Job Title: Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL)Project Officer

Department/Country: Programs/Cameroon

Position Type/Duration: Full Time/6 months, with possibility of extension

Job Location: Gado and Betari-Oya/Garoua-Boulai, East Cameroon

Start date: February 2016

Reports to: Program Manager for ECFAP

About CRS: 

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. We welcome as a part of our staff and as partners people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. 

CRS has been working in Cameroon since 1961, with the main office in the capital Yaoundé. The current portfolio is largely health and emergencies oriented. Two health programs funded by USAID/PEPFAR and the Global Fund (as a sub recipient to the Government of Cameroon) provide services to orphans and vulnerable children (OVC). Emergency programs improve WASH and school and health infrastructure among refugees from the Central African Republic in East Cameroon. CRS is also implementing a program to provide health services to urban refugees in Yaoundé and Douala. In addition, CRS is supporting the Church’s National Justice and Peace program as well as programming in the Far North of the country through a program for inter-religious dialogue.

Background: 

Known as a relatively stable country, Cameroon has long been a haven for refugees from Central African Republic (CAR), Nigeria, and elsewhere. Since the most recent conflict began in CAR in late 2013, an additional 150,662 CAR refugees have fled to Cameroon, bringing the total to 250,569. Of this population, 177,613 reside in the East region of Cameroon, vastly overwhelming the region’s limited resources. While the region is relatively calm, tensions around access to resources threaten to increase, and many fear that the violence in CAR may spill over to East Cameroon. 

CRS Cameroon has been awarded a 6-month project (a pilot) with the World Food Program (WFP) to be implemented in the Gado refugee site in Eastern Cameroon. This project, called the Emergency Cash-Based Food Assistance Program (ECFAP) for Populations Affected by the CAR Crisis in the East Region of Cameroon, aims to improve food access and nutritional status for refugees and/or IDPs in the targeted regions through cash-transfer food assistance. ECFAP will be implemented from February-July 2016. 

Job Summary: 

CRS requires two (02) MEAL Program Officers for ECFAP, who will be based in Betare-Oya/Garoua-Boulai. The PO will be responsible for working with the Program managerto ensure the success of ECFAP. In collaboration with the Programmanager for ECFAP,s/he will effectively contribute to the implementation by ensuring the quality of services and activities rendered by CRS for the project beneficiaries.

Main responsibilities:

• Lead the beneficiary selection process and beneficiaries’ documentation, agreements and correspondence,
• Regular project site visits to organize project activities, facilitate coordination with all stakeholders (communities, leaders, government authorities, etc) and monitor all project activities to ensure the realization of all project objectives;
• Implement all MEAL activities from the program onset until the final evaluation. Conduct monitoring and evaluation activities, including PDM surveys, satisfaction surveys, monitoring of market prices, monitoring of program data (nutrition and food security indicators), etc.  
• Lead in developing a complaints mechanism for the beneficiaries of the program.
• Establish and maintain excellent collaborative working relationships with local partners,
• Provide status/field reports, program updates, and photos, regularly.
• Liaise with beneficiaries and local community representatives and authorities and participate in municipality and other meetings when appropriate.
• Support the monitoring of project budget and expenses for activities realized, as well as ensuring the timely submission of financial reports of the partner;

Required Qualifications and Experience: 

1. University Degree (or its equivalent) in international relations, social sciences, health and nutrition, or related field.
2. Knowledge and experience on implementing MEAL systems and tools, specifically with beneficiary registration, monitoring food-voucher distributions, conducting post-distribution monitoring (PDM) surveys, using ICT4D tools and methods, etc.   
3. At least 2 years of experience in implementation of humanitarian projects funded by international donors is desirable, with experience of at least 1 year of working in an emergency context (specifically refugee-related).
4. Ability to liaise effectively with project beneficiaries, vendors and partners,
5. Sufficient computer skills (MS Word, Excel, Outlook and Power Point, internet), and working knowledge on MEAL software applications
6. Demonstrated writing skills.
7. Fluency (written and spoken) in French. Working knowledge of the English language is also preferred. Knowledge of local languages would be an asset
8. Ability to work under pressure and tight schedules; 
9. Ability to collaborate and work with different types of people. 
10. Driving License: “category A” required

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. 

• Serves with Integrity 
• Models Stewardship 
• Cultivates Constructive Relationships 
• Promotes Learning 

Emergency Competencies

These are rooted in the mission, values, and principles of CRS and used by each staff working in emergencies to fulfill his or her responsibilities and to achieve the desired results.

• Communicates strategically under pressure.
• Manages stress and complexity.
• Actively promotes safety and security.

Key Working Relationships: Program Manager for ECFAP, Programassistants.

Required Travel: Regular trips in the surrounding villages of the place of sub- office location

Work Environment: Gado-Badzere and Betare-Oya/Garoua-Boulai (Department of Lom and Djerem) in the Eastern Region Cameroon. Gado Badzere is a refugee site near the eastern communities bordering CAR. These are localities with limited infrastructure, where electrical blackouts are frequent and internet service is also limited. Markets offer a variety of goods, and there are several local restaurants.

Application Process

Applications should include a cover letter, CV and the application form.

Applications can be submitted electronically at crscameroon@crs.org, specifying "MEAL Project Officer" in the email subject line; or by mail at the following address:

Country representative,

BP 1851, Yaoundé, Cameron.

Deadline for submission: March 11, 2016.

Incomplete applications or applications received after the deadline will not be considered.