Project Officer – MEAL at Catholic Relief Services (CRS)


Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is an international non-governmental organization supporting relief and development work in over 99 countries around the world. CRS programs assist persons on the basis of need, regardless of creed, ethnicity or nationality. CRS works through local church and nonchurch partners to implement its programs, therefore, strengthening and building the capacity of these partner organizations is fundamental to programs in every country in which CRS operates. CRS has worked in Nigeria for more than 25 years.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Project Officer – MEAL (Nigerian National Only)

Job Identification 3000939
Location: Maiduguri, Borno
Job Schedule: Full time
Job Shift: Day
Job Category: Program Management

Job Summary

  • Under the direction of the MEAL Manager and the Emergency MEAL Coordinator, the MEAL Officer will be responsible for all MEAL related activities for the THRIVE 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 CRS partners and sub-recipients on MEAL processes and procedures.
  • The MEAL officer will be based in Maiduguri with frequent trips to the project area in Jere LGA. The post will report to the MEAL Manager but will also work closely with the CRS Emergency MEAL Coordinator for technical support.

Roles and Responsibilities

  • Support the MEAL team in facilitating SMILER workshops as required.
  • Track sector performance on indicators against monthly, semi-annual, annual and LoA targets. 
  • Maintain and support THRIVE’s 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 sector teams from all THRIVE consortium partners is supported by the mandatory means of verification (MoV).
  • Support the MEAL team in the conduct of household-level baseline and endline surveys and the analysis of data and the drafting of narrative reports. 
  • Plan, organized, conduct, and prepared analysis reports of onsite monitoring and post-distribution on THRIVE redemptions.
  • In coordination with sector leads, collect and analyze market price data for THRIVE commodities in advance of price negotiation with contracted vendors. 
  • Coordinate with the CRS CAT team on the creation of beneficiary lists and the printing of cards. 
  • Carry out regular updating training for THRIVE enumerators. Maintain the MEAL enumerator tracker to record enumerator attendance, technical capacity, and performance. 
  • 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 THRIVE’s mid-term review and final evaluation.
  • In coordination with ICT4D team and sector teams develop or amend field data collection tools for CommCare. 
  • Support the testing and implementation of data collection tools by field teams and provide troubleshooting as required. 
  • Support the training of THRIVE 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 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.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

  • 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).

Supervisory Responsibilities (Yes)
Key Working Relationships:

  • Internal: THRIVE MEAL team and program teams in CRS and consortium partners, THRIVE CAT and ICT4D Team, Accountability team, Communications and Learning SPO, Maiduguri Operations team in Fleet, Admin, and Finance. 
  • External: THRIVE enumerators, community mobilizers, external consultants, and other key stakeholders

Basic Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Information and Technology Management, Statistics or any other relevant equivalent degree;
  • At least 3 years of full-time experience in MEAL, preferably with an international NGO. 
  • 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.

Required Languages: 

  • English and Hausa are required and proficiency in Kanuri or any other local language used in Jere would be an advantage. 

Travel:

  • Must be willing and able to travel up to 20% of the time to field locations throughout the work week.

Application Closing Date
10th October, 2023.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online