Job Summary
The Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) PM will be responsible for ensuring high quality MEAL across CRS’ emergency portfolio in northern Uganda, including capacity building of emergency program MEAL staff. Specifically, the MEAL PM will manage MEAL activities for the newly-awarded USAID BPRM-funded Emergency WASH and Livelihoods Project, two privately funded WASH and shelter programs and new emergency projects in the pipeline. S/he will ensure that the programs comply with the agency’s MEAL standards and donor requirements. The MEAL PM will have a high level of self-initiative and use critical thinking skills to identify and fill gaps. The position requires close communication and coordination with all project staff involved in the emergency response. S/he will supervise MEAL Officers based in Yumbe and have the ability to work sensitively and positively with program staff, while promoting a learning environment.
Job Responsibilities
Monitoring and Evaluation
- Ensure that projects are in compliance with CRS’ MEAL Policies and Procedures, CRS’ project management standards as they relate to MEAL, and donors’ MEAL and reporting requirements.
- Develop and continually update a MEAL operation manual for the Yumbe emergency program to ensure all MEAL related documents and tools are organized, up-to-date and accessible.
- Ensure the consistency of tools and indicators across projects as appropriate
- Lead the implementation of data quality controls and annual data quality assessments to ensure the integrity of project data.
- Coordinate the implementation of program assessments and evaluations including baseline, annual, and end line assessments; as well as needs assessments that may be required to inform new or adapted programming.
- Collaborate with the program team and Emergency Coordinator to communicate assessment findings to different stakeholders, tailored to the needs of various audiences.
- Collaborate with program staff on the implementation of M&E plans including data management, data cleaning, analysis and learning mechanisms; refine these systems based on lessons learned.
- Ensure MEAL systems allow for timely and quality reporting both internally and externally for timely decision making.
- Work with emergency MEAL Officers, Kampala-based MEAL Manager, IT staff and emergency program staff to incorporate and maximize the value and utility of ICT4D initiatives, including CommCare software.
- Conduct field monitoring visits events frequently with project teams and implementing partners.
Accountability
- Support programming staff to incorporate participatory methods into community level M&E systems and tools.
- Orient program staff and partners on the basic principles and practices of beneficiary accountability.
- Guide project managers to ensure that they consult with male and female beneficiaries in one or more communities to define indicators for project success.
- Lead the development and implementation of feedback and response channels to reflect the preferences of community members and beneficiaries.
- Ensure that beneficiary feedback is adequately documented, addressed, analyzed, and utilized by program teams
Learning
- 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
- 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.
Supervision
- Supervise two national MEAL staff based in Yumbe
Typical Background, Experience & Requirements:
Education and Experience
- Master’s Degree in a field related to international development, research or social sciences or equivalent relevant experience and Bachelor’s degree.
- Minimum of 2-3 years of work experience in a project management position involving MEAL responsibilities with an international NGO.
- Familiarity with principles and current approaches to MEAL of development programs using both quantitative and qualitative methods, especially those of USAID
- Familiarity with beneficiary accountability mechanisms
- Proficiency in database development/management, and skills in analyzing, interpreting and communicating data and information to various stakeholders
- experience in conducting assessments and surveys
- Experience with facilitation, capacity strengthening and partnership building, with the capacity to empower staff through opportunities for growth & development
- Experience contributing to the development of technical proposals.
- Supervisory experience and management and team building skills
- Excellent planning and organization skills
- Flexibility to work both in a team and independently
- Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, information management systems.
- Experience living and working in Africa, preferably in an emergency context
- Willingness to be based in rural northern Uganda and travel to field locations.
Personal Skills
- Strong critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills with ability to make sound judgment.
- Strong relationship management skills and the ability to work effectively with culturally diverse groups.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills with ability to write reports
- Proactive, results-oriented, and service-oriented
- Cultural sensitivity, patience and flexibility
- Demonstrated personal accountability and driven to serve others
Required/Desired Foreign Language: English fluency, including excellent oral and written skills, required.
Travel Required: To field locations in northern Uganda.
Key Working Relationships:
Supervisory: Reports to Emergency Coordinator with support from the CRS Uganda MEAL Manager (Kampala-based). Supervises Yumbe-based MEAL Officers.
Internal: Emergency program team, in particular WASH, Shelter and Livelihoods Program Managers; Admin and Finance Managers, CRS Uganda MEAL Manager (Kampala-based)
External: International and local implementing partners, including Caritas; Government of Uganda; UNHCR; USAID; program volunteers; program beneficiaries.
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.
- Serves with Integrity
- Models Stewardship
- Cultivates Constructive Relationships
- Promotes Learning
Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.
More Information
- Job City Yumbe
