Program Manager II – Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL)

• Bachelor’s degree in international development, statistics, economics, or a relevant field. Additional experience may substitute for some education.
  
• A minimum of 8 years’ experience in relevant field-based experience is required, with preferably at least 3 years’ working experience in MEAL.
  
• Strong quantitative skills, with proven ability to work with statistical software such as SPSS and ICT4D applications such as POWER BI, CommCare, GIS, etc.
  
• Experience in the use of key qualitative methods and tools.
  
• Experience in managing MEAL systems in moderately complex projects.
  

Preferred Qualifications and Experience

• Master’s Degree.
  
• Staff management experience with the ability to promote a collaborative and learning-oriented environment.
  
• Experience in designing and overseeing the implementation of program studies and evaluations, and use of findings to support adaptive management.
  
• Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
  
• Staff management experience and ability to foster a learning-oriented environment.
  
• Proficiency in MS Windows, MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), web conferencing applications, and information management systems.
  
• Strong experience in project and grants management, including project design, preferably with multiple public donors such as USAID.
  
• Demonstrated ability to write high-quality technical proposals.
  
• Experience engaging and collaborating effectively with partner organizations.
  
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to exercise sound judgment and offer innovative solutions.
  
• Excellent relationship management skills with the ability to engage effectively at all organizational levels, both internally and externally.
  
• Good presentation and facilitation skills.
  
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented, and results-driven
  

• Provide management support, guidance, and technical oversight of all MEAL systems in new and existing projects, supporting throughout the project cycle to ensure effective design, start-up, implementation, and close-out are in line with CRS policies and procedures, donor guidelines, and industry best practices.
  
• Effectively coach MEAL talent, supporting their routine work as well as helping advance MEAL quality. Develop strategically tailored individual development plans and support the performance planning cycle for MEAL staff. Advise on MEAL objectives for non-MEAL staff.
  
• Coordinate and oversee the development of data management systems, and ensure systems are fit for purpose, functional, and supportive of adaptive management.
  
• In collaboration with Country Office Information, Communications, and Technology (ICT) staff, support the integration and utilization of ICT4D tools to enhance data collection, analysis, reporting, and learning processes across projects, ensuring digital solutions align with MEAL standards and promoting timely, accurate, and actionable insights.
  
• Support the establishment of FCRM systems and periodically review their effectiveness and functionality, ensuring accountability to beneficiaries and timely use of feedback information.
  
• Design evaluation processes that enable learning and documentation of results. Develop TORs that are robust and appropriate to the project scope and context.
  
• Identify opportunities for cross-learning and facilitate data-informed learning events. Support research and facilitate the dissemination of promising practices to contribute to the agency and regional learning agenda. Support effective knowledge management and generation of data-rich marketing/comms products.
  
• Ensure integration of innovations and best practices, including advancing use of technology in MEAL.
  
• Contribute to the proactive pursuit of opportunities for new funding to ensure responsible growth in line with agency, regional, and CP strategic priorities. Support Serve as the MEAL lead to ensure quality proposals per agency and donor standards. Contribute to MEAL budgeting and staffing plans and activities for proposals.
  
• Design and deliver capacity-strengthening activities in MEAL for staff and partner organizations.
  
• Oversee the timely and appropriate project MEAL expenditures in line with financial plans and efficient use and stewardship of project material sources.
  
• Engage and share learning and resources with and learn from MEAL colleagues at the global level, as well as with CRS MEAL staff in other East and Southern African country offices.