Closing date:18 .07. 2022.

Job Summary:

Recovery in Sudan for Improved Nutrition and Growth (RISING II)isa 12-monthsUSAID funded livelihoods, nutrition and natural resource management program. Starting up in July2022, RISING III aims to sustainably improvehousehold and community level livelihoods and nutrition. CRS is seeking aMEAL Senior Project Officer (SPO) to support data quality management and analysis for the project. The MEAL SPO will join a dynamic team led by the consortium MEAL Coordinatorwithin the Consortium Management Unit (CMU) based in Khartoum, collectively providing technical guidance to MEAL Project Officers and Assistants in the field in Darfur.

TheMEAL SPO’s primary roleis to track and effectively implementing monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning activities including baseline, midterm and final evaluation surveys as relevant, field monitoring for quality checking, and supporting line manager for data analysis, case study writing and quarterly monitoring report preparation. The SPO will develop and maintain a database to collect and analyze information on inputs, activities, outputs, outcomes, and impact of the program and providing coaching and mentoring and training to the partner M&E staff and establish and successfully implement the community feedback mechanism to improve the program quality.

As part of the MEAL technical unit, you will facilitate the achievement of all project objectives inEast Darfur, responsible for planning for delivery ofhigh-quality interventions, coordinating with local partners and reporting on project activities and providing technical guidance and advice to staff and implementing partner(s) advancing Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) work serving the poor and vulnerable. Your coordination and relationship management skills will ensure that best practices are applied by the project Officers, and the project constantly works towards improving the impact of its benefits to those we serve. The MEAL SPO will be responsible to achieve the key objectives and detailed activities as follows:

1. Support and measure RISINGIII achievements in targeting the vulnerable communities in target areas, reaching project milestones, follow implementation plans, provide systematic follow-up mechanisms and tools for measuring progress. Including;

• Sample basis randomly checking the targeted beneficiaries and communities jointly with the partners through direct observation and visit to the field and writing report to the management
• Supporting partners and ensuring creation of and maintaining updates of the beneficiaries’ profile, i.e. farmers and pastoralists farmers using MS Excel and Access database. 
• Facilitating development and maintenance of Project Partners milestones focusing on project activities and outputs on quarterly and annual basis.
• Supporting Partner’s MEAL teams to develop and revise quarterly and annual project implementation plans and ensure proper documentation. 
• Harmonizing and ensuring availability of all standardized and approved monitoring checklists, questionnaires and formats to collect real time data by the Partner staff.

2. To ensure that CRS and Local Partners implement standard processes, both output and outcome monitoring checklists, questionnaires and formats, and ensure valid and quality data assurance during data collection from the sources and accurately recording in databases and writing quality narrative reports. Including;

• Supporting CRS and Partner MEAL teams to develop monthly and quarterly MEAL work plan and share with MEAL Coordinator for review and approval.
• Rolling out and manage an effective MEAL mechanism at Partners level as per agreed SMILER coaching/ guidelines, under the MEAL Coordinator’s coordination and in collaboration with the Partners MEAL team.
• Supporting CRS and the Partner MEAL staff to collect error free quality data, analyzing and managing data, using standard monitoring tools, to conduct quality analytical reports and submit to Project Manager and MEAL Coordinator.
• Carrying out regular field visits; at least 40-50% of work in the field for monitoring the partner MEAL activities, project activities, output and outcomes and produce quality accurate monitoring reports in the given format; conduct debrief sessions with relevant partners/program staff; and develop an agreed action plan;
• Capturing progress or indication of progress of immediate and intermediary outcomes indicators due to project intervention through application of qualitative/agreed-upon tools during field visit 
• Carrying out follow-up monitoring visits to materialize actions agreed in action plan, keeping the ‘Monitoring-Action Plan Tracker’ updated.
• Providing relevant MEAL feedback to Program/Partner staff in improving quality of services
• Assuring that data collection, Partners databases including Android based data collection tools, and monitoring tools are accurate, up to date and functional all times.
• Assuring the monthly verification and filing of relevant documents, including means of verification, following the existing procedures and standards, and to share any requested information with Project Management timely.
• Supporting to MEAL Coordinator writing quarterly and annual reports, in an accurate way and within the deadlines

3. Ensure that CRS and Partner MEAL staff are well trained and confident to use M&E methods and tools. Including;

• With the support of MEAL Coordinator developing plans to build the capacity of CRS and Partner’s MEAL staff in quality data collection and error free database management.
• Supporting MEAL Coordinator to organize and facilitating SMILER Coaching, MEAL training; (MEAL conceptual issues, depth understanding of MEAL methodologies and tools) for consortium partners staff to enhance their capacity in MEAL through a participatory process and organizing regular post training follow up, coaching and mentoring support
• Providing support to the project/Partner staff to ensure that they are regularly reporting the process, output, outcomes, lessons learned and case studies upon agreed Project’s MEAL process

4. Ensure that ‘Accountability’, ‘Lessons Learned’ and ‘Case Studies’ are well captured from the field, and that are appropriately documented and submitted for finalization and dissemination. Including;

• Maintaining well collaboration, coordination with CRS and Partner MEAL staff to ensure accountability and learning process to achieve the accountability and learning objectives
• Ensuring that all project beneficiaries and community people are aware about the Community Feedback/Complaint Response Mechanism including channels, process, confidentiality and progress of feedback
• Providing effective guideline for implementation, management and supervision of the Community Feedback/Complaint Response Mechanism to the CRS and Partners through maintaining a strong coordination with MEAL and Accountability focal person
• With the support of MEAL Coordinator and Communication Manager, developing summary findings of the project’s progress/research findings, and share with the beneficiaries and communities through developing an easily understandable means in local language
• Ensuring that all CRS and Partner MEAL team collect and write valid and quality lessons learned in each quarter and submit with quarterly report as an Annex
• Facilitating annual program review/learning and accountability/ Social Audit with the representatives’ stakeholders including beneficiaries and writing the accountability and learning reflection report to the MEAL Coordinator
• Collecting and writing valid and quality case studies following systematic research protocol in each quarter and submit to MEAL Coordinator

5. Ensure that MEAL team work collaboratively with the CRS colleagues and Partners to confirm excellence within CRS work is captured, promoted and disseminated. Including;

• Building strong professional relationship and supporting to the project team members and country office timely achieving the planned activities and producing project’s outcomes
• Regularly, updating the progress of MEAL activities, challenges and lessons learned to MEAL Coordinator
• Supporting MEAL Coordinator in data analysis, compiling quarterly narrative report, annual report, study reports and other (if there is any) for submitting to CRS and to donors
• Regularly and timely attending in quarterly MEAL coordination meeting, monthly/weekly skype call to share the work plan, progress of last work plan with the partners, and if there are any issues needs to be addressed for improving the program quality
• Sharing learning of MEAL activities with other Partners MEAL team for replicating learning and better harmonization i.e., newly adopted M&E methods and tools
• Involving in other activity if there is assigned by MEAL Coordinator

Education and Experience

• University degree, or equivalent, in Economics, Statistics, Agricultural Economics, Rural Development, International Development, or other related field involving statistical analysis.
• At least four years of relevant experience project design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, partner relations, and donor relations preferred, ideally with USAID and/or DFID.
• Additional education may substitute for some experience; additional experience may substitute for some education.
• Previous experience in project implementation and reporting, with CRS or INGO preferred
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, and Outlook email strongly preferred, experience in SPSS and/STATA an advantage.
• Extensive experience working with beneficiary communities, especially strong networking skills to liaise with local authorities
• Experience monitoring projects and collecting relevant data related to nutrition.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, able to operate with local partners, local leaders and local communities.
• Ability to deliver training and capacity building.

Personal Skills

• Ability to work under remote supervision as well as part of the team in fast-paced environment according to CRS Standard Operating Procedures and CRS MEAL Policies and Procedures
• Strong understanding of data and information requirements
• Quantitative and qualitative analysis skills, with proven ability to work with data collection packages
• Fluency in written and spoken English and Arabic. Local Language skills are an advantage.
• Analysis and problem-solving skills with ability to make sound judgment
• Good relationship management skills and the ability to work closely with local partners
• Proactive, results-oriented, problem-solving and service-oriented
• Attention to detail, accuracy and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities
• Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to operate independently with limited remote supervision
• Flexibility, and ability to react positively to changing circumstances

Key Working Relationships:

• Supervisory:Meal Assistant
• Internal:MEAL Coordinator, Program Managers RISING III, CoP RISING III, Communication Manager, project and operational support staff.
• External:  local partners, community leaders, other INGOs & NGOs.

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

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

Disclaimer:  This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position. The MEAL Senior Officer must perform additional (if there is any) provided by his/her line manager.

***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.

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

CRS' talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

Female candidates are encouraged to apply. CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

 CRS requires its staff to treat all people with dignity and respect and to actively prevent harassment, abuse, exploitation, human trafficking everywhere and at all times. I, the applicant, accept these requirements as part of my job application.