Program Manager II – MEAL Manager (For Filipino Nationals only) at Catholic Relief Services

Job Title: Program Manager II – MEAL Manager

Reports to: Head of Programs

Department: Country Programming

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.

CRS Philippines was established in 1945 and is the longest-running CRS country program in the world. Currently, CRS Philippines focuses its work on agriculture, peacebuilding, emergency response, disaster risk reduction, and health. The Philippines country program has more than 150 staff with a main office in Manila and sub-offices in Davao, Tacloban, Catarman, and Iligan. CRS programs are implemented through a national network of partners, in close coordination with local, municipal and national government agencies. The Country Program also provides support to CRS’s work in Indonesia, Timor Leste, and the Federated States of Micronesia, and has drawn international recognition for the impact, timeliness, and innovation of its programs and approaches.**

* This position is for national candidates*

Job Summary:

You will manage and provide technical oversight of the development and implementation of Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) in the Philippines Country Program (CP), ensuring effective MEAL systems and processes are in place that support high-quality programming advancing Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) work in serving the poor and vulnerable. Your role in the Philippines includes but is not limited to: the supervision of Manila-based MEAL Manager; technical support to MEAL staff in the sub-offices, and leadership for MEAL systems design (including the development of digital data collection systems); oversight of project systems and reporting, design and supervision of evaluations; the implementation of project accountability mechanisms and feedback to partners; developing and implementing training and capacity building plans for MEAL and program staff; supporting the development of ICT4D/E systems which are appropriate for their context; reviewing the MEAL sections of new proposals during initial reviews (including MEAL budget and MEAL plan); and promoting TDYs, learning, exchange visits and other opportunities for MEAL staff within the sub-region.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

· Provide management, guidance, and technical oversight of MEAL for all new and existing projects within the Philippines CP throughout the project cycle to ensure project design, start-up, implementation and close-out are in line with CRS MEAL Policies and Procedures, donor guidelines, and industry best practices.

· Review Terms of Reference for evaluation and review events.

· Effectively manage talent and supervise MEAL Officers and provide technical oversight to sub-office MEAL staff the MEAL Manager and provide technical oversight to project MEAL staff. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being among the Philippines MEAL team. Provide coaching, strategically tailor individual development plans, contribute to the recruitment process of MEAL staff, and complete performance management for direct reports.

· In collaboration with sectoral TAs and program managers, lead the development of program learning, identify opportunities for learning, research and publications and implementation of MEAL policy. Facilitate the dissemination of promising practices and lessons learned to contribute to the agency knowledge management agenda. In collaboration with sectoral TAs and program managers ensure integration of innovations and best practices. Share MEAL learning in relevant CRS or external meetings and events

· Contribute to the proactive pursuit of opportunities for new funding to ensure growth of the CP sector portfolio in line with agency, regional, and CP strategic priorities. Serve as the technical MEAL lead and writer for all project designs and proposals to ensure quality proposals per agency and donor MEAL standards. Contribute to MEAL budgeting and staffing plans and activities for proposals.

· Oversee MEAL technical assistance and capacity strengthening activities for staff and partner organizations to enhance program quality and impact, especially for ICT4D solutions.

· Oversee the identification, assessment and strengthening of partnerships relevant to MEAL and the appropriate application of partnership concepts, tools and approaches.

· Coordinate and monitor financial and material resources relevant to project MEAL needs. Through planning and oversight ensure efficient use of project resources.

· Lead MEAL Community of Practice events, including workshops, exchange visits and knowledge-sharing activities.

· Oversee the FRM, ensure responses and documentation to grievances and ensure all staff and partners have access to the FRM. Increase accountability to beneficiaries at every stage of the project cycle through guiding CRS staff and partners and sharing resources (CRS and external) to promote good accountability practices.

· Develop and maintain a Knowledge Management System that supports the evidence to contribute to realizing the country strategy and the business development action plan.

Basic Qualifications

· Master’s Degree in International Development, International Relations, Biostatistics or a related field required. Additional experience may substitute for some education.

· Minimum of 5 years of relevant field-based experience in coordinating or managing/MEAL technical advising moderately complex projects required preferably with an international NGO.

· MEAL skills and experience required.

· Experience contributing to the development of technical proposals.

· Experience engaging with partner organizations

· Staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment.

· Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), digital data collection platforms (experience with CommCare a plus), PowerBI, Web Conferencing Applications, information management systems.

Required Languages – English and Tagalog are required.

Travel : Must be willing and able to travel up to 30%.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities **

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with ability to make sound judgment and decisions and offer innovative solutions
• Strong relationship management abilities. Ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally. Strategic in how you approach each relationship.
• Good presentation and facilitation skills
• Orientation toward capacity strengthening of staff and partners, and strong training and accompaniment skills
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-oriented
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with ability to write reports

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.

• Integrity
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation
• Builds Relationships
• Develops Talent
• Strategic Mindset
• Accountability & Stewardship

Supervisory Responsibilities: ICT Officer Manila SHAKE Senior MEAL Officer, Emergency MEAL Officer, ICT4D Officer, Davao sub-office MEAL officers**

Key Working Relationships

Internal: Philippines Head of Programming, Country Representative, Head of Operation, Heads of Office, Program Manager Emergencies, Program Manager Urban DRR, MEAL staff in sub-offices, Program Manager — Peacebuilding (Davao), MEAL Regional Technical Advisor, Deputy Regional Director Program Quality, and Regional ICT Manager**

External: NGO partners, Government partners, Local Government Units, Technical partners, and

Research and academic institutions.

*Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.

CRS’ talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer