Technical Advisor I / MEAL Coordinator at Catholic Relief Service (CRS): (Deadline 8 December 2021)

Technical Advisor I / MEAL Coordinator at Catholic Relief Service (CRS): (Deadline 8 December 2021)

Job Title: Technical Advisor I / MEAL Coordinator

Department: Programming

Band: 9

Reports To: Head of Programming

Country/Location: Rwanda (Kigali) 

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.

Country Background:

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) has been working in Rwanda since 1961. CRS Rwanda’s key programing areas include agriculture, early childhood development, economic strengthening, justice, and peacebuilding. To achieve this, CRS collaborates with the government of Rwanda, donors, the Catholic church, private sector, and civil society organizations. CRS Rwanda has an annual budget of over $8 million USD and is comprised of 59 staff.

Job Summary: 

You will provide technical advice and support to a range of program design and implementation issues 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 practices to Country Program (CP) teams to advance the delivery of high-quality programming to the poor and vulnerable. Your advice, knowledge, and support will contribute to determining how effective, adaptive and innovative CRS’ MEAL programming is across the globe.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Provide leadership to project-based MEAL staff and other programming staff on all matters pertaining to MEAL, including but not limited to supporting the development of systems, capabilities, and culture of data-use for decision-making.
• Provide technical solutions to CP teams on how to best apply CRS’ MEAL Policies and Procedures to ensure high-quality implementation.

• Collaborate with CP staff to realize learning agendas that contribute to the evidence-base for CRS Rwanda’s programming approaches.

• Collaborate with CP staff to ensure accountability to a range of stakeholders through increased participation, transparent communication, responsive feedback mechanisms, and adherence to internal and external quality standards and requirements.
• Collaborate with the CP ICT4D Working Group and GKIM at HQ to identify and implement ICT4D solutions that aim to ease the process of data collection, visualization and use.
• Work with the Regional Information Officer to leverage project results, converting technical documents into marketing messages and media for donors, INGOs, and local partners.
• Contribute to the technical design for proposals including but not limited to conducting needs assessments, leading the data analysis, and leading the development of the ToC, Results Framework, MEAL Plan, and Proframe. Support the process of preparation, design, submission, and approval of project concepts and full-fledged proposals. Advise project teams on integrating donor MEAL strategies, priorities, and technical requirements into CRS’ approach.
• Deliver on-site capacity building of staff and partners in field offices, including but not limited to MEAL staff, including formal and on-the-job staff training and co-facilitation of MEAL training events.
• Lead CP-wide MEAL processes such as the Annual MPP Self Assessments, recording Participant Service Delivery Indicators, and recording Agency level indicators.
• Maintain relationships with CRS Rwanda’s research partners including through formalized Memorandum of Understanding.

Basic Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Monitoring & Evaluation, Development Economics, or a related field required.
• Minimum of three years relevant work experience with progressive responsibilities, ideally with an international NGO in MEAL.
• Thorough familiarity with principles and current approaches to MEAL of relief and development programs using both quantitative and qualitative methods.

• Experience in data collection, including survey design and training enumerators.
• Understanding and experience with data management, including database design.
• Strong experience analyzing data, including both qualitative and quantitative methods, and experience with appropriate software.
• Understanding of donor expectations and trends for MEAL, especially those of USAID.
• Experience in project design and proposal development. Experience in writing MEAL-related content for proposals.

• Knowledge of capacity strengthening best practices. Demonstrated ability to transfer knowledge to diverse audiences through training, mentoring, and other formal and non-formal methods.
• Experience with program monitoring and evaluation and analysis.
• Experience and skills in networking and relations with donors, peer organizations, and faith-based and civil society partners. Understanding of partnership principles.
• Proficient in MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, information and budget management systems, knowledge-sharing networks.

Required Languages – Professional proficiency in English and Kinyarwanda required. Professional proficiency in French preferred.

Travel – Must be willing and able to travel domestically up to 25%.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities  

• Strong 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
• Good strategic, analytical, problem-solving and systems thinking skills with capacity to see the big picture and ability to make sound judgment
• Good technical writing skills
• Presentation, facilitation, training, mentoring, and coaching skills
• Proactive, resourceful and results-oriented

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
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation
• Builds Relationships
• Develops Talent
• Strategic Mindset
• Accountability & Stewardship

Supervisory Responsibilities: None.

Key Working Relationships: 

Internal: Project-based MEAL staff, Program Managers, MEAL Regional Technical Advisor, Regional Information Officer.

External: Staff from local research partners, local and international project partners, and donors.

***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. CRS is committed to providing equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, or any other socio-economic status.

How to apply

Interested and qualified candidates should complete the attached application form, Self -Declaration Clause and submit them together with one page Cover letter plus updated CV (maximum three pages) all in/as one document – via email only to: [email protected] not later than Wednesday, December 8, 2021, at 5:00 pm.

Please, include below statement in your motivation letter:

“By applying to this job, I understand and acknowledge that CRS requires its staff to treat all people with dignity and respect and to actively prevent harassment, abuse, exploitation, and human trafficking. Further, I understand that if I am a successful candidate, I will be subject to a comprehensive background check, and my personal/professional references will be asked to evaluate my behaviors related to the above safeguarding-related topics”

Also, include your full names and title “MEAL Coordinator” in the subject line. Due to the anticipated high interest in this post and the expected number of applicants, only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Kigali November 29, 2021

 Jude-Marie Banatte

 Country Representa

 CRS/Rwanda Program