Position: MEAL Officer, CoSMO Project
Employer: National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon (CENC)

Supervisor. MEAL Manager, CoSMO Project
City, Country: Douala, Cameroon
Number of Positions: 01
Date Posted: August 19, 2024
Desired Start Date: Immediately
Contract Duration: Until September 30, 2025 (with possibility of extension)

ABOUT CENC
The National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon (CENC) is the headquarters of the Catholic Church in Cameroon, where the promotion of human dignity is at the center of the concerns of the Sustainable Development Goals. CENC works to ensure the dignity of the human being, the common good, subsidiarity and solidarity of all humans. CENC’s development work in Cameroon is accomplished through access to quality education, health, promoting the commitment of the faithful to reduce inequalities and the empowerment of vulnerable groups.. he National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon (CENC) is the institution that brings together all the Bishops of the Roman Catholic Church in Cameroon. It is a public legal entity. It aims to be an institution whose vision is to promote human dignity and is at the center of its concerns.

CoSMO PROJECT SUMMARY
The 5-year, approximately US$33 million CoSMO (Consolidating Systems and Services for the Management of Orphans and Vulnerable Children) project is funded by the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). It covers at least 68 health districts in all 10 regions of Cameroon. The program has been implemented by a consortium of local organizations led by the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon (CENC) since January 1, 2023.
The OEV (Orphans and Vulnerable Children) program addresses the challenges of sustainable care for OVC by strengthening the capacities of the Government of the Republic of Cameroon (GRC), civil society, communities and households to provide quality care and support to children infected and affected by HIV in Cameroon. Under the leadership of the CENC, the sub-recipients’ partners, the Government of Cameroon and other stakeholders are working collaboratively to reach approximately 65,000 OVC and their families in the country’s high HIV burden health districts. The programme consists of HIV prevention and case finding activities for OVC, as well as community support for linkage to care and retention of children and adolescents living with HIV, with the aim of contributing to the control of the HIV epidemic by achieving and sustaining the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets.

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Under the supervision of the MEAL Manager, the MEAL Officer will support the implementation of the project’s Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) activities at the zonal level, working directly with the Sub-Recipient Implementing Partners (SR-lPs) and community members, coordinating various MEAL activities and events related to the project in support of the work of the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon (CENC) in serving poor and vulnerable children. He/she will work closely with the Sub-Recipients, the Zonal Program Team and the MEAL Core Team to ensure high quality data for monitoring of services provided to Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) in the Littoral and South regions.

Roles and Responsibilities
     Support the coordination and monitoring (including digital data collection) of MEAL activities on the ground, ensuring that implementation schedules are adhered to in accordance with the detailed activity plan.
     Monitor and report on MEAL-related activities at sub-recipients. Compile data provided by the SR-IP in accordance with project requirements and contribute to the preparation of quality reports.
     Coordinate communication and facilitate the sharing of MEAL-related information between the project team, the sub-recipient and project participants at the community level.
 Promote the use of the project Management Information System (MIS) at the zonal level. Verify SR-IPs data through the project Management Information System (MIS) to ensure that defined data quality standards are met within the specified reporting periods.

     Oversee the implementation of Data Quality Audit (DQA) activities in accordance with USAID/PEPFAR DQA standards and CENC policies and procedures at the implementing partner level and ensure that identified gaps are addressed in a timely manner.
     In coordination with the project team, support MEAL-related capacity building events for (SR-lPs). Build capacity through mentoring, supportive supervision and training on data management and use, including use of project data collection tools, interpretation and analysis of key performance indicators, quality reporting to meet project requirements.
     Actively participate in regular joint supervision visits to SRIPS and ensure timely implementation of action plans.
     Assist in the roll-out and implementation of the project’s Complaints and Feedback Response Mechanism (MPRF). Support the active seeking and response to feedback from all members of the targeted communities and other stakeholders as defined by the MPRF.
     Liaise with and mobilize various community stakeholders to ensure the full involvement of community leaders, community representatives and local government representatives in the overall implementation and improvement of the project’s MEAL activities.
     Coordinate regular data review meetings, including MEAL technical teams to assess project performance against set targets and key activities.
     Ensure that standard procedures for filing beneficiary files are followed at the implementing SR-IP level.

     Contribute to project learning by asking thoughtful questions, reflecting and sharing with project coordination information gathered from community members and partners.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience
     Master’s degree in Statistics, Biostatistics, Demography, Public Health, Epidemiology, Management Information Systems or any other relevant field.
     At least 4 years of practical experience in Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) preferably in the health sector.
     Advanced knowledge in the use of MS Excel for data analysis and visualization. The level of knowledge will be tested both in MEAL theory and in a practical manner.
     Proficiency in data management/analysis software such as SPSS, Epidata/info, Access, Stata, R, Python or other similar software.
     Proficiency in PowerBi or Tableau or similar software .
     Good knowledge in the use of Microsoft Office 365.
     Knowledge of case management and longitudinal analysis.

The following attributes would be a plus:
     Experience in HIV/AIDS projects/programs.
     Knowledge of PEPFAR MER data requirements.
Personal qualities
• Critical thinking and strong logical reasoning skills.
• Observational, active listening and analytical skills with the ability to make sound judgments.
• Good relationship management skills and the ability to work closely with local partners and community members.

• Ability to motivate partners and stakeholders to achieve common goals.
• Ability to coordinate multiple work streams with different stakeholders simultaneously.
• Training and facilitation skills.
• Attention to detail, accuracy and timeliness in carrying out assigned responsibilities.
• Proactive, results-oriented and service-oriented.
• Ability to work under pressure and adapt to any project changes.
Languages ​​Required (Desired
) • Must be bilingual with a working knowledge of English and French.
Vo a es re uis: Regular travel within the region/project area.

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS Supervision: None
Internal: Project Manager, Deputy Project Manager for Program Quality, MEAL Director, MEAL Manager, Information System Manager, Zonal Manager, MEAL Officer of the Projects Unit.
External: Faith-based implementing partners and community-based organizations, Government of the Republic of Cameroon and other stakeholders, PEPFAR care and treatment staff (clinical partners), USAD and PEPFAR representatives, consultants.
CENC-wide Competencies (for all CENCI staff)
They are anchored in the values, guiding principles, mission of the Catholic Church and CENC. They are required of each staff member to fulfill their responsibilities and achieve the desired results. These are:
     Respect for the dignity of the human person
     Respect for the common good
     Respect for the principle of subsidiarity Respect for the principle of solidarity
     Trust in all relationships


>
  Professional development
     Partnership
     Responsibility
     Integrity
     Responsibility and management
     Strategic mindset
Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skills, efforts, tasks and responsibilities associated with the position. CENC’s talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation. CENC is an equal opportunity employer.

HOW TO APPLY
Applications MUST ONLY include:
1. Cover letter addressed to the Secretary General of CENC of one (0 1 ) page maximum;
2. CV of four (04) pages maximum;
3. List of at least 3 references, one of whom must be a leader of a religious/faith community;
4. Proof of relevant academic/professional qualifications;
5. Proof of professional experience.
All files MUST be submitted in pdf format and renamed as follows: “File name_your name” for example “CV_your name
 You can apply by sending your applications to the following address:
recruitment@necc-cenc.org with “MEAL Officer, Zone 2 – CoSMO Project’ in the subject line.
Deadline for receipt of applications: 30/08/2024 at midnight Cameroon time.
No application submitted through any channel other than the one indicated above will be considered. Incomplete applications, applications received after the deadline, applications not following the instructions above will be rejected. This position is reserved for Cameroonian nationals only. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
NB: By applying for this job, the candidate must understand that NECC protects human life at all costs and will require the candidate to do the same if recruited. CENC also calls on its staff to treat all people with dignity and respect and to actively prevent harassment, abuse, exploitation and trafficking.