M&E Lead, Disaster Risk Reduction Policy and Practice – Nepal

Note: this position is contingent upon donor approval.

About CRS:

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is an international humanitarian agency (NGO) based in the United States working to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries regardless of race, religion or nationality. CRS programs in Nepal currently supports four strategic areas, including Homes and communities, disaster risk reduction and climate change, agriculture and livelihood, and anticipatory actions and emergency response. CRS strives to improve livelihood and resilience of marginalized and vulnerable communities by catalyzing innovation, excellence and system strengthening efforts toward improved integral human development. CRS aims to catalyze transformative changes in lives of marginalized and vulnerable households in country through improved access to safe and dignified housing, improved community resilience to disaster, shocks and stresses, and diversified livelihood opportunities, especially to women and youths. CRS Nepal has been instrumental in implementing multifaceted emergency relief and recovery programs playing a pivotal role in coordinating recovery and reconstruction efforts in responding to the impacts of earthquakes, monsoons, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Building upon proven and new partnerships and expertise, CRS works with local partners and government to create long-term resilience for a brighter future for all.

Job Summary:

As the M&E Lead for the project, you will be responsible for developing and implementing an M&E system and plan, including a database to store and aggregate collected data. Additionally, you will provide technical expertise and leadership to generate and analyze quality evidence and data through monitoring, assessments, and evaluations. The M&E lead will ensure that the project M&E plan adheres to CRS’ MEAL Policies and Procedures, and program quality standards and donor requirements and continuously works towards improving the impact of its programming.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Provide management, guidance, and technical oversight for MEAL activities throughout the project cycle to ensure project design, start-up, implementation and close-out of the BHA supported Early Recovery, Risk Reduction, and Resilience (ER4) Activity in Nepal, are in line with CRS quality principles and standards and MEAL policies, procedures, and practices, donor guidelines, and industry best practices.
• Effectively manage talent for MEAL and supervise. Manage team dynamics and staff wellbeing. Provide coaching, strategically tailor individual development plans, and complete performance management for direct reports.
• Champion the development of program learning – identify opportunities for learning, research and publications in the Early Recovery, Risk Reduction, and Resilience (ER4) Activity and implementation of MEAL policy. Facilitate the dissemination of promising practices and lessons learned to contribute to the agency knowledge management agenda. Promote the application of learning to improve program quality and to strengthen agency influence among external stakeholders. Ensure integration of MEAL-related innovations and best practices.
• Provide management, guidance, and technical oversight for the development and implementation of high-quality MEAL systems and processes, including ICT4MEAL and the application of responsible data principles as per agency and donor requirements in the Resilience Food Security Activity. Promoting MEAL policies and good industry practices, champion the analysis and use of project performance data in the Early Recovery, Risk Reduction, and Resilience (ER4) Activity to inform decision-making and identify lessons learned. Facilitate connections between colleagues and peers to generate and share evidence-based learning.
• Provide management, guidance and technical oversight for project or program evaluation events and research in the Early Recovery, Risk Reduction, and Resilience (ER4) Activity, including the development of terms of reference or study protocols that include evaluation/learning questions, a balance of qualitative and quantitative methods, appropriate consideration of ethical and data protection standards, and the necessary technical rigor. Oversee the quality of evaluation data through good data management. Support the identification, recruitment, and management of external evaluators or research partners to ensure high quality evaluation, research, and learning.
• Oversee MEAL-related technical assistance and capacity strengthening activities in the Early Recovery, Risk Reduction, and Resilience (ER4) Activity for staff and partner organizations to enhance program quality and impact.
• Oversee the identification, assessment and strengthening of partnerships relevant to MEAL in the Early Recovery, Risk Reduction, and Resilience (ER4) Activity and the appropriate application of partnership concepts, tools and approaches.
• Oversee timely and appropriate project MEAL expenditures in line with financial plans and efficient use and stewardship of project material sources.
• Provide technical lead for analysis of MEAL data, qualitative and quantitative

Required Languages – English Fluency required. Proficiency in Nepali is desirable.

Travel – Must be willing and able to travel up to 30 %.

Key Working Relationships:

• Supervisory Responsibilities**:** M&E team (CRS and Partners)
• Internal: Country Manager, Head of Programming, Chief of Party, Thematic leads, Emergency Preparedness and Response Manager (EPRM), Operations Manager, Finance Manager, Human Resources Manager, Deputy Regional Directors, Regional Technical Advisors, Nepal Country Program Staff
• External***:*** BHA MEAL team, Agreement Officer, Social Welfare Council, Ministry of Home Affairs (MOHA), National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration (MoFAGA), Provincial Governments and corresponding Ministries/Departments, Sub-recipients, UN agencies, other USG Recipients for the DRR and Resilience, other stakeholders in Karnali and Sudur Paschim, Local Governments. The project is implemented through agreements with Government and civil society partners.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent relationship management skills with ability to influence and get buy-in from people not under direct supervision and to work with individuals in diverse geographical and cultural settings.
• Strong strategic, analytical, problem-solving and systems thinking skills with capacity to see the big picture and ability to make sound judgment
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Strong presentation, facilitation, training, mentoring, and coaching skills
• Proactive, resourceful and results-oriented

Basic Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in statistics or economics; or a degree in a relevant field with substantial course work in quantitative methods.
• A minimum of five years of professional experience in designing and implementing M&E systems in the context of humanitarian response or DRR programs is required.
• Two years of applicable experience can substitute for a master’s degree.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Good experience in MEAL management, including MEL Plan design, preferably for grants from multiple public donors, including BHA/USAID.
• Experience engaging with partner organizations
• MEAL skills and experience required.
• Staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment.
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, information management systems.
• Candidates with GESI diversity is a plus, including gender (female, other); marginalized groups; persons with disability; and, origin from geographically marginalized location
• Extensive experience in designing and implementing monitoring and evaluation systems as they are practiced in the context of humanitarian response, longer-term early recovery and DRR programs of similar size and complexity.
• Demonstrated experience in building or strengthening monitoring systems, quantitative and qualitative analysis, survey and sample design, and effectively promoting evidence-based program management with a strong understanding of the risk profile across systematically marginalized and vulnerable groups.
• Proven track record of successful M&E leadership in USG funded programs, including experience of multi-activity and diverse stakeholder projects.
• An understanding and demonstrated commitment to the importance of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.

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.

MEAL Competencies (for CRS MEAL Program Staff):

Each staff member in this position is expected to have advanced knowledge and ability and can apply the following competencies in new or complex situations. Guides other professionals:

• MEAL in Design
• Monitoring
• Evaluation
• Accountability
• Learning
• Analysis and Critical Thinking
• Management in MEAL
• ICT4MEAL

Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.

CRS’ talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

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.