Summary
The Program Manager II – MEAL serves as the country program’s subject-matter expert and lead for the implementation of CRS Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) policies and standards across multiple large and complex projects. The role provides strategic oversight of project and country-level MEAL systems, ensuring quality design, compliance, data integrity, learning, and accountability throughout the program cycle. The MEAL Coordinator supports new program development, strengthens partner and staff MEAL capacity, and promotes a culture of learning and continuous improvement to advance high-quality programming and CRS’ mission of serving the poor and vulnerable.
Roles and Key Responsibilities
- Provide leadership and technical oversight for the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of MEAL systems across large and complex country program projects, ensuring alignment with CRS MEAL policy, accountability frameworks, and Program Quality standards.
- Provide oversight on different project’s MEAL system, tools and capacity to develop, implement, supervise and strengthen data collection, management and reporting systems at all levels (community, health structures and partners), ensuring the quality, reliability and regularity of data.
- Effectively manage and supervise program talent. Create strategic, clear and actionable goals and objectives for program team members. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching, strategically tailored individual development plans, and complete performance management for direct reports.
- Lead the development of program learning. Proactively identify opportunities for learning, research and publications related to MEAL policy. Disseminate promising practices and lessons learned findings to contribute to the agency's knowledge management agenda. Ensure integration of innovations and best practices.
- Proactively learn, adapt and promote a culture of learning and accountability and beneficiary feedback mechanism in programming
- Act as leader and advisor to regional and CP efforts to pre-position CRS for growth opportunities in MEAL. Provide technical guidance on the development of large or complex proposals, including defining appropriate monitoring systems and indicators. Design and implement methodologies for project teams to integrate donor strategies, priorities and requirements into CRS’ approach.
- Oversee technical assistance and capacity strengthening activities for program staff and partner organizations to enhance program quality and impact.
- Oversee the identification, assessment and strengthening of partnerships relevant programs. Ensure the appropriate application of partnership concepts, tools and approaches.
- Ensure timely and appropriate project expenditures in line with financial plans and efficient use and stewardship of project material sources.
- Oversee the identification, evaluation and strengthening of partnerships relevant to MEAL and the appropriate application of partnership concepts, tools and approaches.
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in International Development, International Relations, Sociology, Statistics, MEAL or in a related field.
- Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience with preferably at least 2-3 years working in the area of MEAL.
- Experience in managing projects of large scale and complexity.
- Experience successfully managing MEAL programs.
- Experience successfully managing a team of professionals and developing a strong learning environment.
- Strong experience in project grants management, including project design, preferably for grants from multiple public donors, including USAID.
- Experience engaging with partner organizations.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s degree in international development, International Relations, MEAL or a related field.
- Experience in an international NGO.
- Statistical data analysis packages (SPSS, Stata or R), web conferencing applications, and information management systems.
- Demonstrated ability to write high quality technical proposals.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with ability to make sound judgment and decisions and offer innovative solutions.
- Excellent data analysis (quantitative and qualitative) and database management skills.
- Excellent communication and drafting skills for effective reporting in English.
- Strong relations management capabilities. Ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally. Ability to strategically approach each relationship.
- Excellent presentation and facilitation skills
- Proactive, results-oriented, and service-oriented mindset.
- Attention to detail, accuracy and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities.
Required languages: Fluency in English. Fluency in French, Swahili is a plus.
Travel: Must be willing and able to travel up to 40%.
Supervisory Responsibilities: Yes
Qualifications
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in International Development, International Relations, Sociology, Statistics, MEAL or in a related field.
- Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience with preferably at least 2-3 years working in the area of MEAL.
- Experience in managing projects of large scale and complexity.
- Experience successfully managing MEAL programs.
- Experience successfully managing a team of professionals and developing a strong learning environment.
- Strong experience in project grants management, including project design, preferably for grants from multiple public donors, including USAID.
- Experience engaging with partner organizations.
Agency Competencies (for all CRS Staff):
- 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.
What we offer
CRS offers U.S. based staff a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, and a generous retirement savings plan. Benefits packages for successful candidates employed outside the U.S. are based on the country of employment/in-country office where the candidate will perform the role. CRS´ work culture is a collaborative, mission-driven culture committed to improving the lives of the poor throughout the world.
Organization context
General Requirements
CRS offers are contingent on the selected candidate’s ability to legally work where the position is to be performed. Every government has a unique set of work permit eligibility requirements. All positions requiring residence or frequent travel outside a home country must undergo and clear a pre-employment medical clearance; some work permit processes require clearing a separate government administered medical examination.
CRS prioritizes candidates who are citizens/ permanent residents of the countries where we have CRS offices.
