MEAL Specialist at Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

Job Summary:

The MEAL Specialist will be responsible for collating and archiving of all activity reports and other relevant documents for the GF Malaria MEAL team, including quarterly service data and progress reports from the SRs and logistics data from the Supply Chain Unit. 

• Will act as the CRS GF grant MEAL liaison to MC and ACOMIN and will support the Senior M&E Manager in providing technical oversight and guidance across all MEAL and MEAL related activities
• Support the roll-out and functionality appropriate technologies including information and communications technology for development (ICT4D) solutions (CRS CAT Strategy) in LLIN mass campaign implementation in all GF-supported states. i.e. development and updating of forms for the android devices, training of staff and project field agents in device use and overall device management.
• Engage and liase with relevant stakeholders including NMEP, NPHCDA, SRs to manage routine service data entry related to iCCM/CHIPS in Jigawa, Niger, and 6 scale up states of Adamawa, Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Taraba and Yobe and into District Health Information System (DHIS) from sub-National levels, and ensuring data quality from over 10,000 health facilities across 11 GF supported states
• Over the development, deployment and refinement of appropriate MEAL implemented technologies for process monitoring, supervision, and assessment such as such the ODK/Kobo collect, ArcGIS, Global Mapper for SRs, and Program/MEAL 
• Manage backend and storage related to data generated from using technologies activities such as iMSV, DQA, Health Management Information System (HMIS)-Logistic Management Information System (LMIS) triangulation etc. 
• Lead the development of critical analysis framework for the use of routine and non-routine data for strategic decision-making including budgeting, planning and implementation
• Support the Senior MEAL Manager in the development of appropriate MEAL and MEAL related products including PUDR, Quarterly reports, Abstracts, M&E plan, Partner Performance Report, Grant Performance Framework etc.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Review sub recipients (SRs) submissions prior to analysis by the Senior Manager, MEAL and follow up with the SRs MEAL staff to track and resolve identified data quality issues.
• Collate and archive all activity reports and other relevant documents for the M&E team.
• Support preparation of Progress Update/Disbursement Requests (PU/DR) in collaboration with other program staff for submission to GF and NMEP
• Work with the Senior Manager, MEAL to ensure that the GF Malaria grant aligns with relevant CRS MEAL Policies and Procedures (MPP)
• Support the Senior MEAL Specialist in planning for all MEAL activities while tracking budget expenditures for burn rate analysis.
• Work with the Supply Chain Management Unit to triangulate and analyze service and logistic data and make recommendations to the Senior Manager, MEAL
• Conduct regular field supervisory visits, data quality assessments and other activities with PRs, SRs, and government partners in line with approved Detailed Implementation Plans
• Support the use of ICT4D and roll out of CRS’ CAT strategy to support LLIN mass campaigns at national and state level.
• Support in tracking and collating of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and any other assigned duties.
• Development of appropriate MEAL implementation electronic in-process monitoring and assessment tools on APPs such as ODK, ArcGIS, Global Mapper etc.
• Manage backend and develop appropriate analysis to help improve programme implementation. 

Accountability

• Collate feedback log sheets from Civil Society Organizations from project-supported states for submission to the CRS Country Program
• Support Civil Society Organizations to develop and implement feedback and response channels to reflect the preferences of community members and beneficiaries.

Learning

• With oversight from Senior Manager, MEAL, ensure that M&E and Program teams regularly review and adjust project implementation plans in the light of lessons learned from monitoring data and reflection sessions.
• Support learning-to-action events and reflection sessions to systematically analyze data for programmatic use, and to document and incorporate lessons learned into program design and implementation.
• Conduct regular data review and analysis for feedback to SRs and states for program improvement, and for updates to national level (CRS and government).
• Work with Senior Manager, MEAL to periodically analyze available data using appropriate analytical tools to produce reports.
• Generate knowledge management products including documentation of lessons learned, abstracts, posters, success stories, etc. from project implementation.
• Actively participate in the M&E Community of Practice with other CRS, SRs and government M&E staff.
• Support knowledge management systems and practices to gather, document and share best practices with SRs, government, and technical partners.

Required Languages -English language required to perform the job

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

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of national health management information systems, strategies, and tools in Nigeria; familiarity with DHIS2.0 platform is essential.
• Experience in data analysis; proficient knowledge of SPSS, STATA or other statistical package is an advantage.
• Experience in developing dashboards and visualizations; proficient knowledge of data analytics tools is an advantage.
• Experience with development and deployment of mobile data collection tools with (ODK).
• Experience of conducting and publishing quantitative and/or qualitative research.
• Excellent presentation, communication, and facilitation skills especially with the use of data and evidence to influence action.
• Experience with participatory and community-based M&E systems.
• Familiarity with beneficiary accountability mechanisms is an advantage.
• Must be familiar with and committed to gender equity in programming and management practices.
• Ability to perform under fast-paced and flexible working conditions.
• Ability to work both in a team and independently with ability to transfer knowledge through formal and informal training.
• Excellent report writing and oral/written communication skills in English Language
• Willingness and ability to travel regularly and at short notices.

Basic Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a field related to Public Health, International Development, Demography, Statistics or Social Sciences.
• Minimum of 5 years’ relevant post NYSC experience in monitoring and evaluating health programs in a developing country