Job Summary:

As a member of the CORE Group Partners Project (CGPP) project team, you will monitor and report on all MEAL project activities in support of Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) work serving the poor and vulnerable. Your thorough and service-oriented approach will ensure that the project consistently applies best practices and constantly works towards improving the impact of its benefits to those we serve.

The Project Officer MEAL will support the implementation of monitoring, evaluation, and learning activities for the CGPP malaria project in Bauchi State. The Project officer will ensure accurate data collection, reporting, validation, and analysis to strengthen malaria surveillance systems and improve program performance. The role will focus on strengthening DHIS2 reporting, conducting data quality assessments, and promoting data use for decision-making. 

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Support implementation of the project monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (MEAL) framework, as outlined in the detailed implementation plan in line with CRS program quality principles and standards, donor requirements, and good practices.
• Strengthen routine malaria data reporting through the District Health Information System (DHIS2).
• Monitor and report on any challenges and/or gaps identified to inform adjustments to plans and implementation schedules. Assist partners in their efforts to reflect on project experiences.
• Support accountability through coordinating project evaluation activities and assisting partners in their efforts to collect and analyze project data per specified mechanisms and tools. Collaborate with local partner(s) to prepare reports per established reporting schedule.  
• Collect information on staff capacity needs and technical assistance needs of partner organizations and monitor capacity building and technical support activities to ensure effective impact.
• Complete project documentation for assigned activities. Assist with identifying information for case studies and reports on promising practices.
• Monitor monthly reporting rates across supported LGAs and facilities.
• Conduct routine data validation meetings with LGA and health facility teams.
• Support quarterly data quality assessments (DQAs) in supported health facilities.
• Conduct HMIS–LMIS data triangulation to improve data accuracy and commodity accountability.
• Provide technical support to health facility staff on data collection tools and reporting processes.
• Support analysis and interpretation of malaria program data for decision-making.
• Develop monitoring reports, dashboards, and data summaries for program review meetings.
• Participate in supportive supervision and monitoring visits.
• Document lessons learned and best practices from program implementation.
• Ensure timely submission of program monitoring reports to the CGPP Secretariat. 

Required Languages - English and Hausa

Travel - Must be willing and able to travel up to 75%.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Observation, active listening and analysis skills with ability to make sound judgment
• 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

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in information management, epidemiology, biostatistics, or related field.
• Experience working on malaria, maternal and child health, or infectious disease programs.
• Experience supporting monitoring and evaluating donor-funded health programs.
• Experience in the development of data visualization and dashboard, including interpretation for decision making. 

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

 Key Working Relationships:

Internal: Program Manager, GF Malaria team, Senior Project Officer, Head of Programming, Deputy Country Representative, and Country program operations and finance team.

External: CGPP Secretariat, WHO, UNICEF, SPHCDA, NCDC, SOLINA Health, SMOH, EOC, LGA PHC Team, CGPP CRS CBO Partners, PMI, Malaria, Consortium, NMEP and other IPs.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in health sciences, epidemiology, statistics, demography, or related field.
• Minimum of 4–5 years of experience in monitoring and evaluation of health programs.
• Experience in participatory action planning and community engagement.
• Experience working with health management information systems (HMIS) and DHIS2.
• Experience conducting data quality and validation assessments (DQAs).
• Experience with the development and use of electronic supervisory checklist. 

Agency Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

• 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.

What we offer

CRS offers U.S. based staff a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, and a generous retirement savings plan.  Benefits packages for successful candidates employed outside the U.S. are based on the country of employment/in-country office where the candidate will perform the role.  CRS´ work culture is a collaborative, mission-driven culture committed to improving the lives of the poor throughout the world.

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Catholic Relief Services works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality.  Catholic Relief Services’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding.  We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

CRS welcomes candidates from the countries and regions in which we work. In the event the successful candidate is an expatriate, the anticipated duration of the assignment is informed by a term limit, based on the type and level of the job and the needs of the agency.

CRS is committed to safeguarding program participants, community members, staff and volunteers from all forms of exploitation and abuse.  The successful candidate is expected to sign and adhere to CRS´ Code of Conduct.

CRS talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all people - especially children and vulnerable adults - to live free from abuse and harm.

Disclaimer:  This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position. 

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

General Requirements

CRS offers are contingent on the selected candidate’s ability to legally work where the position is to be performed. Every government has a unique set of work permit eligibility requirements.  All positions requiring residence or frequent travel outside a home country must undergo and clear a pre-employment medical clearance; some work permit processes require clearing a separate government administered medical examination.

CRS prioritizes candidates who are citizens/ permanent residents of the countries where we have CRS offices.