Program Manager I, MEAL

Reports to: Senior Program Manager - Cuba Crisis-Response 

Position Duration : August 2026 - December 2027

Project Overview

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

As the MEAL Manager, you will serve as the technical lead and advisor for the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) systems for humanitarian response programming in Cuba. You will provide technical leadership for the development of MEAL tools, methodologies, and processes appropriate to the operational context, including environments with limited connectivity, restricted access to technology, and a continued reliance on paper-based data collection systems.

In collaboration with CRS staff and Caritas Cuba partners, you will oversee the implementation of MEAL activities, support the analysis and use of qualitative and quantitative data, and ensure adherence to CRS and donor requirements for data quality, accountability, reporting, and learning. The position will guide the development of practical and context-appropriate information management systems, including processes for data collection, digitization, validation, consolidation, analysis, and reporting, to ensure that reliable information is available for timely programmatic decision-making.

You will supervise and support the Senior Project Officer (MEAL) and lead efforts to strengthen the MEAL capacity of Caritas Cuba and diocesan Caritas partners through training, mentoring, and technical accompaniment. Your technical expertise, coordination, and relationship management skills will help ensure the consistent application of MEAL best practices, promote meaningful community engagement and accountability, and support evidence-based learning and adaptation to strengthen the quality, effectiveness, and impact of humanitarian assistance provided to vulnerable households across 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 designing, adapting, and implementing MEAL systems in low-resource environments where access to technology, connectivity, or electronic data collection tools is limited, and where paper-based data collection, data entry, and alternative information management processes are required.

• Experience utilizing Information and Communication Technologies for Development (ICT4D) and ICT4MEAL approaches, including data collection and management platforms, data visualization tools, databases, and other technology solutions to support program quality and evidence-based decision-making.

• 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.

• Advanced quantitative and qualitative data analysis, database management, and data quality assurance skills.

• Demonstrated ability to design, adapt, and manage MEAL systems in low-connectivity environments, including paper-based data collection processes, data entry workflows, data validation procedures, and information consolidation and analysis.

• Knowledge of ICT4D and ICT4MEAL approaches and the ability to assess, adapt, and promote technology solutions that are appropriate to the operational context and user capacity.

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

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

Required Languages: Fluency in English and Spanish required.

Travel: Must be willing and able to travel up to 35%

Supervisory Responsabilities: Yes

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.