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

Title: Project Officer – Monitoring Evaluation Accountability Learning (MEAL)

Department: Programs – Vines

Report to: Program Manager II- MEAL & Head of Office

Job Location: Kasese Field Office

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.

Background:

The Vines Project, implemented by CRS Uganda using a market systems development approach, is a seven-year, $18 million Food for Progress project that will make Uganda the world’s next leading supplier of high-quality vanilla. Vines will leverage the expertise of CRS and its partners (Techno Serve, Frontier Co-op, and the Sustainable Vanilla Initiative) to enhance the production of safe, pure vanilla and develop sustainable market links with US vanilla companies, directly transforming the lives of 16,200 farmers, 836 supply chain actors and create 15,820 new jobs to reach 32,856 vanilla stakeholders. The Vines strategy reflects best practices in sustainable development and will leave Uganda with a robust vanilla farming community resilient to the boom/bust nature of the market and a cadre of private sector agricultural extensionists to support more sophisticated production, processing, and marketing needs.

In 2024, an external project midterm review was conducted which recommended the need to review the MEAL system to create and implement an agile MEAL system to adapt to complex and rapidly changing environments based on the Donor Committee for Enterprise Development (DCED) Standard for Results Measurement. The review of the MEAL systems is on-going.

Job Summary:

The MEAL Officer will support the implementation of the Vines project MEAL system. He/she will work in close collaboration with the MEAL team in the implementation MEAL activities, including tools development, timely collection of quality data, regular monitoring of project interventions using DCED standards for results measurement, facilitation of participatory reflection on monitoring results and preparation of progress reports. He/she will be involved in generating evidence through relevant case/qualitative studies to measure effectiveness of the Vines project. He/she will be responsible for coordinating and implementing Vines MEAL activities in Western Region. He/she will have some experience implementing results measurement systems within market systems or private sector development approaches.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Support the review of the project monitoring tools based on the result chains and measurement plans.
• Conduct regular qualitative monitoring of the project interventions/activities as described in the detailed implementation plan in line with CRS program quality principles, standards and MEAL policies, procedures, and practices; donor MEAL requirements; and industry good practices.
• Conduct Qualitative Studies (QS) to generate information on why the changes are happening or not happening across the different components and VIEF partnership interventions.
• Support program staff to strengthen joint planning and monitoring with stakeholders.
• Collect and document staff MEAL capacity needs and technical assistance needs of partner organizations and monitor MEAL capacity building and technical support activities to ensure effective impact.
• Conduct Quarterly Data Quality Assessments, SILC data, farmers data bases, partner training data etc.
• Collect and document data to inform periodic review of the project intervention results chain(s) to reflect changes in the program strategy, external players and the program circumstances.
• Generate periodic reports and document the key learning from the MEAL system.
• Ensure the key learning’s are incorporated in partnership interventions and results chains
• Manage field based training, orientation, workshop, meeting details by collaborating with program and update as per need.
• Ensure all the complaints and feedback are responded in timely manner.

Basic qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in development studies, population studies, social sciences, statistics, or a related field (Post graduate Diploma in Monitoring and Evaluation preferred).
• Minimum of five years of relevant work experience in MEAL, ideally with an international NGO.
• At least two years’ experience in implementing results measurement systems including the development and implementation of results chain monitoring plans
• Training on market systems development is an added advantage.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in MEAL system planning and implementation at district level in governmental and non-governmental organizations.
• In depth knowledge of MEAL sector and its working modality in the country both government and non-government sector.
• Strong communication, documentation, and dissemination skills
• Basic competency in Analysis, Critical Thinking, learning and Accountability.
• Proficient in MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, data management systems, knowledge-sharing networks
• MEAL skills and work experience in advocacy, lobbying and networking.
• Technical skills and work experience on designing and applying MEAL tools and statistical analysis (quantitative and qualitative) packages and report generation.
• Experience in participatory action planning and community engagement.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• A strong commitment to MEAL and Human Rights is essential along with ability to represent at various levels
• Highly motivated, flexible, capable of working both independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to apply DCED Standards for Results Measurement
• Ability to use qualitative tools to monitor program implementation.
• Qualitative data analysis skills
• Ability to measure attributable change
• Strong analytical skills with focus on detail
• Good technical writing skills
• Presentation, facilitation, training, mentoring, and coaching skills
• Proactive, resourceful and results-oriented
• Good relationship management skills and the ability to work closely with local partners and community members.
• Attention to details, accuracy, and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities.

Required Languages: Fluency in oral and written English with ability to write technical reports required. Fluency in the local language (s) in the Rwenzori region is an added advantage.

Travel: Must be willing and able to travel up to 50 % within the region (western Uganda, Kasese).

Key Working Relationships

• Supervisory: none
• Internal: Chief of Party, MEAL Team, all project staff and other CRS MEAL staff.
• External: Partner staff, MEAL staff from other peer agencies.

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.