Project Officer MEAL at Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

Job Summary: 

Under the direction of the  CRS DRIVE MEAL Manager you will be responsible for all MEAL related activities for the DRIVE  consortium including, but not limited to: monitoring progress on project indicators, elaboration of M&E tools, conducting needs/market/post activity assessments, beneficiary database management, recalibration of beneficiary targeting at project mid-point, development and implementation of accountability mechanism as well as compilation of monthly, bi-monthly, and quarterly reports. The post will also provide technical support and capacity building to the DRIVE JDPC team on MEAL processes and procedures. You will also coordinate with and support the CRS ALLRIGHT project in strengthening MEAL capacities in JDPC.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Support the MEAL team in facilitating SMILER workshops for DRIVE.
• Track sector performance on indicators against monthly, semi-annual, annual and LoA targets.
• Support the JDPC MEAL team to manage and maintain the DRIVE database to record and track and generate reports on registered beneficiaries and their history of engagement with and benefits received from the program.
• On a monthly basis, check and confirm that all data reported from JDPC DRIVE sector is supported by the mandatory means of verification (MoV).
• Support the JDPC DRIVE MEAL team in the conduct of   household level baseline and endline surveys and the analysis of data and drafting of narrative reports.
• Plan, organize, conduct, and prepare analysis reports of onsite monitoring and post distribution on redemption of DRIVE program inputs.
• Support the JDPC DRIVE MEAL team to collect and analyze market price data for DRIVE commodities in advance of price negotiation with contracted vendors.
• Support the JDPC CAT and MEAL team on the creation of beneficiary lists and the printing of cards.
• Facilitate JDPC to carry out regular updating training for DRIVE enumerators.  Ensure that JDPC maintains the MEAL enumerator tracker to record enumerator attendance, technical capacity, and performance.
• Support JDPC to review, clean and analyze all project data, including but not limited to beneficiary registration, baseline study, onsite monitoring, post activity monitoring, price data, final evaluation.
• Support the conduct of DRIVE’s final evaluation.
• In coordination with ICT4D team and sector teams in CRS and JDPC, develop or amend field data collection tools for CommCare.
• Support the testing and implementation of data collection tools by field teams and provide trouble shooting as required.
• Support the training of DRIVE sector staff, community mobilisers and enumerators on the use of CommCare tools and IC4D data collection devices; e the project final evaluation is timely conducted.
• Elaborate, review, and test all M&E tools.
• Ensure compliance with all CRS and donor protocols for data protection and privacy in record collection and record keeping.
• Support the sector teams in the development of content for monthly, semi-annual, and annual reporting to the donor.
• Train program staff, enumerators and community mobilisers on the correct utilization of iPads and/or android devices for data collection and transmission.
• Supervise data collection exercise in the field.
• In coordination with the ICT4D Specialist, maintain the project’s stock of IT equipment (including vendor phones, program phones, solar panels, Bluetooth printers, etc.).
• Collect and share lessons learned, best practices, success stories and innovations stemming from program implementation.
• Formulate and share clear recommendations for improved programming implementation.
• Compile yearly beneficiary data.
• Carry out any other professional duties as directed by the supervisor.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (SKAs) 

• Excellent interpersonal skills must be able to interact in a mature, professional, and friendly manner with local and international colleagues of differing religious and cultural backgrounds.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and privacy.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and to organize and prioritize a variety of initiatives.
• Demonstrated commitment to gender-responsive and safe/dignified programming.
• Attention to details, accuracy, and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities.
• Proactive, results-oriented and service and customer-oriented.
• Understanding of NGOs’ and other entities responsibility to protect beneficiaries from sexual exploitation and abuse.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with GIS and GPS technology.
• High degree of competency and comfort with information and communication technology used for MEAL.
• Strong group process design and facilitation skills, including developing and leading workshops.
• Demonstrated commitment to gender responsive programming.
• Excellent organizational, analytical, oral, and written communication skills.
• Team-oriented and strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and to organize and prioritize a variety of initiatives.
• Demonstrable experience working with Information and Communication Technologies (software and hardware).

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in information and technology Management, Statistics or any other relevant equivalent degree.
• At least 3 years full time experience in MEAL, preferably in Northeast Nigeria
• Thorough technical knowledge and experience in MEAL.
• Demonstrated experience in database management.
• Demonstrated appropriateness of quantitative statistical management programs including Microsoft Access, SPSS, EPI-INFO, STATA, and Microsoft Excel. Knowledge of Microsoft Power BI will be an added advantage.