Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) Manager- Lead, West Africa Early Recovery, Risk Reduction, and Resilience (ER4) Activity At Catholic Relief Services

This post is contingent on donor funding and donor approval of the candidate.

About the West Africa Early Recovery, Risk Reduction, and Resilience (ER4) Activity:

WARO is preparing a response to the RFA for the West Africa Early Recovery, Risk Reduction, and Resilience (ER4) Activity. The proposed initiative aims to strengthen the resilience of individuals, communities, institutions, and systems in Ghana and Sierra Leone to better prepare for, respond to, and recover from natural hazards and climate-induced risks while safeguarding development gains.

Activity. The proposed initiative aims to strengthen the resilience of individuals, communities, institutions, and systems in Ghana and Sierra Leone to better prepare for, respond to, and recover from natural hazards and climate-induced risks while safeguarding development gains.

The design promotes anticipatory actions, localization, gender equity, and social inclusion, ensuring active and equitable participation of all community members, especially women, youth, and marginalized groups. It will collaborate with local organizations and government structures to align with national priorities and strengthen governance for disaster risk management and climate adaptation at subnational and community level. Key aspects include community-led disaster risk management, climate adaptation, and capacity building at sub-national and community levels. By collaborating with local actors and integrating solutions into government policies and systems, the project will foster local ownership and establish sustainable, gender-responsive mechanisms to alleviate vulnerabilities and manage climate and disaster.

Job Summary:

The M&E Lead will play a critical role in the West Africa ER4 project, ensuring robust monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEAL) systems are in place to track progress, inform decision-making, and enhance accountability. You will lead the development and implementation of the project’s MEAL system, ensuring alignment with BHA requirements and CRS MEAL policies.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and manage a key aspect of the development, implementation, and consolidation of the MEAL portfolio of the West Africa ER4 project to meet donor expectations in terms of timely and quality results and budget.
• Manage and mitigate risk through monitoring national and regional issues that may impact MEAL staff and programming. Ensure all staff understand and adhere to CRS staff safety and security policies and plans
• Contribute to ensuring the CRS program quality standards are adhered to per MEAL policy and procedures.
• Promote, uphold, and model a commitment to the efficient use of agency and donor resources. Help ensure compliance with USAID/BHA grant, including financial tracking and oversight of partner budgets, finance, administration, and reporting to USAID/BHA.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive MEAL system and plan for the project, including a database for data storage and aggregation, detailed data collection methods, indicators, and reporting requirements.
• Provide technical guidance and capacity-building support to project staff and partners on MEAL processes and tools, including the development and strengthening of local partners’ internal MEAL systems.
• Conduct regular monitoring visits to project sites to ensure data quality and provide on-site support.
• Lead data analysis and reporting, generating timely and informative reports for BHA and internal stakeholders.
• Contribute to project learning and knowledge management, documenting lessons learned and best practices.
• Identify performance gaps and training opportunities for CRS and partner staff and recommend training and technical assistance

Required Languages – English

Travel – Position based in Ghana or Sierra Leone, must be willing and able to travel up to 40 % to project sites anticipated.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Yes- TBC

Key Working Relationships:

Internal: CoP, Partnership & Localization Lead, Country Representative, Head of Programs, Heads of Office, Head of Operations, EMPOWER Coordinator, Empower Technical Advisers, MEAL RTA, WARO RTA

External: Local Partners, Donor representatives, government representatives (national, provincial and district levels); other stakeholders.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong understanding of MEAL principles, approaches, and tools.
• Extensive experience in designing and implementing monitoring and evaluation systems in humanitarian response and DRR programs.
• Demonstrated experience in building or strengthening monitoring systems, quantitative and qualitative analysis, survey and sample design, and effectively promoting evidence-based program management.
• Strong knowledge of USAID regulations and experience implementing USAID programming is required.
• Strong understanding of the risk profile across systematically marginalized and vulnerable groups.
• Excellent data analysis and reporting skills.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders, including local organizations, government agencies, and international organizations.
• Demonstrated commitment to local ownership and partnership principles.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Cultural sensitivity and ability to work effectively in diverse cultural contexts.

Basic Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in statistics or economics; or a degree in a relevant field with substantial course work in quantitative methods.
• Minimum of three years of professional experience in designing and implementing M&E systems in the context of humanitarian response or DRR programs.
• Demonstrated application of technical principles and concepts in monitoring and evaluation. General knowledge of other related disciplines to ensure a proper cross-sectoral approach.
• Experience with program monitoring and evaluation, including applying data collection tools and methodologies, data analysis, and data presentation.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience of successful program management, including management of complex, high-value, multi-activity projects, with complicated logistics.
• Experience implementing USAID-funded Early Recovery, Risk Reduction, and Resilience (ER4) is a plus
• Experience in rapid response mechanisms or crisis modifiers.
• Proficient in MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, information and budget management systems, and knowledge-sharing networks.
• Experience in Commcare, GIS, ARCGIS, MS Office package (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio), Web Conferencing Applications, and information and budget management systems.
• Experience engaging partners and strengthening partnerships. Knowledge of CRS partnership strategy a plus.
• Experience working with BHA-funded projects.
• Experience working with local organizations in West Africa.

Agency REDI Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

• Personal Accountability – Consistently takes responsibility for one’s own actions.
• Acts with Integrity – Consistently models values aligned with CRS Guiding Principles and mission. Is considered honest.
• Builds and Maintains Trust – Shows consistency between words and actions.
• Collaborates with Others – Works effectively in intercultural and diverse teams.
• Open to Learn – Seeks out experiences that may change perspective or provide an opportunity to learn new things.

Agency Leadership Competencies:

• Lead Change – Continually looks for ways to improve the agency through a culture of agility, openness, and innovation.
• Develops and Recognizes Others – Builds the capacity of staff to reach their full potential and enhance team and agency performance.
• Strategic Mindset – Understands role in translating, communicating, and implementing agency strategy and team priorities.