MEAL Officer - Karachi

Pakistan Centre for Philanthropy; Karachi Division; On-site; PKR 1,800,000 - 3,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Catholic Relief Services in Pakistan seeks a Project Officer - MEAL to drive Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning across the portfolio. You will partner with project managers, MEAL staff, technical teams and field colleagues to ensure accurate data, timely reporting and evidence-based decision making.

The role covers data collection tools, dashboards, field monitoring, accountability mechanisms and learning for programme improvement, with travel across Pakistan.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in social sciences, or computer science/IT, or related field.
• Minimum 3 years of MEAL, monitoring, data quality, data management or reporting experience in humanitarian/development programs.
• Demonstrated data cleaning, validation, field verification, indicator tracking and dashboard/reporting experience.

Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain MEAL systems aligned with project and donor requirements.
• Track indicators, maintain data quality checks and issue logs.
• Digitise data collection tools (Kobo/CommCare) and ensure validation rules.
• Prepare datasets, summaries, dashboards and reports for management.
• Conduct field monitoring, verification and spot checks.
• Support feedback, complaint handling and learning for program improvement.
• Support learning and adaptive management through data analysis and documentation

Skills

Attention to detail

Data analysis

MS Excel

Communication skills

Field monitoring

Education

Bachelor’s degree in social sciences

Postgraduate qualification (advantage)

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Power BI

Kobo

CommCare

GPS

GIS

Job description

CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

Job Summary

The Project Officer - MEAL is a central Pakistan programme position providing project-level operational Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) and data quality support across the CRS Pakistan portfolio. The position will work with project managers, MEAL staff, technical teams, field teams, partners, and the MEAL Manager to ensure that project data and evidence are accurate, complete, consistent, timely, traceable, and used for decision-making and reporting.

The position will support routine project MEAL functions including indicator and activity tracking, data collection tools and digital systems, field monitoring, data cleaning and validation, Data Quality Assessments (DQA), accountability mechanisms, databases and dashboards, reporting, evidence management, and learning. The role will provide the operational project-level support needed across Pakistan.

Roles and Key Responsibilities

1. Project MEAL Systems and Progress Tracking

• Support project teams to establish and maintain MEAL systems in line with project, donor, and CRS requirements.
• Update IPTTs, DIP trackers, activity trackers, beneficiary databases, monitoring trackers, and action plans.
• Track progress against indicators and activities, and flag delays, gaps, or inconsistencies for follow-up.

2. Data Quality Assurance and Verification

• Conduct routine data quality checks for accuracy, completeness, consistency, timeliness, and reliability.
• Clean and validate project datasets, including checks for missing data, duplicates, outliers, coding errors, GPS issues, and inconsistent IDs.
• Cross-check reported data against source documents and MoVs, and maintain DQA logs and issue trackers.

3. Data Collection Tools and Digital Systems

• Support development, review, testing, and improvement of data collection and monitoring tools.
• Support digitisation of tools in Kobo, CommCare, or similar platforms, including skip logic and validation rules.
• Provide guidance to project and partner teams on correct use of tools and common data quality issues.

4. Data Management, Analysis, Dashboards and Reporting

• Maintain organised and secure project data repositories with proper version control and filing.
• Prepare clean datasets, summary tables, charts, trackers, and data extracts for reporting and management review.
• Support development and updating of dashboards and basic analysis of monitoring, assessment, and FCRM data.

5. Field Monitoring and Evidence Verification

• Conduct monitoring, verification, and spot-check visits to project locations.
• Verify implementation progress, beneficiary reach, data quality, and supporting evidence.
• Document findings, corrective actions, and follow-up points through field visit reports and trackers.

6. Accountability and FCRM

• Support implementation and quality assurance of project FCRM systems.
• Review feedback and complaint records for completeness, timeliness, confidentiality, and follow-up.
• Support analysis of community feedback to inform programme improvement and decision-making.

7. Learning and Adaptive Management

• Prepare data summaries and evidence for project reviews, reflection sessions, and management discussions.
• Support documentation of lessons learned, good practices, challenges, and case studies.
• Help project teams use monitoring findings and data trends for timely corrective action and programme improvement.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, or computer science or IT, or a related field. A relevant postgraduate qualification is an advantage.
• Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in MEAL, monitoring, data quality assurance, data management, reporting, assessments, or information management in humanitarian or development programmes.
• Demonstrated experience in data cleaning, validation, field verification, indicator tracking, database management, and preparation of monitoring or reporting products.

Required Languages

Strong written and spoken English, Urdu and Sindhi. Knowledge of Sindhi, or other local languages used in CRS programme areas is an advantage.

Travel

The position will be based in Karachi and must be willing and able to travel frequently to CRS project locations across Pakistan, including Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, and other programme areas as required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Understanding of MEAL systems, results frameworks, indicators, Means of Verification, data quality, accountability, and reporting.
• Strong data management and analytical skills, with high attention to accuracy, consistency, and detail.
• Advanced working knowledge of Microsoft Excel; experience with Power BI or other visualization/dashboard tools is strongly preferred.
• Practical experience with digital data collection platforms such as Kobo, CommCare, or similar systems.
• Good understanding of data protection, confidentiality, informed consent, safeguarding, and responsible data management.
• Strong field monitoring, verification, problem-solving, coordination, and communication skills.
• Ability to organize multiple datasets, tasks, projects, and deadlines in a structured manner.
• Proactive, collaborative, responsive, and open to learning and feedback.
• Experience developing or managing dashboards, centralized databases
• Experience conducting or supporting formal Data Quality Assessments (DQA) and maintaining DQA or data issue logs.
• Experience with GIS-linked datasets, GPS verification, or spatial data will be an advantage.
• Familiarity with CRS MEAL policies, procedures, accountability standards, and programme quality principles is an advantage.

Supervisory Responsibilities

None. The position may provide day-to-day technical guidance to staff, temporary data collectors, interns, or partner staff when assigned for specific MEAL activities.

Key Working Relationships

Internal: MEAL Manager, Head of Programming, Country Head, Project Managers, MEAL staff, Technical Advisors, Project Officers, Field Teams, Operations, Finance, Supply Chain, ICT, and other programme quality colleagues.

External: CRS implementing partners, consultants, community structures, government counterparts, donors, and other stakeholders as required by individual projects.

Required Languages – Strong written and spoken English, Urdu and Sindhi. Knowledge of Sindhi, or other local languages used in CRS programme areas is an advantage.

Travel- The position will be based in Karachi and must be willing and able to travel frequently to CRS project locations across Pakistan, including Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, and other programme areas as required

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.
• 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.

CRS strongly encourages applications from qualified candidates who are nationals of the countries and regions where we operate. In alignment with our commitment to local leadership and sustainability, preference will be given to national candidates. If an expatriate is selected, the assignment will be subject to a defined term limit based on the role’s scope and agency needs.

CRS is committed to safeguarding program participants, community members, staff and volunteers from all forms of exploitation and abuse. The successful candidate is expected to sign and adhere to CRS´ Code of Conduct.

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.

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

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