CRS launched its work in Ghana in 1958 and currently has robust programming in Agriculture and Livelihoods, Health, WASH, Migration, Youth Development and Peace Building, Gender, and financial inclusion. CRS is implementing several projects across these core program areas. This new project focuses on supporting,  interventions in priority agricultural value chains segments, including: 1) Animal Farming (Poultry and Fish); 2) Grains and Cereals, (Maize, Soybeans, Groundnuts, and Rice) and 3) Horticulture (Vegetables and Fruits).

In your role, you will support a team to 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 monitoring and evaluation skills will ensure that the partners in the region for which you are responsible apply best data quality practices and constantly works towards improving the impact of its benefits to those we serve. This position will report to the Project Manager and will be based in Tamale, Ghana, with frequent travel across Northern, Oti, and Bono East Regions of Ghana.

As the Senior Project officer – MEAL for the project team, you will work closely with the project team and partners to achieve the goals of the project.

Please note: The position is contingent upon funding approval by the donor.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

Project MEAL System Design

• Work with Project Manager for the project and the MEAL Coordinator of the Country Program to design the project’s MEAL system, including drafting results framework, Proframe, accompanying MEAL narrative, and operating manuals,
• Lead the development and standardization of forms and tools to collect data for project monitoring indicators, results, effects and impacts (Simple Measurement of Indicators for Learning and Evidence-based Reporting, also known as SMILER) to comply with donor and CRS standards.
• Promote the use of ICT4D and assist in developing digital data collection systems.
• Ensure that all project monitoring arrangements comply with project and donor agreements.

Project Monitoring

• In coordination with the Project Manager, lead all project level data collection exercises.
• Conduct quarterly field visits to monitor the implementation of project activities.
• Lead annual project level beneficiary and service delivery indicator (BSDI) data according to agency standards, definitions, and processes.
• Initiate annual data quality assessments for the project.
• Validate all collected data, to ensure it is accurate and of the highest quality.
• Analyse data collected using available ICT4D tools and software (I-form builder, CommCare, etc.)
• Ensure all data is recorded in relevant project databases in a timely and accurate manner.
• Initiate thinking on innovative ways to collect and present data using ICT4D.

Project Evaluations

• Support the consortium partners and the PMU for data collection for baseline, midline and endline values for the project as outlined in MEAL Policies and Procedures.
• Initiate terms of reference for all required evaluations.
• Lead efforts to coordinate final evaluation or after-action review as outlined in MEAL Policies and Procedures.
• Lead organization of participatory events with partners and beneficiaries to reflect on project monitoring data, identify learning and recommendations as a part of all evaluations and reviews.
• Lead all aspects of realizing project studies and evaluations, which includes but is not limited to planning and making logistical arrangements for field research, overseeing sampling strategies, attending research and tool training workshops, leading quantitative, qualitative, and participatory data collection efforts in the field, supervising the execution of field studies and ensuring the reliability and validity of data collected therein.

Accountability

• Adopt best practices for including beneficiary input into all major monitoring, evaluation and learning activities.
• Support country program MEAL Coordinator to set-up project feedback, complaint, response mechanism system for project, and assist with regular monitoring.

Reporting and Learning for Improving Program Quality

• Draft documentation of results and other evaluation findings to key stakeholders, as requested.
• Highlight areas of concern in project quality as shown in data analysis.
• Assist in knowledge management initiatives, including leading in the completion of past performance reference for the project and maintaining an updated Gateway system.
• Ensure project documentation of 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.
• Prepare monthly project flashpoints.

Other

• Review data collection systems as implemented by partners, to ensure rigor and appropriateness of practices.
• Lead formal training events for partner MEAL staff, to enhance their capacity for sound MEAL implementation.
• Accompany and mentor partners after MEAL trainings, to ensure knowledge retention and address concerns which may emerge.

Required Languages – Proficient in English Language. Other local languages of the project localities such as Dagbani, Likpakpaln, Twi, Ewe and/or Bassari is preferred.

Travel -Must be willing and able to travel up to 50%..

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 

• Analysis and problem-solving skills with ability to make sound judgment
• Good relationship management skills and the ability to work closely with local partners.
• Staff supervision experience a plus.
• Proactive, results-oriented and service-oriented
• Attention to details, accuracy and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities

Preferred Qualifications

• Relevant project management experience, especially for large private donors, a plus.
• Experience working for projects supporting inclusion of women, youth and people with disabilities.
• Strong writing skills.
• Experience working with partners, participatory action planning and community engagement. Excellent understanding of local NGOs and government systems
• Staff supervision experience a plus.
• Experience monitoring projects and collecting relevant data.
• Experience using statistical analytical software/tools, SPSS, MS Windows, and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

 Key Working Relationships: 

Internal: Project Manager, Agric Technical Advisor, Agric Program Director, Head of Programming, MEAL Manager, other Snr Project MEAL Officers, Snr Project Officers.

External: Field Agents, local partner management and project officers, other consortium member staff located in the region, District stakeholders, and other local and international partner organizations.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Monitoring and Evaluation, agriculture, development studies or social sciences required. Master’s degree in agriculture (Economics, Extension, Agribusiness), Statistics or in the social sciences would be a plus.
• Minimum of 5 years of work experience in project support, ideally in the field of Monitoring Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) and for an NGO.
• Experience with digital data collection systems and tools required.
• Experience working with international, national, or local partners in participatory action planning and community engagement activities.
• Strong skills in assessing and developing partner capacity including institutional strengthening in MEAL.
• Knowledge of participatory and rural development processes

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.