Project Manager II – MEAL Land Restoration Initiative

About Catholic Relief Services: Catholic Relief Services (CRS) carries out the commitment of the 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 has worked in Uganda since 1965, initially providing emergency assistance to Sudanese refugees living in the north. Over the years, CRS has expanded its programming to address needs across the country. CRS’ projects in Uganda currently include agriculture and value chain, landscape restoration and climate change adaption, health and health systems strengthening, microfinance, and DRR, humanitarian response and recovery. CRS Uganda implements its programs through partnerships with other organizations, including the Catholic Church, faith-based organizations, international and Ugandan NGOs, government ministries, private sector companies and academia, for maximum impact and sustainability. CRS Uganda employs around 180 staff and has its main office in Kampala, with sub-offices in Moroto, Yumbe, and Kikuube districts. With our more than 30 partners, we served over 1m Ugandans in 2021.

Job Summary: You will lead and ensure high quality project monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (MEAL) of a Land Restoration Initiative in Uganda under the Restore Africa Program of the Global Evergreening Alliance (GEA), of which CRS is a member. CRS in Uganda serves as the Lead Implementing Organization for the Land Restoration Initiative, in a standing partnership with World Vision Uganda and CARE International Uganda. The team is completed with ICRAF, ECOTRUST, and the Uganda Landcare Network. You will lead the project’s MEAL Team; develop the project MEAL system and train CRS staff and partners in on the MEAL system and all related topics. You will lead the implementation of all project MEAL activities. Your project MEAL skills and knowledge of the program area will ensure that the project will deliver high-quality programming, expected results, accountability to beneficiaries and other stakeholders, and continuously works towards improving and increasing project impact.

Job Roles and Responsibilities:

• Ensure the development, testing, and roll-out of project-level MEAL systems, including performance monitoring plans (PMP), performance indicator reference sheets (PIR), indicator performance tracking table (IPTT), data collection instruments, data and reporting flow maps, feedback and response mechanisms (FRM), and detailed implementation plan (DIP).

• Ensure effective planning, coordination, and integration of MEAL efforts and reporting with other CRS programs to optimize the use of shared MEAL teams, assets and facilities, and strengthen the collective impact of interventions.

• Adapt and test existing MEAL technical guidelines, frameworks, standard operating procedures, data collection tools, and databases on program related interventions. Lead the development of MEAL technical guidelines for all project interventions.

• Plan and oversee the implementation of the MEAL system in line with the program’s detailed implementation plan. Coordinate implementation of monitoring and accountability activities and processes (including ICT4D). Track compliance with donor requirements on deliverables, timelines and reporting.

• Recruit, train, and supervise MEAL staff. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching, strategically tailor individual development plans, and complete performance management for direct reports. Identify MEAL staff capacity and technical assistance needs and support capacity strengthening activities. Lead goal setting and performance management for MEAL staff and contribute to same for staff shared with other CRS programs.

• Provide management, guidance, technical oversight, and direct supervision of the program’s MEAL team, including consultants and other MEAL collaborators.

Typical Background, Experience & Requirements:

Education and Experience:

• At least 7 years of technical experience in developing and directly implementing MEAL systems for agro-forestry, regreening and/or carbon credit programming

• Strong critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills with ability to make sound judgment. Proven ability to plan and manage multiple tasks in parallel. Capacity to respond rapidly to evolving challenges, devise appropriate solutions and achieve results.

• Cultural awareness and the capacity to learn rapidly and adapt management approaches to varying cultural and security contexts.

• Strong relationship management skills and the ability to work effectively with culturally diverse groups. Experience and skills in implementing matrix management for programs and operations field teams.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills with ability to write reports and analyze data.

• Experience with leading MEAL on complex projects.

• Experience conducting SMART surveys

• Strong qualitative analysis skills

• Understanding and experience implementing feedback response accountability systems

• Direct project management experience with ICT4D, including CommCare is highly desirable.

• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, information management systems.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Good experience in project grants management, including project design and sub-grant management, budget management, preferably for grants from multiple public donors and large private foundations.

• Established leader in sector as demonstrated by peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations etc.

• Demonstrated experience of successful program management, stakeholder management, including management of complex, high-value, multi-activity projects, with complicated logistics.

• Experience engaging partners and strengthening partnerships. Knowledge of CRS partnership strategy a plus.

• Demonstrated ability to write high-quality technical proposals and reports.

• Experience engaging with partner organizations • MEAL skills and experience required, ICT4D skills and especially GIS mapping a plus.

• Staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to creating a collaborative learning environment.

• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, information management systems.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent strategic, analytical, systems thinking, and problem-solving skills, with the capacity to see the big picture and the ability to make sound judgments and decisions.

• Excellent relations management abilities. Ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally. Strategic in how you approach each relationship.

• Team leadership abilities with diverse/multi-disciplinary teams. Coaching/mentoring skills.

• Strong communications and presentation skills; able to develop tailored and persuasive messaging for varied audiences.

• Consortium management experience preferred

• Good presentation and facilitation skills

• Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented, and results-oriented.

Required Languages – English Travel Required: Must be willing and able to travel up to 25 %. Supervisory Responsibilities: Project Officers – MEAL Key Working Relationships:

Internal: Chief of Party, all project staff and other CRS MEAL staff. External: Partner staff, MEAL staff from other peer agencies

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.

• Integrity

• Continuous Improvement & Innovation

• Builds Relationships

• Develops Talent

• Strategic Mindset

• Accountability & Stewardship

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

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer