Program Quality and MEAL Manager (PM I) – Iraq

You will manage and provide technical oversight of the development and implementation of Shared Future’s Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) and Program Quality (PQ) activities, ensuring effective systems and processes are in place that support high-quality programming advancing Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) work in serving the poor and vulnerable. Your management skills and knowledge will ensure that the CP delivers high-quality programming and continuously works towards improving the impact of its programming.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Provide management, guidance, and technical oversight to MEAL and PQ activities throughout relevant project cycles – project design, start-up, implementation and close-out – to ensure efficient and effective implementation in line with CRS program quality principles and standards, donor requirements, and good practices. Ensure project teams and partner staff to use the appropriate systems and tools.
• Effectively manage talent and supervise Shared Future MEAL staff. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching, strategically tailor individual development plans, contribute to the recruitment process of project staff, and complete performance management for direct reports.
• Lead the development of program learning – identify opportunities for learning, research and publications in the area of MEAL and Program Quality. Facilitate the dissemination of promising practices and lessons learned to contribute to the agency knowledge management agenda. Ensure integration of innovations and best practices. Lead project-specific MEAL activities as required, such as project evaluations.
• Champion learning with project staff and partner teams. Analyze, evaluate and document project performance data following MEAL policy. Proactively identify issues and concerns and use participatory processes to overcome implementation obstacles, inform decision making and identify lessons learned.
• Lead the timely preparation of high-quality donor reports, quarterly performance indicator tracking tables, as well as other reports as needed/required by the local government, donors, the region or headquarters, including baseline, midline, and end line surveys and evaluations.
• Act as a key resource person in project design and proposal development in respective programming and MEAL and ICT4D areas, gap-filling and taking on growth responsibilities, as needed.
• Coordinate assessment and identification of staff capacity and technical assistance needs of partner organizations and capacity strengthening and required interventions to support quality project implementation.
• Help identify, assess, and strengthen partnerships relevant to MEAL, specifically data collection and analysis, learning activities and accountability, applying appropriate application of partnership concepts, tools and approaches.
• Coordinate and monitor financial and material resources relevant to MEAL activities for the project . Through planning and oversight ensure efficient use of project resources.
• Proficiency using MS Windows and other MS Office packages (Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications (Microsoft Teams) required

Required Languages – Fluent oral and written English is required; Arabic is a plus.

Travel– The position is based in Erbil, with 30% travel to project sites in Iraq,primarily in Kirkuk & Ninewa governorates. Regional and international travel for training, as needed.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills with ability to make sound judgment.
• Strong relationship management skills and the ability to work effectively with culturally diverse groups.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with ability to write reports
• Proactive, results-oriented, and service-oriented

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience using CommCare, PowerBI, web conferencing applications, information management systems, and other ICT4D platforms.
• Experience in designing and conducting trainings
• Experience leading participatory assessments, data collection and other MEAL processes, including baseline and endline evaluations.
• Experience developing and leading enumerator field teams in complex environments.
• Experience contributing to the development of technical proposals.

QUALIFICATIONS

Basic Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in International Development, International Relations, Social Research Methods, Monitoring and Evaluation or relevant field. Additional experience may substitute for some education.
• Minimum of 2 years of relevant field-based experience in coordinating or managing light to moderately complex projects required, preferably with an international NGO.
• Experience engaging with partner organizations.
• MEAL experience and ICT4D skills, including quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and managing data

Agency REDI 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.

• Personal Accountability
• Acts with Integrity
• Collaborates with Others
• Builds and Maintains Trust
• Open to Learn
• Strategic Mindset
• Develops and Recognizes Others
• Leads Change

***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.

In order to issue residency and work permits in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, the local Authorities require foreigners to undergo the following medical tests: 1) Hepatitis B; 2) Hepatitis C; 3) HIV; 4) Schistosomiasis; and 5) Tuberculosis. A positive test may prevent individuals from obtaining residency and work permits and may result in deportation as well as a temporary or permanent ban from re-entering the whole of Iraq.

Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.

Note: All positions requiring residence or frequent travel outside their home country must undergo and clear a pre-employment medical examination.

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