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, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding. For nearly 60 years, CRS has taken the lead in responding to natural and man-made disasters affecting Ethiopia's most vulnerable communities. Moving beyond emergency response, CRS' disaster mitigation and recovery projects in drought and flood-prone areas have rebuilt individual and community assets through non-food aid in the form of agriculture, livestock, health, nutrition, and water and sanitation assistance. CRS's humanitarian work in Ethiopia also provides livelihoods support to farmers and entrepreneurs, promotes equality and inclusion, and mitigates the impact of COVID-19.

As part of CRS family, you will join the more than 5000 strong and vibrant individuals working globally to accomplish the mission of CRS. CRS/Ethiopia invites you, the qualified candidate, to apply for the following position.

Job Title:                        Deputy Chief of Party II - JEOP MEAL

Band:                              11

Required number:        One

Department:                 Programming/JEOP

Employment Term:      Indefinite Term

Reports To:                   JEOP Chief of Party

Country/Location:       CRS Ethiopia/Addis Ababa

Job Summary

As Deputy Chief of Party II – MEAL, you will provide overall management of and have responsibility for managing the monitoring, collaboration, learning and evaluation components of the Joint Emergency Operation (JEOP) project, and act on behalf of the Chief of Party as needed, including global representation to the donor to serve the poor and vulnerable. Your management and technical knowledge will ensure the delivery of high-quality programming and advance the position of CRS as a leading agency in resilience programming. As a senior leader you will proactively manage security and mitigate security risks.

Roles and Responsibilities:

1.       Activity Design and Refinement

•  Guidance on JEOP Theory of Change: Lead the technical direction in shaping and refining the JEOP theory of change throughout its lifecycle.

• Utilization of Evidence from CLA: Ensure that insights from Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) initiatives are effectively applied to enhance the JEOP Theory of Change.

• Collaboration with Learning Partners: Foster partnerships with local academics, researchers, and learning partners to strengthen Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) efforts.

• Support for Research and Design: Collaborate with the CLA lead and learning partner to implement research initiatives that contribute to a more effective JEOP design.

• Coordination for Collaborative Learning: Work alongside the CLA Lead to engage all team members in collaborative and learning activities within the designated implementation area.

 2.       MEAL System Design

• Strategic MEAL Oversight and Compliance: Provide high-level feedback, analysis, and strategic direction for the MEAL systems. Ensure compliance with CRS’ global, regional policies, USAID/BHA requirements, and other strategic initiatives.

• MEAL System Development and Maintenance: Lead the design, development, and maintenance of comprehensive MEAL systems. Ensure consistency in tools, indicators, and methods across partners, sectors, and programs. Incorporate participatory methods at the community level.

• Data Collection, Analysis, and Learning: Direct and support the design and implementation of various assessments, gender analysis, stakeholder analysis, and other pre-program data collection. Collect, analyze, and leverage lessons learned and best practices from ongoing and past programs to inform new projects.

• Documentation and Communication: Generate high-quality, results-based documentation, including donor communication pieces, proposal annexes, success stories, and case studies, utilizing program data, evaluations, and other relevant information.

• Strategic Program Development: Collaborate with senior management to identify, pursue, and capitalize on strategic opportunities for program development, expansion, and continuous improvement.

3.       MEAL System Implementation

• MEAL Evaluations and Assessments: Lead essential evaluations, needs assessments, annual surveys, and other evaluation efforts.

• MEAL Operational Management: Update the JEOP MEAL operation manual to ensure its relevance and quality. Ensure it encompasses tools, data flow maps, and analysis plans essential for program quality and donor reporting.

• Agency MEAL Requirements: Oversee agency-driven MEAL inquiries and requirements, including end-of-year beneficiary counts, Annual MPP self-assessments, and other mandates.

• Reporting and Proposal Contribution: Analyze and interpret data to contribute high-quality insights to donor proposals and reports.

• MEAL Calendar Management: Collaborate with the MEAL team to prepare, review, and optimize MEAL calendars, ensuring timely evaluations and assessments.

• Beneficiary Feedback and Accountability: Ensure robust and transparent beneficiary feedback mechanisms are in place, monitored, and effectively utilized by program teams for continuous improvement.

• PDM Leadership: Lead and oversee the entire Post Distribution Monitoring (PDM) process, ensuring timely evaluations of distributions, analyzing feedback, and ensuring that insights inform future distributions.

4.       Capacity Strengthening

• MEAL Community Collaboration: Collaborate with the Country Program (CP) MEAL Manager and RFSA MEAL DCOP to bolster the CRS Ethiopia MEAL Community of Practice, promoting cross-office learning and resource sharing.

• MEAL Workshops and Training: Design and co-facilitate MEAL workshops for staff and partners, emphasizing MEAL tools, processes, and best practices, fostering a learning-centric culture.

• Orientation for New Staff: Organize and conduct orientations introducing new MEAL and program staff to essential CRS systems and pivotal MEAL resources.

• Mentoring and Capacity Building: Provide consistent mentoring to CRS and partner staff, enhancing their capacity to fulfill annual performance and development plans.

• Staying Updated on MEAL Trends: Remain abreast of global MEAL trends, resources, and CRS MEAL community developments, ensuring the JEOP MEAL team aligns with CRS MEAL guidance and policies.

• Field Monitoring and Partner Collaboration: Regularly conduct field monitoring visits in collaboration with project teams and implementing partners, ensuring on-ground effectiveness.

• Feedback for MEAL System Enhancement: Offer constructive feedback to senior project and MEAL staff, targeting the enhancement of the overall MEAL system and the quality execution of MEAL activities. 

5.       Accountability Mechanisms

• Beneficiary-Centered Feedback Systems: Develop and implement robust feedback mechanisms that prioritize beneficiaries, ensuring their voices are central to program adjustments and refinements.

• Beneficiary Data Protection: Implement strict measures to protect the personal data of beneficiaries, ensuring that their privacy is respected and that data is only used for intended purposes.

• Community Sensitization: Organize community sensitization sessions, emphasizing the rights of beneficiaries, the organization's commitment to their protection, and ways they can report any concerns.

6.       Learning and Knowledge Management

• Research Initiatives: Collaborate with JEOP’s learning partner to design and execute research projects to gather insights on program efficacy, beneficiary needs, and potential areas for improvement. Collaborate with external research institutions or experts when needed.

• Knowledge Repository: Create and maintain a centralized knowledge repository that consolidates findings, best practices, and lessons learned from various projects. Ensure easy accessibility for staff and relevant stakeholders.

• Learning Workshops: Organize regular workshops and training sessions to disseminate research findings, introduce new methodologies, and foster a culture of continuous learning among team members.

• Stakeholder Collaboration: Engage with beneficiaries, partners, and other stakeholders in participatory research and feedback sessions. This ensures diverse perspectives are included in the learning process.

• Knowledge Dissemination: Develop and distribute knowledge products, such as case studies, research papers, and policy briefs, to share insights and best practices with a broader audience, both internally and externally.

• Continuous Improvement: Regularly review and update research methodologies, knowledge management tools, and learning approaches to ensure alignment with global best practices and the evolving needs of the program. 

7.       Digital Management Information System

• Project Tracking and Record Keeping: Collaborate with MEAL and programming teams to establish robust methodologies for project tracking, record-keeping, and filing, ensuring streamlined operations and easy data retrieval.

• ICT4MEAL Enhancement: Partner with MEAL and IT teams to optimize the application of Information and Communication Technologies for MEAL (ICT4MEAL) initiatives, maximizing their utility and impact.

• Technology Identification for DMIS: Provide direction to the JEOP team in selecting the most suitable technology platforms and tools for the successful deployment of JEOP’s Digital Management Information System (DMIS).

• Innovation in DMIS: Champion the continuous innovation and enhancement of JEOP's DMIS, focusing on achieving higher data accuracy, security, and improving overall intervention quality.

• Coordination with External MIS Platforms: Lead the JEOP ICT4MEAL team to collaborate effectively with external stakeholders, integrating with platforms such as the PSNP MIS, World Bank MIS, and other JEOP systems, promoting data synchronization and holistic learning.

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 enhance team and agency performance.

Strategic Mindset – Understands role in translating, communicating, and implementing agency strategy and team priorities.

Job Requirements

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

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

• Strong 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 skills.

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

Preferred Qualifications

• Recognized technical experience and qualifications in sector

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

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

• Experience in MS Office package (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio), Web Conferencing Applications, and information and budget management systems.

How to Apply

You should fill the application form through this link:  CLICK HERE on / before the application deadline December 29, 2023. You will be contacted only if selected for written exam/interview. Phone solicitations will not be accepted. 

CRS requires its staff to treat all people with dignity and respect and to actively prevent harassment, abuse, exploitation, and human trafficking. 

** Qualified women & persons with disability are highly encouraged to apply**

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer