CARE seeks a MEAL Director for the anticipated USAID-funded Afghanistan Integrated Youth Activity (AIYA). This activity aims to empower Afghan youth, particularly girls and young women, by equipping them with market-relevant technical and soft skills. This initiative seeks to enhance income, food security, and economic resilience among participants. The overarching goal of AIYA is to improve learning outcomes and livelihood opportunities for young women and men. Expected outcomes include: 1) Improved post-secondary technical and vocational education or learning opportunities for youth, with a focus on market-relevant, skills-based learning within the agricultural sector and its related value chains. 2) Youth, particularly girls and young women, acquire market-relevant skills to improve livelihood opportunities and engage in climate resilient agricultural value chains in their home, community, or other settings.
The MEAL Director will be responsible for establishing and managing the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning system for CARE’s program, ensuring that it aligns with both the organization’s global standards and the specific requirements of the donor. Working collaboratively with program teams to develop and implement a robust MEAL framework that captures accurate and relevant data, promotes learning, and ensures accountability to both beneficiaries and donors.
This activity is expected to be a five-year program in the $62 million range.
This is a Key Personnel position, subject to USAID approval. It is also subject to project award and funding. National candidates are encouraged to apply. This position will be based in Kabul.
Application Deadline: Friday, June 14, 2024
Responsibilities:
· Develop the overall framework for project MEAL systems, including requirements, reporting, baseline, and evaluation surveys. Develop and monitor the project Performance Management Plan (PMP) to systematically document outcomes for project technical leads and leadership team.
· Ensure alignment of MEAL activities with program goals and contribute to the development of annual work plans to identify project targets and ensure inclusion of M&E and Learning activities.
· Monitor project activities and track these activities against the results framework.
· Conduct field visits for data collection, and validation, and to monitor data quality. Ensure timely compilation and reporting of data. Capture and document lessons learned, and champion scaling up of best practices.
· Craft and execute annual program plans, set performance benchmarks, and oversee the project’s monitoring mechanisms.
· Offer guidance and supervision for the MEAL function, ensuring it aids the project in achieving its goals.
· Guarantee that MEAL activities have sufficient budgetary allocation and oversee the prudent and timely use of the MEAL budget.
· Lead the MEAL team by providing regular coaching, supervision, performance assessments, and capacity building to enhance their skills and professional development.
· Oversee the deployment and enactment of the project’s MEAL strategies, protocols, and in-country activities, including organizing training sessions for both MEAL and relevant project staff.
· Provide technical leadership, capacity building, and support to project and partner staff in planning and implementing MEAL systems and activities, data-based program decision-making, and results reporting.
· Support the Chief of Party (COP) to coordinate mid-term and final project evaluations.
· Ensure utilization of global best practices of USAID guidelines regarding Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA).
Qualifications:
· Master’s degree in statistics, data management, public health, international development, economic development, or other relevant is required.
· 8-10 years of relevant senior experience in international development as MEAL director, program director, or in a senior management role on large humanitarian or development projects (Education, Climate Change, Agriculture, Livelihood etc.) with minimum 3-5 years of research experience.
· Proven experience in quantitative and qualitative research methods, survey design and implementation, and statistical data analysis.
· Demonstrated MEAL experience in the project technical area of education, youth development, resilience building, or governance.
· Strong experience and knowledge of USAID M&E guidelines, systems, and reporting requirements including Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) principles, approaches, and their application to project learning and adaptation.
· Strong data visualization and report writing skills, and ability to translate technical information for non-technical audiences.
· Experience working in Afghanistan or on fragile or post-conflict states preferred.
· Experience recruiting, developing, and managing staff and teams.
· Demonstrated skills in building and maintaining relationships with project stakeholders, local partners, and local organizations.
· Fluency in English required (spoken and written).
· Fluency in Dari or Pashto preferred (spoken and written).
· Strong oral and written communication skills; excellent demonstrated intercultural, interpersonal, and negotiation skills.
· Demonstrated commitment to PSHEA (Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Harassment, and Abuse).
· Demonstrated commitment to principles of Diversity, Equity, Belonging, and Inclusion (DEBI).
· Ability to travel within Afghanistan as required and as security conditions allow.
How to apply
To apply for this position, please visit our website at:
https://phg.tbe.taleo.net/phg02/ats/careers/v2/viewRequisition?org=CAREUSA&cws=52&rid=7301
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