Job Title:                    Senior Project Officer – Qualitative Monitoring and Reporting

Department:             Resilience Food Security Activity (RFSA) 

Band:                         VIII (8)

Reports To:                Program Manager – Evaluation, Quality Improvement and Accountability

Country/Location:    Ethiopia/Dire Dawa

Number required:    One

Term of Employment: Definite (i.e till June 30, 2026)

Job Summary:

As a lead for the RFSA team on qualitative monitoring and reporting, you will facilitate the achievement of project objectives through coordinating and reporting on all project activities and providing technical guidance and advice to staff and implementing partner(s) advancing Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) work serving the poor and vulnerable. Your coordination and relationship management skills will ensure that the project for which you are responsible applies best practices and constantly works towards improving the impact of its benefits to those we serve and ensures sustainability our outcomes. You will guide and lead the development of RFSA’s qualitative monitoring strategy and tools. You will also lead the design and execution of high-quality qualitative studies to complement each other. You will build capacity of field teams in utilizing qualitative monitoring tools and ensure that results from the monitoring and studies are used to inform program improvement and reporting. You will guide the team in ensuring performance reports include analysis of qualitative results. Your role in qualitative monitoring and reporting shall focus on the sustainability of our interventions after the completion of RFSA. 

Job Responsibilities:

• Organize and lead the implementation of qualitative monitoring strategies and studies as outlined in the detailed implementation plan in line with CRS program quality principles and standards, donor requirements, and good practices.

• Conduct post-distribution monitoring surveys.

• Ensure monitoring activities focus on RFSA’s sustainability strategy.

• Ensure learning properly accompanies project activities throughout the project cycle utilizing results from qualitative monitoring and studies. 

• Support accountability through coordinating project evaluation activities and guiding partners in their efforts to reflect on project experiences. 

• Analyze implementation challenges and report any inconsistencies and/or gaps to inform adjustments to plans and implementation schedules.

• Coordinate and oversee working relationships with all local project stakeholders and serve as the liaison between them and the project team to mobilize local actors and promote project activities and impact.

• Supervise and perform ad-hoc inspections of various processes and resources at project sites to ensure timely project activities implementation & adherence to established process standards and procedures. 

• Ensure proper tracking of resource use for project activities through periodic budget reviews and follow-up with and assistance to implementing partner.

• Support and coordinate capacity building and technical support activities to ensure assigned project activities are implemented per project guidelines and standards.

• Coordinate provision of any logistical and administrative support to staff and partners.

• Ensure project documentation for assigned activities is complete with all required documents and is filed per agency and donor requirements. 

• Assist with preparation of trends analysis reports and documentation of case studies and promising practices.

Job Requirements

Typical Background, Experience & Requirements:

Education and Experience

• Masters’ or Bachelor's Degree required. Degree in social studies or in the field of qualitative research methods would be a plus.

• Minimum of 3 years of work experience for Master’s and 5 years for Bachelor’s in project support, ideally in the field of qualitative research and for an NGO.

• Extensive experience working with partners, participatory action planning & community engagement.

• Staff supervision experience a plus.

• Knowledgeable on qualitative research principle, concepts, and tools.

• Experience monitoring projects and collecting relevant data.

• Proficient in using qualitative analysis software including SPSS, STATA, NVivo, Atlas or related software.

• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

Personal Skills 

• Analysis and problem-solving skills with ability to make sound judgment.

• Good relationship management skills and the ability to work closely with local partners.

• Proactive, results-oriented, and service-oriented.

• Attention to details, accuracy, and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities.

• Proven record of working in collaboration with others.

Required Foreign Language – Proficient in English.

Travel Required (50% field travel to woredas and kebeles) 

Key Working Relationships: 

Supervisory role: Not Applicable

Internal: COP, DCoP Programming, MEAL, and Youth/Gender, ELRP Technical Managers, RFSA MEAL Team.

External:  Implementing partner organizations, Government staff managing accountability programmes, other organizations working in Accountability.

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.

Disclaimer:  This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, 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.

How to Apply

If you are ready to take on this rewarding opportunity and make a difference in the lives of others, you may fill out the application form through THIS LINK and attach your up-to-date CV on/before the application deadline on January 19, 2025. You will be contacted only if selected for a written exam/interview. Phone solicitations will not be accepted, and these job opportunities are open to Ethiopian nationals only. 

CRS' talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

Qualified females and persons with disabilities are highly encouraged to apply.

Equal Opportunity Employer