MEAL Specialist (Consortium) – Afghanista

Handicap International/Humanity & Inclusion (HI) is an independent and impartial international solidarity organization, which intervenes in situations of poverty and exclusion, conflicts and disasters. Working alongside people with disabilities and vulnerable populations, it acts and speaks out to meet their essential needs, improve their living conditions and promote respect for their dignity and fundamental rights. More info: www.hi.org

HI is committed to an employment policy in favour of disabled workers.

JOB CONTEXT:

HI started working in Afghanistan in 1996 and currently works across 6 provinces (Kabul, Kandahar, Kunduz, Herat, Nimruz and Bamyan). The population groups targeted by HI interventions include IDPs, returnees, persons with disabilities, women headed households and other vulnerable people who have been affected by natural and manmade disasters. HI is a strong actor promoting and advocating for the rights of survivors of landmines and other people with disabilities as a whole and provides technical support to key stakeholders including humanitarian partners.

HI’s activities cover several thematic areas including Mine Risk Education, Physical rehabilitation, Protection (including Mental Health and Psychosocial support – MHPSS) and Livelihoods.

HI co-chairs the Disability Inclusion Working Group (DiWG) as well as supports Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) as an integral aspect of mainstreaming disability inclusion in the country and across the humanitarian response.

The security rating of the security environment Afghanistan continues to remain high. However, HI continues to enjoy wide acceptance from stakeholders and within the communities it works in.

This position may be based in Herat, Nimroz or Kabul where expatriates live in secure houses within compounds equipped with safe rooms and armored doors. Social interaction with other members of the humanitarian community is allowed and expatriates visit other NGO compounds (subject to validation of the security situation by the security manager).

In addition, HI has bases in Kunduz and Bamyan and expats are expected to travel to and work from field locations as and when required.

YOUR MISSION:

Under the line management of MEAL Manager, the Consortium Meal Specialist contributes to the deployment of HI’s response in Afghanistan in line with the implementation of the HI’s mandate, country and global strategy. The MEAL Specialist’s primary focus will be on the delivery of HI’s FCDO funded project ‘Solutions for Integrated and Inclusive Protection Services (SIIPS)’.

SIIPs is a 2-year consortium project implemented by HI (lead), War Child UK, Youth and Development Organisation (YHDO) and Sanayee Development Organisation (SDO). This 2-year project started in October 2023 and will run up to October 2025. SIIPs will cover 3 key thematic areas: health, protection and Inclusion. Project activities will be delivered in 4 provinces in Afghanistan – Herat, Kandahar, Nimroz and Nangahar.

The Consortium MEAL Specialist works in synergy with other mission sector specialists in the country, region and at HQ to design and lead SIIPS MEAL system, providing sound technical advice for the harmonization and alignment of all MEAL activities across the consortium.

As Consortium MEAL Specialist, your main responsibilities will be to:

• Lead the strategy development for quality implementation of MEAL activities, define and oversee the MEAL action plan, in collaboration with consortium partners.
• Develop consistent MEAL and IM systems and standards across the SIIPS consortium to ensure harmonized data collection for use in project implementation.
• Develop project monitoring & evaluation systems and ensure the implementation of the SIIPS project MEAL activities.
• Ensure accountability and participation systems are developed and harmonized across SIIPs consortium.
• Build the technical capacity of consortium staff and partners.
• Represent HI and the project externally and actively participate in inter-agency coordination mechanisms and platforms.
• Contribute to the development of donor reports.
• Contribute to the business development and strategic positioning of the SIIPS project.
• Conduct or coordinate project quality evaluations.

YOUR PROFILE:

Education and professional experience

• University Degree in Social Sciences, statistics or other relevant field of study.
• At least 5 years of professional experience in MEAL advisory positions in emergency contexts, including in project evaluation and in developing and implementing integrated MEAL frameworks and strategies.
• Experience in capacity development for MEAL and expertise in designing and implementing capacity building programs for local partners.
• Previous experience in the region is a strong asset.
• Previous work experience with HI is an asset.

Skills

• Ability to foster teamwork, empowering and developing others.
• Excellent English communication skills (oral and written)
• Strong drafting and reporting skills
• A demonstrated results-oriented approach
• Ability to be proactive, reactive and flexible.
• Capacity to organize your work, and manage priorities
• An understanding of the frameworks and mechanisms of international development cooperation and humanitarian assistance
• A sense of humour is essential for this position and context
• A creative mindset and approach are required in order to succeed in this role.
• You must have the ability to work under pressure and without constant supervision
• You must demonstrate a good understanding of how to ‘manage upwards’ (ensuring a productive professional relationship with your line manager).
• Strong interpersonal and intercultural skills
• Emotional capacity to work in an often-unstable security situation;
• Good team member with a passion for utilising participatory approaches;

CONDITIONS:

At HI, the conditions offered are up to your commitment and adapted to the context of your mission. https://hi.org/en/join-the-team

• 12 months international contract starting from March 1st 2024
• The international contract provides social cover adapted to your situation:
• Unemployment insurance benefits for EU nationals
• Pension scheme
• Medical coverage with 50% of employee contribution
• Repatriation insurance paid by HI
• Salary from 2757 € gross/month upon experience
• Perdiem: 605,53€ net/month – paid in the field
• Hardship: 500 € net/month paid with your salary
• Paid leaves: 25 days per year;
• R&R: 5 days every 8 weeks
• Position: unaccompanied
• Payment for travel costs (air ticket & visa) and transport of your personal effects
• A child allowance of 100€ per month, per child (from the second child) paid in the field
• Housing: Collective taken in charge by HI