Project Officer – Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL)

Admin,

Location: Kasese Field Office, Uganda
Application Deadline: February 9, 2025

About Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is a global humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. CRS provides life-saving and developmental assistance to individuals in need across more than 100 countries, regardless of their race, religion, or nationality. The organization implements programs focused on emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding.

Operating in Uganda since 1965, CRS serves over one million vulnerable individuals annually, aligning its efforts with the Country Program 2030 Strategy. The organization focuses on five key areas: strengthening health and social service systems, building resilient food systems, enhancing emergency preparedness and response, mitigating climate change effects, and promoting local leadership. CRS collaborates with local and international NGOs, government agencies, the Catholic Church, and community-based organizations to ensure sustainable impact.

About the Vines Project

The Vines Project is a seven-year, $18 million initiative under the Food for Progress program. It aims to position Uganda as a leading global supplier of high-quality vanilla. Implemented through a market systems development approach, the project is a collaborative effort between CRS and partners such as TechnoServe, Frontier Co-op, and the Sustainable Vanilla Initiative.

The project will directly benefit 16,200 farmers and 836 supply chain actors while creating 15,820 new jobs and reaching 32,856 vanilla stakeholders. By implementing sustainable agricultural practices, the project aims to stabilize Uganda’s vanilla market and foster a robust farming community. An external midterm review conducted in 2024 recommended strengthening the MEAL system to enhance adaptability and efficiency, following the Donor Committee for Enterprise Development (DCED) standards for results measurement.

Job Summary

The MEAL Project Officer will support the implementation of the MEAL system within the Vines Project. Working closely with the MEAL team, the officer will contribute to the development of monitoring tools, ensure timely data collection, conduct qualitative and quantitative evaluations, and facilitate participatory reflections on project performance. The role includes documenting best practices, generating case studies, and supporting evidence-based decision-making.

The officer will be responsible for implementing MEAL activities in Uganda’s Western Region, particularly in Kasese. The ideal candidate will have experience in results measurement within market systems or private sector development initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

  • Assist in revising project monitoring tools based on results chains and measurement plans.
  • Conduct qualitative assessments and routine monitoring of project activities to ensure alignment with CRS standards and donor MEAL requirements.
  • Lead qualitative studies to understand the impact of various project interventions.
  • Facilitate stakeholder engagement in project planning and monitoring.
  • Identify MEAL capacity-building needs for staff and partners and provide necessary support.
  • Conduct quarterly data quality assessments on farmers’ databases, partner training records, and other project data.
  • Gather data to refine project strategies and update intervention results chains.
  • Prepare periodic progress reports and document lessons learned to inform project improvements.
  • Manage logistics for field-based training, workshops, and meetings.
  • Ensure timely response to complaints and feedback received from project beneficiaries.

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Development Studies, Social Sciences, Statistics, Population Studies, or a related field (a Postgraduate Diploma in Monitoring and Evaluation is preferred).
  • At least five years of MEAL experience, ideally with an international NGO.
  • Minimum of two years’ experience in implementing results measurement systems, including developing and monitoring results chains.
  • Training in market systems development is an added advantage.

Preferred Competencies

  • Experience in MEAL system planning and implementation at the district level.
  • Strong understanding of MEAL frameworks within governmental and non-governmental sectors.
  • Excellent communication, documentation, and analytical skills.
  • Proficiency in qualitative and quantitative data analysis and report writing.
  • Familiarity with participatory action planning and community engagement strategies.
  • Competency in MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), data management systems, and web conferencing tools.
  • Experience in advocacy, lobbying, and networking.
  • Ability to apply DCED Standards for Results Measurement.
  • Strong relationship management skills for engaging with local partners and stakeholders.
  • Fluency in English (written and spoken); knowledge of local languages in the Rwenzori region is a plus.

Travel Requirements

  • Willingness to travel up to 50% of the time within the Western Uganda region, particularly in Kasese.

Key Working Relationships

Internal: MEAL Team, Chief of Party, CRS MEAL staff, and all project personnel.
External: Partner organization staff, MEAL professionals from other agencies.

Core Competencies

CRS expects all employees to embody the following competencies:

  • Personal Accountability: Takes responsibility for personal actions.
  • Integrity: Upholds CRS values and ethical standards.
  • Building Trust: Fosters a culture of transparency and honesty.
  • Collaboration: Works effectively in diverse teams.
  • Open to Learning: Seeks opportunities for professional growth.

Leadership Competencies

  • Driving Change: Promotes innovation and adaptability.
  • Capacity Development: Supports the professional growth of team members.
  • Strategic Thinking: Aligns work with the broader organizational mission.

Application Process

Interested candidates who meet the qualifications are encouraged to apply via the provided link.

Deadline for Applications: February 9, 2025, at 5:00 PM.
Note: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. This position is open to Ugandan nationals only.

Equal Opportunity Statement

CRS is committed to diversity and inclusion. The organization welcomes applications from individuals of all faiths and backgrounds who share its values. CRS upholds strict policies on child protection and the prevention of abuse, exploitation, and human trafficking. Successful candidates will undergo a comprehensive background check and reference verification.

By applying, candidates acknowledge CRS’s commitment to upholding dignity, respect, and safeguarding in all its programs and operations.

Apply Here

Jobs