Program Manager II - MEAL

CRS - Catholic Relief Services
Jerusalem or Gaza
Job Summary

As MEAL Manager II, you will manage and provide technical oversight for MEAL in the development and implementation of the JWBG Country Program (CP) programs, particularly for the Gaza Emergency Response, ensuring effective MEAL systems and processes are in place that support high-quality programming advancing Catholic Relief Services’ work in serving the poor and vulnerable. CRS is working to provide rapid emergency assistance to conflict affected communities in Gaza and the West Bank in the sectors of multi-purpose cash; shelter; psycho-social support; food assistance; and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH). Your MEAL-related management skills and knowledge will ensure that the CP delivers high-quality programming and continuously works towards improving the impact of its emergency and early recovery programming.

Roles and Key Responsibilities
Provide management, guidance, and technical oversight for MEAL in all new and existing projects for the CP’s emergency response programming in the West Bank and Gaza throughout the project cycle to ensure project design, start-up, implementation and close-out are in line with CRS quality principles and standards and MEAL policies, procedures, and practices, donor MEAL guidelines, and industry best practices.
Effectively manage talent for MEAL and supervise. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching, strategically tailor individual development plans, contribute to the recruitment process of MEAL staff and complete performance management for direct reports.
Champion the development of program learning – identify opportunities for learning, research and publications in effective emergency response and recovery programs and implementation of MEAL policy. Facilitate the dissemination of promising practices and lessons learned to contribute to the agency knowledge management agenda. Promote the application of learning to improve program quality and to strengthen agency influence among external stakeholders. Ensure integration of MEAL-related innovations and best practices.
Contribute to the proactive pursuit of opportunities for new funding to ensure growth of the CP emergency response and recovery portfolio in line with agency, regional, and CP strategic priorities. Serve as the MEAL technical lead and technical writer to ensure quality proposals per agency and donor standards. Provide guidance and technical oversight for the design of project and sectoral theories of change, results frameworks, and Proframes for emergency response and recovery programs. Contribute to MEAL budgeting and staffing plans and activities for proposals.
Provide management, guidance, and technical oversight for the development and implementation of high-quality MEAL systems and processes, including ICT4MEAL and the application of responsible data principles as per agency and donor requirements in the CP. Promoting MEAL policies and industry good practices, champion the analysis and use of project performance data to inform timely decision-making and identify lessons learned. Facilitate connections between colleagues and peers to generate and share evidence-based learning.
Provide management, guidance and technical oversight for project or program evaluation events and research in emergency response and recovery, including the development of terms of reference or study protocols that include evaluation/learning questions, a balance of qualitative and quantitative methods, appropriate consideration of ethical and data protection standards, and the necessary technical rigor. Oversee the quality of evaluation data through good data management. Support the identification, recruitment, and management of external evaluators or research partners to ensure high quality evaluation, research, and learning.
Oversee MEAL-related technical assistance and capacity strengthening activities for staff and partner organizations to enhance program quality and impact.
Oversee the identification, assessment and strengthening of partnerships relevant to MEAL and the appropriate application of partnership concepts, tools and approaches.
Oversees timely and appropriate project MEAL expenditures in line with financial plans and efficient use and stewardship of project material sources.
QUALIFICATIONS
Master's Degree in International Development, International Relations or in the field of MEAL required. Additional experience may substitute for some education.
Minimum of 5 years’ experience in relevant field-based project management experience required, with preferably at least 2-3 years working in the area of MEAL.
Experience in managing moderately complex projects preferably with an international NGO.
Required Languages - Fluency in English required, including technical writing in English, Arabic preferred.
Travel - Must be willing and able to travel up to 50% to West Bank and Gaza.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with ability to make sound judgment and decisions and offer innovative solutions
Strong relations management abilities. Ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally. Strategic in how you approach each relationship.
Good presentation and facilitation skills
Ability to work long hours in a fast-paced environment and juggle multiple priorities.
Able to work in an environment where everyday comforts are not ready available.
Ability to function well in a stressful environment, stay focused, and maintain sufficient work life balance with limited options for downtime activity.
Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-oriented
Preferred Qualifications
Experience working in the Middle East and experience working in Gaza or the West Bank strongly preferred.
Experience working closely with humanitarian donors, experience with BHA/USAID strongly preferred
Good experience in project grants management, including project design, preferably for grants from multiple public donors, including USAID.
Experience with policies, procedures, and reporting in emergency situations.
Familiarity with policies, procedures, and reporting of UN agencies and Caritas agencies.
Demonstrated ability to write high quality technical proposals.
Experience engaging with partner organizations
MEAL skills and experience required.
Staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment.
Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, information management systems.