Technical Advisor II (MEAL)

About CRS

JOB DESCRIPTION

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. 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.

CRS has been working in Asia and the Pacific since the 1940s, and currently has over 600 staff working in five country programs (India, Nepal, Cambodia, Laos, and Philippines) and 6 program offices (Bangladesh, Myanmar, Vietnam, Indonesia, Timor Leste, and Micronesia), with outreach support provided to another 11 countries (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, China, Papua New Guinea, and Fiji). In Asia, CRS and partners deliver programs in emergency response and recovery, disaster risk reduction, agriculture/livelihoods, health, child protection, and inclusive education.

Job Summary

You will provide technical advice, guidance, and support for monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (MEAL) to a wide range of program design and implementation issues with a focus on larger projects in line with (CRS) program quality principles and standards, donor guidelines, and industry best practices to regional and Country Program (CP) teams to advance the delivery of high-quality programming to the poor and vulnerable. Your MEAL-related technical knowledge, advice and guidance will contribute to determining how effective, adaptive and innovative CRS’ programming is across the globe. In Asia, the majority of CRS’ work is in disaster preparedness, response and recovery, and we continue to support strategic partners in development and systems strengthening programs to achieve longer-term outcomes. You will be delivering technical advice for a range of implementing contexts and be asked to occasionally provide MEAL leadership in large-scale emergencies.

Roles And Key Responsibilities

• Contribute to the development and implementation of agency-wide strategies, standards, tools, and best practices in MEAL that effectively engage partners, donors and governments. Help ensure a cross-sectoral approach integrating gender, protection mainstreaming, and social cohesion into MEAL.
• Provide MEAL-related technical solutions to regional and CP teams, remotely and on-site, for strategic planning and how to best apply program design and implementation standards, best practices, partnership principles, tools, and M&E, ensuring high-quality implementation.
• Contribute to regional and CP efforts to pre-position CRS for growth opportunities. Lead or contribute to the development of the MEAL portions of the technical design for large and/or complex proposals, including defining appropriate monitoring systems and indicators. Advise project teams on integrating donor MEAL strategies, priorities and technical requirements into CRS’ approach.
• Lead or remotely support emergency response and recovery teams to incorporate promising and best practices for MEAL in emergencies. Guide country teams and partners to utilize MEAL for informed design choices and program quality improvement, and capture lessons and recommendations for strengthening our MEAL in emergencies practice.
• Guide country program teams in the development of project MEAL systems that meet donor requirements and adhere to the agency’s MEAL policies, procedures, and practices. Contribute to the customization and design of digital forms for data collection and the design of approaches for data visualization that facilitate use of data and quality reporting. Contribute to or lead the periodic review of MEAL systems, particularly for large and complex projects.
• Contribute to capacity strengthening initiatives in MEAL for staff and partners through helping develop learning and training strategies and agendas/curriculums, conducting trainings and workshops, and mentoring and coaching to CP staff. Lead the MEAL community of practice and foster MEAL sharing and learning amongst the broader program leadership community in the region.
• Contribute to knowledge management and learning through collecting and analyzing program data, evaluating strategic projects, assisting with measuring program impact, capturing and sharing lessons learned and best practices, and research and internal reports. Where possible, establish links to the regional strategy and operational plans for strengthening our evidence base across the region.
• Support country programs with the quality implementation of and compliance to MEAL policies and procedures (MPP) and other agency-level MEAL initiatives. Ensure MPP-required regional MEAL reviews including: reviews of concept notes and proposals with a view to logical coherence of theories of change and results framework, appropriate outcome measurement and methods, and adequate budgeting for MEAL; and reviews of terms of reference for project baselines and evaluation events.
• Establish and maintain relationships with donors, peer organizations, research and other institutions. Participate in MEAL forums to collect and share best practices and promote CRS’ work.
  
  

Basic Qualifications

• Master's Degree in international development, statistics, MEAL, or another related field required.
• Minimum of five years relevant international working experience in an advisory or management role with progressive responsibilities, ideally with an international NGO, with minimum of three years working for programming interventions in MEAL.
• Previous experience working in complex and large-scale emergency response programming is required.
• Previous experience providing technical assistance and developing successful proposals for external donor funding is required.
• Demonstrated application of technical principles and concepts in MEAL. General knowledge of other related disciplines to ensure proper cross-sectoral approach.
• Experience in business development, project design and proposal development, including technical writing.
• Experience in mentoring, coaching, facilitation and training applying adult learning principles and practices, including in remote and virtual settings.
• Experience with program monitoring and evaluation, including applying data collection tools and methodologies, data analysis, and data presentation.
• Experience and skills in networking and relations with donors, peer organizations, and faith-based and civil society partners. Understanding of partnership principles.
• Proficient in MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, Statistical analysis software, ICT systems for data collection (Android-based), information and budget management systems, knowledge-sharing networks.
  
  

Required Languages

Strong English written and verbal communication required.

Travel

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

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
  
  

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

Supervisory Responsibilities

No supervisory responsibilities.

Key Working Relationships

Internal – Deputy Regional Director-Program Quality, Regional Director, Sectoral RTAs and regional MEAL TAs, Regional ICT Manager, Heads of Programming, Country Managers, Country Representatives, MEAL and non-MEAL program staff, global MEAL team (other RTAs MEAL and PIQA MEAL staff)

External - Consultants working in MEAL, professional associations, donors, other NGOs, partner organizations

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
• ICT4MEAL
• MEAL in Management
  
  

Each Staff Member In This Position Is Expected To Have Expert Knowledge And Ability And Can Apply The Following Competencies In The Most Complex Situations, Including Emergencies. Develops New Approaches, Methods Or Policies In The Area. Is Recognized As An Expert, Internally And Externally

• MEAL in Design
• Learning
  
  

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. 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.

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

CRS prioritizes candidates who are citizens/ permanent residents of the countries where we have CRS offices.

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer