The vacancy is open to Internal and External candidates.

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:

The position has the primary responsibility to lead the MEAL activities under the Sustainable, Targeted, Responsive approach to Optimize Nutrition and Growth (STRONG) project. The MEAL Associate will lead the development of the MEAL framework and plan for the STRONG project. The MEAL Associate will lead baseline, midterm, and end-line assessments and data analysis. The MEAL Associate will work closely with the partner MEAL staff in managing the STRONG project MEAL activities.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Lead compliance with agency and donor MEAL requirements
• Trains MEAL Agents on the conduct of field-based MEAL activities
• Provides input to MEAL system design and review discussions.
• Supervises quality data collection and management activities.
• Leads simple analyses and reflective discussions on ongoing monitoring data.
• Contributes initial findings and field-based insights to project discussions.
• Fosters respectful relationships with community members and stakeholders.
• Promotes honesty and integrity in the work of MEAL Agents
• Implements activities according to MEAL DIP
• Support the development of program/project documents and tools, as well as technical manuals or guidance, training materials, and quality improvement and assessment guidelines.
• 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 as it pertains to MEAL.
• Collect and disseminate MEAL-related information and resources to CRS staff and partners and assist with the 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 analysing 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.
• All other activities as assigned by the supervisor.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in social sciences with an emphasis in computer sciences, statistics or another development-related field. Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of two to three years of relevant work experience with an international NGO, with at least one year of field-based programming experience.
• Demonstrated skills in MEAL design with previous experience in the application of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies.
• Demonstratable computer literacy in MS Office – Excel, PowerPoint, Access and Word, SPSS, STATA. Or any other statistical packages.
• Ability and proven experience in transferring knowledge through formal and informal training.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, able to work in a challenging environment.
• Good strategic, analytical, systems thinking, and problem-solving skills, with the capacity to see the big picture.
• Able to work with a diverse team and to take leadership roles.
• Self-guided with strong organizational and planning skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work with partners in a productive and effective manner.
• Basic computer literacy in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Internet.
• Develops Constructive Relationships.
• Good relations management abilities. Ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally. Strategic in how you approach each relationship.
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented, and results-oriented.

Required Languages – Fluency in spoken and written English is required.

Travel – Must be willing and able to travel up to 50%.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Observation, active listening and analysis skills with the ability to make sound judgments.
• Good relationship management skills and the ability to work closely with local partners and community members

• Attention to detail, accuracy and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities.
• Proactive, results-oriented and service-oriented

Agency REDI Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

Agency competencies clarify expected behaviours 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 are used by each staff member to fulfil 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 look 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.

Supervisory Responsibilities None

Key Working Relationships:

Internal: MEAL TA, Nutrition PM, Operations Manager, Partnership Coordinator, Business Development Specialist, Interns

External: CRS Liberia Implementing Partners and Government

Applications:

To apply for this position, please click on the link to submit an online application by 31^st May 2023.

We thank all applicants for their interest in this opportunity; however, if you didn’t hear from us after two months of the vacancy deadline, kindly note that your application was not shortlisted.

Please note that only those shortlisted for interviews will be contacted.

CRS follows an equal opportunity policy and actively encourages diversity welcoming applications from all especially women and people living with a disability.

***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