Job Title: Deputy MEAL Advisor/ Program Manager I

Department: Gikuriro Kuri Bose (GKB)

Band: 9

Reports To: MEAL Advisor, Gikuriro Kuri Bose

Country/Location: Rwanda (Kigali)

About CRS

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) 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.

CRS has been present in Rwanda since 1960, and currently implements projects in nutrition, agriculture, youth entrepreneurship and peacebuilding. The Country Program has around 80 staff and implements its projects through local and international partners, with strong coordination/collaboration with Government of Rwanda (GoR) structures.

Program Description

The Gikuriro Kuri Bose (GKB) - Inclusive Nutrition and Early Childhood Development (INECD) program, a 5-year USAID funded activity (October 1, 2021 – September 31, 2026), has a broad focus on strengthening governance and coordination of inclusive nutrition and early childhood development (ECD) service delivery at national and decentralized levels; improving access and availability of high-quality inclusive nurturing care services; and increasing household resources and skills to provide optimum nurturing care and to promote healthy growth and development of children in the target areas. It also aims to address child development gaps and significant unmet physical rehabilitation and assistive technology (rehab/AT) and social inclusion needs for infants and children. The activity will focus on community-level service delivery, community-health facility linkages and district level capacity development, as well as address issues of inclusion and participation, including access to programs and services for children and adults with disabilities, in line with Government of Rwanda priorities. Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the prime of INECD and is implementing Program in consortium with four partners: Humanity Inclusion (HI), UMUHUZA, Three Stones International (TSI), University of Global Health Equity (UGHE) and four sub-partners (LCSO – Local Civil Society Organizations): CARITAS, African Evangelistic Enterprise (AEE), Young Women Christian Association (YWCA), Duharanire Amajyambere y’Icyaro - Association pour le Développement Rural Intégré (DUHAMIC-ADRI). The program is implemented in 10 districts: Kicukiro, Nyarugenge, Rwamagana, Rulindo, Burera, Nyabihu, Kayonza, Ngoma, Nyamasheke and Nyanza. The Program aims to improve the health, functioning, nutritional status, and wellbeing of women of reproductive age and children under six years of age, with an emphasis on the 1,000-day window, strengthen inclusion of children and adults with disabilities, and improve positive parenting and child development.

GKB project boasts a robust and adaptable MEAL design which will work through existing MOH/NCDA systems for data collection and reporting. In addition to routine monitoring activities, annual survey data will be collected using ICT4D tools, and evaluations has assessed progress at baseline, and will do the same at midterm, and endline. Project learning will be advanced via regular quarterly reflection meetings and other activities, and partner and LCSO capacity will be strengthened through MEAL training, on-job training, joint supportive and appreciative enquiry. Gikuriro Kuri Bose MEAL Team, including the MEAL Advisor, Deputy MEAL Advisor, Collaboration and Learning Advisor, Data Specialist and Partner MEAL Officers will be responsible to ensure the development, coordination, and smooth implementation of these activities.

Primary Function

The Deputy MEAL Advisor will assure the design and effective implementation of GKB’s MEAL framework, supporting the strategic direction developed by the MEAL Advisor and collaborating with Collaboration and Learning Advisor, Data Specialist and Partner MEAL Officers. S/he will ensure the monitoring of the program Detailed Implementation Plan on monthly basis, coordinate timely data availability and accessibility within program reporting timeframes, coordinate district annual plans and periodic reports, supervise Data Quality Assurance (DQA) processes, and lead MEAL capacity building activities for DPEM Coordination Committees and LCSOs.

Specific Responsibilities

• Maintain and update the program Detailed Implementation Plan (DIP) on monthly basis.
• Assist MEAL Advisor through coordinating and leading the process compiling and consolidating periodic project reports, plans, and documentation efforts.
• Produce data analysis and summaries for key program indicators and DIP status and provide regular feedback program staff.
• Coordinate field data collection activities, maintaining a schedule of all routine monitoring activities as well as annual or periodic MEAL activities to be completed
• Assist MEAL Advisor in implementation of the SMILER process and compilation of the M&E Operating Manual, in conjunction with LCSOs and government representatives and in compliance with CRS’ MEAL Policies and Procedures.
• With MEAL Advisor and associated program staff, design, field test and revise data collection tools, including using ICT4D tools where applicable.
• Assist with setup of the ICT4D system, including creating survey forms with CommCare and carrying out needed trainings for LCSOs and data collectors, as well as analyzing and producing reports.
• Coordinate the identification of staff capacity and technical assistance needs of partner organizations and capacity strengthening and required interventions to support quality project implementation.
• Help identify, assess and strengthen partnerships relevant to INECD, applying appropriate application of partnership concepts, tools and approaches.
• Carry out capacity building activities for LCSOs and district staff on the use of existing government monitoring systems including RapidSMS, HMIS, Child Score Card among other systems.
• Supervise and provide technical support in all GKB data collection activities.
• Develop training modules on MEAL processes for LCSOs and DPEM Coordination Committees and implement training.
• With MEAL Advisor, Collaboration and Learning Advisor, UGHE researchers and with input from MOH and LCSOs, define a learning agenda for the life of the project, including defining research questions of interest and coordinating regular and occasional learning events such as joint reflection sessions. Facilitate learning sessions.
• Provide support in the coordination of baseline, midterm, and endline evaluations
• Facilitate the development of DQA strategy for each LCSO and DPEM Committee, in close consultation with district staff.
• Supervise data quality assurance (DQA) processes.
• Monitor the functioning of beneficiary accountability and feedback mechanisms.
• Coordinate and carry out joint monitoring visits to project sites.
• Conceptualize processes for systematic documentation of project successes and communication of successes/lessons learned with various stakeholders and, with MEAL staff, ensure these processes are implemented.

Qualifications and Experience

• A master’s degree in international development, statistics, monitoring and evaluation, epidemiology, mathematics, social science of any related fields plus five years of professional experience in MEAL programming. 
• Familiarity with principles and current approaches to MEAL of development programs, using both quantitative and qualitative methods; substantial experience applying both types of methods
• Proficiency in analyzing, interpreting and communicating information to various stakeholders
• Understanding of USAID MEAL requirements; previous MEAL experience for USAID projects required
• Previous experience working with ICT4MEAL
• Knowledge of geographical information systems and science would be an added advantage
• Previous experience working with local partner organizations in capacity strengthening roles 
• Previous experience with operations research and leading and managing large research studies and consultants
• Previous experience developing management information systems
• Demonstrated commitment to gender-responsive programming
• Fluency in English required, and knowledge of French is an added advantage, written and spoken
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, ability to work well with people, good judgment and commitment to CRS’ mission
• Ability to transfer knowledge through formal and informal training
• Willingness to travel approximately 25% of the time to rural areas of the country 
• Rwandan nationality

Key MEAL Competencies (specific for this position):

• 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.
• 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
• 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.
• 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
• MEAL Management: Managing financial and human resources in a way that optimizes the quality, effectiveness, and utility of MEAL systems.

Agency-REDI Competencies (for all CRS Staff)

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.

• Builds & Maintains Trust
• Collaborates with Others
• Open to Learn
• Leads Change
• Develops & Recognizes Others
• Strategic Mindset
• Personnel Accountability
• Acts with Integrity

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Functional supervision of Partner MEAL Officers

Key Working Relationships:

• Internal: GKB MEAL Advisor, CLA Advisor, Data Specialist, Deputy Chief of Party, Chief of Party; Cluster Manager and Coordinators, GKB Technical Advisors, Regional Technical Advisor for MEAL
• External: International and local partners, government offices and affiliated agencies.
• Attention to details, accuracy and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities

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.

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

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

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.CRSis committed to providing equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, or any other socio-economic status.

How to apply

Interested and qualified candidates should complete the attached application form, Self -Declaration Clause and submit them together with one page Cover letter plus updated CV (maximum three pages) all in/as one document - via email only to: RW_HR@crs.org not later than Wednesday January 22^nd, 2025, at 5:00pm.

Please, include below statement in your cover letter:

“By applying to this job, I understand and acknowledge that CRS requires its staff to treat all people with dignity and respect and to actively prevent harassment, abuse, exploitation, and human trafficking. Further, I understand that if I am a successful candidate, I will be subject to a comprehensive background check, and my personal/professional references will be asked to evaluate my behaviors related to the above safeguarding-related topics.”

Also include your full names and title “Deputy MEAL Advisor @ Band 9” in the subject line. Due to anticipated high interest in this post and the expected number of applicants, only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Kigali January 09^th, 2025.

Hans Fly

Country Representative