Program Manager II (MEAL)

Job Title: Program Manager II (MEAL)

Department: Programs

Reports To: Chief of Party

Location: Gaza

Note: *This position is contingent upon donor funding and approval

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.

Job Summary

CRS is seeking a Senior Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Specialist (Program Manager II) for the anticipated USAID Improve Livelihoods and Enhance Economic Development (ILEED). This five-year, up to $60 million program will focus on promoting resilient livelihoods in Gaza and give households the tools they need to cope with recurrent crises. The activity will build upon USAID investments and successes to date, with a primary focus on building resilience through livelihoods while maintaining the flexibility and capacity to respond to emergencies, should they arise. A secondary focus will be on adapting to climate change through livelihood development. 

You will manage and provide technical oversight for monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEAL) in the development and implementation of the ILEED project and across the CP, ensuring effective MEAL systems and processes are in place that support high-quality programming advancing Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) work in serving the poor and vulnerable. Your MEAL-related management skills and knowledge will ensure that the CP delivers high-quality programming and continuously works towards improving the impact of its programming.

جميع الحقوق محفوظة لموقع جوبس.

Roles and Key Responsibilities

• Provide management, guidance, and technical oversight for MEAL throughout the ILEED project cycle to ensure project design, start-up, implementation and close-out are in line with CRS quality principles and standards and MEAL policies, procedures, and practices; donor MEAL guidelines, and industry best practices.
• Effectively manage talent for MEAL staff and supervise. Manage team dynamics and staff wellbeing. Provide coaching, strategically tailor individual development plans, and complete performance management for direct reports.
• Champion the development of program learning – identify opportunities for learning, research and publications for ILEED in sustainable livelihoods, community development, emergency response, and the implementation of MEAL policy. Facilitate the dissemination of promising practices and lessons learned to contribute to the agency knowledge management agenda. Promote the application of learning to improve program quality and to strengthen agency influence among external stakeholders. Ensure integration of MEAL-related innovations and best practices.
• Provide management, guidance, and technical oversight for the development and implementation of high-quality MEAL systems and processes for the ILEED project, including ICT4MEAL and the application of responsible data principles as per agency and donor requirements for ILEED. Promoting MEAL policies and industry good practices, champion the analysis and use of project performance data in livelihoods, community development, and emergency response to inform decision-making and identify lessons learned. Facilitate connections between colleagues and peers to generate and share evidence-based learning.
• Provide management, guidance and technical oversight for project or program evaluation events and research in livelihoods, community development, and emergency response including the development of terms of reference or study protocols that include evaluation/learning questions, a balance of qualitative and quantitative methods, appropriate consideration of ethical and data protection standards, and the necessary technical rigor. Oversee the quality of evaluation data through good data management. Support the identification, recruitment, and management of external evaluators or research partners to ensure high quality evaluation, research, and learning.
• Oversee MEAL-related technical assistance and capacity strengthening activities in ILEED for staff and partner organizations to enhance program quality and impact.
• Oversee the identification, assessment and strengthening of partnerships relevant to MEAL and the appropriate application of partnership concepts, tools and approaches.
• Oversees timely and appropriate project MEAL expenditures in line with financial plans and efficient use and stewardship of project material sources.

Basic Qualifications

• Master's Degree in International Development, International Relations or in the field of MEAL required. Additional experience may substitute for some education.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in relevant field-based project management experience required, with preferably at least 2-3 years working in the area of MEAL.
• Experience in managing moderately complex projects preferably with an international NGO.

Required Languages- English with professional Arabic a plus.

Travel- Travel throughout Gaza

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with ability to make sound judgment 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

• Good experience in project grants management, including project design, preferably for grants from multiple public donors, including USAID.
• Experience designing data capture and reporting systems that is responsive in real time to ensure targets are being met.
• Experience collecting and analyzing qualitative and quantitative data using appropriate methods.
• Experience managing MEAL teams and supporting MEAL capacity building.
• Experience coordinating MEAL efforts with partners.
• Demonstrated ability to write high quality technical proposals.
• Staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment.
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, information management systems.
• Experience working in the Middle East and North Africa region.

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.

Supervisory Responsibilities

The Senior Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Specialist will directly supervise one staff member. 

Key Working Relationships

Internal: Chief of Party, Deputy Chief of Party, Head of Programs, Head of Operations, Head of Office, and TA for PQ/BD, Program Managers, MEAL Regional Technical Advisor.

External: Partner Organizations, other development actors.

MEAL Competencies

Each staff member in this position is expected to have advanced knowledge and ability and can apply the following competencies in new or complex situations. Guides other professionals:

• MEAL in Design
• Monitoring
• Evaluation
• Accountability
• Learning
• Analysis and Critical Thinking
• Management in MEAL

Each staff member in this position is expected to have solid knowledge and ability and can apply the following competencies with minimal or no guidance, in the full range of typical situations, while requiring guidance to handle novel or more complex situations

• ICT4MEAL

***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.

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

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

APPLICATION INSTUCTIONS: Interested candidates with relevant education and work experience are invited to complete an application which addresses the position’s requirements. In order to be considered for the position, candidates must submit both a CV and a cover letter, in English. Applications which fail to meet these requirements will not be considered. Applications must be submitted online at http://jobs.crsjwbg.org The position will remain open until filled; however, submission of application before July 15, 2023 is advised.