MEAL Lead

Position: MEAL Lead

Project: Cordaid, Dutch

Duration: 31 July 2024 – December 31, 2024 (extension consideration)

Type: Consultant Deliverable Based

Location: Kabul, Afghanistan

Post Date: 1 July 2024

Closing Date: 15 July 2024

Number of Vacancies: One

Compensation: $500 USD Monthly, reconsider based on quality

Probation Period: 3 months

Gender: Male, Female

About the Organization: Peace of Mind Afghanistan (PoMA) is an organization that provides psychological and mental health support to communities and populations throughout Afghanistan. PoMA is made up of an interdisciplinary team of psychologists, social workers, and researchers who sustainably develop mental health systems, support, programs, and technical assistance. Recognizing the importance of global mental health, PoMA strives to address mental health challenges that have a profound impact on individuals and communities worldwide. PoMA is expanding its programming and is now looking for dedicated team members to join our organization.

About the Role: PoMA would like to gain insights and knowledge on the services and programs we deliver. PoMA’s holistic approach aims to review and assess the risks and potential prevention measures the teams and organization can take to reduce challenges and respond to the changing contexts in which we provide support. This initiative will start with a review and understanding of PoMA’s current work globally and then specifically for programs upon request.

Outcomes and Deliverables:

• Lead the strategy development for quality implementation of MEAL activities, define and oversee the MEAL action plan, in collaboration with consortium partners.
• Provide guidance on the design and implementation of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, ensuring robust data collection and analysis processes for the entire project including MEAL specific to the research component of this project, as well as for project reporting purposes.
• Design and maintain logframes work with project colleagues on indicator development, create narrative descriptions of M&E activities, and create MEAL budget line estimations during the proposal development process.
• Work with the project manager to develop a reporting timeline and submit all required MEAL documents for each report; both internal and external reports.
• Contribute to continuous updating MEAL standard operating procedures and proactively identify opportunities to improve MEAL systems and processes.
• Develop MEAL plans and workplans including mixed-methods and participatory approaches and indicator performance tracking tools to monitor results and enhance program effectiveness and impact.
• Develop comprehensive reporting frameworks and provide strategic guidance to ensure accurate and consistent documentation of project outcomes.
• Conduct thorough data evaluations and create detailed briefs that effectively integrate field data into our reporting processes, ensuring actionable insights and impactful reporting.
• Review draft reports and provide suggestions and inputs on how to ensure that project outcomes and knowledge gaps, are adequately captured.
• Lead on learning sessions and workshops. Ensure comprehensive follow up of learning sessions and coordinate with project teams to ensure that lessons learned are implemented in project design.
• Facilitate training workshops and capacity-building sessions to strengthen the skills and knowledge of program personnel.

Considerations and Requirements:

• Ability to adapt to relevant program and contextual considerations.
• Integrated approaches to monitoring, evaluation, and learning to inform program growth
• Background in the social sciences or related fields with an emphasis on research, monitoring and evaluation.
• Have at least 3 years’ experience leading MEAL on projects for international organizations.
• Experience in capacity development for MEAL and expertise in designing and implementing capacity building programs for local partners.
• Demonstrated technical MEAL skills and command of methodologies, including working with large data sets and statistical analysis.
• Strong ability in data analysis software such as ACCESS, SPSS, and etc.
• Solid understanding of robust qualitative and quantitative data collection.
• Proven experience in a technical capacity involving conducting evaluations, assessments, or research and drafting technical reports.
• Ability to engage colleagues in learning and be comfortable in hosting learning sessions.
• Fluency in Dari and/or Pashto, fluent in English.

PoMA AFG Working Conditions Information:

• Gender-Specific Accommodations: Peace of Mind Afghanistan is committed to fostering a respectful and inclusive work environment that aligns with the national and local government requirements. We prioritize creating a workspace where all employees feel valued and comfortable. In alignment with local regulations and cultural practices, we ensure that our work environment is gender-segregated and provides the following accommodations:
• Separate working areas for male and female employees.
• Gender-specific accommodation arrangements.
• Respectful adherence to cultural and religious norms in the workplace.
• All staff work in private separate areas based on regulations from the government.