Project Assistant - MEAL at Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding.

The CORE Group Partnership Project (CGPP) is a multi-country, multi-partner initiative providing financial support, on-the-ground technical guidance and support to strengthen host country efforts to eradicate polio. The premise of this project is to work through existing networks of international and local NGOs with established child survival activities in high-risk areas of priority countries. A country-level Secretariat coordinates the work of CORE group members in a manner that complements the work of other implementing partners. The work of all CORE members is in support of the national action plan for polio eradication, 5-year health plans and consistent with national MDG goals. CGPP harmonizes its work with other implementing partners by coordinating at the national, state and LGA/ward levels. CRS implements CGPP programming in Kaduna and Yobe states.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Project Assistant - MEAL

Job ID: 2200001Y
Location: Kaduna
Job Type: Full-time
Shift: Standard
Schedule: Regular
Job Level: Day Job
Job: Program Management
Travel: Yes, 75 % of the Time
Employee Status: Entry Level

Job Summary

• Under the guidance of the State Team Lead (STL), the MEAL Assistant will be responsible for all MEAL related activities including, but not limited to monitoring progress on project indicators, M&E tools reviews, tracking and monitoring of Kaduna state MEAL activities.
• She / he will work closely with the Senior MEAL Officer to ensure project target objectives are met, conducting data quality assessments and audits, database management, and the compilation of weekly, monthly, and quarterly MEAL related reports of CGPP project portfolios Polio and GHSA.

Roles and Key Responsibilities

• Contribute to regular analysis of field data from focal LGAs and provide feedback as necessary.
• Conduct regular monitoring to focal LGAs for data verification to ensure data integrity, precision, reliability, timeliness, and validity.
• Works closely with the Senior MEAL officer to track and monitor the implementation of detailed implementation plans (DIPs) developed by the Community Based Organization (CBO).
• Provide support to the CBO MEAL officer to maintain the functionality of the project's devices for data reporting.
• Work closely with the Senior MEAL officer to ensure compliance with the SOP of the management of the project's devices.
• With guidance from the STL and close working with the Senior MEAL officer, work with the CBO MEAL officer to field test data tools.
• Assist in compiling and harmonization of annual training plans for Kaduna state under the guidance of the STL.
• Prepare Issues Log and keep a record of the Issues addressed, including updating of Change Management Procedure (CMP) tool.  
• Work closely with the Senior MEAL officer to maintain the project's database for Kaduna state under the guidance of the STL.
• Ensure the archiving of state reports, DIPs, supervisory visits reports, and filing of blank data tools.
• Work closely with the STL to plan and implement all review meetings in the state, not limited to bi-weekly or monthly MEAL meetings.
• Prepare weekly MEAL activities status reports for the state and share them with Team members.
• Provide inputs to research activities and writing of articles for publications as required.
• As guided by the management team and working closely with the Senior MEAL officer, support the planning and implementation of KAP surveys, annual DQA exercise, After Action Reviews and Intervention assessments and evaluations.

Key Working Relationships:

• Internal: State Team Lead, Senior MEAL officer, Project Officers, Program Manager,  Deputy Chief of Party, CBO MEAL officers.
• External:  CGPP Secretariat, WHO, UNICEF, SPHCDA, NCDC

Basic Qualifications

• High School Diploma in a Health discipline with 2-3 years’ experience Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning, preferably in humanitarian or development context.
• Proven track record and experience in supporting the development of 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.
• Demonstrate good knowledge and understanding of the Polio Eradication program.
• Demonstrate understanding of and commitment to promoting gender equity and the interests of vulnerable people.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent written and oral communications skills in English.
• Excellent analytical skills with the ability to detect and report inconsistencies
• Excellent organizational skills with great attention to detail
• Ethical conduct in accordance with recognized professional and organizational codes of ethics
• Proactive, resourceful, solution-oriented and results-oriented
• Ability to work collaboratively
• Ability to multitask and deliver work to tight deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiarity with relevant donors' regulations is a plus.
• Proficient in Excel and experience with Word and PowerPoint. Knowledge of financial reporting software a plus.
• Supervisory Responsibilities (none)

Required Languages:

• English and ability to speak Hausa will be an AdvantageTravel:
• Must be willing and able to travel up to 75 % and stay in difficult environments

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:

• Integrity  
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation
• Builds Relationships  
• Develops Talent
• Strategic Mindset
• Accountability & Stewardship.

Application Closing Date
10th February, 2022.