ob Title: Technical Associate II – Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Officer
(for Sierra Leonean Nationals only, position contingent on award of donor funding)
Department: Programs
Band: 7
Reports To: Head of Programming
Country/Location: Sierra Leone/Freetown
CRS Background
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. We welcome as a part of our staff and as partners people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need.
Country Background
CRS launched its work in Sierra Leone in 1963 supporting relief and development operations in the country. CRS Sierra Lone has proudly maintained a strong reputation and relationship with partners and the communities we serve in the country implementing a multi-sector program portfolio. Today, CRS Sierra Leone has a robust portfolio built around several major programs in Education, Nutrition, Health, Agriculture, and Urban Resilience. CRS Sierra Leone has its main office in Freetown, with over 140 staff in total across the country.
Job Summary:
You will provide technical analysis and support in the area of Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) in line with Catholic Relief Services (CRS) program quality principles and standards, donor guidelines, and industry best practice to technical staff, partner staff and Country Program (CP) staff to advance the delivery of high-quality programming to the poor and vulnerable. Working closely with technical experts your skills and knowledge will contribute to determining how effective, adaptive and innovative CRS’ MEAL programming is across the globe. This position will be dedicated 50% towards the Integrated Approach to Strengthen Coffee, Cocoa, or Cashew (CCC) Production and Quality in Sierra Leone project and 50% to CP MEAL activities.
Job Responsibilities:
· Implements activities according to MEAL implementation plans.
· Research and analyze technical information from a variety of sources for technical problems to support CP teams in achieving technical excellence in ongoing MEAL of programs/projects.
· Support the development of program/project documents and tools, as well as technical manuals or guidance, training materials, and quality improvement and assessment guidelines.
· Ensure CP compliance with CRS MEAL Policies and Procedures.
· Prepare presentations and coordinate project communication needs through writing and editing communication resources, such as case studies, brochures, briefs, peer-reviewed articles or reports, for both internal and external audiences.
· Coordinate and/or perform various activities in support of program/project design and implementation, including but not limited to needs assessment, strategic planning, program design and proposal writing, monitoring and evaluation, and technological solutions.
· Collect and disseminate MEAL related information and resources to CRS staff and partners and assist with organization, design and coordination of training workshops to support capacity building efforts. Identify new approaches and methods for online learning.
· Contribute to the learning agenda by researching and analyzing information, conducting literature reviews, mappings or information gathering from various internal and external sources on assigned topics. Coordinate maintenance of virtual resource and documentation databases.
· Support quality data capture and input, simple analysis of, and reflection on monitoring data results.
· Contribute field-based perspectives and initial findings to project learning.
· Foster respectful relationships and dialogue regarding ongoing project interventions and results with community members and stakeholders.
· Support capacity strengthening initiatives in conducting field-based and simple analytical MEAL activities for CRS staff, partner staff and volunteers.
Typical Background, Experience & Requirements:
Education and Experience
· Bachelor’s required, master’s preferred in the area of statistics a plus. Additional experience may substitute for some education.
· Minimum of two to three years of relevant work experience with an international NGO, with at least one year of field-based programming experience.
· Additional experience may substitute for some education.
· General knowledge of technical principles and concepts in Agriculture and MEAL.
· Knowledge of program design requirements and regulations of major donors.
· Knowledge of project design and proposal development.
· Knowledge of latest technological tools that have the potential to be applied in Agriculture and MEAL.
· Strong English writing skills.
· Proficient in MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, knowledge-sharing networks.
Personal Skills
- Good relationship management skills with ability to work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary and multicultural teams
- Strategic, analytical, problem-solving and systems thinking capacity and skills
- Good writing skills
- Strong data collection and research skills and ability to interpret and analyze data
- Proactive, resourceful and results-oriented
Language Required
English, Krio, Mende
Travel Required
Regular travel from Freetown to sub-offices and field sites in Kenema, Kailahun, Bo, Tonkolili, Bombali, Portloko
Key Working Relationships:
Supervisory: None
Internal: Project Manager, SILC Manager, Senior and Field Agronomists, Head of Programs, Regional Technical Advisor for MEAL
External: Partners, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
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
· Accountability & Stewardship
· Builds Relationships
· Develops Talent
· Continuous Improvement & Innovation
· Strategic Mindset
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.
Equal Opportunity Employer, women encouraged to apply
More Information
- Job City Freetown