Job Vacancy @ Catholic Relief Services (CRS) – Project Officer, Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL)

CRS JOB ADVERT – INTERNAL/EXTERNAL

CRS is recruiting for 1 Position:  Project Officer- Meal

If you are interested and your profile matches the requirements, please read the below job descriptions, and follow the instructions to submit your application package. 

Job Title: Project Officer- Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL)

Department: Programs: MGD/FFE Unit

Reports To:        MEAL Manager (MGD)

Country: CRS-Sierra Leone.

Duty Location: Field based- : Kabala, Sierra Leone

CRS Background:

Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. We welcome as a part of our staff and as partners people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need.

Country Background:

CRS launched its work in Sierra Leone in 1963 supporting relief and development operations in the country. CRS Sierra Lone has proudly maintained a strong reputation and relationship with partners and the communities we serve in the country implementing a multi-sector program portfolio. Today, the Country Program has a robust portfolio built around several major programs in Health, Agriculture, Nutrition, and Education. CRS Sierra Leone has its main office in Freetown and northern region field office in Kabala, with over 140 staff in total.

Job Summary:

As a member of the MEAL Team within the USDA-funded McGovern-Dole (MGD) International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program titled “All Pikin for Learn,” you will monitor and report on all Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) activities in support of CRS’ work serving the poor and vulnerable. Your thorough and service-oriented approach will ensure that the project consistently applies best practices and constantly works towards improving the impact of its benefits to those we serve. “All Pikin for Learn,” to be implemented in 15 Chiefdoms in Koinadugu and Falaba Districts, is an integrated education program – with school feeding as a major component – designed to improve the quality and relevance of education, encourage the complete cycle of primary education for vulnerable and marginalized children, especially girls; and to improve nutrition and increase community involvement and government investment in education for long term sustainability. CRS is supporting the national government to roll out a national school feeding program with emphasis on local production, local procurement and nutrition.




Job Responsibilities:

• Support the monitoring and evaluation of all assigned project activities as outlined in the log frame and MEAL plan, and in line with CRS program quality principle and standards, donor requirements, and good practices.
• Work closely with the MEAL TA to ensure that program activities are implemented according to agreed standard and targets are met.
• Communicates key project information and results with community members, colleagues, and stakeholders
• Contributes to reflective community-based conversations on ongoing project interventions
• Monitor and report challenges and/ or gaps identified to inform adjustments to plans and implementation schedules. Assist partners in their efforts to reflect on project experiences.
• Support MEAL TA to design and conduct MEAL surveys including PDMs, evaluation, baseline and others  surveys related to the project.
• Develop or adapt specific MEAL tools and carry out fields testing where necessary.
• Track donor and CRS reporting requirements and deadline and provide MEAL information to program Managers for drafting reports.
• Ensure consistency of standards, harmonization of information and input from beneficiaries and sharing of learnings. Support accountability through coordinating project evaluation activities and assisting partners in their efforts to collect and analyze project data per specified mechanisms and tools Collaborate with others local partners to prepare reports per established reporting schedule.
• Complete project documentation for assigned activities. Assist with identifying information for case studies and reports on promising practices

Typical Background, Experience & Requirements:

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of 4 years of work experience in project support. Experience in the field of Monitoring and Evaluation, Education, and/or Nutrition and for an NGO would be a plus.

• Additional education may substitute for some experience.
• Experience in participatory action planning and community engagement.
• Experience monitoring projects and collecting relevant data preferred.
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

Personal Skills 

• Observation, active listening and analysis skills with ability to make sound judgment

• Attention to details, accuracy and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities
• Proactive, results-oriented and service-oriented

Travel Required 

50% travel to project sites throughout Koinadugu and Falaba Districts

Key Working Relationships: 

Supervisory: Will Supervise the ICT4D Database Officer

Internal: Chief of Party, MGD Supply Chain, Education, Literacy, Health and Nutrition teams, Head of Programs, Head of Operations, Area Manager, Management Quality staff, Regional Advisers

External: Community members, teachers, School Management Committees, Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education and other government agencies, Mother Support Groups, Savings and Internal Lending Community groups, local leadership.

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

***Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. 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. 

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 safeguarding-related topics.

WOMEN ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.  CRS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER




 

To apply for this position please send up-to-date CV and a supporting letter, copies of relevant certificates to [email protected]. Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Also send a copy of your application package to the desk Officers, Ministry of Employment and Social Security, New England and Extension Offices in Applicants’ Locations 

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