MEAL Manager at Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is an International non-governmental organization supporting relief and development work in over 99 countries around the world. CRS programs assist person on the basis of need, regardless of creed, ethnicity or nationality 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 m 2000 and currently focuses on agriculture, HIV and health extractives and governance, and peace building programming.

Job Summary: 

• You will manage MEAL for the DRIVE program based in CRS Maiduguri. 
• You will directly supervise the CRS DRIVE MEAL team.
• You will ensure that the MEAL team works collaboratively with the DRIVE sector teams. 
• You will support the JDPCE MEAL team for DRIVE to set up and implement robust systems for data collection, analysis, and reporting for DRIVE.
• You will work with the JDPC DRIVE team and the CRS sector leads to ensure the effective and timely use of data for decision making.
• You will lead in all DRIVE activities with JDPC on collaborating, learning, and adapting (CLA).
• You will provide training and capacity building and technical supervision to the JDPC MEAL and sector teams on surveys, registration, assessments, and other data gathering activities.
• You will ensure that the DRIVE project conducts data collection, analysis, management and reporting and document retention according to CRS standards set out in the MEAL policies and procedures (MPP) and to the meet donor requirements. 
• You will support JDPC to develop effective systems for cross learning and for capturing learning and success stories. 
• Your management and facilitation skills and knowledge will ensure that DRIVE’s MEAL team in JDPC is progressively equipped to technically and managerially to provide complete and accurate data for management decision making and donor reporting.
• This position is contingent upon the award of the grant.

Roles and Key Responsibilities: 

• Ensure application of standardized MEAL tools and approaches across the DRIVE program by CRS and JDPC according to the MPP.
• Support the DRIVE Program Director to monitor program implementation progress on a regular basis against USAID and CRS quality standards and international humanitarian principles through monitoring visits, data quality audits, spot checks against reports and review of implementing reports.
• Provide technical support to JDPC and CRS DRIVE program staff for the implementation of monitoring and evaluation activities, data management and integration of cross-functional issues. 
• Support the JDPC MEAL team to conduct program assessments and surveys including baseline and end line evaluation surveys. 
• Support the JDPCE MEAL lead to foster a learning environment, lead learning and knowledge management within   JDPC for DRIVE.  
•  Ensure that DRIVE data are protected and shared according to CRS and donor principles.
• Encourage JDPCE in the integration of good ICT solution to ease the process of collecting, management, analyzing and protection. 
• Support JDPC in collaboration with the RedRose platform to receive, clean and analyze data. 
• Directly supervise the CRS DRIVE MEAL team.
• Provide mentorship and capacity building and technical supervision to the JDPC MEAL team;. 
•  Champion a commitment to gender sensitive programming and management in JDPC MEAL. 
• Ensure gender disaggregation data analysis to promote gender mainstreaming among the projects. 
• Help identify, assess, and strengthen MEAL capacity in JDPC both program and MEAL teams.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Analysis and problem-solving skills with ability to make sound judgment.
• Good relationship management skills and the ability to work closely with local partners.
• Strong facilitation and communication skills. 
• Proactive, results-oriented, and service-oriented
• Attention to details, accuracy, and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities.
• Excellent interpersonal skills: must be able to interact in a mature, professional, and friendly manner with local and international colleagues of differing religious and cultural backgrounds.
• Able to work independently, take initiative and be committed with few guidance in the implementation of received directions.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and privacy.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in working with partners, participatory action planning, complexity-aware monitoring techniques, and community engagement.
• Good technical knowledge and experience in managing MEAL in a resilience, developmental or emergency context.
• Demonstrated experience in database management and appropriateness of quantitative statistical management programs including Microsoft Access, SPSS, EPI-INFO, STATA, and Microsoft Excel. Familiarity with GIS and GPS technology.
• Strong group process design and facilitation skills, including developing and leading workshops.
• Experience monitoring projects and collecting relevant data.

Required Languages: English and Hausa languages are required. Proficiency in other local languages will be an added advantage.

Travel: - Must be willing and able to travel up to 20%

Supervisory Responsibilities : SPO MEAL at CRS

Key Working Relationships:

Internal: Program Director, MEAL Manager, DRR Manager, other DRIVE sector leads, Senior Admin and Security Officer staff in Maiduguri, CRS CP MEAL lead.

External:   JDPC   MEAL, CAT and program sector staff, community mobilisers and enumerators, external consultants.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, statistics, computer science; a post-graduate qualification would be an advantage.
• Minimum of seven  years’ experience designing and implementing MEAL system for INGOs or USAID- funded projects related to emergency projects in the Northeast region of Nigeria.
• Demonstrated expertise in qualitative and quantitative data collection, analysis and management methods using CommCare technology.
• Knowledge of USAID Evaluation Policy and requirements. 
• Capacity to produce Power BI reports. 

Method of Application