The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world’s largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and more than 25 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees delivers lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you’re a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

The IRC began working in Afghanistan in 1988, launching relief programs for people displaced by the invasion of the Soviet Union. IRC continued to provide aid under Taliban rule and expanded its community development projects after the Taliban was ousted. IRC now works across nine provinces. The IRC works with local communities to identify, plan and manage their own development projects; provides safe learning spaces in rural areas; provides uprooted families with basic necessities; and helps people find employment.

Scope of work

The IRC seeks a Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) Director for an upcoming USAID education activity in Afghanistan called ‘USAID Access to Quality & Basic Education (AQBE)’. The project will enable Afghan children to acquire the education and skills needed to be productive members of society and foster individual self-reliance.

The MERL Director will be responsible for developing and implementing the project’s MERL strategy, in accordance with IRC, USAID, and international best practices. S/he will work closely with the Chief of Party (COP) and technical staff to ensure relevant data is collected, analyzed, and used to inform adaptive management and design decisions, and to provide project updates against impact targets and objectives.

Recruitment is contingent upon successful award of the project, and selection of final applicant is subject to USAID approval.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage a MERL system across all project components which leverages qualitative and quantitative data collection and assessment methods and draws from a variety of data sources to measure progress and evaluate impact.

• Foster an environment of learning and adaptive management across the project staff in accordance with USAID’s Collaboration, Learning, and Adaptation method.

• Communicate information obtained through M&E activities to program staff, and external stakeholders, including USAID and the Ministry of Education, to develop lessons learned and best practices which inform strategic decision making.

• Liase with IRC’s Education Research teams for the development and rollout of rigorous project evaluations

• Utilize relevant ICT4D MEL tools to improve data collection, analysis, and reporting.

• Organize regular learning activities (including after action reviews, quarterly reflection events, and data quality assessments) to ensure activities are meeting their impact targets and accurate, complete, and timely data is being collected to inform implementation approaches.

• Conduct regular visits to project sites, as possible, to provide technical assistance and ensure proper monitoring of project activities.

• Produce M&E monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, and annual reports for the COP and donors.

Requirements

• Minimum of 8-10 years of leadership experience in M&E for similar education programming, preferably for USAID.

• Master’s degree in M&E, education, international development, or related field.

• Significant experience carrying out M&E activities & research/learning in conflict or crisis situations, preferably in Asia and/or Afghanistan.

• Strong familiarity with ICT4D MEL tools and programs for mobile data collection, analysis, and reporting, including PowerBI.

• Strong communication skills, both oral and written.

• Strong supervisory experience, particularly in remote operating environments.

• Fluency in English required; additional Dari or Pashto language abilities preferred.

Standard of Professional Conduct: The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.

Commitment to Gender, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion: The IRC is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful, and safe work environment where all persons are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. The IRC expressly prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying of the IRC persons in any work setting. We aim to increase the representation of women, people that are from country and communities we serve, and people who identify as races and ethnicities that are under-represented in global power structures.