Job Summary:

Since 2006, CRS has implemented a model of Community Based Education (CBE) that partners with the Ministry of Education (MOE) and local community leaders to provide access to a quality education and establish a sustainable system of education for boys and girls in remote and marginalized areas. Currently, CRS implements CBE programming in four provinces in Afghanistan: Herat, Ghor, Bamyan, and Daikundi.

CRS Bamiyan Office currently manages classes in the Districts of Yakawlang 1 and Yakawlang 2 (Dare Chasht) of Bamiyan Province and plans to expand to other districts. This broad geographic coverage and the central role of the Government offices and community leaders in the implementation of CBE programming requires extensive and effective coordination between CRS, Government officials, and communities, as well as widespread collaborative monitoring to ensure coverage of all implementation areas. 

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Support the coordination and implementation of all assigned project MEAL activities as outlined in the Detailed Implementation Plan in line with CRS program quality principles, standards and MEAL policies, procedures, and practices; donor MEAL requirements; and industry good practices.
• Monitor and report any MEAL-related challenges and gaps identified to inform adjustments to plans and implementation schedules. Assist partners in their efforts to reflect on project experiences.
• Lead the roll-out and implementation of the project’s feedback, complaint, and response mechanism (FCRM). Support actively seeking and responding to feedback from all members of targeted communities and other stakeholders as defined by the FCRM.
• Support field-level project MEAL activities (including digital data collection) and assist partners in their efforts to collect and ensure timely analysis of project data per specified mechanisms and tools. Collaborate with local partner(s) to prepare MEAL-related aspects of reports per established reporting schedule.
• Collect information on staff MEAL capacity needs and technical assistance needs of partner organizations and monitor MEAL capacity building and technical support activities to ensure effective impact.

• Complete project documentation for assigned MEAL activities. Assist with identifying information for case studies and reports on promising practices.
• Support program learning and decision making by posing thoughtful questions, engaging with project data, reflecting upon and sharing with project management the information gathered from community members and partners.

MEAL System Design: (15%)

• Under the leadership of the Education PM, and in coordination with the entire project team, the Project Officer (MEAL) will lead the design of systems and tools for overall project monitoring and evaluation, including data collection, management, analysis, and reporting.
• The Project Officer (MEAL) will identify challenges in data collection and data management to the Senior Project Officer and offer suggestions for improving system design during the life of projects.
• The Project Officer (MEAL) will contribute to the design of MEAL plans for the development of new project proposals as needed, and lead SMILER workshops for projects starting up.

Field Monitoring and Data Collection: (35%)

• In coordination with the project team, the Project Officer (MEAL) will participate in the implementation of the MEAL system, including the following tasks:
  • Documentation and verification of beneficiary registrations, activity tracking, and distributions of material or inputs.
  • Collection of data through household and community level surveys and data assessments.
  • Monitoring of activities to identify key challenges and gaps in the implementation of activities and find solutions.
• The Project Officer (MEAL) will also undertake regular field visits to project sites to monitor project implementation and verify that the following aspects of programming are in line with CRS and project standards:
  • Support assessments and data collection for community selection and beneficiary registration, verification, and validation
  • Information sharing with target communities regarding project objectives, approaches, activities, and achievements.
  • Selection of appropriate data collection (quantitative and qualitative) techniques to measure project achievements

Filing, Data Entry, and Data Management (30%)

• The Project Officer (MEAL) is the primary person responsible for ensuring that the information and data collected for project monitoring and evaluation is managed in a clear, complete, accurate, timely, and transparent manner according to the filing and naming protocols established in the design of relevant project MEAL systems. This includes data entry into project databases and the maintenance of electronic and paper files for data collection and analysis.

Data Analysis, Reporting, and Capacity Building (20%)

• The Project Officer (MEAL) will support the Education Project Officer to review and analyze project data, make suggestions for improving the project plan and implementation, and compile reports as needed for various stakeholders including donor agencies, national and international NGO partners, local communities, and relevant government ministries. He or she will also work in close coordination with MEAL Assistants to improve their capacity in MEAL.

Quality Assurance

• Conduct verifications on household registrations
• Conduct monitoring of field activities to ensure processes and procedures are followed
• Collect feedback from communities and program participants and ensure this information is conveyed quickly and accurately to the Team Leader, Project Officer, Program Manager for follow up
• Conduct exit interviews at distributions
• Conduct post-distribution monitoring

Required Languages – Excellent English reading, writing and verbal skills; fluent Dari speaking  and writing

Travel – The position will be based Bamyan with consistent travel to all districts in the  provinces CRS is currently working

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Excellent attention to detail and strong organizational skills
• Good relationship management skills and the ability to work closely with community leaders and government representatives
• Proactive, results-oriented, and service-oriented
• Excellent communication and presentation skills and good judgment with regards to problem-solving
• Strong sensitivity and respect for local cultures
• professional manner in dealing with community members and co-workers.
• Strong listening and interpersonal skills
• Willingness to be based in based in the districts and work in field locations, as assigned

Key Working Relationships:

Internal: Education Program Manager, Bamiyan Education Project Officer, MEAL Coordinator, MEAL Assistants, Bamiyan Head of Office.

External: National and international NGOs, government ministries, community leaders and community members

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff)

These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

• Integrity
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation
• Builds Relationships
• Develops Talent
• Strategic Mindset
• Accountability & Stewardship

Protection Acknowledgment: CRS prohibits all forms of abuse and exploitation towards children and vulnerable adults. As a professional candidate, you commit to adhering to the Agency’s policy on the protection, rights, and dignity of children and vulnerable adults and to safeguard them from abuse and exploitation as defined in CRS’ Safeguarding Policy.

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