Togo: MEAL Manager LLIN Campaign, Togo

Job Title: MEAL Manager LLIN Campaign
Department/Country: CARO/Togo
Position Type: Full Time, Regular
Job Location: Lomé, Togo
Band: D
FLSA: Exempt
Reports to: Deputy Head of Programming, Togo

Note: This position is contingent upon grant and candidate approvals by the donor
Background:

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is an international non-governmental organization supporting relief and development work in over 99 countries around the world. CRS programs assist persons on the basis of need, regardless of creed, ethnicity or nationality. CRS works through local church and non-church partners to implement its programs, therefore, strengthening and building the capacity of these partner organizations is fundamental to programs in every country in which CRS operates.

CRS commenced operations in Togo in 1958, where it was large development actor, known for large-scale school canteen and nutrition projects. CRS closed operations during the 1992 Togo political crisis, as did USAID and other donors and development actors. At the request of the Togo Conference of Bishops, CRS returned to Togo in 1998, implementing small-scale projects in health and emergency response. There have been few international development actors in Togo since the 1992 crisis, but this is beginning to change gradually. CRS Togo currently implements projects in community-based microfinance; food security; WASH; health systems strengthening and civil society capacity building.

In 2017, the Togolese government is undertaking a nation-wide distribution of Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs). Against Malaria Foundation (AMF), which is providing 2,413,250 LLIN to the campaign, is identifying an external NGO actor to play a monitoring and evaluation role throughout pre-distribution, distribution and post-distribution phases of the campaign. CRS plans to use electronic data collection for timely and accurate analysis and reporting, permitting stakeholders of Togo’s 2017 net campaign with transparent and accurate information for decision-making, accountability, and learning.

CRS Togo is therefore seeking a dynamic Program Manager (PM I) to perform both overall oversight on the project whose focus will be monitoring and evaluation of the project. The PM will have strong technical background in Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) to lead monitoring of Togo’s national LLIN campaign, from the pre-distribution phase through distribution and post-distribution. CRS will collaborate with its partner OCDI Caritas Togo to provide quality data with the Togolese government and Against Malaria Foundation (AMF) with the goal of improving the effectiveness, efficiency and relevance of malaria prevention activities in the country.

Job Summary:

The Program Manager will lead the development and management of the project in collaboration with other program staff, implementing partners, and external stakeholders. The Program Manager will ensure that CRS complies with the agency’s MEAL policies and procedures. S/he will reinforce the capacity of partners to use electronic data collection for timely and accurate analysis and reporting, providing stakeholders of Togo’s 2017 net campaign with transparent and accurate information for data-driven decision-making, accountability, and learning. The Program Manager will align the project MEAL system with the needs of the National Malaria Control Program (NMCP) and support OCDI Caritas to carry out large-scale data collection across four of Togo’s five regions. S/he will work sensitively and positively with program staff and partners, including government, to promote excellence and a learning environment. The Program Manager is expected to have a high level of self-initiative and use critical thinking skills to identify and fill gaps.

Specific Responsibilities:

Overall Project Management
• Use appropriate project management tools in line with agency standards to plan, review and track progress on project implementation.
• Coordinate with government, the implementing partner and other stakeholders
• Ensure staff compliance with all CRS administrative and operational procedures and policies, as well as applicable donor regulations, including accurate and timely submission of work plans, reports, and other documents.
• Manage the finances of the project: plan and approve program expenditures, budget adjustments, and eventual cost modification requests to donor.
• Review and analyze budget comparison reports to ensure that spending and program implementation are aligned; analyze the progress toward program goals and against burn rates and take necessary steps to ensure proper management of budgets.
• Ensure adherence to financial guidelines and maintain transparent systems and records.
• Submit quarterly and final progress and financial reports to donor
• Ensure proper and timely project closure

MEAL System Design
• Lead design of high-quality project MEAL system which allows for timely and quality reporting both internally and externally for timely decision making.
• Lead the Simple Measurement of Indicators for Learning and Evidence-based Reporting (SMILER) workshop and process for the project, to ensure all tools, data flows and reporting flows are properly prepared and shared with all relevant stakeholders.
• Develop and continually update a MEAL operation manual for the project to ensure all MEAL related documents and tools are organized, up-to-date, and accessible. These include but are not limited to the Detailed Implementation Plan (DIP), Performance Monitoring Plan (PMP), Evaluation Plan, and Indicator
• Finalize sampling strategies for quantitative and qualitative data collection throughout the project, in consultation with MEAL Technical Advisors.
• Coordinate periodic MEAL system reviews for the project.

Monitoring Systems, Reporting, and Learning
• Lead program staff and partners to implement MEAL plans, including data collection, data management, data cleaning, and analysis. Refine these systems based on lessons learned.
• Verify the quality and integrity of data gathered by completing periodic data quality assessments.
• Ensure responsible, timely and accurate management of relevant project databases and tracking tools.
• Provide timely, high quality reports to stakeholders and the donor.
• Organize regular data interpretation workshops and trainings for stakeholders to build data use core competencies.
• Organize regular learning workshops to share results and engage stakeholders in planning.

Accountability
• Ensure that the AMF MEAL system complies with AMF’s requirements and all MEAL components of CRS’ agreement are concretely operationalized.
• Carry out community consultations in order to inform an accountability and communications plan for the project, including (at minimum) periodic sharing of post-distribution survey results with community-level stakeholders and a community feedback system for registering and responding to questions and complaints.

ICT4D
• Work with project staff and stakeholders to maximize the value and utility of ICT initiatives.
• Ensure all relevant forms and data collection tools are digitalized into the data collection software.
• Ensure relevant frontend and backend staff are trained in the use of digital data collection software and devices.
• Liaise with relevant partners and CRS staff to ensure troubleshooting and smooth functioning of project ICT systems.
• Organize and undertake MEAL capacity building activities for project stakeholders, such as trainings, workshops and other visits for learning.

Supervision
• Manage MEAL Officer as per the agency requirements from establishment of performance plan, regular feedback, informal and formal coaching, mentoring, to performance evaluation following schedules set by the agency.
• Provide indirect support, technical assistance and mentoring to other country program MEAL staff and program managers.

Representation and Communication
• Represent the project and manage strategic relationships with project partners and stakeholders
• Act as primary contact to AMF, and be responsible for addressing all program matters.
• Serve as the team lead for the project and ensure strong communication and coordination with and between all team members and partners as a means to effectively achieve program objectives
Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff)
These are rooted in the mission, values, and principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and to achieve the desired results.
• Serves with Integrity
• Models Stewardship
• Cultivates Constructive Relationships
• Promotes Learning

Program Manager Competencies
These are rooted in the mission, values, and principles of CRS and used by each program manager to fulfill his or her responsibilities and to achieve the desired results.• Sets clear goals and manages toward them
• Collaborates effectively with staff and stakeholders
• Applies program quality standards to project design and organizational learning
• Develops clear, concise, and evidence-based proposals and reports.
• Keeps abreast of latest developments in their sector area (collaborates with regional/HQ technical advisors, learns new PQ tools, networks with outside technical experts, etc.).
• Manages financial resources with integrity
MEAL Competencies
Within the agency’s MEAL Competencies Model, these are identified as key MEAL competencies related to the program manager’s roles and responsibilities.
• MEAL in Design
• ICT for MEAL
• Learning
• Management in MEAL

Key Working Relationships:

• Internal (CRS/Togo and Benin): Deputy Head of Programming, Country Manager, MEAL Officers, Operations Department, MEAL Coordinator
• Internal (Regional): Regional Technical Advisor for MEAL and ICT4D, PIQA Technical Advisors
• External: Ministry of Health (National Malaria Control Program), Caritas staff, Health district staff, Donor agencies, Consultants

Qualifications:• Master’s degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field.
• Two years’ experience as an M&E Manager or Coordinator, including MEAL system design and management.
• Excellent understanding of best practices for MEAL.
• Knowledgeable on research design and quantitative and qualitative methods.
• Proven organizational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Fluent in French with strong English verbal and written communication skills.
• Mature disposition in appropriately managing sensitive situations.
• Strong skills in assessing and developing staff capacity.
• Strong computer skills, including proficiency in MS Office programs (particularly Excel) and SPSS or similar data analysis software
• Prior use of ICT4D tools highly desired. Experience working with mobile data collection tools such as iFormBuilder required. Experience using Zoho is a plus.
• Ability to embrace working under pressure.
• Ability to work in quickly and efficiently under pressure.
• Ability to represent the agency in high level meetings with donors, local Church and local government.
• Experience in working with Church partners strongly preferred.

Physical Requirements/Environment:
The position is based in Lomé. The office and most staff housing is located in walkable neighborhoods with amenities including restaurants, grocery stores, and schools. National and international travel is required - up to 30%; includes attendance at internal and external conferences and workshops, when requested. Travel within Togo includes areas with limited amenities.

Foreign Language Required: Excellent English and French language oral and written communication skills required.

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.

EOE/M/F/D/V

Apply online: http://bit.ly/2pb0msT