Project Officer – Monitoring & Evaluation (Isiolo) at Catholic Relief Services
About the job
Job Description
Reports To: Senior Project Officer – M&E
Length of Contract: One year with annual renewal subject to availability of funds
About CRS
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) carries out the commitment of the Catholic Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. We welcome as a part of our staff and as partners people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need.
CRS is an international non-governmental organization (NGO) supporting relief and development work in over 100 countries around the world. CRS programs assist persons on the basis of need, regardless of creed, ethnicity, race or nationality. CRS works through local church and non-church partners, including the Government to implement its programs.
CRS opened operations in Kenya in 1965. For over 50 years, we have worked throughout the country to implement programs in agriculture, livelihoods, health and nutrition, water, sanitation, emergency relief and peace building. We have built deep relationships with the Government of Kenya and the Catholic Church through ongoing collaboration and support.
Background
CRS is leading the Nawiri Project, a consortium of international non-governmental organizations, local implementing partners and international/ national research institutions to implement a multi-year USAID Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) Resilience Food Security Activity (RFSA). Our partner agencies include Isiolo and Marsabit county governments, Isiolo and Marsabit Caritas, JSI, Village Enterprise, Concern Worldwide, Tufts University and Kenyatta University. The overarching goal of this multi-sectoral activity is to sustainably reduce levels of Persistent Acute Malnutrition (PAM) in Marsabit and Isiolo Counties of Kenya’s arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs). Following completion of Phase 1 (Oct. 2019 – Feb. 2022), the project is now in its implementation phase, focused on systems and institutional strengthening. An extension period means the project will now run until 2027, but with less presence over time as local actors including county governments increasingly take over.
Job Summary
The Project Officer – M&E herein referred to as the M&E Officer works closely with the Nawiri M&E Manager and Senior Project Officer – M&E in developing, testing, and refining data collection tools, systems, and processes for program monitoring and evaluation, in line with the required CRS and USAID BHA guidelines. The M&E Officers participate in M&E related activities in the county where they are based. The M&E Officers supervise enumerators and data entry clerks when required. The M&E Officer also collaborates closely with consortium partner M&E and sector staff to ensure data is collected in a timely and accurate manner and entered onto the data management platform, so it reflects on the Nawiri dashboards accurately and on a timely basis. As part of the overall CP MEAL unit, the M&E Officers contribute to learning with other CP MEAL staff during Pause and Reflect (P&R) sessions, catch-up meetings, and other learning events.
Roles And Key Responsibilities
- Participate in the implementation of project M&E practices that effectively engage partners and other relevant stakeholders and are compliant with consortium, agency, and donor MEAL requirements.
- Provide input to and support project M&E system adaptation and data collection tools to measure program/project impact and progress.
- Participate in data verifications, field monitoring, simple analyses and in collaboration with the project Project Officer – Accountability and Learning (A&L) per county, in reflective review sessions using monitoring data and trends to contribute field-based insights to project discussions, programmatic adjustments, evidence-based decision-making and learning.
- Conduct data quality checks with the SPO – M&E and internal assessments. When required, participate in external data quality assessments led by USAID BHA, and support the resolution of data quality issues.
- Participate in the implementation of internal surveys, namely but not limited to participant based annual surveys (PaBS), Recurrent Resilience Analysis (RRA) and post distribution monitoring (PDMs) amongst others.
- Support regularly updating Nawiri’s database and dashboard. Help troubleshoot and communicate challenging issues, to contribute to optimal performance.
- Oversee and support the work of enumerators, data entry clerks and interns (as needed).
Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities
- Analysis and problem-solving skills with ability to make sound judgment.
- Good relationship management skills and the ability to work closely, influence and get buy-in from staff and local partners.
- Proactive, results-oriented, and service-oriented.
- Attention to details, accuracy, and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities.
- Presentation, facilitation, training, and mentoring skills.
- Strong active listening and communication skills using both formal and informal approaches.
- High integrity with ability to manage sensitive information professionally while maintaining confidentiality.
- Demonstrated commitment to respect, equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Required Languages: Excellent verbal and written communication in English, with ability to write reports.
Travel: Must be willing and able to travel to the field up to 60% in the assigned county and in the sister county as needed.
Supervisory Responsibilities: Possible supervision of enumerators, data entry clerks, and interns (when needed).
Key Working Relationships
Internal: M&E SPO, A&L Officers, Project staff, Information and Communications Technology (ICT) staff.
External: Implementing partner M&E officers and consortium partner staff, peer agencies’ staff, and community members.
Qualifications
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in international development, nutrition, public health, Demography, Social Sciences, Statistics, Monitoring and Evaluation, or other MEAL related field is required.
- Minimum of three years’ NGO experience in designing and managing monitoring and evaluation systems for moderately complex projects, funded by USAID, preferably in food security and nutrition related projects.
- Knowledge of USAID MEL technical principles, guidance, and concepts and experience collecting USAID indicators.
- Experience and skills in partner relationship management, staff supervision, participatory action planning and community engagement is a plus.
- Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, information management systems, knowledge-sharing networks.
- Experience in using mobile-data collection and management software (e.g ODK, Commcare,I-form builder, Kobo)
- Demonstrated experience in facilitating groups, meetings, and events (both online and in-person), resulting in collaborative decision-making with agreed-upon action items/priorities.
- Experience working in Marsabit or Isiolo, with the ability to speak a local language, will be an added advantage.
MEAL Competencies (for CRS MEAL Program Staff)
Each Staff Member In This Position Is Expected To Have Basic Knowledge And Ability And, With Guidance, Be Able To Apply The Following Competencies In Common Situations That Present Limited Difficulties
- Monitoring
- Evaluation
- Accountability
- Learning
- Analysis and Critical Thinking
About
In addition, each staff member in this position is expected to have elementary understanding of and to demonstrate a willingness and potential to learn about:
- MEAL in Design
- ICT4MEAL
- Management in MEAL
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 enhances team and agency performance.
- Strategic Mindset – Understands role in translating, communicating, and implementing agency strategy and team priorities.
Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.
What We Offer
CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package and the opportunity to work in a collaborative, mission-driven culture that is committed to improving the lives of the poor throughout the world.
- 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.
CRS Kenya strives to be a place where a diverse mix of talented people want to come and work, stay, and do their best.
CRS provides equal employment opportunity to all qualified employees and applicants for employment and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, ancestry or national origin, sex, age, marital status, physical or mental disability or handicap, medical condition and any other status protected by law. As an equal opportunity employer, CRS will recruit, hire, train and promote persons solely on their qualifications and abilities.
CRS’ emphasis on family values supports benefits, including maternity and paternity leave, policies that promote exclusive breastfeeding, the availability of a baby room at the office, and flexible working hours where possible. Women and persons with disabilities are highly encouraged to apply.
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.
The protection of your personal data is important to Catholic Relief Services. By submitting your application, you consent to CRS using your personal data only for the recruitment process to have all the information and documents necessary to proceed with the recruitment, validation of your application and selection of the most suitable candidate. Your personal data will be treated confidentially. CRS will not use your personal data in any other way other than for purposes of recruitment.
About Us
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.
Organization
CRS’ talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all people – especially children and vulnerable adults – to live free from abuse and harm.
CRS welcomes candidates from the countries and regions in which we work. In the event the successful candidate is an expatriate or global telecommuter, the anticipated duration of the assignment is informed by a term limit, based on the type and level of the job and the needs of the agency.
CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer