MEAL Officer

Job Title:                                        MEAL Officer 

Department/Location:              Program Department- Sindh office 

Reports To:                              Deputy Head of office  

Supervises:                                   M&E Assistant

Context:

CRS Pakistan started its operations in 1954 and is currently working in areas of WASH, Livelihoods, and Education, . Alongside this, CRS continues to work in the areas of emergency response, disaster preparedness and mitigation. The northern Sindh programming in Jacobabad and Kashmore Districts, Sindh Province was established following the floods in July / August 2010.  

 

The MEAL Officer in Sindh ensures consistent availability of quality services to ensure timely and effective monitoring and evaluation of the CRS programs in Sindh Province.

Job Description:

Primary Responsibilities: 

The MEAL Officer is responsible for providing technical monitoring and evaluation support to program teams and overseeing all M&E plans for programs. These responsibilities include but are not limited to designing monitoring and evaluation tools, planning surveys or evaluations, analysing and reporting quantitative and qualitative M&E data, and working with local partners to build their capacity. The MEAL Officer is expected to regularly visit field areas and supervise the M&E assistant.

 

The MEAL Officer will ensure that CRS Pakistan’s Accountability Framework and cross-cutting principles are incorporated into project design and implementation. S/he will also lead learning and reflection activities to improve project quality, monitor results and impact, share lessons learned, and ensure that accountability and other cross-cutting issues are adequately incorporated into project and MEAL activities

Key Responsibilities 

1. MEAL Responsibilities:

• Actively plan, maintain and communicate a schedule of MEAL activities for the Sukkur office
• Create M&E and Analysis Plans with Program Quality Manager and ensure compliance
• Develop and ensure adherence to a detailed implementation plan for M&E activities
• Develop related project qualitative and quantitative M&E tools with the technical support from Program Quality Manager
• Train project and partner staff in using relevant M&E tools
• Field test tools with partner staff and modify as necessary with close coordination of specific Program Managers
• Develop and maintain M&E binders and collected data
• Develop and maintain information tracking systems (tracking sheets or databases) for indicators and Indicator Performance Tracking Tables
• Conduct project surveys or evaluations, advising Program Managers in regards to methodology, staff requirements, and timing of surveys or evaluations
• Support Program Managers to ensure that sufficient data is collected regularly for project decision making and reporting
• Ensure that all collected data is analysed, reported, and used for programmatic design and decision making
• Plan and conduct assessments with support from Program Quality Manager and Head of Programs
• Lead reflection events and other learning events
• Catalogue lessons learned and achievements in the field for better programmatic design and decision making, and for donor reporting and cultivation
• Lead the office’s accountability practices, including developing methodologies, and collecting and analysing data
• Write reports regarding collected M&E data in a timely manner
• Train project and partner staff in M&E concepts, methods, and skills
• Work with the Program Quality Manager to identify opportunities to strengthen the office’s overall monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning activities in accordance with CRS’ worldwide MEAL policies and procedures

 

2. ICT4D:

• Design and maintain databases to store monitoring, assessment and evaluation data for analysis and easy reporting to program managers
• In collaboration with the IT team, manage and maintain iPod Touch devices, and iFormBuilder accounts and licenses
• Train field teams and partner staff using iForm Builder and iPod Touch devices as necessary to support optimal usage of ICT solutions
• Transcribe M&E tools into iFormBuilder
• Document and share best practices and lessons learned with Country Program, Regional, and Global ICT4D teams
• Proactively identify new opportunities for to leverage ICT solutions for better programming
• Liaise with Program Quality Manager and Head of Programs to comply with any Regional or Global guidance on new ICT initiatives
• Train Sukkur MEAL team, Program Managers, and IT staff on iFormBuilder and other ICT solutions for programming and MEAL
• Expose team members from other Country Program offices on ICT solutions, offering realistic benefits and problems that could arise with adoption of the technologies

 

3. Field Support Liaison and Other Duties:

 

• Regularly use tracking tables with CRS/partner staff to examine progress towards objectives
• Conduct regular M&E visit to field, collect data with the help of partners and assist in preparation of monthly/quarterly report
• Train and orient CRS and partner staff on CRS M&E standards, guidance, resources, with particular attention to M&E tools, roles and responsibilities with the Program Manager
• Any additional tasks assigned by Deputy Head of Office or Program Quality Manager

Emergency Response:

As CRS Pakistan responds to disaster situations, staff may be called upon to support program operations. Willingness and flexibility to perform tasks other than described in this job description and work longer hours than normal as necessary to complete critical tasks is required.

 

Key Working Relationships: 

Internal:  Head of Office, Deputy Head of Office, Program Quality Manager, Head of Programs, Program Managers, Project Officers, IT Manager, MEAL RTA, RISA, & all program staff

 

External:  Partner staff, INGOs and other agencies.

 

Relevant Experience: 

Professional Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in statistics, mathematics, computer science, economics, research methods, development studies, or related field; Master’s degree preferred
• Minimum four years of M & E experience on similar position in relief and development organization,  preferably in INGO
• Proven experience of capacity building of local NGOs on M&E
• Computer literate (Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook, Internet explorer)
• Proven experience working on databases like Microsoft Access, SQL Server or SPSS
• Experience using qualitative and quantitative methods and developing tools
• Ability to analyse and interpret qualitative and quantitative data and communicate results with a variety of stakeholders

 

Personal Skills:

• Excellent analytical skills
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Ready to travel to remote areas of Pakistan for extended periods as well as travel domestically upon short notice
• Fluent in written and spoken English

Preferred:

• Training and facilitation experience, including designing training contents
• Experience with participatory approach to community development
• Knowledge of local languages, especially Sindhi

 

Note:  List of responsibilities, professional and personal skills are considered indicative and not exhaustive; actual duties may differ or change depending on office and agency priorities at the time.