Program Manager I, MEAL

Catholic Relief Services (CRS), in partnership with Caritas Cuba, is implementing a multi-sector emergency response to support vulnerable households across Cuba. The project focuses on delivering essential assistance in food security, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), and basic shelter and non-food items (NFIs). The program prioritizes households with the greatest needs and is delivered through local Caritas structures to ensure effective, community-based implementation. Activities include food distributions, hygiene support, and targeted shelter improvements in select areas. 

The project emphasizes efficient delivery, accountability to participants, and practical monitoring approaches adapted to the local context. Through this effort, CRS and Caritas aim to help households meet immediate needs while strengthening the capacity to deliver timely and well-coordinated assistance. 

Job Summary 

Act as the technical advisor and process lead for quality Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) design for humanitarian response programming in Cuba.  Manage tools and recommend methods appropriate to scope, context, and technical requirements of these projects. Coordinate MEAL activities, maintain relationships with partners and other project stakeholders to support project objectives and advance Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) work serving the poor and vulnerable. Utilize technical MEAL skills and knowledge to manage and analyze data, ensure donor compliance, and support learning initiatives to promote continuous improvement and the delivery of high-quality humanitarian response programming in Cuba. 

Roles and Key Responsibilities 

• Develop the program MEAL system and manage MEAL implementation activities through the project cycle - start-up, implementation and close-out - in line with CRS program quality principles and standards, donor requirements, and best practices.  

• Lead technical support for quality MEAL design, including tools and methods, appropriate to scope, context, and technical requirements of a project. 

• Lead technical support in analyzing qualitative and quantitative MEAL data,  while ensuring data quality and data management practices. 

• Integrate data analysis, and reflection to drive improvements in ongoing project activities. 

• Ensure compliance with donor and agency MEAL requirements by consistently applying established standards and monitoring adherence across activities. 

• Communicate the agency’s approach to MEAL and key findings to program colleagues and partners. 

• Maintain collaborative relationships with partner staff and volunteers and, as needed, community members by engaging regularly, fostering open communication, and supporting meaningful participation in program activities. 

• Share MEAL learning and experiences in broader regional discussions.  

• Contribute to planning, budgeting, and implementation of quality MEAL activities through effective management practices. 

• Identify staff capacity needs and technical MEAL assistance needs of partner organizations. Contribute to capacity strengthening and required interventions to support quality project implementation. Train project stakeholders in the MEAL system and donor requirements. 

• Support the production of donor reports and organize quarterly partner meetings. 

Basic Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree in International Development, International Relations, Sociology, Statistics, MEAL or in a related field. 

• 5 years of relevant field-based experience in coordinating or managing light to moderately complex projects required, preferably with an international NGO. 

• Experience communicating with communities and implementing accountability mechanisms. 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Leadership experience in MEAL. 

• Experience engaging with partner organizations. 

• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), standard statistical data analysis packages (SPSS, Stata or R), web  conferencing applications, and information management systems. 

• Project MEAL management experience in Latin America and the Caribbean is highly desirable.  

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities  

• Critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills with the ability to make sound judgment. 

• Strong relationship management skills and the ability to work effectively with local stakeholders. 

• Data analysis (quantitative and qualitative) and database management skills. 

• Excellent communication and drafting skills for effective reporting in English. 

• Proactive, results-oriented, and service-oriented mindset. 

• Attention to detail, accuracy, and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities.