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.

The Humanitarian Response Department (HRD) provides leadership and support to CRS emergency programming. The HRD strengthens CRS’ impact through high quality, innovative programs; improved technical and management capacity at the field level; and active engagement in global efforts to promote excellence and learning in humanitarian response. The HRD has technical staff that supports emergency program planning, rapid response, and capacity strengthening of staff and partners worldwide.

Job Summary: 

You will contribute to strategy development in emergency response and recovery at a regional or global level and provide technical advice and leadership in aspect(s) of a Monitoring, Evaluation Accountability and Learning and Information Management (MEAL/IM) at a regional or global level, including as a focal point for a geographic area as needed, in line with Catholic Relief Services (CRS) program quality principles and standards, donor guidelines, and industry best practices to Technical Advisors and Country Program (CP) teams to advance the delivery of high-quality programming to the poor and vulnerable. Your expertise, advice and influence will significantly contribute to determining how effective, adaptive and innovative CRS’ Emergency Response and Recovery MEAL and IM approaches are.

This includes managing a team of MEAL and IM focused technical advisors on the HRD, to provide effective support in emergency MEAL/IM to Regions, Country Programs and partners. The HRD MEAL/IM team:

• provides rapid deployment leadership focused on MEAL and IM for breaking and ongoing humanitarian responses, including emergency programming in conflict-affected areas as well as responses to natural disasters such as floods, drought or food crises;
• guides CPs and partners to incorporate relevant MEAL/IM into humanitarian proposal design/development, in coordination with regional teams and relevant HRD technical advisors;
• leads knowledge management and capacity building efforts on ERR program quality, MEAL and IM, to ensure best practices and learning are shared across the CRS regions/country programs; and
• engages with PIQA, IDEA and regional colleagues to bring a humanitarian lens to discussions on broader MEAL and IM initiatives
• Supports MEAL and IM for HRD-led humanitarian projects, as requested.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Contribute to the design, advocate for, and ensure implementation of agency-wide strategies, standards, tools, and best practices in Emergency MEAL and IM  that effectively engage partners, donors, and governments. Ensure a cross-sectoral approach that integrates gender, protection mainstreaming, and disaster risk reduction.
• Provide technical solutions globally, for regional and/or CP teams for strategic planning and how to best apply and adapt emergency MEAL and IM program design and implementation standards, best practices, partnership principles, and tools in emergency response and recovery programming. Guide country program and partner teams in the development of emergency project MEAL and IM systems that meet donor requirements and adhere to the agency’s MEAL policies, procedures, and practices. Contribute to the customization and design of digital tools for data collection and the design of approaches for data visualization that facilitate use of data and quality reporting.
• Take on acting emergency MEAL and IM leadership roles and support the set up and/or management of MEAL and/or IM systems and structures as requested during field deployments.  Support CRS emergency Country Programs in expanding their role in humanitarian coordination/IM, when relevant.
• Contribute to HQ, regional, and country program staff efforts to pre-position CRS for strategic growth opportunities in Emergency Response and Recovery, with a focus on MEAL and IM. Provide technical guidance in proposal development and project design with a focus on complex projects to ensure innovative programming solutions and technical excellence including defining appropriate monitoring systems, indicators and information management systems. Support CPs to appropriately staff project teams.
• Oversee and lead the delivery of capacity strengthening initiatives in Emergency Response and Recovery MEAL and IM globally for staff and partners through helping develop learning and training strategies and agendas/curriculums; organizing and/or facilitating trainings, workshops and conferences; and mentoring and coaching staff in innovative CRS approaches and tools. Provide mentoring and coaching to HRD TAs, as well as CP and regional staff.
• Effectively manage talent and supervise. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching, strategically tailor individual development plans, and complete performance assessment for direct reports.
• Oversee and lead aspect(s) of the agency knowledge management and learning agenda in Emergency Response and Recovery programming  through helping implement conditions for collective learning that ensure the capturing, documenting, and sharing of key successes, promising practices, lessons learned, and evidence-based implementation research, internally and externally, including publications in peer reviewed journals.
• Represent CRS in targeted regional or global forums to develop opportunities and better ensure collaboration and shared learning in Emergency Response and Recovery to influence technical partner approaches, future funding opportunities, and policies. Network with relevant organizations to increase CRS’ profile in Emergency Response and Recovery, with a focus on MEAL and IM, influence in the regional or global Emergency Response and Recovery MEAL and IM community, and donor diversification.
• Work closely with HRD staff, PIQA-MEAL staff and GKIM staff to enhance CRS’ global capacity in information management, and track IM coordination trends, tools and resources. Support CRS emergency Country Programs in expanding their role in humanitarian coordination/IM, when relevant.
• Oversee management of MEAL and/or IM for private/foundation-funded HRD-led project(s).

Required Languages –  Fluency in English and at least one additional CRS core language (Arabic, French, and/or Spanish).  Proficiency in additional languages a plus.

Travel – Must be willing and able to travel up to 50% (i.e.,  6 months out of the year) ; duration of a deployment will generally be from 1 to 3 months, depending on the needs of the country program/partner. Candidates should have the capacity to live and work in difficult/stressful environments and serve wherever agency needs dictate

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 

• Additional relevant experience may substitute for some education.
• 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.
• Very strong strategic, analytical, problem-solving and systems thinking skills with capacity to see the big picture and ability to make sound judgment
• Very strong written and oral communication skills
• Very strong presentation, facilitation, training, mentoring, and coaching skills
• Proactive, resourceful and results-oriented
• Knowledge of Humanitarian principles, standards and system, with specific knowledge of CRS and Caritas Internationalis emergency programming and standards a plus.
• Knowledge of design requirements and regulations of major emergency donors, including the US Government, EU/ECHO and UN agencies
• Ability to work with local partner organizations
• Experience with and enthusiasm for coaching, mentoring and on the job training
• Experience in staff management with an ability to maintain performance expectations and strong working relationships in diverse cultural contexts, psychologically and physically stressful environments
• Experience with staff care in emergency settings.
• Expertise in statistical software, with experience in PowerBI and one or more of the following digital data collection tools: KoBo Collect, CommCare, RedRose Collect.
• Familiarity with geo-spatial data management principles with demonstrable experience in GIS software and familiarity with concepts of relational databases and hands-on experience with one or more RDBMS a plus.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Regular supervision responsibilities for a group of PQM team members within the HRD will be assigned, with a focus on MEAL and IM technical staff. Specific roles and levels of direct reports may vary to fit team needs.

Temporary supervision/management roles within CRS country programs or regions may be assigned during deployments, as needed/requested.

Key Working Relationships: 

Internal

HRD PQM team, including Generalists, Regional Focal Points, M&E staff and project-based implementation staff;  HRD sector/technical, safe and dignified programming and operations staff;  Regional MEAL and IM staff; Heads of Programs, Emergency Coordinators and Emergency Program staff; PIQA MEAL team; GKIM department.

External 

Local emergency partners; Caritas Internationalis Member Organization representatives; peer NGO and UN agency humanitarian staff;  humanitarian donors; Technical Forums and Foundations, ALNAP.

Basic Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in a field related to International Development, MEAL and/or IM required. PhD a plus.
• Minimum of seven years of work experience in MEAL and IM in development/humanitarian programming with progressive responsibilities, ideally with an international NGO, with three years overseas in multiple regions as a technical advisor and/or program manager for MEAL/IM in response/recovery programs and/or multi-sectoral project(s) with an Emergency response/recovery component.
• Strong understanding and application of technical principles and concepts in Emergency MEAL and IM. Good knowledge of related disciplines to ensure proper cross-sectoral approach.
• Track record of contributing to successful business development activities capturing public and/or private donor funding in Emergency Response & Recovery, including technical writing.
• Experience in the development and production of curricula, tools, and other products to support Emergency MEAL and IM. Demonstrated experience to transfer knowledge to diverse audiences through training, mentoring, and other formal and informal methods.
• Experience with program monitoring and evaluation using both quantitative and qualitative approaches, including development of indicators, developing/applying data collection tools and methodologies, data analysis, and data presentation.
• Experience and skills to represent the organization at meetings with donors, government, international NGOs, local partners – faith-based and civil society. Understanding of partnership principles.
• Proficient in MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications and strong understanding of information and budget management systems and knowledge-sharing networks.
• Technical and/or academic publications a plus.

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 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.

***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. 

Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position. 

Note:  All positions requiring residence or frequent travel outside their home country must undergo and clear a pre-employment medical examination.

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.

 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 an Equal Opportunity Employer