MEAL Officer for Forest Flavors Project (Based in Malaybalay, Bukidnon)

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding. 

CRS began working in the Philippines in 1945, making it the longest-running continuous CRS country program in the world. Today, CRS Philippines implements programs in emergency response and recovery, disaster risk reduction, climate resilience, livelihoods, and peace and development. With more than 60 staff across Manila, Cotabato City, Tagbilaran City, Iloilo City, Virac, and Malaybalay City, CRS works closely with church and civil society partners, government agencies, and other organizations to serve vulnerable communities across the country.

Job Summary

Working in close coordination with the Project Manager and other programming staff, and with implementing partners and community members, you will assist in operationalizing monitoring, evaluation accountability and learning (MEAL) systems in support of CRS’s work to serve the poor and vulnerable. You will help ensure that relevant data are collected, documented, managed, and made accessible to project stakeholders, as appropriate. You will support MEAL-related capacity building efforts for CRS and implementing partner staff, as needed. 

Roles and Key Responsibilities

• Support the coordination and implementation of the adaptive MEAL plan of the SPICES – Forest Flavors project, as outlined in the detailed implementation plan in line with CRS program quality principles, standards and MEAL policies and procedures (MPPs), and industry good practices.
• Monitor and report any MEAL-related challenges and gaps identified to inform adjustments to plans and implementation schedules. Assist partners in their efforts to reflect on project experiences. 
• Support the roll-out and implementation of the SPICES-Forest Flavors Project and feedback, response and complaint mechanism (FCRM). Support actively seeking and responding to feedback from all members of targeted communities and other stakeholders as defined by the FCRM.
• Support field-level project M&E activities (including digital data collection) and assisting partners in their efforts to collect and ensure timely evidence-based analysis of project data per specified mechanisms and tools. Collaborate with local partners to prepare MEAL-related aspects of reports per established reporting schedule.
• Collect information on staff MEAL capacity needs and technical assistance needs of partner organizations and monitor MEAL-related capacity-building and technical support activities to ensure effective impact.
• Complete project documentation for assigned MEAL activities. Assist with identifying information for case studies and reports on promising practices.
• Support program learning and decision-making by posing thoughtful questions, engaging with project data, reflecting upon and sharing with project management the information gathered from community members and partners.
• Lead in the conduct of MEAL related initiatives, activities and workshops such as the conduct of after-action review, mid-term and end of project assessment and evaluation, on-site regular monitoring of project activities.
• Develop GIS tool that is practical for use of upland community farmers. 

• 3 or more years of solid experience in the field of MEAL and for an NGO
• Bachelor's Degree required – community development, social sciences, statistics or any related field 
• Experience in participatory action planning and community engagement. 
• Preferably with experience in partnership engagement with CSOs 
• Prior experience in providing technical assistance to partners 
• Proficient in using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint). 
•  Willing to be based and assigned in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon and Talaingod, Davao del Norte
• Willingness to learn and integrate GIS applications and tools into project MEAL initiatives. 
• Highly flexible and sensitive to local and cultural context particularly the IP communities.

• Observation, active listening and analysis skills with ability to make sound judgement. 
•  Good relationship management skills and the ability to work closely with local partners and community members. 
• Attention to details, accuracy, and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities. 
• Proactive, results-oriented and service-oriented 
• Has operational knowledge on GIS application

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.

• Integrity  
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation
• Builds Relationships
• Develops Talent
• Strategic Mindset
• Accountability & Stewardship