Program Manager II – Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL)

Job Summary

The MEL PM II is responsible for driving the design and implementation of the country program’s Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) framework, ensuring alignment with the CP’s 2030 strategy and donor requirements. This includes overseeing the implementation of agency-level MEL requirements and improvement plans and fostering continuous quality improvement across all MEL functions. The role provides technical support to project-based MEL staff, ensuring systems are robust, cross-sectoral, and inclusive of gender, disability, peacebuilding, and safe programming considerations.

The MEL PM II contributes to program and proposal design through evidence-based insights and donor-responsive MEL components, and guides start-up activities, evaluations, and adaptive management practices. They promote a culture of learning through reflection sessions, knowledge management systems, and capacity strengthening for both staff and partners. Additionally, the role oversees digital data systems, supports data visualization for decision-making, contributes to program quality, and provides effective line management to the MEL team, building a collaborative, high-performing unit across the CP.

Roles and Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and roll-out of the country program’s MEL framework, ensuring alignment with the CP’s 2030 strategy.
• Ensure timely completion of all agency level MEL requirements and country office level MPP self-assessment improvement plans while promoting continuous quality improvement of MEL implementation across the CP.
• Provide technical support to project-based MEL staff to establish and maintain effective monitoring, evaluation, and learning systems and standards. Ensure these systems integrate cross-sectoral considerations, including gender, disability, peacebuilding, safe and dignified programming, and partner capacity strengthening.
• Contribute to proposal development by ensuring MEL components (logframes, indicators, results frameworks, MEL plans, and budgets) are robust and compliant with donor expectations. Support program design with evidence and data-driven insights to strengthen theories of change.
• Coordinate and lead MEL-related start-up activities for new projects, including baseline assessments, indicator mapping, and data collection systems set-up.
• Advise project teams on adaptive management practices through regular analysis and interpretation of monitoring and evaluation data.
• Support project-based MEL staff with designing and implementing mid-term and final evaluations, ensuring they are participatory, gender-sensitive, and aligned with the CP MEL Framework.
• Foster a learning culture by facilitating regular reflection sessions, learning events, and after-action reviews. Establish a MEL community of practice for collaboration and information sharing. Establish and maintain systems for capturing, storing, and disseminating knowledge, lessons learned, and best practices.
• Collaborate with project and marketing and communication teams to develop visibility materials highlighting lessons learned and achievements.
• Provide capacity-strengthening on MEL for staff; develop learning and training curriculum, conduct trainings and workshops, and provide mentoring and coaching.
• Coordinate MEL capacity assessments for partners and develop tailored support plans that address each partner’s specific needs and goals. Oversee the implementation of these plans and organize or deliver capacity strengthening support on MEL tools, methodologies, and quality assurance.
• Oversee the development and deployment of digital data collection systems for real-time monitoring and the design of user-friendly data visualization tools to support program decision-making and donor reporting.
• Provide line management to the MEL team, ensuring clear roles, professional development, and performance management. Promote a collaborative and high-performance culture within the MEL unit and across departments.

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

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant subject area (statistics, measurement and evaluation, data science, social science, public health, or a related field); additional experience may substitute for some education.
• Minimum of 8 years relevant working experience in an advisory or management role with progressive responsibilities, ideally with an international NGO, with a minimum of five years working for programming interventions in MEL. Previous experience managing MEL-related activities for large donor-funded projects is preferred.
• Experience providing technical assistance and developing successful funding proposals.
• Demonstrated application of technical principles and concepts in MEL. General knowledge of other related disciplines to ensure a proper cross-sectoral approach.
• Experience in mentoring, coaching, facilitation, and training applying adult learning principles and practices.
• Experience with program monitoring and evaluation, including applying data collection tools and methodologies, data analysis, and data presentation.
• Understanding and application of partnership principles.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Excellent relationship management skills with the ability to influence and get buy-in from people not under direct supervision and to work with individuals in diverse geographical and cultural settings.
• Strong strategic, analytical, problem-solving, and systems thinking skills with the capacity to see the big picture and the ability to make sound judgment
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Strong presentation, facilitation, training, mentoring, and coaching skills
• Proactive, resourceful and results-oriented

Key Working Relationships 

Internal: Chiefs of Party; Deputy Chiefs of Party; Deputy Head of Programs – PQ; Program Managers; MEL Program Mangers, Program Managers, Technical Advisors, SPOs and POs

External: Senior/Regional Technical Advisors, Donor MEL Technical Advisors/Leads, Partner MEAL staff, Research institutions, Government agencies

Required Languages: Fluent in oral and written English and Amharic required.

Travel: Must be willing and able to travel up to 20%.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Yes

What we offer

CRS is committed to fostering a supportive and family-friendly work environment. We offer comprehensive benefits including maternity and paternity leave, policies that promote exclusive breastfeeding, including reimbursement for the purchase of breast pump. Employees also enjoy medical and life insurance coverage, leave entitlements, and opportunities for learning, development, and career growth. CRS´ work culture is a collaborative, mission-driven culture committed to improving the lives of the poor throughout the world.

***Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. 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’ 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.

CRS’ talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

Qualified female and persons with disabilities are highly encouraged to apply.

CRS is Equal Opportunity Employer!

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