Main Purpose of the Job:

The purpose of the MEAL Officer position is to coordinate the collection, compilation, consolidation, and analysis of data to track programs/ projects activities, monitor progress and support impact measurement.  S/he will also conduct development research, engage in reflective practice, and generate lessons from projects/program and prepare MEAL plans.  S/he is responsible for establishing and ensuring better data management systems for the core program s/he assigned for and coordinates the proper and timely evaluation of project objectives/impact.  S/he will ensure the existence of accountability mechanisms and devise a strategy for program staff participation in MEAL activities.  The position holder will closely work with front line staff and volunteers.  S/he also will work closely with the MEAL unit on technical matters and reports to the Sr. MEAL officer.

Duties and Responsibilities:

A. Program/project design and learning:

• With the support of the MEAL Manager/ Senior MEAL officer, design, develop and continuously update project MEAL tools.
• Take part in diagnostic studies, evaluations, and surveys.
• Implementation of reflective practice forums at field office/ project level and compile lessons from project implementation processes.

B. Monitoring and evaluation

• Coordinate field level community participatory monitoring and evaluation, reflective practice, and impact measurement.
• With the support of the MEAL Manager/ Senior MEAL officer, ensues the on-time execution of projects major monitoring and evaluation events including but not limited to baseline survey, mid-term evaluation, final evaluation, data quality audit and field supervision.
• In collaboration with the Senior MEAL Officer and the MEAL Manager, provide technical assistance to staff on information management system, proper data collection and record keeping.
• Conduct regular data verification exercises to ensure reporting and collection of quality data.
• Verify entered data for completeness, correctness, and consistency and follow up on any data quality issues.
• Document findings from data quality audits and store in project files to ensure collective and sustainable access.
• Actively participate in and contribute to MEAL team activities, system assessments, development, and implementation of new systems and/or tools aimed at strengthening overall MEAL practices at IRC Afghanistan.

C. Accountability and Learning

• Lead and coordinate processes to collect, review and respond to client feedback at the provincial level.
• Set up feedback mechanisms to collect and respond to client feedback – both proactive and reactive (technological improvements to existing mechanisms).
• Conduct regular FGDs and meetings with different stakeholders to solicit feedback on IRC’s work.
• Prepare CRA reports based on consolidated analysis of client feedback recorded via proactive and reactive channels, to be discussed at field meetings, project review meetings for analysis and decision making at the provincial level.
• Provide awareness sessions to clients and make sure all clients have IEC materials.

D. Information management and reporting

• Submit data set to update country office wide program database on monthly basis.
• Compile quarter, biannual and annual tabular and narrative reports (as required by project stakeholders) on projects’ accomplishments.

E. Capacity building and supervision

• Organize orientation for field program staff and volunteers on the monitoring tools and train them how-to high-quality data and use it for decision making.

F. Perform other job related duties assigned by the supervisor.

• Perform other job related assignment proposed by her supervisor.

SKILLS

• Excellent computer skills are required (particularly Microsoft Excel, Access, and Word).
• Strong data collection, analysis, and report writing skills required.
• Ability to work independently, think analytically and take initiative in solving problems.
• Ability to communicate technical issues effectively.
• Familiarity with log frame analysis and MEAL plan.
• Experience in conducting assessments.
• Desirable-Working with highly vulnerable and displaced people would be added advantage.
• Good verbal communication skills in the local language and working knowledge of English.
• Most importantly, commitment to IRC values and principles.
• A strong team player with excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work with groups of