Job Title: Technical Advisor II – MEAL
Reports to: Chief of Party I
Department: WARO/Liberia
Salary Grade: 10
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.
Catholic Relief Services has been working in Liberia since 1957 with current programmatic focus targeting health, nutrition, peacebuilding, and agriculture. CRS Liberia is beginning implementation as Principal Recipient (PR) of a 12-month Malaria and Resilient and Sustainable Systems for Health (RSSH) Grant funded by the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global Fund). CRS will draw on the agency’s global malaria, health systems strengthening and Global Fund expertise to oversee and strengthen vector control, malaria case management, prevention of malaria in pregnancy, health product management systems, health management information systems and M&E, human resources for health (including community health workers), and overall program management.
Job Summary:
You will be responsible for the development, technical oversight, and implementation of the monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (MEAL) system for the Global Fund Malaria/RSSH Grant. You will ensure effective systems and processes are in place to ensure delivery of high-quality MEAL practices and procedures to continuously improve the impact of the Global Fund Malaria/RSSH Project programming. Strengthening the technical capacity of project MEAL staff under your supervision, MoH, National Malaria Control Program (NMCP), and other partners under the Global Fund award will be a key responsibility of this role. You will work closely with Global Fund Malaria/RSSH Grant leadership and technical staff to advise on best practices for MEAL and data-driven implementation recommendations. In addition to ensuring quality, the Program Manager II – MEAL will be tasked with disseminating learning and project success through internal and external channels, including participation in communities of practice, conferences, and leading on developing external publication materials.
Roles and Key Responsibilities:
- Ensure the development, testing, adaption, and roll-out of program-level MEAL systems, including performance monitoring plans (PMP), performance indicator reference sheets (PIR), indicator performance tracking table (IPTT), data collection instruments, data and reporting flow maps, feedback and response mechanisms (FRM), and detailed implementation plan (DIP). Ensure MEAL system aligns with Global Fund agreement and guidelines as well as CRS standards.
- Lead the development of new or adapt/test existing MEAL technical guidelines, frameworks, standard operating procedures, data collection tools, and databases for health programming including HMIS.
- Plan and oversee the implementation of the MEAL system in line with the DIP. Coordinate implementation of monitoring and accountability activities and processes (including ICT4D/E and GIS mapping) within CRS and with partners. Track compliance with Global Fund requirements on deliverables, timelines, and reporting.
- Provide management, guidance, technical oversight, and direct supervision of the Global Fund Malaria/RSSH Project’s MEAL team. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching, strategically tailor individual development plans, and complete performance management for direct reports. Identify MEAL staff and partners capacity and technical assistance needs and support capacity strengthening activities (e.g. MEAL technologies, data collection methodology).
- Oversee and provide guidance to the IT staff of the team for the introduction of ICT4D pilots.
- Analyze and evaluate project performance data using HMIS and LMIS and following CRS MEAL policy and Global Fund requirements. Proactively identify issues and concerns and use participatory processes, timely planning, and effective coordination to overcome implementation obstacles.
- Ensure that project data is systematically integrated in the national database DHIS2.
- Ensure data monitoring quality through the planning and conducting of annual data quality assessments (DQA) in collaboration with the program’s procurement and supply chain team, MoH, and partners.
- Ensure that all staff and partners are trained in the FRM and supervise the active seeking and response to feedback from all members of targeted communities and stakeholders.
- Contribute to content and technical reviews of all Global Fund Malaria/RSSH Project reports. Ensure all required MEAL documents are submitted complete and on time.
- Share MEAL learning and experiences (case studies, tools, e-learning) in global agency discussions, with donors, partners, and peer organizations. Communicate CRS approach to MEAL and key findings to regional colleagues. Create opportunities for reflection and learning among MEAL advisors and practitioners within the region or sub-region.
Basic Qualifications:
- Master’s Degree in Statistics, Economics, Public Health, Demography, International Development, or a related field. Additional experience may substitute for some education.
- Minimum of 5 years of relevant field-based experience in designing, coordinating and strengthening MEAL systems for complex health and malaria related programs required, preferably with an INGO.
- Field experience in designing and coordinating health system strengthening programs.
- Demonstrated experience analyzing and use of health and malaria data for decision making, working in remote field locations, and carrying out direct implementation of MEAL systems in conflict and resource poor settings.
- Experience with DHIS2, SAS, SPSS, R, Stata, Epi-Info, or similar analytical software required.
Required Languages: English.
Travel: Must be willing and able to travel up to 40% of time.
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.