Program Manager II - Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, Learning (MEAL) Central Africa Republic

Position Title:PM II – MEAL Manager (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning)

Location:Bangui, Central African Republic (CAR)

Region:Central Africa (CARO)

Band:D

FSLA:Exempt

Reports To:Head of Programming

Length of Assignment: Two to three years

About CRS:

Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. We welcome as a part of our staff and as partners people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need.

Background:

CRS has been working in CAR since 2007, with the main office in the capital Bangui and current field offices for a USAID-funded program in the provinces of Mbomou and Haut-Mbomou located in the cities of Obo, Zemio, and Rafai in the southeast of the country. CRS program portfolio includes: community-based early warning systems, food security, agriculture recovery, and peacebuilding, social cohesion and reconciliation.

CRS is now expanding programming to respond to the emergency and early recovery needs of the people of CAR, who have been, and continue to be, severely impacted by the events in the aftermath of the coup of March 2013. With private funding, CRS is providing food assistance in southwestern CAR in partnership with Caritas Mbaiki, and is providing support to Caritas CAR, Caritas Bossangoa, Caritas Bouar and Caritas Bozoum for emergency response and management of multiple IDP camps and urban responses with populations ranging from hundreds of displaced to tens of thousands. Anticipated donor funding will expand similar program activities in these areas as well.

Building on current experience, and in response to increasing intra-community violence (between Muslims and Christians, agriculturalists and pastoralists, and IDPs and residents), the country program is also prioritizing mainstreaming social cohesion and conflict mitigation programming throughout all sectors.

CRS seeks a qualified candidate for PM II - MEAL and Communications Manager who will work under the Head of Programming (HoP) for all programming, except the USAID-funded SECC program that has a dedicated M&E Manager and Information Officer. The aim and primary responsibility of this position is to lead the technical and strategic Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E), Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) activities for the country program and communicate evidenced-based results internally to inform management and program decisions, and externally to donors and program participants for accountability.

Primary Responsibilities:

Support to strengthen the capacity of project and partner staff on MEAL in line with CRS global and donor standards; generate quality strategic monitoring and evaluation information in a timely manner to influence programming and decision making; promote program accountability, learning and sharing among staff, partners and stakeholders; assist the country program in the areas of advocacy, fund-raising and donor-relations through the development of creative and timely communications to targeted audiences; advance country program strategic objectives by supporting service delivery to communities through effective and innovative communications; ensures compliance with donor branding and marking plans.

Specific Responsibilities:

Design, develop and implement the MEAL system

·Coordinate the design and development of the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, Learning (MEAL) system utilizing the standard CRS SMILER tool as well as other M&E guidance and tools.

·Ensure the establishment and improvement of the MEAL system according to CRS MEAL policies and procedures.

·Ensure the collection and analysis of accurate data (quantitatives and qualitatives), including data relative to the use of financial resources, to be used in decision-making for improved program performance.

·Ensurethe reliable and accurate count of different categories of project participantsbased on the definitions and procedures of the Agency.

·Design, plan and conduct the baseline survey, analyze and publish results.

·Conduct performance evaluations in terms of relevance, effectiveness and efficiency of the program.

·Identify the need for further studies and operational research based on the results of program performance evaluations, and conduct additional studies and operational research, as necessary.

·Actively participate in the design, implementation and analysis of final evaluation surveys in collaboration with external consultants.

·Ensure the visualization of the results and impact of programs with graphics, photos, videos and maps.

Participation and Responsibility report

·Ensure active participation of beneficiaries and other stakeholders in the MEAL process.

·Provide analysis and take into account the information needs of communities, project participants and other stakeholders in the MEAL system.

·Ensure transparent and effective targeting of project participants based on clear criteria and participatory methods.

·Design and develop an effective mechanism for collecting and responding to feedback from the communities and project participants.

·Facilitate the conduct of participatory community assessments, using the Appreciative Inquiry approach and the conceptual framework of Integral Human Development (IHD).

·Support communities in the design and implementation of their own system of monitoring and evaluation.

Learning and knowledge management

·Organize meetings/workshops for critical thinking and learning to guide decision-making and action.

·Ensure the identification, documentation, sharing and adoption of best practices and lessons learned.

Institutional Strengthening

·Assist M&E Officers to implement MEAL plans and to facilitate evidence-based program decisions.

·Provide technical assistance (TA), when needed, and/or identify technical resources to assist in institutional strengthening activities.

·Identify partners’ TA requirements through field visits and other means.

·Oversee the identification and, where appropriate, the management/coordination of consultant(s), hired to provide TA to the country program.

·Organize and undertake MEAL capacity building activities such as trainings, workshops and other visits for learning.

Linkages/networking

· Coordinate synergies between MEAL and other technical sectors of the program.

·Establish appropriate linkages especially with program partners.

·Represent the program in various forums and foster partnership with other stakeholders, particularly those supported by the USAID Mission.

Communications

·Develop an annual communication plan for CRS/CAR, outlining key messages that the country program wants to communicate to communities, donors, partners, peer NGOs, the government, CRS Headquarters, other CRS country programs and regions, private donors in the U.S. and U.S. Catholics more broadly.

·Document and package success stories to share with donors, CRS HQ and other audiences, as required.

·Create pro-active mechanisms (i.e., a bi-monthly donor newsletter) for reaching out to existing and potential donors with information about the country program.

·Create briefing materials.

·Manage production and editing of newsletters, reports and publications, as needed.

·Coordinate translation of documents in vernacular languages for various communities.

·Provide updated information for the CRS/CAR webpage on the agency website, as needed.

·Ensure CRS/CAR’s adherence to donor branding and marking requests and guidelines.

Programming and Management

·Collaborate with all PQ units to document initiatives and successes.

·Provide technical support to communications initiatives being planned and undertaken by CRS/CAR’s programming areas, such as the development of IEC material for communities.

·Provide technical support to the review of donor reports and publications, as needed.

·Advance the use of Information and Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D) within CRS programs.

·Manage, as needed, communications-related consultants, such as photographers.

·Work closely with other CRS/CAR program managers to ensure that communications, including branding, is included (and well-justified) in project proposals, and that any necessary budget provisions are made.

Mentoring and Supervision

• Work with program staff to develop and implement progressive but realistic staff development plans and annual performance plans using the CRS Performance Management System that are in line with country and agency strategic priorities.
• Provide necessary and timely feedback to all staff being directly managed; ensure program managers follow the same process for performance management of their direct reports. Champion effective and regular coaching of staff.
• Create a supervisory environment focused on achievement of results and embodiment of CRS values-based behaviors, in which constructive feedback is welcomed and appropriately provided and a team environment prevails.
• Build the capacity of programing staff in key project management principles, tools and approaches and ensure that these new skills are utilized on the job.
• Ensure the development of high-performing national program staff to assume greater levels of responsibility.
• Establish an annual internal training calendar for program staff; ensure that external training opportunities are fairly assigned to program staff and that training opportunities are maximized for the benefit of the programming team.
• Communicate and liaise effectively with field offices as needed to ensure effective program implementation.

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff) *These are rooted in the mission, values, and principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and to achieve the desired results.*

• Serves with Integrity.
• Models Stewardship.
• Cultivates Constructive Relationships.
• Promotes Learning.

Program Manager Competencies:

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.

· Sets clear goals and manages toward them.

· Collaborates effectively with staff and stakeholders.

· Manages financial resources with integrity.

· Applies program quality standards to project design and organizational learning.

Emergency Competencies:*
These are rooted in the mission, values, and principles of CRS and used by each staff working in emergencies to fulfill his or her responsibilities and to achieve the desired results.*

• Communicates strategically under pressure
• Manages stress and complexity
• Actively promotes safety and security
• Manages and implements high-quality emergency programs

Supervisory Responsibilities:

MEAL Officers in programs

Key Working Relationships:

Internal: Head of Programming, Program Managers.

External: Program Managers and M&E team, SARO and Headquarters; other official structures as appropriate

Qualifications:

· Master’s degree in development, statistics or related studies.

· At least 3 years of professional experience leading MEAL systems.

· Demonstrated skills in all areas of MEAL and knowledge management related to development programs.

· Experience in working with USG-funded programs.

· Ability and proven experience transferring knowledge through formal and informal training.

· Experience in evidence-based M&E.

· Experience managing staff, budgets and planning processes.

· Excellent writing, editing and publication skills, including photography and videography.

· Excellent presentation and communication skills.

· Previous experience working in Africa preferred.

· Team-oriented and strong interpersonal skills.

· Strong group process design and facilitation skills.

· Flexibility and ability to motivate.

MEAL Technical skills

·Be able to design and develop efficient tools for collecting monitoring data based on program results framework.

·Be able to design and develop effective questionnaires for quantitative surveys and interview guides for qualitative studies.

·Be able to design and develop tools for storing and processing data from routine and survey data:

ocreate and manage databases using Excel, Access Manager Base or other similar data management means,

ocreate and effectively structure survey data files.

·Possess knowledge of advanced techniques for random sampling, including the estimation of sample size, the calculation of weights, the calculation of the estimation errors, and confidence intervals.

·Have advanced descriptive statistics and statistical inference knowledge (select and perform appropriate statistical tests to remove the evidence of differences between results or between groups (experimental and control).

·Master at least one statistical software such as SPSS, SAS, STATA or equivalent, preferred.

Physical Requirements/Environment:

The position is based in Bangui, with national and international travel, as required - up to 40%; includes attendance at internal and external conferences and workshops, when requested. Travel within CAR includes areas with limited amenities.

Foreign Language Required:

Excellent English and French language oral and written communication skills required; knowledge of Sango or other local languages desired.

Disclaimer Clause:

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

Due to the environment of the job location, this position is a non-accompanied post

EOE/M/F/D/V

HOW TO APPLY:

Apply online at the CRS Website: Click Here