Lao People's Democratic Republic (the): Project Manager I, MEAL, LEAPS II, Laos

Job Title: Program Manager I

Department: Programs

Band: D

Reports To: Chief of Party

Country/Location: Savannakhet, Lao PDR

CRS Background

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is an international non-governmental organization (INGO) based in the United States that works in over 100 countries to promote human development by responding to major emergencies, fighting disease and poverty, and nurturing peaceful and just societies. CRS welcomes as staff and partners all people regardless of race, ethnicity, creed, or nationality who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need.

The CRS Laos program was established in 1994 and has worked in the unexploded ordnances, education, disability, and health sectors. The national office is in Vientiane, with programs operating in Savannakhet and Khammouane Provinces. Currently, the primary program sectors in which CRS Laos works are education and disability.

Project Background

In September 2016, Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) signed a five-year agreement, ensuring a second phase of the Learning and Engaging All in Primary School (LEAPS II) Food for Education (FFE) project. From 2012 -- 2016, LEAPS I served nearly 16,000,000 meals and increased student attendance by 38%. Working closely with the Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES), LEAPS II will continue to improve literacy of 40,000 school-age children in Lao PDR in 350 schools across seven districts of Savannakhet Province (Atsaphone, Outoumphone, Phalanxaye, Phin, Vilabouly, Sepon, and Nong). LEAPS II activities fall into four main categories: school meals, WASH, literacy, and inclusive education.

Job Summary:

You will manage Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) in the Learning and Engaging All in Primary School (LEAPS II) project, designing and implementing the MEAL system and activities advancing Catholic Relief Services' (CRS) work in serving the poor and vulnerable. Your management and MEAL skills and knowledge will ensure that the project delivers high-quality programming and continuously works towards improving the impact of its programming.

Job Responsibilities:

• Manage and implement all MEAL activities throughout relevant project cycles - project design, start-up, implementation and close-out - to ensure efficient and effective implementation in line with CRS MEAL Policies and Procedures, donor requirements, program quality principles and standards, good practices, and budget. Ensure project team and partner staff use appropriate MEAL systems and tools, including ICT4D solutions. Coordinate with third-party evaluator to ensure quality implementation of project performance and impact evaluations in line with donor-approved evaluation plan and terms of reference.
• Ensure quality maintenance and operation of data management systems and practices. Analyze MEAL data (both qualitative and quantitative), and work with Chief of Party to integrate data analysis, reflection, interpretation and use with on-going project activities for evidence-based decision-making. Support the development of high quality donor and government reports.
• Effectively manage talent and supervise the MEAL team. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching, strategically tailor individual development plans, contribute to the recruitment process of MEAL staff, and complete performance management for direct reports.
  • Champion learning with project staff and partner teams. Proactively identify issues and concerns and use participatory processes to overcome implementation obstacles. Share MEAL learning in relevant CRS or external meetings and events.
• Act as a key technical lead for quality MEAL design, including tools, methods, and budget, appropriate to scope, context, and technical requirements of project design and proposal development.
• Coordinate the identification of staff capacity and technical assistance needs of partner organizations and capacity strengthening and required interventions to support quality MEAL and project implementation, especially for ICT4D solutions.
  • Help identify, assess and strengthen partnerships relevant to MEAL, applying appropriate application of partnership concepts, tools and approaches.
  • Coordinate and monitor financial and material resources relevant to MEAL needs. Through planning and oversight ensure efficient use of project resources

Typical Background, Experience & Requirements:

Education and Experience

• Master's Degree in International Development, International Relations or in the field of statistics or education required. Additional experience may substitute for some education.
• Minimum of 2 years of relevant field-based experience in coordinating or managing light to moderately complex projects required, preferably with an international NGO.
• MEAL skills and experience required.
• Experience engaging with partner organizations.
• Experience contributing to the development of technical proposals.
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), iForm Builder and/or CommCare, PowerBI, Web Conferencing Applications, information management systems.

Personal Skills

• Strong critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills with ability to make sound judgment.
• Strong relationship management skills and the ability to work effectively with culturally diverse groups.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with ability to write reports
• Proven organizational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Proactive, results-oriented, and service-oriented

Required/Desired Foreign Language

• English is required; Lao language is a plus

Travel Required (include percentage of required travel, if applicable)

• Travel to the field 30% of the time.

Key Working Relationships:

Supervisory: MEAL Coordinator

Internal: LEAPS Chief of Party, LEAPS Deputy Chief of Party, Commodities Manager, Head of Programs, Country Representative, PQ Coordinator, Regional Technical Advisor for MEAL, Deputy Regional Director/Program Quality, Regional ICT Manager, Head of Operations.

External: Local government partners, LEAPS II evaluation consultants, Save the Children, Village Education Development Committees, community members

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

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.

• Trusting Relationships
• Professional Growth
• Partnership
• Accountability

MEAL Competencies for Specialist Staff:

To fulfill the responsibilities and achieve the desired results of this position, you are expected to have:

• At least solid competence in MEAL in Design, Evaluation, Learning, Analysis and Critical Thinking, ICT4MEAL, and MEAL in Management; and
• At least advanced competence in Monitoring and Accountability.

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.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Apply online: https://recruiting.adp.com/srccar/public/RTI.home?c=1161051&d=External&r=5000338270206#/