Job Summary:

The purpose of this position is to manage, strengthen, and provide strategic direction to the Nigeria Country Program MEAL system, ensure cross-learning in MEAL among projects, build the capacity of MEAL staff, and support the roll-out and implementation of the new MEAL policies and procedures. The MEAL Coordinator will be responsible for coordinating MEAL activities. The MEAL Coordinator will work closely with the MEAL leads of various projects, program teams and partner staff to develop high quality monitoring systems and tools which measure progress towards indicators set out in project proposals. He/she will ensure that accountability and learning from projects are systematically captured and used throughout the country program. He/she will also take learning needs into account, and develop and conduct capacity building for MEAL and program staff, with support of the PQ Director. S/he will be the knowledge management focal person for the Nigeria CP. The MEAL Coordinator will coordinate the implementation and maintenance of the country program learning agenda, will also work closely with the DCR Programs to ensure that the Nigeria country program complies with the agency’s regional and global MEAL systems and standards. . Within this new strategy is the implementing of the concept of the “Magic Triangle”, which brings together monitoring, evaluation, accountability & learning (MEAL), marketing & communications (Marcomm) and business development (BD).  This is being done with the goal of utilizing project and program quality experiences, in support of country programming positioning and advocacy for optimal impact at scale.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

MEAL Strategy & Design 

• Ensure that the Nigeria Country Program MEAL systems follow CRS’ global and regional MEAL policies, procedures, standards, and strategic initiatives. 
• Provide strategic direction for the development and maintenance of MEAL systems, and the roll-out of new initiatives. 
• Support the project MEAL and project management teams /working group members in the design and implementation of assessments, gender analysis, stakeholder analysis, organizational capacity assessments, and other pre-program data collection and analysis.
• Work with the Business Development team to develop MEAL strategies for proposals, in alignment with relevant donor requirements.

MEAL Implementation

• Manage agency driven MEAL inquiries, requirements (i.e. Participant and Service Delivery (PSDI) counts, and MEAL annual self-assessments)
• Support the conduct of SMILER workshops as part of project startup activities
• Contribute to donor reports, through high quality analysis of reports and interpretation of data.
• Support learning-to-action events and reflection sessions to systematically analyze data for programmatic use, and to document and incorporate lessons learned into program design and implementation.
• Ensure that MEAL and program teams regularly review, and accordingly adjust MEAL plans and tools, in the light of changes and needs in the field context based on monitoring data and reflection sessions.
• Work closely with NE Emergency MEAL Coordinator and Emergency Coordinator to ensure that MEAL for emergency programming is implemented according to project plans and donor requirements
• Support Program Managers to prepare and review past project reports (PPRs) to support learning within the CP

Evaluation

• Develop an annual evaluation plan for all CP projects and emergency responses
• Support projects to develop SoWs and protocols for all assessments and evaluations (baseline, midline, final)
• Work with RTA MEAL to review evaluation SoWs in line with CRS MEAL Policies and Procedures
• Assist projects to engage and supervise evaluation consultants and/or enumerators
• Liaise with project MEAL staff to analyze data and finalize draft evaluation reports
• Archive the reports of all studies, assessments and evaluation on Gateway for ease of reference/business development.

Capacity Strengthening

• Lead the CRS Nigeria MEAL Community of Practice (CoP).
• Develop and co-facilitate MEAL workshops and modules for staff and partners to share country program, regional, and global MEAL tools, processes, and best practices to cultivate a culture of learning.
• Support DCR Programs to conduct orientations for new MEAL and program staff on CRS systems and key MEAL resources. Provide mentoring/accompaniment to CRS and partner staff to increase capacity and to achieve annual performance and development plans. 

ICT for MEAL

• Lead the CRS Nigeria MEAL Community of Practice (CoP).
• Support MEAL and programming teams to develop strong project tracking, record keeping and filing methodologies for all activities, working with IT Unit
• Work with the Project MEAL leads, IT Manager and IT staff to maximize the value and utility of ICT4D initiatives including the use of data collection (e.g. CommCare) and data visualization (e.g. PowerBI) software, and/or the roll out of similar initiatives
• Oversee onboarding and orientation of new staff to MEAL and ICT4D/E, lead case studies, undertake research, and promote the creative application of new ICT4D/E technologies.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Excellent relationship management skills with ability to influence and get buy-in from people not under direct supervision and to work with individuals in diverse geographical and cultural settings.
• Strong strategic, analytical, problem-solving and systems thinking skills with capacity to see the big picture and ability to make sound judgment
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Strong presentation, facilitation, training, mentoring, and coaching skills
• Proactive, resourceful and results-oriented

Required Languages – English

Travel – Must be willing and able to travel up to 25%.

Supervisory Responsibilities: This position will oversee the Feedback Desk Officer.

Key Working Relationships:

Internal: Country Representative, Deputy Country Representative, Program Quality Director, Chiefs of Party, Heads of Unit, Project MEAL leads, Central Africa Regional Team, CRS M&E Community of Practice.

External: Donors, international and local partners, and program beneficiaries.

Basic Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a field related to international development.
• At least 8-10 years of managerial experience with an NGO (experience with INGO preferred); in addition to significant MEAL experience.
• Experience working with large donors e.g. USAID (including PEPFAR, BHA, FtF offices), Global Fund, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
• Familiarity with principles and current approaches to MEAL of development programs using both quantitative and qualitative methods, especially those of USAID and Global Fund.
• Experience with participatory MEAL systems.
• Proficiency in database development/management, SPSS, EPI-Info, Access, Excel and skills in analyzing, interpreting and communicating information to various stakeholders.
• Experience using ICT for data collection and information visioning and mapping using GIS.
• Significant experience in conducting quantitative and qualitative assessments and surveys (including sound understanding of sampling issues).
• Previous experience with leading and managing studies and consultants.
• Experience with facilitation, capacity strengthening and partnership building, with the capacity to empower staff through opportunities for growth & development.
• Supervisory experience and management and team building skills.
• Excellent planning and organization skills.  Fluency in English (written and spoken).
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, ability to work well with people, good judgment and commitment to CRS’ mission.

Agency REDI 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.

Safeguarding:

CRS is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all people who interact with our work. We uphold the highest standards of safeguarding and expect all staff and partners to respect and protect the dignity and rights of everyone from any form of harm, abuse, harassment, or exploitation. All staff are required to follow CRS’s safeguarding policies and procedures and to complete mandatory safeguarding e-learning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

What we offer

CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, generous retirement savings plan and the opportunity to work in a collaborative, mission-driven culture that is committed to improving the lives of the poor throughout the world.

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 or global telecommuter, 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.

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.