About CRS:

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) 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. Since 2004, CRS has providing life-saving assistance to the most vulnerable communities negatively impacted by conflict and natural disasters in areas such as the Darfur region.

Job Summary:

As the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) lead for the “Insijam” project team, you will facilitate the achievement of project objectives through coordinating and reporting on all project activities and providing technical guidance and advice to staff and implementing partner. Your coordination and relationship management skills will ensure that the project applies best practices and constantly works towards improving the impact of its benefits to those we serve. The SPO MEAL will track and oversee MEAL activities including baseline, midterm and final evaluation surveys as relevant, field monitoring for data quality checking, carrying out data analysis and writing case studies and monitoring reports. The SPO MEAL will develop and maintain a database to collect and analyze information on inputs, activities, outputs, outcomes, and impact of the program. The SPO MEAL will lead the coaching, mentoring and training partners M&E staff and establish and implement the community feedback mechanism to improve the program quality.

Role and Responsibilities:

• Organize and lead the implementation of all assigned project MEAL activities as outlined in the detailed implementation plan in line with CRS program quality principles and standards; MEAL policies, procedures and good practices; donor MEAL requirements, and industry good practice.
• Ensure learning properly accompanies project activities throughout the project cycle by coordinating project evaluation activities and guiding partners in their efforts to reflect on project experiences. Analyze implementation challenges and report any inconsistencies and gaps to inform adjustments to plans and implementation schedules.
• Lead the roll‑out and implementation of the project’s feedback mechanism. Support actively seeking and responding to feedback from all members of targeted communities and other stakeholders as defined by the feedback mechanism.
• Implement monitoring activities and processes according to the project’s detailed implementation plan and MEAL system. Ensure the quality of monitoring data through annual data quality assessments.
• Supervise and perform ad hoc inspections of various MEAL processes and resources at project sites to ensure timely project activities implementation, and adherence to established process standards and procedures. Ensure proper tracking of resource use for project MEAL activities through periodic budget reviews and follow‑up, with assistance to implementing partner.
• Coordinate and oversee MEAL‑related working relationships with all local project stakeholders and serve as the liaison between them and the project team to mobilize local actors and promote project
• activities and impact. Identify and respond to key stakeholders’ information needs in MEAL activities, using a range of appropriate communication methods.
• Support and coordinate MEAL capacity building and technical support activities and optimize partner participation and capacity development in the implementation of MEAL systems.
• Coordinate provision of any MEAL‑related logistical and administrative support to staff and partners.
• Ensure timely project documentation for assigned MEAL activities is complete with all required documents and is filed per agency and donor requirements. Assist with preparation of trends analysis reports, and documentation of case studies and promising practices.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree required. Degree in International Relations or in the field of monitoring and evaluation would be a plus.
• Minimum of 4 years of work experience in project support, ideally in the field of monitoring and evaluation and for an NGO.
• Additional experience may substitute for some education.
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Experience monitoring projects and collecting relevant data.
• Proven experience in designing, implementing, and operating monitoring and evaluation systems from project initiation to close out.
• Understanding of CRS MEAL systems and processes will be an added advantage.
• Knowledge of the major evaluation methodologies (qualitative, quantitative, mixed method, and impact) and data collection and analysis methodologies
• A deep understanding of relational databases and / or data analysis systems and applications.
• Thorough understanding of USAID’s MEAL frameworks and requirements.
• Excellent representational and communication skills.
• Experience in developing and conducting training in rural contexts with limited literacy.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite, including Word, Excel and Outlook.
• Cross-cutting knowledge of protection, gender, and safeguarding.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

· Good analytical, problem-solving and systems thinking skills with ability to make sound judgment

· Good relationship management skills and the ability to work with diverse stakeholders.

· Strong English writing skills

· Strong data collection and research skills and ability to interpret and analyze data

· Presentation, facilitation, training, mentoring, and coaching skills

· Proactive, resourceful, and results-oriented

· Attention to details, accuracy, and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities

Required Language Skills: Excellent command of English and Arabic required.

Travel Required: Must be willing to travel at least 60% to project areas within Sudan.

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

Key Supervisory responsibilities: I MEAL SPO

Key Working Relationships:

Supervisory: Project Officer (MEAL)

Internal: Technical Advisors / Other P2P colleagues

External: Peer agencies, Partners, private sector, project participants

Female candidates strongly encouraged to apply