About CRS

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 part of our staff and as partners people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and commitment to serving those in need. Since 2000 CRS Zambia has been implementing several programmes to support vulnerable Zambians. Its recent programming areas include nutrition, agriculture, food security, HIV/AIDS, WASH, financial inclusion, and early child development.

Job Summary:

The MEAL officer will provide technical analysis and support for CCC III & SCORE ECD III projects in the area of Monitoring Evaluation Accountability and Learning in line with Catholic Relief Services (CRS) program quality principles and standards, donor guidelines, and industry best practice to technical staff, and Country Program (CP) staff to advance the delivery of high-quality programming to the poor and vulnerable. Working closely with CP MEAL Coordinator and CCC III & SCORE ECD III Project Managers and staff, the MEAL Officer’s skills and knowledge will contribute effective implementation of a robust MEAL system that track progress at both output and outcome for evidence-based reporting, adaptive management, and learning.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Support the development of project MEAL documents and tools, as well as technical manuals or guidance, training materials, and quality improvement and assessment guidelines.
• Prepare presentations and coordinate project communication needs through writing and editing communication resources, such as case studies, brochures, briefs, peer-reviewed articles, or reports, for both internal and external audiences.
• Coordinate and/or perform various activities in support of project design and implementation, including but not limited to needs assessment, strategic planning, program design and proposal writing, monitoring and evaluation, and technological solutions.
• Collect and disseminate MEAL related information and resources to CRS staff and partners and assist with organization, design, and coordination of training workshops to support capacity building efforts. Identify new approaches and methods for online learning.
• Contribute to the learning agenda by researching and analyzing information, conducting literature reviews, mappings or information gathering from various internal and external sources on assigned topics. Coordinate maintenance of virtual resource and documentation databases.
• Work with the Business Development Specialist to ensure that past performance references are developed for all projects and posted to Project Gateway.
• Collaborate with project staff and implementing partners to ensure that the MEAL system captures and transmits Participant and Service Delivery Indicators (PSDI) data annually according to CRS standards, definitions, and processes.
• Work with the MEAL Coordinator in the development of TORs for the project and implementation of all evaluation events, including, but not limited to, baseline and final evaluation activities, special surveys, pilot programs, client verification activities and operational research
• Conduct regular visits to project sites to provide relevant, clear, high-quality, and timely onsite technical support and mentoring.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s (preferred) in international development, Social Sciences, or Economics or other fields related to MEAL required.
• Minimum of three (03) years of relevant work experience with an international NGO, with at least one year of field-based programming experience.
• Additional experience may substitute for some education.
• General knowledge of technical principles and concepts in MEAL.
• Knowledge of program design requirements and regulations of major donors
• Knowledge of project design and proposal development.
• Knowledge of latest technological tools that have the potential to be applied in MEAL.
• Strong English writing skills.

Required Languages – English. Knowledge of other local languages is an added advantage.

Travel

• Must be willing and able to travel up to 60 %.
• Ability to travel nationally and internationally

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Good relationship management skills with ability to work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary and multicultural teams
• Strategic, analytical, problem-solving and systems thinking capacity and skills
• Good writing skills
• Ability to multitask
• Strong data collection and research skills and ability to interpret and analyze data
• Proactive, resourceful and results-oriented
• Attention to details, accuracy and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities
• Proactive, results-oriented, and service-oriented
• Good interpersonal skills and the ability to work closely with local partners

Preferred Qualifications

• Proficient in MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, knowledge-sharing networks.
• Experience working with web-based data collection platforms (e.g ODK, KoboToolBox, iFormBuilder, CommCare)

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
• Supervisory Responsibilities

None

Key Working Relationships:

Internal: CCC Project Manager, SCORE ECD Project Manager, Family Strengthening-Program Manager

External: Implementing partner staff and consultants, relevant government actors, other key stakeholders that provide services to children.

SAFEGUARDING Disclaimer Clause:

This job description is not an exhaustive list of skills, effort, duties and responsibilities associated with the position. CRS’ recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

Important Note: 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.

Equal Opportunity Employer