Job Title: MEAL Advisor
Department: Programming/INECD
Band: 10
Reports To: Chief of Party
Country/Location: Rwanda, (Kigali)
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, nutrition, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding.
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 over 80 staff and implements its projects through local and international partners, with strong coordination/collaboration with Government of Rwanda Priorities.
Program Description
The Gikuriro Kuri Bose (GKB) – Inclusive Nutrition and Early Childhood Development (INECD) program, a 5-year USAID funded activity (October 1, 2021 – September 30, 2026), has a broad focus on strengthening governance and coordination of inclusive nutrition and early childhood development (ECD) service delivery at national and decentralized levels; improving access and availability of high-quality inclusive nurturing care services; and increasing household resources and skills to provide optimum nurturing care and to promote healthy growth and development of children in the target areas. It also aims to address child development gaps and significant unmet physical rehabilitation and assistive technology (rehab/AT) and social inclusion needs for infants and children. The activity is focusing on community-level service delivery, community-health facility linkages and district level capacity development, as well as addressing issues of inclusion and participation, including access to programs and services for children and adults with disabilities, in line with Government of Rwanda priorities.
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the prime of INECD and is implementing the Program in consortium with four technical partners and four implementing partners.The program is implemented in 10 districts: Kicukiro, Nyarugenge, Rwamagana, Rulindo, Burera, Nyabihu, Kayonza, Ngoma, Nyamasheke and Nyanza. It aims to improve the health, functioning, nutritional status, and wellbeing of women of reproductive age and children under six years of age, with an emphasis on the 1,000-day window, strengthen inclusion of children and adults with disabilities, and improve positive parenting and child development.
The GKB project boasts a robust and adaptable MEAL design which is working through existing MOH/NCDA systems for data collection and reporting. In addition to routine monitoring activities, annual survey data is collected using ICT4D tools, and evaluations are conducted to assess progress at baseline, at midterm, and endline. Project learning is advanced via regular quarterly pause and reflection meetings and other activities, and partner and LCSO capacity is strengthened through MEAL training, on-job training, joint supportive and appreciative enquiry. Gikuriro Kuri Bose MEAL Team, including the MEAL Advisor, Deputy MEAL Advisor, Collaboration and Learning Advisor, Data Specialist and Partner MEAL Officers are responsible to ensure the development, coordination, and smooth implementation of these activities.
Primary Function
The MEAL Advisor will take the lead in the management and adaptation of the MEAL system in collaboration with other program staff, implementing partners, and external stakeholders. S/he will ensure that the program complies with the agency’s MEAL standards. The MEAL Advisor should have the ability to work sensitively and positively with program staff and promote a learning environment. S/he is also expected to have a high level of self-initiative and use critical thinking skills to identify and fill gaps. The MEAL Advisor will supervise the Knowledge Management and Learning Advisor, and will provide support to implementing partner M&E staff.
Specific Responsibilities:
Monitoring and Evaluation
- Ensure that the Project is in compliance with CRS’ MEAL Policies and Procedures and strategic initiatives.
- Coordinate the implementation of program evaluations/assessments such as annual surveys, mid-term and final evaluations, and special studies and operations research.
- Collaborate with the Chief of Party to communicate evaluation findings to key stakeholders. Communications should be tailored to the needs of various audiences.
- Collaborate with program staff on implementation of M&E plans including data management, data cleaning, analysis and learning mechanisms; refine these systems based on lessons learned.
- Continually update the MEAL operations manual to ensure all MEAL related documents and tools are organized, up-to-date, and accessible.
- Ensure the consistency of tools and indicators across all partners as appropriate.
- Lead the implementation of data quality controls and annual data quality assessments to ensure the integrity of project data.
- Work with MEAL and IT staff to incorporate and maximize the value and utility of ICT4MEAL initiatives, including the use of CommCare, Power BI, Yutrack, bar coding systems for distribution activities, and/or the roll out of similar initiatives.
- Ensure MEAL systems allow for timely and quality reporting both internally and externally for timely decision making.
- Support the MEAL team in strategically preparing and reviewing MEAL calendars
- Organize and undertake MEAL capacity building activities such as trainings, workshops and other visits for learning.
- Conduct field monitoring visits events frequently with project teams and implementing partners.
- Coordinate with Chief of Party and Finance staff to maintain, track, and adjust MEAL budget throughout the life of the project.
Accountability
- Lead an Accountability Working Group, made up of project consortium members and other NGOs with an interest in increased program participants accountability in Rwanda.
- Support programming staff to incorporate participatory methods into community level M&E systems and tools.
- Orient program staff and partners on the basic principles and practices of program participants accountability.
- Guide project Advisors to ensure that they consult with male and female program participants in one or more communities to define indicators for project success.
- Lead the development and implementation of feedback and response channels to reflect the preferences of communities members and beneficiairies.
- Ensure that program participants feedback is adequately documented, addressed, analyzed, and utilized by program teams
Learning
- 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
- 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.
- Supervise and support the CLA Advisor in his/her key activities including development of a learning agenda, organizing regular learning events, supporting operations research, and reflecting, documentation, and communication of learning initiatives.
Knowledge Management
- Guide and monitor MEAL teams in developing and overseeing the knowledge management and knowledge sharing systems and practices to gather, document and share best practices of consortium members.
- Facilitate the identification of lessons learned and best practices and collaborate with MEAL staff and program Advisors to develop learning briefs and technical manuals for dissemination.
- Guide MEAL team to promote adoption of best practices in knowledge management by other consortium members/technical partners.
Linkages/Networking:
- Coordinate synergy between MEAL team and technical staff.
- Establish appropriate linkages especially with the Government agencies at the national level.
- In coordination with the Chief of Party, represent the consortium in various forums and foster partnership with other stakeholders, particularly those supported by the USAID Mission.
Other
Any other M&E related tasks assigned by the Chief of Party.
Key Working Relationships:
Internal: GKB MEAL Advisor, CLA Advisor, Data Specialist, Deputy Chief of Party, Chief of Party; Cluster Manager and Coordinators, GKB Technical Advisors, Regional Technical Advisor for MEAL
External: International and local implementing partners, USAID, Government of Rwanda, particularly the Ministry of Health both at National and District levels, program volunteers, program participants, and other NGOs.
Professional Qualifications:
- A master’s degree in international development, Statistics, Epidemiology, Mathematics, Social science of any related fields plus at least five years of professional experience in MEAL programming.
- At least five years of Advisorial experience with an NGO (experience with INGO preferred); in addition to significant MEAL experience, previous international experience is a plus.
- Experience working with large donors (i.e. USAID, EU, UKAID)
- Demonstrated experience with collection/analysis of health, epidemiological and implementation science data
- Familiarity with principles and current approaches to MEAL of development programs using both quantitative and qualitative methods, especially those of USAID funded activities.
- Experience with participatory MEAL systems
- Familiarity with program participants accountability mechanisms
- Proficiency in database development/management, and skills in analyzing, interpreting and communicating data and information to various stakeholders
- Experience using ICT4D for data collection
- Significant experience in conducting quantitative and qualitative assessments and surveys
- 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
- Ability to transfer knowledge through formal and informal training
- Supervisory experience and management and team building skills
- Excellent planning and organization skills
- Flexibility to work both in a team and independently
- Cultural sensitivity, patience and flexibility
- Demonstrated personal accountability and driven to serve others
- Fluency in English (written and spoken). Fluency in French and/or Kinyarwanda is an asset.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills, ability to work well with people, good judgment and commitment to CRS’ mission
- Willingness to travel within Rwanda.
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.
- Builds & Maintains Trust
- Collaborates with Others
- Open to Learn
- Leads Change
- Develops & Recognizes Others
- Strategic Mindset
- Personnel Accountability
- Acts with Integrity
Supervisory Responsibilities:
Deputy MEAL Advisor, CLA Advisor, Data Specialist and 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. This is a key personnel position hence contingent upon successful approval of a candidate by USAID.
CRS’ talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.
CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer
How to apply
Interested and qualified candidates should complete the attached application form, Self -Declaration Clause and submit them together with one page Cover letter plus updated CV (maximum three pages) all in/as one document – via email only to: RW_HR@crs.org not later than Friday September 29th, 2023, at 5:00pm.
Please, include below statement in your cover 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.”
Also include your full names and title “MEAL Advisor @ Band 10” 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 September 19th, 2023.
Hans Fly
Country Representative
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