutrality
• Coordinate closely with program managers for accountability related cases that involves gender and protection factors

Learning:

• Identify, document, store and share lessons learned (this includes success story too) that have implications for refinement of best programmatic practice.
• Conduct and document end of project learning reviews and share learning with stakeholders.
• Liaise with the PMs, NE MEAL lead, Agriculture and livelihoods Adviser and Director Early Recovery and Resilience to carry out needs assessments and initial evaluations to inform proposal development

Supervision:

• Provide quality mentoring and coaching to early recovery MEAL staff and ensure that coaching and performance plans are completed on time and with adherence to CRS talent management quality standards.
• Together with the Emergency MEAL Coordinator/Manager, Program Manager II, Country Program MEAL Coordinator and PM, identify capacity building needs for staff/partners.
• Support training events organized by CRS for staff and/or partners, including project reflections, learning assessments, planning and facilitation guides.

Qualifications and Skills

• University degree, preferably in Statistics, Information Management, Management, Social Sciences or related fields.
• At least 5 years of experience in Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning, preferably in humanitarian or development context.
• Proven track record and experience in developing M&E plan, systems and database using MS office applications (Excel or Access) and software applications.
• Strong knowledge and proven experience on developing and analyzing logical and conceptual framework.
• Ability to train partners and staff on developing and maintaining the M&E system.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Excellent written and oral communications skills in English.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work in a diverse team and manage complex and sensitive organizational relationships.
• Demonstrable understanding of and commitment to promoting gender equity and the interests of vulnerable people.
• Enthusiasm for and commitment to CRS’s values and guiding principles.
• Ability to manage complex workloads and deliver work to tight deadlines.
• Ability to travel frequently and stay in difficult environments

Application Closing Date
2nd October, 2019.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should download the "CRS Application Form" using the link below, fill and send with a detailed Resume as one document (in a PDF Format) indicating the position being applied for and the Job Ref Code as the subject of the application (e.g. MEAL Director, MED211118) to: vacancies.ne.nigeria@crs.org

Click here to Download Application Form (Doc)

Click Here for more Information (Docx)

Important Information

• “CRS is an equal –opportunity employer, does not discriminate based on race, color, religion and we are committed to gender sensitive programming and management’. etc.
• Qualified women are strongly 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.
• ‘’CRS’ recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation’’