JOB DESCRIPTION

About CRS:

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. 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.

CRS has worked in Kenya since 1965. Over the years, CRS’ focus shifted from direct relief and food distributions to a comprehensive development program that works with partners and enhances local capacity. CRS Kenya development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding.

Job Summary:

As a member of the CRS Kenya Country Program Monitoring Evaluation Accountability and Learning (MEAL) team, you will provide MEAL technical support to the Graduating Generation Project within a range of project implementation issues, ensuring data is readily available to be used as a foundation for programmatic adjustments and evidence-based decision-making, in line with CRS program quality principles, standards and policies and procedures, donor requirements, and industry best practices, to advance the delivery of high-quality programming to the poor and vulnerable. Your MEAL knowledge and service-oriented approach will contribute to how effective, adaptive, and innovative CRS Kenya Graduation programming is towards improving the impact of its benefits to those we serve.

• Manage and implement all MEAL activities in the Graduating Generations Project, throughout relevant project cycles- project design, start-up, implementation, and close-out- as outlined in the project Detailed Implementation Plan to ensure efficient and effective implementation in line with CRS program quality principles and standards and MEAL policies, procedures and practices, donor MEAL requirements, and good industry practices.
• Lead the development and implementation of the Graduating Generations Project MEAL systems and practices while advancing the use of ICT4MEAL solutions, that effectively engage partners, donors, and other stakeholders and are compliant with CRS and donor MEAL requirements.
• Lead field level monitoring and evaluation activities of the project (including digital data collection), ensuring quality data collection and data management activities, and guiding staff and partners on timely analysis and reflection on project data and experiences for evidence-based decision making and adaptive management. Monitor and report any MEAL-related challenges and gaps identified to inform adjustments to plans and implementation schedules.
• Contribute to evaluation and research events through the development and/ or review of terms of reference that include a balance of qualitative and quantitative methods, and the necessary level of technical rigor.
• Lead the roll-out and implementation of the project’s Feedback, Complaints, and Response Mechanism (FCRM). Actively support community and stakeholder feedback processes to strengthen accountability and responsiveness. as defined by the FCRM.
• Promote documentation and application of lessons learned to enhance program quality and strengthen the agency’s influence. Assist with identifying information for case studies and reports on promising practices.
• Collaborate with local partner(s) to prepare MEAL-related aspects of reports per established reporting schedule. Support the Program Office, Regional and Agency level reporting.
• Serve as a resource person for MEAL in project design and proposal development, supporting the design of project-level theories of change, results frameworks, Proframes (logical frameworks), MEAL plans, and budgets.
• Build MEAL capacity of CRS project and partner staff to ensure assigned project MEAL activities are implemented per project guidelines and standards, optimizing partner participation and capacity development.
• Foster respectful relationships with community members and stakeholders,and serving as the liaison between them and the project team on MEAL activities.

• Bachelor’s degree in International Development, International Relations, Demography, Social Sciences, Statistics, Monitoring and Evaluation, or other MEAL related field is required.
• Minimum of three years’ NGO experience setting up and implementing MEAL systems for projects (preferably in Graduation, Financial Inclusion, Livelihoods).
• Experience in monitoring projects, collecting, analyzing, and sharing relevant data, using mobile data collection and management applications (e.g., Commcare, GIS, YouTrack, PowerBi).
• Experience conducting project surveys and evaluations, including supporting data analysis using SPSS or other data analysis software, writing reports, and facilitating the use of findings for adaptive project management.
• Experience working with partners, participatory action planning, and community engagement.
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, and information management systems.

Personal Skills and Abilities:

• Observation, active listening, and analytical skills with the ability to make sound judgment.
• Good relationship management skills and the ability to work closely with local partners and community members.
• Attention to detail, accuracy, and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities.
• Proactive, results-oriented, and service-oriented.
• Demonstrate commitment to respect, equity, diversity, and inclusion, including advocacy for gender equality in all aspects of work.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in ICT4MEAL, Knowledge Management, Learning, Gender integration in MEAL, and Proposal Development will be an added advantage.

MEAL Competencies (for CRS MEAL Program Staff)

Each staff member in this position is expected to have basic knowledge and ability and, with guidance, be able to apply the following competencies in common situations that present limited difficulties:

• Monitoring
• Evaluation
• Accountability
• Learning
• Analysis and Critical Thinking

In addition, each staff member in this position is expected to have elementary understanding of and to demonstrate a willingness and potential to learn about:

• MEAL in Design
• ICT4MEAL
• Management in MEAL

Required Languages: Excellent verbal and written communication in English, with the ability to write reports.

Travel: Must be willing and able to travel up to 60%.

Supervisory Responsibilities: No supervisory responsibilities.

Key Working Relationships:

Internal: Program Manager, Pastoral Livelihoods and Rangelands Restoration, Hub MEAL Manager, Graduating Generations Senior project officer, Finance and Admin Teams, Regional Technical Advisors MEAL, Graduation and ICT.

External: Local Implementing Partner (LIP), Peer agencies’ staff, Donors, Community members.

Agency Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

Agency competencies clarify expected behaviors and attitudes for all staff. When demonstrated, they create an engaging workplace, help staff achieve their best, and help CRS achieve agency goals. These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

• 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 enhances team and agency performance.
• Strategic Mindset – Understands role in translating, communicating, and implementing agency strategy and team priorities.

Disclaimer:

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

What we offer:

CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package 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” talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting men, women, boys and girls safe from abuse, exploitation, and harm.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply for this position, especially those from marginalized and people with disabilities backgrounds

Data Protection/Disclaimer: Catholic Relief Services is committed to ensuring the security and protection of the personal information that we process, and to provide a compliant and consistent approach to data protection.

Recruitment Disclaimer: We wish to notify that CRS do not demand or charge any fee/charges from the aspiring candidates for considering their candidature or at any time during the recruitment process, nor have we authorised any individual, agency or firm for recruiting candidates for us. Any person seeking employment with CRS needs to be cautious and not trust any agency or individual, claiming to be our representative, and charging fees for providing/securing employment with us.

By applying to this job, I understand and acknowledge that CRS requires its staff to treat all people with dignity and respect and to actively prevent harassment, abuse, exploitation, and human trafficking. Further, I understand that if I am a successful candidate, I will be subject to a comprehensive background check, and my personal/professional references will be asked to evaluate my behaviors related to the above safeguarding-related topics.