Job Summary:
The Senior Project Officer will provide MEAL support to the specific project portfolio across CRS’s programme priority areas (Health/Child Protection/ Agriculture livelihood, / Disaster Risk Reduction & Humanitarian Response )and this will include: strengthening of MEAL systems and standards; establishing sound project design and accountability systems; carrying out initiatives to promote learning and improved knowledge management; increasing MEAL capacity of staff and partners; and leveraging Information Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D) for MEAL purposes. S/he will work closely in coordination with the program colleagues, technical advisors, and head of offices.
Job Responsibilities:
- MEAL in Design: Providing support for the design and implementation of project design assessments, developing project-level Theories of Change, Results Frameworks, indicators, MEAL plans, MEAL narratives and MEAL budget, and ensuring that MEAL system design for all new projects is in compliance with CRS’ MEAL policies and procedures (MPP) and back donor requirements.
- Monitoring: Conducting monitoring activities, including timely collection of quality data, ensuring quality of data and data management practices, set up and maintenance of databases, facilitation of participatory reflection on monitoring results, annual data quality assessments and submission of timely progress reports.
- Evaluation: Developing terms of reference, coordinate the implementation of evaluations, analysing data (qualitative and quantitative), developing reports, disseminating findings during reflection events and uploading final versions of key MEAL products (i.e. Operating Manuals, evaluation reports, etc.) to Gateway- a e- repository of project and opportunity records
- Accountability: Improving CRS’s accountability to a range of stakeholders through increased participation, transparent communication, responsive feedback mechanisms and adherence to internal and external quality standards and requirements.
- Learning: Promoting excellent knowledge management and collaborative learning processes at the project, program and institutional levels, generating robust evidence for project and programmatic learning that leads to action, decision-making and influence and developing evidence-based learning and knowledge products.
- ICT for MEAL: Applying knowledge on information and communication technologies (ICT), both hardware and software, for opportune and accurate data collection, analysis and learning.
- Capacity-Strengthening: Builds capacity of MEAL officers and agents and other relevant stakeholders to address their requirements, developing and co-facilitating MEAL workshops/training (including workshops to define indicators and the measurement approaches of the same), providing mentoring/accompaniment to CRS and its partner to strengthen MEAL capacity.
- Analysis and Critical Thinking: Engaging with data, challenging biases and assumptions, posing thoughtful questions, pursuing deeper understanding of evidence through reflection and perspective-taking, and making informed programming decisions.
Required Languages - Fluent in English and Hindi
Travel - 40% of the time.
Qualifications
Education and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in international development, economics, statistics, or related field
- Minimum 4 years’ progressively responsible experience in MEAL, at least in one of the four programme priority areas of CRS.
- Excellent grasp of both quantitative and qualitative analytical tools/programmes
- Excellent knowledge of standard computer programs: Windows, Word, Excel, PowerPoint
Preferred Qualifications
- Specialized training or certification in MEAL.
- Experience monitoring projects and collecting relevant data.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Self-motivated, flexible and ability to work both independently and in teams
- Detail-oriented with strong capacity in quality data analysis, planning and organization
- Strong analytical skills.
- Demonstrated knowledge of ICT4D approaches and tools
- Demonstrated ability to coordinate multiple tasks among various staff and departments not under supervisory control
- Ability to facilitate workshops, make presentations, and conduct training of MEAL topics for both specialists and non-specialist audiences
- Self-motivated, flexible and ability to work both independently and in teams
- Detail-oriented with strong capacity in quality data analysis, planning and organization
- Strong analytical skills.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, ability to influence key stakeholders with whom there is no direct reporting relationship; as well as good judgment and commitment to achieving high standards of excellence.
Supervisory Responsibilities (if none, state none) - None
Key Working Relationships:
Internal: Heads of Office, Head of Programs, Technical Advisor , Senior Project Officers,
External: Implementing Partners
Agency Competencies (for all CRS Staff):
- Personal Accountability – Consistently takes responsibility for one’s own actions.
- Acts with Integrity - Consistently models values aligned with CRS Guiding Principles and mission. Is considered honest.
- Builds and Maintains Trust - Shows consistency between words and actions.
- Collaborates with Others – Works effectively in intercultural and diverse teams.
- Open to Learn – Seeks out experiences that may change perspective or provide an opportunity to learn new things.
Agency Leadership Competencies:
- Lead Change – Continually looks for ways to improve the agency through a culture of agility, openness, and innovation.
- Develops and Recognizes Others – Builds the capacity of staff to reach their full potential and enhance team and agency performance.
- Strategic Mindset – Understands role in translating, communicating, and implementing agency strategy and team priorities.
Disclaimer:
This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.
Only Indian Nationals are invited and encouraged to apply for this position.
CRS' talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.
About Us
Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Catholic Relief Services works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. Catholic Relief Services’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. 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 safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.
CRS welcomes candidates from the countries and regions in which we work. In the event the successful candidate is an expatriate, the anticipated duration of the assignment is informed by a term limit, based on the type and level of the job and the needs of the agency.
CRS is committed to safeguarding program participants, community members, staff and volunteers from all forms of exploitation and abuse. The successful candidate is expected to sign and adhere to CRS´ Code of Conduct.
CRS talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all people - especially children and vulnerable adults - to live free from abuse and harm.
Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.
CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
About the Team
General Requirements
CRS offers are contingent on the selected candidate’s ability to legally work where the position is to be performed. Every government has a unique set of work permit eligibility requirements. All positions requiring residence or frequent travel outside a home country must undergo and clear a pre-employment medical clearance; some work permit processes require clearing a separate government administered medical examination.
CRS prioritizes candidates who are citizens/ permanent residents of the countries where we have CRS offices.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in international development, economics, statistics, or a related field
- At least 4 years of progressively responsible experience in MEAL
- Experience in at least one CRS program priority area: health, child protection, agriculture/livelihoods, disaster risk reduction, or humanitarian response
- Fluency in English and Hindi
- Strong quantitative and qualitative analytical skills
- Knowledge of standard computer programs, including Windows, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
- Specialized training or certification in MEAL
- Experience monitoring projects and collecting relevant data
What We Do
Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. We alleviate suffering and provide assistance to people in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, belief or nationality. CRS maintains strict standards of efficiency, accountability and transparency. Last year, more than 92 percent of revenues spent went directly to programs that benefit the poor overseas.
