Project Manager II – Monitoring Evaluation Accountability Learning (MEAL) At Catholic Relief Services

Title: Project Manager II – Monitoring Evaluation Accountability Learning (MEAL)

Department: Programming

Report to: Head of Programming

Job Location: Kampala/Uganda

Vacancies: One (1)

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 has been working in Uganda since 1965 and has a vibrant portfolio of projects, serving over a million vulnerable Ugandans and refugees each year through the Country Program 2030 Strategy. CRS programs in Uganda currently support five strategic priority areas, including Health and Social Services Systems Strengthening, Resilient Food Systems, Emergency Preparedness and Management, Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation, and Local Leadership. CRS Uganda implements its programs through partnerships with local organizations, including international and local NGOs, Ugandan government departments and ministries, the Catholic Church, and community-based organizations for maximum impact and sustainability.

Job Summary:

You will manage and provide technical oversight for Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) in the development and implementation of Country Program (CP) development and humanitarian projects and programs, particularly for large and complex projects, 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 MEAL-related management skills and knowledge, including in Information and Communications Technologies for Development (ICT4D), accountability, and Feedback, Complaints and Respond Mechanisms (FCRM), will ensure that the CP delivers high-quality programming and continuously works towards improving the impact of its programming.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Provide management, guidance, and technical oversight for MEAL in all new and existing projects within the CP’s development and humanitarian project portfolios throughout the project cycle to ensure project design, start-up, implementation and close-out are in line with CRS quality principles and standards and MEAL policies, procedures (MPPs), recommended practices and quality standards; donor MEAL guidelines; and industry best practices. Ensure integration of MEAL-related innovations and best practices in all CRS Uganda programming.
• Effectively manage talent for MEAL and manage team dynamics and staff wellbeing for all CP MEAL staff, including those who are embedded within project teams, as well as those reporting directly to the MEAL Manager. Provide coaching, strategically tailor individual performance development plans, and complete performance management for direct reports.
• Champion the development and implementation of a CP-level learning plan or agenda. Specifically: Champion the analysis and use of project performance data to inform decision-making and identify lessons learned. Identify opportunities for learning, research and publications across programming sectors. Facilitate the dissemination of promising practices and lessons learned throughout the CP, region, and to relevant global communities and stakeholders. Promote a “learning from failure” mindset and the adoption of adaptive management approaches amongst CRS Uganda program staff.
• Contribute to Knowledge Management and Learning (KML) through collecting and analyzing program data, both within and across projects. Specifically, lead and document active, intentional, and adaptive learning within and across activity interventions, and promote refinement of activities in planning and implementation, accordingly.
• Contribute to the proactive pursuit of opportunities for new funding to ensure growth of the CP development and humanitarian portfolios in line with agency, regional, and CP strategic priorities, by serving as the MEAL technical lead and technical writer to ensure quality proposals per agency and donor standards. Provide guidance and technical oversight for the design of project and sectoral theories of change, results frameworks, and Proframes. Contribute to MEAL and ICT4D budgeting and staffing plans and activities for proposals.
• Provide management, guidance, and technical oversight for the development and implementation of high-quality MEAL systems and processes, including ICT4D and project-based FCRMs, and the application of responsible data principles as per agency and donor requirements in the CP. Facilitate connections between colleagues and peers to generate and share evidence-based learning.
• Provide management, guidance and technical oversight for project or program evaluation activities and research, including: the development of terms of reference or study protocols that include evaluation/learning questions, appropriate methodologies and tools, full consideration of ethical and data protection standards, and the necessary technical rigor. Oversee the quality of evaluations by leading strong evaluation planning, quality assurance activities, and data management technical support. Help identify, recruit, and manage external evaluators or research partners to ensure high quality evaluation, research, and learning for CRS Uganda programs.
• Oversee or lead technical assistance and capacity strengthening activities in the areas of MEAL, ICT4D and FCRMs for CRS staff and partner organization staff to enhance program quality and impact.
• Oversee the identification, assessment and strengthening of partners in the areas of MEAL, ICT4D-MEAL innovations, and ensure the appropriate application of CRS partnership principles, partner capacity strengthening tools and approaches.
• Oversee the timely and appropriate project MEAL expenditures in line with financial plans and efficient use and stewardship of project material sources.
• Engage and share learning and resources with and learn from MEAL colleagues at the CRS regional office, as well as with CRS MEAL staff in other East African Country Programs.

Basic qualifications:

• Master’s degree in international development, International Relations or in the field of MEAL required. Additional experience may substitute for some education.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in relevant field-based project management experience required, with preferably at least 2-3 years working in the area of MEAL.
• Experience in managing moderately complex projects preferably with an international NGO.
• Experience with ICT4D, FCRM and demonstrated strengths in data analysis, CommCare and other MEAL/ICT4D related software.

Preferred Qualifications

• Good experience in project grants management, including project design, preferably for grants and contracts from multiple public donors, including USAID.
• Demonstrated ability to write high quality technical proposals.
• Experience engaging with partner organizations
• MEAL and ICT4D skills and experience required.
• Staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment.
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, information management systems.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with ability to make sound judgment and decisions and offer innovative solutions.
• Strong relations 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
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-oriented.

Required Languages: English fluency, including excellent oral and written skills, required.

Travel: Must be willing and able to travel up to 25% of the time to project sites.

Key Working Relationships

• Supervisory: Senior Project Officer Accountability (FCRM).
• Internal: Head of Programming, Deputy Head of Programming, Head of Operations, Deputy Head of Operations, Program Managers, program MEAL staff, CP Technical Advisors, CP Finance and Operations staff.
• External: Partner staff, district and local government officials, project and community stakeholders.

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff)

Agency competencies clarify expected behaviors and attitudes for all staff. When demonstrated, they create an engaging workplace, help staff achieve their best, and help CRS achieve agency goals. 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.

• 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.

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

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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.