MEAL OFFICER

About Caritas Marsabit

Caritas Marsabit stands as the dedicated development arm of the Catholic Diocese of Marsabit, operating with a steadfast commitment to empowering communities for over 50 years. Nestled in the expansive Marsabit County in Northern Kenya, our mission is rooted in inspiring people to embrace a life in harmony and dignity while fostering a profound connection with God. Caritas Marsabit has played a pivotal role in the region, carrying out impactful interventions in Health and Nutrition, Water, Justice and Peace, Disaster Management, and Sustainable Livelihoods.

Nawiri Overview

USAID Nawiri Program is a USAID Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) funded 5 years plus an additional 3 years, Resilient Food Security Activity (RFSA) working in Turkana, Samburu, Isiolo, and Marsabit Counties. Catholic Relief Services (CRS), which is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States, is leading a consortium of partners including Concern Worldwide, Village Enterprise, Tufts University, Gain, IBTCI, The John Snow International (JSI), Caritas Isiolo and Caritas Marsabit, to implement the Nawiri Project in Isiolo and Marsabit counties.

The project’s goal is to sustainably reduce levels of acute malnutrition among vulnerable populations in Isiolo and Marsabit counties. The project is implemented using a phased approach, a research phase (2019-2020) that will inform program design and an implementation phase (2021-2024), with an extension of up to 2027.

Purpose of the Role

Support the Programs in all data collection, analysis, and learning activities to ensure accountability and efficiency.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist in the Development and implementation of result-based monitoring, evaluation, and reporting system
• Assist in the revision of the project log frame matrix, particularly in the areas of performance indicators and their measurement
• Identify and design performance questions, key indicators, and targets for the project component
• Assist in the development and /or review of the project Work Plan and keep it updated with project activities and timeframes as relevant.
• Assist in the development and review of project monitoring tools, database, plans and project indicator tracking tables
• Support project teams to review and reflect on project implementation processes to enhance learning and replication of best practices
• Identification of research and M&E priorities and including these in project annual plans
• Assist the Project teams in organizing, and facilitating different research/evaluation (performance evaluation, baseline, mid-term evaluation, final evaluation, etc. using both qualitative and quantitative methods;
• Assist in the identification and documentation of success stories, achievements, and lessons learned and document recommendations to be integrated into broader knowledge management efforts.
• Support the staff in mobile data collection; using Kobo Collect, Comm Care, and any other digital apps recommended by the donor to collect and analyze data.
• Assist in the management and development of effective and sustainable feedback mechanisms to Caritas Marsabit from program beneficiaries/stakeholders.
• Provide documentation and dissemination of key findings stemming from monitoring, assessment, and other learning activities. Track and ensure organized, comprehensive electronic filing of documented findings/analyses.
• When appropriate/applicable, facilitate and participate in information-sharing opportunities among Caritas Marsabit stakeholders.
• Ensure quality of program implementation, monitoring, and data reported by field officers through capacity building, supportive supervision, routine checking, and regular validation of data.
• Undertake regular monitoring and technical support visits to projects to assess progress against approved plans, and provide feedback and recommendations for timely improvement.
• Ensure utilization of appropriate reporting templates that facilitate the acquisition and aggregation of data.
• Assist in designing and regularly updating program MEAL guidelines and tools and ensure that project staff have access and utilization of project tools.
• Assist in ensuring the implementation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and guidelines for data management and data quality assurance in line with Caritas and donor policies.
• Assist in compiling monthly, quarterly, and annual data reports and developing ad-hoc reports project highlighting project/program outputs, case studies, and stories highlighting areas for project improvement.

General Organizational Responsibilities

• Work within a humanitarian-informed, donor /partnership framework.
• Adhere to Caritas Marsabit values both within the role and when representing Caritas.
• Participate in and contribute to meetings, supervision, training, and professional development.
• Adhere to all organizational policies

Academics and Professional Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Project Management, ICT, Statistics, Monitoring and Evaluation, Social Sciences, and/or other relevant fields.
• Strong demonstrated expertise in fostering and role modeling a culture aligned with the values of the organization.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage operational systems for NGOs.
• Excellent written, verbal, and communication skills.

Relevant working experience/skills and competencies

• Minimum of 3 years experience with a thorough experience of MEAL and project management cycle
• Demonstrated track record in project proposal writing and impact reporting
• Proven experience in designing tools and strategies for data collection, analysis, and report writing
• Outstanding skills in writing periodical project publications and development of case stories
• Advanced IT and Microsoft Office Suite skills.
• Experience in designing or managing information management systems such as Power BI and dashboards
• Solid analytical skills and systemic thinking
• Ability to use statistical software (ENA, SPSS and STATA, and R)Relevant experience in facilitating theory of change and sustainability indicators

Employment Requirement

• Demonstrated working in remote areas among pastoralist communities
• Membership to a professional body For Meal
• Ability to work under stringent deadlines
• Willingness to work on weekends and public holidays (When required)

Working Environment

Caritas Marsabit is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Caritas considers all applicants based on merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Safeguarding Commitment

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility at CARITAS MARSABIT, and it begins with me

• Continuously sensitize the program team and participants on safeguarding.
• Ensure compliance with CARITAS MARSABIT’s safeguarding policies
• Report any incident of safeguarding in program operations for appropriate action/follow-up.

Standards of Professional Conduct

Caritas and its workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the Code of Conduct & Ethics. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. By these values, Caritas operates and enforces policies on beneficiary protection from exploitation and abuse, child safeguarding, workplace harassment, and combating human trafficking.

Gender Equality

Caritas is dedicated to closing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer a range of benefits that create an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce at the Caritas Catholic Diocese of Marsabit. These include parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols, and various supportive benefits.

Disclaimer Clause

This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skills, effort, duties, and responsibilities of the position. This job description can be modified at any time upon consultations with the, Program Coordinator, Head of Programs, and Caritas Director.