Job Summary:
The purpose of this position is to manage, strengthen, and provide strategic direction to the Nigeria Country Program MEAL system, ensure cross-learning in MEAL among projects, build the capacity of MEAL staff, and support the roll-out and implementation of the new MEAL policies and procedures. The MEAL Coordinator will be responsible for coordinating MEAL activities. The MEAL Coordinator will work closely with the MEAL leads of various projects, program teams and partner staff to develop high quality monitoring systems and tools which measure progress towards indicators set out in project proposals. He/she will ensure that accountability and learning from projects are systematically captured and used throughout the country program. He/she will also take learning needs into account, and develop and conduct capacity building for MEAL and program staff, with support of the PQ Director. S/he will be the knowledge management focal person for the Nigeria CP. The MEAL Coordinator will coordinate the implementation and maintenance of the country program learning agenda, will also work closely with the DCR Programs to ensure that the Nigeria country program complies with the agency’s regional and global MEAL systems and standards. . Within this new strategy is the implementing of the concept of the “Magic Triangle”, which brings together monitoring, evaluation, accountability & learning (MEAL), marketing & communications (Marcomm) and business development (BD). This is being done with the goal of utilizing project and program quality experiences, in support of country programming positioning and advocacy for optimal impact at scale.
Roles and Key Responsibilities:
MEAL Strategy & Design
Ensure that the Nigeria Country Program MEAL systems follow CRS’ global and regional MEAL policies, procedures, standards, and strategic initiatives.
Provide strategic direction for the development and maintenance of MEAL systems, and the roll-out of new initiatives.
Support the project MEAL and project management teams /working group members in the design and implementation of assessments, gender analysis, stakeholder analysis, organizational capacity assessments, and other pre-program data collection and analysis.
Work with the Business Development team to develop MEAL strategies for proposals, in alignment with relevant donor requirements.
MEAL Implementation
Manage agency driven MEAL inquiries, requirements (i.e. Participant and Service Delivery (PSDI) counts, and MEAL annual self-assessments)
Support the conduct of SMILER workshops as part of project startup activities
Contribute to donor reports, through high quality analysis of reports and interpretation of data.
Support learning-to-action events and reflection sessions to systematically analyze data for programmatic use, and to document and incorporate lessons learned into program design and implementation.
Ensure that MEAL and program teams regularly review, and accordingly adjust MEAL plans and tools, in the light of changes and needs in the field context based on monitoring data and reflection sessions.
Work closely with NE Emergency MEAL Coordinator and Emergency Coordinator to ensure that MEAL for emergency programming is implemented according to project plans and donor requirements
Support Program Managers to prepare and review past project reports (PPRs) to support learning within the CP
Evaluation
Develop an annual evaluation plan for all CP projects and emergency responses
Support projects to develop SoWs and protocols for all assessments and evaluations (baseline, midline, final)
Work with RTA MEAL to review evaluation SoWs in line with CRS MEAL Policies and Procedures
Assist projects to engage and supervise evaluation consultants and/or enumerators
Liaise with project MEAL staff to analyze data and finalize draft evaluation reports
Archive the reports of all studies, assessments and evaluation on Gateway for ease of reference/business development.
Capacity Strengthening
Lead the CRS Nigeria MEAL Community of Practice (CoP).
Develop and co-facilitate MEAL workshops and modules for staff and partners to share country program, regional, and global MEAL tools, processes, and best practices to cultivate a culture of learning.
Support DCR Programs to conduct orientations for new MEAL and program staff on CRS systems and key MEAL resources. Provide mentoring/accompaniment to CRS and partner staff to increase capacity and to achieve annual performance and development plans.
ICT for MEAL
Lead the CRS Nigeria MEAL Community of Practice (CoP).
Support MEAL and programming teams to develop strong project tracking, record keeping and filing methodologies for all activities, working with IT Unit
Work with the Project MEAL leads, IT Manager and IT staff to maximize the value and utility of ICT4D initiatives including the use of data collection (e.g. CommCare) and data visualization (e.g. PowerBI) software, and/or the roll out of similar initiatives
Oversee onboarding and orientation of new staff to MEAL and ICT4D/E, lead case studies, undertake research, and promote the creative application of new ICT4D/E technologies.
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
Required Languages – English
Travel – Must be willing and able to travel up to 25%.
Supervisory Responsibilities: This position will oversee the Feedback Desk Officer.
Key Working Relationships:
Internal: Country Representative, Deputy Country Representative, Program Quality Director, Chiefs of Party, Heads of Unit, Project MEAL leads, Central Africa Regional Team, CRS M&E Community of Practice.
External: Donors, international and local partners, and program beneficiaries.
Basic Qualifications
Master’s degree in a field related to international development.
At least 8-10 years of managerial experience with an NGO (experience with INGO preferred); in addition to significant MEAL experience.
Experience working with large donors e.g. USAID (including PEPFAR, BHA, FtF offices), Global Fund, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Familiarity with principles and current approaches to MEAL of development programs using both quantitative and qualitative methods, especially those of USAID and Global Fund.
Experience with participatory MEAL systems.
Proficiency in database development/management, SPSS, EPI-Info, Access, Excel and skills in analyzing, interpreting and communicating information to various stakeholders.
Experience using ICT for data collection and information visioning and mapping using GIS.
Significant experience in conducting quantitative and qualitative assessments and surveys (including sound understanding of sampling issues).
Previous experience with leading and managing studies and consultants.
Experience with facilitation, capacity strengthening and partnership building, with the capacity to empower staff through opportunities for growth & development.
Supervisory experience and management and team building skills.
Excellent planning and organization skills. Fluency in English (written and spoken).
Excellent oral and written communication skills, ability to work well with people, good judgment and commitment to CRS’ mission.
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