MEAL Officer

Job Description

CRS JOB ADVERT – INTERNAL/EXTERNAL 

CRS is recruiting for X1 Position: MEAL Officer 

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.  

About CRS 

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the  United States. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without  regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs  of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding. 

CRS/ Sierra Leone and Program Background 

CRS started work in Sierra Leone in 1963, carrying out the commitment of the Catholic bishops and the  Catholic community of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. For 60 years, CRS has  responded to emergencies and promoted health, education, agriculture, and urban resilience in Sierra  Leone. 

To date, the Country Program has a robust portfolio built around several major programs in Health,  Agriculture, Nutrition, Education and Urban Resilience, such as the high-profile projects under the Urban  Resilience departments to improve water security in Freetown (the Water Fund Project) and support  Freetown City Council to deliver its Transform Freetown strategy through slum regeneration (the  Transforming Lives Project) using learnings from the SPC4 Urban Malaria Research.  

Job Title: MEAL Officer 

Department: Programs: Urban Resilience Project 

Reports To: Urban Resilience Director with dotted lines to MEAL Coordinator Country: CRS-Sierra Leone.  

Duty Location: CRS Freetown office 

Job Summary: 

This position aims to manage, strengthen, and provide technical direction to the Urban Resilience (UR)  MEAL system, ensure learning, build the capacity of the program staff, and support the implementation of  CRS MEAL policies and procedures. The MEAL officer will support the Urban Resilience program team and  partner staff in developing high-quality monitoring systems and tools that measure progress toward  indicators. He/she will ensure that accountability and learning are systematically captured and used in the  Urban Resilience and the Country Program. 

Roles and Key Responsibilities  

• Implement all MEAL activities throughout relevant project cycles – project design, start-up,  implementation, and close-out to ensure efficient and effective implementation in line with CRS  program quality principles and standards, donor requirements, and good practices. Ensure project  teams and partner staff use the appropriate systems and tools. 
• Champion learning with the UR project staff and partner teams.  
• Coordinate the identification of MEAL needs of the projects and support quality project  implementation.  
• Analyze and evaluate project performance data following MEAL policy. Proactively identify issues  and concerns and use participatory processes to overcome implementation obstacles.  
• Compile, analyze and present project summary data and progress reports to the Urban Resilience  Director and the program team to generate progress updates for reporting.  
• Support partners through supervision and training to ensure that they provide CRS timely and quality  reports.  
• Conduct data verification exercises in the field to ensure data and reporting are of high quality and  data reported to donors, CRS and other stakeholders are accurate.  
• Monitor the use of standardized CRS reporting forms and suggest adaptations as required.  • Developed new reporting forms as needed in consultation with the Project Director and Program  Managers.  
• Coordinate with project managers, project officers and the director to report on barriers to  implementation in the field and provide inputs to problem-solving.  
• Monitor partners to report on MEAL-related activities as required during project implementation.  • In consultation with the Project Director and PMs, ensure the data collection needs are up to date.  • Support the Director in meeting all reporting requirements to Gateway.  
• Collaborate with the CP MEAL coordinator to ensure that the CP program is compliant with the  donor and agencies’ MEAL policies, procedures, standards, and good practices.  
• Carry out other CP, Regional, or Agency-wide MEAL initiatives that the MEAL Coordinator may assign  from time to time.  

Basic Qualifications  

• Bachelor’s Degree in social sciences or other disciplines related to development and Monitoring, Evaluation,  Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) 
• At least 2 years of relevant experience in MEAL.  
• Experience with establishing functional MEAL systems.  

Experience in using ICT platforms like CommCare, PowerBI, SPSS, STATA, and Arc GIS. 

• Proficiency in data quality management processes and skills and communicating information to various  stakeholders.  
• Experience in supporting programs and projects evaluations, reviews and research. 

Required Languages – Proficiency in English and Krio are required to perform the job Travel – Must be willing and able to travel up to 70 % around the Western Area.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with ability to make sound judgments and decisions and  offer innovative solutions 
• Strong relations management abilities. Ability to relate to people at all levels internally and  externally. Strategic in how you approach each relationship. 
• Good presentation and facilitation skills 
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-oriented 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Demonstrated ability to write high-quality technical proposals. 
• Experience engaging with partner organizations. 
• MEAL skills and experience (in tools development, data analysis, interpretation and visualization) required. 
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web  Conferencing Applications, information management systems. 

Agency REDI Competencies (for all CRS Staff): 

Agency competencies clarify expected behaviors and attitudes for all staff. When demonstrated, they create  an engaging workplace, help staff achieve their best, and help CRS achieve agency goals. 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.  

• 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 look 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. 

Supervisory Responsibilities (if none, state none) 

Key Working Relationships:  

Internal: Urban Resilience Director, Country Program Meal Coordinator, UR Program Managers and officers,  Head of Programs 

External: Partner organization MEAL and program staff. 

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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, SL_HR@crs.org 

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.  

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

Closing Date for the receipt of application packages is 24th January 2024.