Job Title: Program Manager II – MEAL

Department: Programming/Rwanda/CARO

Reports To: Chief of Party I, Rwanda

Country/Location: Kigali, Rwanda

Salary Grade: 10

  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 Rwanda Program background:

Catholic Relief Services has been present in Rwanda since 1960, and currently implements projects in nutrition, WASH, agriculture, youth entrepreneurship, and peacebuilding. The Country Program has around 45 staff and implements its projects through local and international partners, with strong coordination/collaboration with Government of Rwanda structures. The FY20 program value is approximately $8 million

Job Summary:

Pending a successful bid for the award, the Program Manager II – MEAL will manage and provide technical oversight of the development and implementation of the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) system of a multi-year program in WASH. He/she will ensure that the MEL plan adheres to CRS’ MEAL Policies and Procedures and donor requirements.

The Program Manager II – MEAL will be responsible for designing and implementing the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Plan of the WASH project, which is aiming to improve access to, and utilization of, safe drinking water and sanitation services in ten districts in Rwanda. S/he will coordinate timely data collection, including linking with existing M&E from other GOR stakeholders, collation and analysis activities in the field, supervise Data Quality Assurance (DQA) processes, and lead MEAL capacity building activities for the WASH project and partners. His/her technical skills and knowledge will ensure the delivery of high-quality programming and continuously work towards improving the impact of WASH programming

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Provide management, guidance, and technical oversight of all new and existing MEAL activities throughout the project cycle to ensure project design, start-up, implementation and close-out of the multi-sectoral program are in line with CRS quality principles and standards, donor guidelines, and industry best practices.  Oversee and manage MEAL implementation of a complex multi-sectoral program.
• Build capacity of MEAL staff and partners to address their job requirements
• Lead the development of program learning with Chief of Party and Deputy Chief of Party to identify opportunities for learning, research, and publications and implementation of MEAL policy.
• Facilitate the dissemination of promising practices and lessons learned to contribute to the agency knowledge management agenda. Ensure integration of innovations and best practices.
• Provide technical lead for quality MEAL design, including tools and methods, appropriate to scope, context, and technical requirements of a project
• Provide technical lead for analysis of MEAL data, qualitative and quantitative
• Ensure quality of data and data management practices
• Integrate data analysis, reflection, and interpretation and use with ongoing project activities
• Ensure compliance with donor and agency MEAL requirements
• Communicate agency approach to MEAL and key findings, as appropriate, among CP colleagues and partners
• Cultivate relationships with community members and stakeholders
• Plan and budget appropriately for quality MEAL activities
• Ensure quality management practices of MEAL activities

Basic Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in International Development, International Relations or in the field of Monitoring and Evaluation, or Statistics required. Additional experience may substitute for some education.
• Minimum of 7 years’ experience in relevant field-based project management experience required, with preferably at least 3-5 years working in the area of MEAL,
• Experience in managing MEAL for moderately complex projects preferably with an international NGO.

Required Languages – Strong oral and written skills in both English and French/Kinyarwanda

Travel – Must be willing and able to travel up to 25%.

 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with ability to make sound judgment and decisions and offer innovative solutions
• Strong relations management abilities. Ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally. Strategic in how you approach each relationship.
• Good presentation and facilitation skills
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-oriented

 Preferred Qualifications

• Good experience in MEAL management, including MEL Plan design, preferably for grants from multiple public donors, including USAID.
• Familiarity with Collaborate, Learn, and Adapt (CLA) approaches
• 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.

 Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff)

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.

• Integrity
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation
• Builds Relationships
• Develops Talent
• Strategic Mindset
• Accountability & Stewardship

 Supervisory Responsibilities: Project MEAL staff

 Key Working Relationships:

Internal: Chief of Party, Deputy Chief of Party, Country Representative, Programming staff, Finance Manager, Deputy Regional Director for Program Quality, Regional Technical Advisors, HQ based Public Donor Liaison.

External: Partner MEAL staff

***Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

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

 Please note that this position is contingent upon award of the funding opportunity and the USAID’s approval of a Program Manager II – MEAL candidacy.

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

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Electronic applications-Only a motivation letter and a current detailed CV should be addressed to the CRS Country Representative exclusively at [email protected] not later than Monday, November 2, 2020 at 5:00pm.

Please, include below statement in your motivation letter:

“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”

Include also your full names and title “Program Manager II – MEAL” in the subject line. Due to anticipated high interest in this post and the expected number of applicants, only short-listed candidates will be contacted

Kigali. October 27, 2020

Jude-Marie Banatte

Country Representative

CRS/Rwanda Program