Primary Responsibilities: 
The MEAL Coordinator will ensure MEAL management and full readiness of MEAL implementation across all of CRS Nepal’s programs – specifically early recovery programs that includes but is not limited to shelter, WASH, livelihood and community accountability; ensuring capacity building of program teams and partner staff in developing high quality monitoring systems and tools; lead and guide midterm review and evaluation, learning and reflection across all programs; provide significant input to the proposal development and design stage and provide support to M&E sections within the proposal. 

The MEAL Coordinator will also provide focused MEAL support to the CRS Nepal Recovery program portfolio to include: strengthening of MEAL systems and standards; establishing sound project design and accountability systems; carrying out initiatives to promote learning and improved knowledge management; increasing MEAL capacity of staff and partners; and scaling up innovative and efficient Information Technology for Development (ICT4D) approaches. S/he will work collaborate closely with program staff and supervise project-level M&E Officers. The MEAL Coordinator will possess technical oversight over the MEAL Officer work plans and maintain review and approval authority over the quality of deliverables produced.  He or she will coordinate with Program Managers and Head of Programs to coordinate activities/responsibilities being undertaken by the MEAL officer.

Under the supervision of the Head of Programing, the MEAL Coordinator will work with Program Managers, MEAL staff, other project staff and partner staff to ensure full compliance with grants’ documentation requirements as per MEAL policy and procedures, communicate project successes to relevant stakeholders, prepare timely and accurate reports for dissemination in and outside of CRS, and provide technical support to staff and partners.

Primary Responsibilities:
MEAL Systems Support:

• Ensure compliance with the Agency MEAL policy and standards for the Nepal Earthquake Recovery program to include the development of necessary MEAL tools and systems in line with CRS guidance
• Assist in the preparation of data necessary for required reports to donors with an emphasis on data quality assurance
• Provide support to quarterly and annual planning exercises to assess progress versus objectives, identify lessons learned, and analyze performance data for decision making
• Engage in ongoing dialogue with Nepal program staff to ensure relevance, logic, and critical assumptions in all aspects of program design throughout the project cycle
• Ensure coordination, tracking, and follow-up of Nepal Earthquake Recovery Program MEAL priorities to ensure critical deadlines and commitments are met
• Coordinate the development of monitoring tools and data collection methods, drawing on best practices and existing tools

Program Design & Development:

Participate actively in proposal design and development processes for the Nepal program including:

• Leading/coordinating needs assessments
• Developing theories of change, ProFrames, and performance monitoring plans according to donor and CRS requirements
• Providing input into proposal budgeting and staffing plans pertaining to MEAL and ICT4D
• Ensure development of SMART indicators that can be disaggregated across common geographic and other sub-groups and vulnerability categories as necessary
• Seek out opportunities for integrating operations research or other innovative techniques for generating evidence and learning

Evaluation, Learning & Knowledge Management:

• Development of terms of reference for baseline, midterm and final evaluations
• Coordinate the implementation of required program evaluations (impact, baseline, mid-term, final, etc.) and support analysis and formulation of recommendations
• Assist in the development of terms of reference and preparation of contracts for necessary MEAL consultancies for the Nepal program portfolio
• Contribute to the development of success stories, lessons learned documents, case studies, and other MEAL-related publications for various audiences
• Ensure sound systems are in place for safeguarding of project databases, filing of supporting documentation for data collection, and uploading of final versions of key MEAL products (i.e. Operating Manuals, evaluation reports, etc.) to Gateway

Capacity building:

• Provide input and feedback for M&E Officer performance plans and appraisals in collaboration with program managers. 
• Assess MEAL training needs for Nepal program staff and implementing partners and develop a capacity building plan in collaboration with the Nepal Head of Programs and Regional MEAL Manager.

Accountability Systems:

• Champion the integration of accountability systems in all Nepal Earthquake Recovery projects as appropriate
• Collaborate with project staff to ensure establishment of sound communications strategies with target communities regarding project objectives and the roles and responsibilities of CRS and all key stakeholders
• Lead the design of beneficiary feedback, complaints, and redress mechanisms that incorporate beneficiary input throughout the project cycle (design, monitoring, and evaluation) and respect dignity and confidentiality
• Ensure transparent beneficiary targeting and registration processes based on clear and consistent criteria and procedures.

ICT for MEAL:

• Apply knowledge on information and communication technologies (ICT), both hardware and software, for opportune and accurate data collection, analysis and decision making
• Support and train M&E Officers to ensure high quality, efficient data collection and analysis through the use of ICT4D tools.

Key Working Relationships

Internal:Head of Programs-Nepal, South Asia MEAL PM, Country Representative, Shelter/ WASH and Livelihoods PMs, MEAL Officers, Accountability Technical Advisor

External: Implementing Partners 

Qualifications:
Essential:

• Minimum 7 years’ progressively responsible experience in MEAL
• University degree in international development, economics, statistics or related field
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate multiple tasks among various staff and departments not under supervisory control
• Ability to facilitate workshops, make presentations, and conduct trainings of MEAL topics for both specialists and non-specialist audiences
• Fluent in English and Nepali
• Excellent knowledge of standard computer programs: Windows, Word, Excel, PowerPoint
• Demonstrated knowledge of ICT4D approaches and tools
• Willingness to travel to the field up 30-40% of the time

Desirable:

• Self-motivated, flexible and ability to work both independently and in teams
• Detail-oriented with strong capacity in quality data analysis, planning and organization
• Strong interpersonal, communication and organizational skills as well as good judgment and commitment to achieving high standards of excellence

MEAL Competencies

• MEAL in Design: Developing project-level Theories of Change, Results Frameworks, Proframes, related MEAL system tools and components, and accompanying MEAL narratives
• Monitoring: Implementing monitoring activities, including timely collection of quality data, set up and maintenance of databases, facilitation of participatory reflection on monitoring results, and submission of timely progress reports
• Accountability: Improving our accountability to a range of stakeholders through increased participation, transparent communication, responsive feedback mechanisms and adherence to internal and external quality standards and requirements
• Evaluation: Supporting project and program evaluations and reviews by ensuring the quality of evaluation methods, tools, and data and facilitating the use of evaluation results to inform decision-making and enhance learning
• Learning: Promoting excellent knowledge management and collaborative learning processes at the project, program and institutional levels, generating robust evidence for project and programmatic learning that leads to action, decision-making and influence
• Analysis and Critical Thinking: Engaging with data, challenging biases and assumptions, posing thoughtful questions, pursuing deeper understanding of evidence through reflection and perspective-taking, and making informed programming decisions
• ICT for MEAL: Applying knowledge on information and communication technologies (ICT), both hardware and software, for opportune and accurate data collection, database management, conducting 

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff)
These are rooted in the mission, values, and principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and to achieve the desired results.

• Serves with Integrity
• Models Stewardship
• Cultivates Constructive Relationships
• Promotes Learning

LENGTH OF ASSIGNMENT : 1 year with possibility of extension
SUPERVISION : MEAL Officers 
REPORTS TO : Head of Programming 

TO APPLY:

Interested candidates may apply with a detailed C.V. stating current salary drawn and expected salary and giving details of three references to [email protected].
Only short listed candidates will be notified and called for interview.

CRS is an equal-opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of national origin, caste, religion, race, HIV Status etc. Qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply. 

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

Disclaimer Clause:  This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position