Company Profile

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. CRS Ghana was established in 1958, a year after Ghana gained independence. In Ghana, CRS works with local partners to tackle poverty on several fronts including improving health and nutrition; increasing access to safe water and improved sanitation; promoting agriculture to enhance food security; and increasing financial assets through Savings and Internal Lending Communities. 

Job Description

• Job Title:  Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Specialist
• Position Type:Full Time
• Location:Tamale 
• Reports to:Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Coordinator
• Compensation Band:D

Job Description:

The MEAL Specialist is responsible for implementing monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (MEAL) initiatives for programs, which could include health, agriculture, peacebuilding and emergency response initiatives.

Each specialist will be assigned to a specific project(s) and will be tasked to consult with project team(s) to develop and achieve project-level learning objectives; ensure projects meet MEAL policies and procedures; and develop action plans to raise the bar of project level MEAL performance.

The MEAL Specialist’s role includes but is not limited to:  the development of standardized data collection tools and database systems, frequent data collection, verification of results reported, analysis and presentation of findings and project progress, implementation of project accountability mechanisms, and the provision of feedback to partners.

The MEAL Specialist will ensure that systems are in place to measure programs’ impact and progress, and that data is readily available to be used as a foundation for programmatic adjustments and evidence-based decision-making.

Specific Responsibilities

Project MEAL System Design

• Work with MEAL Coordinator for project MEAL system design, including drafting results framework, Proframe, accompanying MEAL narrative, and operating manual
• Lead development and standardization of forms and tools to collect data on project monitoring indicators, results, effects and impacts (Simple Measurement of Indicators for Learning and Evidence-based Reporting, also known as SMILER) to comply with donor and CRS standards
• Promote the use of ICT4D and assist in developing digital data collection systems
• Ensure that all project monitoring arrangements comply with project and donor agreements  

Project Monitoring

• In coordination with the MEAL Coordinator and Project Coordinator, lead all project level data collection exercises
• Lead quarterly partner meetings to jointly analyze and reflect on project monitoring data
• Conduct quarterly field visits to monitor the implementation of program activities
• Lead annual project level beneficiary and service delivery indicator (BSDI) data according to agency standards, definitions and processes
• Initiate annual data quality assessments for all projects over two years
• Validate all collected data, to ensure it is accurate and of the highest quality
• Analyze data collected using available ICT4D tools and software (Zoho, etc.)
• Ensure all data is recorded in relevant project databases in a timely and accurate manner
• Initiate thinking on innovative ways to collect and present data using ICT4D

Project Evaluations

• Lead data collection for baseline, midline and endline values for all projects as outlined in MEAL Policies and Procedures
• Initiate terms of reference for all required evaluations
• Lead efforts to coordinate final evaluation or after-action review as outlined in MEAL Policies and Procedures
• Lead organization of participatory reflection event with partners to identify learning and recommendations as a part of all evaluations and reviews
• Lead all aspects of realizing project studies and evaluations, which includes but is not limited to: planning and arranging logistical arrangements for field research, overseeing sampling strategies, attending research and tool training workshops, leading quantitative, qualitative and participatory data collection efforts in the field, supervising the execution of field studies and ensuring the reliability and validity of data collected therein

Budgeting

• Draft budget for all project level MEAL activities

Accountability

• Lead consultation with project beneficiaries to define indicators for project success
• Lead efforts to establish feedback and response channels that reflect the preferences of members of targeted communities
• Identify methods through which beneficiaries can be more involved in defining program success indicators, and monitoring program progress management of collective communication approaches, working with program staff to ensure these are used effectively
• Lead efforts to document and respond to all community feedback received on a quarterly basis
• Lead efforts to ensure that project MEAL systems meet donor MEAL requirements

Reporting and Learning for Improving Program Quality

• Draft documentation of results and other evaluation findings to key stakeholders, as requested
• Highlight areas of concern in project quality as shown in data analysis
• Assist in knowledge management initiatives, including leading in the completion of past performance reference for each project and maintaining an updated Gateway system
• Review data collection systems as implemented by partners, to ensure rigor and appropriateness of practices
• Lead formal training events for partner MEAL staff, to enhance their capacity for sound MEAL implementation
• Accompany and mentor partners after MEAL trainings, to ensure knowledge retention and address concerns which may emerge
• Facilitate the work of counterparts assigned to other projects, or complete assessments related to business development, to bolster in house MEAL technical support to all CRS projects and programs

Required Skills or Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in the social sciences or other related fields required.  A Master’s degree in a relevant field is an advantage
• Minimum of three years’ experience in M&E
• Experience with digital data collection preferred
• Experience working with grassroots communities, church leaders and local and  national government officials
• Excellent understanding of local NGOs and government systems
• Knowledge of participatory and rural development processes
• Strong skills in assessing and developing partner capacity including institutional strengthening in MEAL
• Professional proficiency in English; other local languages a strong advantage
• Willing to travel 50% of the time to project sites

Personal Skills

• Demonstrated ability to lead teams and coordinate effectively as part of a team
• Ability to work independently to meet deadlines
• High attention to detail to ensure accurate work
• Strong analytical and organizational skills
• Experience with capacity strengthening and partnership building
• Capacity to work closely with and support local Church partners
• Excellent written and interpersonal communication skills
• Mature disposition to appropriately manage sensitive situations
• Strong computer skills (MS Word, Excel, Outlook and Power Point)
• Ability to work effectively under pressure