MEAL Manager II – SOMOUD, Sudan

Job Summary:

You will provide technical leadership of Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL)  activities of the World Bank funded SOMOUD project in East Sudan . You will be responsible for rolling out CRS’ MEAL Policies and Procedures, Donor MEAL requirements, ensuring cross-learning, creating systems for accountability to beneficiaries, donors and stakeholders, and to build capacity of MEAL staff. Your management skills and knowledge  will ensure that SOMOUD delivers high-quality programming and continuously works towards improving the impact of SOMOUD project. You will work closely with CRS program teams and partner staff to develop high quality monitoring systems and tools which address indicators set out in SOMOUD project.  You will lead MEAL activities in various locations and proactively ensure high program quality and donor compliance.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Provide management guidance, and technical lead for the SOMOUD’s MEAL systems and processes throughout relevant project cycles that meet CRS’s MEAL policy and procedures, donor requirements, and local regulations for all targeted states (Red Sea, River Nile, and Northern State).
• Provides technical lead for quality MEAL design, including tools and methods, appropriate to scope, context, and technical requirements of SOMOUD including assessments, evaluations, and learning events.
• Ensures compliance with donor and agency MEAL requirements.
• Provides technical lead for analysis of MEAL data, qualitative and quantitative.
• Ensures quality of data and data management practices.
• Integrates data analysis, reflection and interpretation and use with ongoing project activities.
• Plans and budgets appropriately for quality MEAL activities  Through planning and oversight, ensure efficient use of project resources.
• Oversee project communications materials in coordination with relevant staff.
• Communicates agency approach of MEAL and key findings to the regional MEAL colleagues.
• Cultivates relationships with community members and stakeholders.
• Builds capacity of MEAL officers and agents, partners to address their job requirements
• Effectively manage talent and supervise. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching and mentoring. Strategically tailor individual development plans and complete performance assessments for direct reports. Contribute to the development of staffing plans and the recruitment process of senior staff. ‘
• Create and maintain proper conditions for learning. Establish a safe environment for sharing of ideas, solutions, and difficulties and the capacity to detect, analyze and respond quickly to deficiencies. Identify performance gaps and training opportunities for CRS and partner staff and recommend trainings and technical assistance.
• Supervise MEAL Senior Project Officers (SPOs) in the targeted  states.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 

• Strong strategic, analytical, systems thinking, and problem-solving skills, with capacity to see the big picture and ability to make sound judgment and decisions.
• Strong relations management abilities. Ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally. Strategic in how you approach each relationship.
• Team leadership abilities with diverse/multi-disciplinary teams. Coaching skills.
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-oriented.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience engaging partners and strengthening partnerships. Knowledge of CRS partnership strategy a plus.
• Experience in MS Office package (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio), POWER BI Dashboard, ICT4MEAL, Web Conferencing Applications, and information and budget management systems.
• Strong quantitative and qualitative analysis skills, with proven ability to work with statistical software such as SPSS, POWER BI, KOBO.
• Technical experience in start-up projects working in an insecure environment such as Sudan.
• Experience in the use of key qualitative and quantitative evaluation tools and techniques.
• Experience in designing and overseeing implementation of program studies and evaluation, and use of findings to support adaptive management.
• Experience in GIS mapping.
• Staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment.
• Remote management experience in hard-to-reach locations.

MEAL Competencies

Demonstrates advanced knowledge and ability in the following key competencies; MEAL in Design, Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, Learning, Analysis & Critical Thinking, ICT for MEAL, and can apply the competencies in new or complex situations. Guides other professionals.

Required Languages – Fluent English, Arabic will be an asset.

Travel –  Must be willing and able to travel up to 40 % to the field locations.

 

Supervisory Responsibilities (if none, state none)

 

Key Working Relationships:

Internal

External

Basic Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in International Development, International Relations or a relevant technical area required. Additional experience may substitute for some education.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in M&E at least 2 of which should be in a senior position in a large project with multiple locations and diverse team.
• Experience in managing moderately complex projects preferably with an international NGO.

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.

What we offer

CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, generous retirement savings plan and the opportunity to work in a collaborative, mission-driven culture that is committed to improving the lives of the poor throughout the world.

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.  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 safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

CRS welcomes candidates from the countries and regions in which we work. In the event the successful candidate is an expatriate or global telecommuter, the anticipated duration of the assignment is informed by a term limit, based on the type and level of the job and the needs of the agency.

CRS is committed to safeguarding program participants, community members, staff and volunteers from all forms of exploitation and abuse.  The successful candidate is expected to sign and adhere to CRS´ Code of Conduct.

CRS talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all people – especially children and vulnerable adults – to live free from abuse and harm.

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.

General Requirements

CRS offers are contingent on the selected candidate’s ability to legally work where the position is to be performed. Every government has a unique set of work permit eligibility requirements.  All positions requiring residence or frequent travel outside a home country must undergo and clear a pre-employment medical clearance; some work permit processes require clearing a separate government administered medical examination.

CRS prioritizes candidates who are citizens/ permanent residents of the countries where we have CRS offices.