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) Officer
• Position Type: Full Time
• Band: D
• Location: Tamale
• Reports to: Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Coordinator
• Start Date:  October, 2017
• End Date:         September, 2019

CRS Background:
Catholic Relief Services 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.

CRS/Ghana Background:
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) has been working in Ghana since 1958 in Health, Agriculture, Peace Building, Water and Sanitation, Microfinance and Education programs and has long-standing relationships with Church and non-Church partners and communities throughout the country. CRS/Ghana currently has 61 staff with project offices in Tamale and Accra.

Job Summary:

• As a lead for the I-SEARCH project team, you will facilitate the achievement of project objectives through implementing monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (MEAL) initiatives for project activities and, providing technical guidance and advice to staff and implementing partner(s) advancing Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) work serving the poor and vulnerable. Your coordination and relationship management skills will ensure that the project for which you are responsible applies best practices and constantly works towards improving the impact of its benefits to those we serve.

Job 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 team, lead all project level data collection and annual data quality assessments exercises, lead quarterly partner meetings to jointly analyze and reflect on project monitoring data,  lead annual project level beneficiary and service delivery indicator (BSDI) data according to agency standards, definitions and processes.
• Conduct quarterly field visits to monitor the implementation of program activities.
• Analyze and validate data collected using available ICT4D tools and software (Zoho, etc.) and 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

• Initiate terms of reference for all required evaluations and lead data collection for baseline, midline and endline values for all projects as outlined in MEAL Policies and Procedures.
• Lead all aspects of realizing project studies and evaluations and 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.

Budgeting

• Draft budget for all project level MEAL activities.

Accountability

• Lead consultation with project beneficiaries to define indicators for project success and 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 establish feedback and response channels that reflect the preferences of members of targeted communities and 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.

Other

• 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.

Key Working Relationships:

• Internal:     MEAL Coordinator, Project Coordinators, Program Managers, Project staff.
• External:      Ghana Health Services, Ghana Education Services, District Assemblies, Diocesan Church Partners, I/NGO partners, Government partners, technical partners, consultants, research and academic institutions, Local Government Units

Travel Required: 50%

Required Skills or Experience

Typical Background, Experience & Requirements:
Education and Experience

• Master's Degree in a relevant field required.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in M&E in project support or community development work for an NGO.
• Experience working with partners, participatory action planning and community engagement.
• Strong skills in assessing and developing partner capacity including institutional strengthening in MEAL
• Experience monitoring projects and collecting relevant data with experience with digital data collection preferred.
• Professional proficiency in English; other local languages a strong advantage
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

Personal Skills:

• Analysis and problem-solving skills with ability to make sound judgment
• Good relationship management skills and the ability to work closely with local partners
• Proactive, results-oriented and service-oriented
• Attention to details, accuracy and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities

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.
  • Serves with Integrity
  • Models Stewardship
  • Cultivates Constructive Relationships
  • Promotes Learning

Competencies Relevant for the Specific Position:

• Set clear goals and  work  towards achieving them
• Collaborates effectively with staff and stakeholders
• Manages financial resources with integrity
• Applies program quality standards to project design and organizational learning

MEAL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning) Competencies:

• Accountability: Improving our accountability to a range of stakeholders through increased participation, transparent communication, responsive feedback mechanisms, and adherence to internal and external quality standards and requirements.
• Analysis and Critical Thinking: Engaging with data, challenging biases and assumptions, posing thoughtful questions, pursuing deeper understanding of evidence through reflection and perspective-taking, and making informed programming decisions.
• Monitoring: Implementing monitoring activities, including timely collection of quality data, set up and maintenance of databases, facilitation of participatory reflection on monitoring results, and submission of timely progress reports.