Mercy Corps is a leading global organisation powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we collaborate to put bold solutions into action, helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. Now, and for the future.
 Enhancing resilience is at the heart of what Mercy Corps does and how we work. Mercy Corps strengthens sources of resilience to enhance the capacities of people, markets, and institutions to handle shocks, reduce risk, build more equitable and responsive systems, and improve well-being. Through our programmes, partnerships, and influence, we support communities to cope, adapt, and ultimately thrive.
 Since 1986, Mercy Corps Afghanistan has supported communities to recover and build resilience to future shocks, and promote sustainable change by supporting community-led and market-driven initiatives, with a focus on the most marginalised. Our objectives include meeting immediate food and nutrition needs through cash, voucher, and WASH assistance, strengthening capacities for crisis preparedness and response, and in so doing, contribute to resilience through inclusive, climate-smart water systems, enhanced livelihoods opportunities, food security, and social cohesion.
 
About the ProgrammeThe UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has launched a call for proposals for NGOs to deliver the Promoting Resilient & Equitable Recovery of Agriculture and Livelihoods in Afghan communities (PREVALE) programme. The overall aim of the 5-year programme is to increase multi-year food productivity and profitability for vulnerable farmers, herders, and land-poor Afghans, including women with intersecting and overlapping vulnerabilities, build community-level resilience to climate and environmental risk, and strengthen livelihoods and local markets. The programme is anticipated to begin in November or December 2024. Hiring is contingent upon successful award of the grant.
 The FCDO envisions the programme will deliver the following Outcomes, (i) Livelihoods for vulnerable Afghans - including women, smallholders, and the land-poor – are more accessible, productive, profitable, and sustainable, (ii) Targeted communities are better able to anticipate, prepare for, respond, and adapt to environmental and climate shocks and stresses, and (iii) Targeted households have improved food security and nutrition, and reduced harmful coping behaviours.  General Position SummaryThe Research, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Lead (RMEL Lead) will be a core member of the PREVALE Programme Management Unit (PMU). The RMEL Lead will manage the PREVALE MEL technical team and lead the national MEL focal points from each partner organisation. S/he will support the implementation of the monitoring, evaluation and learning plan of PREVALE’ activities, cultivating a strong learning culture, and providing leadership and strategic direction to the MEL staff of the consortium's partners.The Research, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Lead (RMEL Lead) will lead on the design of the Research and MEL Plans in close collaboration with various other technical leads. S/he will set the technical direction for the programme’s key learning questions, coordination of information sources, analysis of trends, and contribute to the programme’s influence strategy. The RMEL Lead will be responsible for overseeing MEL workstreams, various assessments and integrated research components, including data collection, analysis and learning papers, ensuring effective coordination and sharing of information and learning within the programme. As such, the RMEL Lead will play a key role in ensuring effective practices for adaptive management are in place, taking a facilitatory role in pause and reflect sessions, contributing to evidence-based decision-making. Essential ResponsibilitiesSTRATEGY AND PLANNING    📚 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗮 𝗝𝗼𝗯 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗡 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯! 🌍🤝 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗡 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗨𝗡𝗛𝗖𝗥, 𝗪𝗙𝗣, 𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗘𝗙, 𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗦𝗦, 𝗨𝗡𝗙𝗣𝗔, 𝗜𝗢𝗠 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀! 🌐  
  ⚠️ 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐍𝐨𝐰: 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐚 𝐣𝐨𝐛 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐍𝐎𝐖! 

Design and develop a comprehensive MEAL Strategy in collaboration with PREVALE programme team (to be reviewed by and agreed with FCDO).Lead on the identification of valid research investigations (e.g. impact evaluation, in-depth study) and develop research plan in close collaboration with PREVALE programme leadership and partners to (to be reviewed by and agreed with FCDO)Lead on synthesising and disseminating program data relevant to performance and implementation among all consortium partners. Oversee data measurement and analysis of key performance indicators to inform strategic decision making and manage Value for Money throughout the programmeCoordinate consortium level MEL and Learning events and deliverables throughout the life of the programParticipate in inter-agency meetings to ensure coordination, including technical Working Groups, and share best practices and harmonize toolsMONITORING & EVALUATION Oversee and support the delivery, development and analysis, of formative assessments for the programme and work with different technical leads to distill learning, support decision-making and action findings. Design the MEL Plan for the PREVALE programme, ensuring close coordination and cooperation across partners and components of the programme. Set up the MEL system of the programme, including the set up of technology for MEL and TolaData maintenance, ensuring they are compliant with donor and Mercy Corps’ requirements.Lead systematic reviews of relevant theory and evidence to help identify core learning questions and working hypotheses.Oversee and guide the design and implementation of quantitative and qualitative data collection tools and analyses.Lead the monitoring and evaluation milestones related to the PREVALE programme, including baseline, midline and endline, final evaluation, MEL-related formative studies and recurring monitoring activities.Coordinate and manage the production of external-facing learning products targeted to a wide variety of stakeholders and audiences.Provide support to program managers to review MEL budgets, BVAs and ensure appropriate levels of resourcing for MEL Deliverables, if needed.Work closely with CARM specialists to integrate communities and other stakeholders’ feedback into reporting products to inform programmatic adaptation RESEARCH & LEARNINGFacilitate learning sessions with programme team(s) and external stakeholders to reflect on evidence and drive planning and implementation of programme inputs and activities.Develop PREVALE research & learning plan and oversee its implementation. Support the development, management and coordination of knowledge management databases and tools.Support the consortium's intentional learning and continuous improvement culture by contributing to strategies to monitor, evaluate and report on the effectiveness of programme efforts through activities, such as Pause & reflect sessions, After-Action Reviews, quarterly reviews, and internal performance reviews.Lead the MEL component during the facilitation of strategic planning sessions.Provide leadership, training and mentoring in the development of learning plans, tools, survey design, methodology, data analysis, and other skills required for assessing the impact of the programme.Conduct training sessions with partners about the various learning and knowledge management tools.Develop knowledge management tools and processes, adapt them if needed through the programme duration, and ensure implementation adoption Lead the development of Knowledge, Learning and Communication activities that reflect industry standards in climate resilience, knowledge transfer and application. This includes leading design and promoting a highly participatory and inclusive approach for knowledge transfer and utilization for local actors.Provide technical advisory services on the design and implementation of digital knowledge/data management systems.Support the efforts to implement Final Internal Performance Reviews (FIPR), evaluate and strengthen analytic capacity within the programs, identify and capture learning and best practice, share across programs and partners as necessary. TEAM MANAGEMENTDevelop and ensure capacity building plans are used to mentor and coach staff to build their capacity.Foster a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.Lead a team across research, monitoring, evaluation and learning activities, including across consortium partners to ensure close integration of implementation and learning.  Accountability to Participants and StakeholdersCollaborate with Community Accountability and Response Mechanism (CARM) staff members to strengthen systems to promote accountability to participants and communities.Support programme teams to ensure communities understand their rights and are comfortable to provide feedback to Mercy Corps on MEL processes and programme activities.Ensure all RMEL activities are gender sensitive and in adherence with Mercy Corps’ and FCDO Gender Policies.Apply Do No Harm standards to ensure that MEL activities do not have adverse effects on communities.Support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to participants and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging communities as equal partners in design, monitoring and evaluation of projects. SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: PREVALE MEL Manager and MEL & Research Officers (Number TBC)Reports Directly To: The PREVALE Consortium DirectorWorks Directly With: All team members of the PREVALE programme, including partners, Deputy Director, other Technical Leads and programme managers,Operations, HR and Finance teams, and Mercy Corps regional and HQ MEL teams.  Minimum Qualifications & Transferable Skills 8+ years experience in designing and implementing approaches to MEL.5+ years experience in senior management roles and demonstrable team management skills.Experience working for FCDO funded programmes preferred.Proven ability to produce final documents (such as learning agenda logframes, M&E Plans, etc.) for donor consumption required.Experience with theoretical and practical background in MEL and knowledge of qualitative and quantitative methodologies and techniques required.Successful experience with the adoption of mobile data collection tools like Open Data Kit (ODK) and ability to use data visualisation software (e.g. PowerBI) preferred.Thematic experience in agriculture, market systems development, livelihoods, climate programming and knowledge of the Afghan context preferred.Proficiency in English required, Pashto and Dari advantageous.  Success Factors:High-level communication skills.Strong time management and prioritisation skills.Effective interpersonal skills.Strong attention to detail.Self-motivated, but able to work within a team.Experience working towards achieving set targets and exceeding them.Demonstrated self-reliant problem-solver. Ongoing LearningIn support of our belief that learning organisations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and developmentDiversity, Equity & InclusionAchieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organisation with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives. Equal Employment OpportunityMercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact. We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.Safeguarding & EthicsMercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. 






    📚 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗮 𝗝𝗼𝗯 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗡 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰! 🌍🤝 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗡 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗨𝗡𝗛𝗖𝗥, 𝗪𝗙𝗣, 𝗜𝗢𝗠, 𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗘𝗙, 𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗦𝗦, 𝗨𝗡𝗙𝗣𝗔 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀!  🌐   





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    📚 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗮 𝗝𝗼𝗯 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗡 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰! 🌍🤝 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗡 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗨𝗡𝗛𝗖𝗥, 𝗪𝗙𝗣, 𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗘𝗙, 𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗦𝗦, 𝗨𝗡𝗙𝗣𝗔 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀! 🌐