MEL/CARM & SAFEGUARDING ASSISTANT

General Position Summary

The MEL/CARM & Safeguarding Assistant is responsible for implementing the monitoring, evaluation and learning systems and activities for the WFP-funded project focusing on water security of the vulnerable communities in Panjshir. The MEL/CARM & Safeguarding Assistant ensures that the project collects, analyzes, and reports high-quality data and evidence to measure progress, demonstrate impact and inform learning and decision-making. The MEL/CARM & Safeguarding Assistant also supports the program or project team in developing and implementing adaptive management strategies based on the MEL findings and recommendations.

In addition, the MEL/CARM & Safeguarding Assistant will support the establishment and effective implementation of the Community Accountability Reporting Mechanism (CARM), ensuring that communities have safe, accessible, and trusted channels to provide feedback, complaints, and suggestions regarding project activities. The Assistant will facilitate the collection, documentation, referral, and follow-up of community feedback in line with organizational accountability and safeguarding standards.

S/he will be based in Panjshir, reporting to the Country MEL Manager and the CARM / GESI Coordinator separately on the MEL and CARM aspects of the job respectively.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

SAFEGUARDING RESPONSIBILITIES

Actively learns about safeguarding and integrates it into their work, including safeguarding risks and mitigations related to their area of work

Practices the values of Mercy Corps including respecting the dignity and well-being of participants and fellow team members

Encourages openness and communication in their team; encourages team members to submit reports if they have any concerns using reporting mechanisms e.g., Integrity Hotline and other options.

 

Essential Job Responsibilities

monitoring, evaluation, & learning (MEL)

• Coordinate with the relevant departments including finance, operations and program to ensure the effective oversight of MEL functions
• Take part in the development of relevant MEL tools and systems that are consistent with the MC MEL Policy.
• Conduct sites visit (more focused on construction monitoring) and capture strengths and weaknesses of program implementation using unified tools that will be developed jointly with MEL team
• Participate in data collection (i.e. baseline assessment, evaluations, monitoring tools, etc.).
• Conduct data analysis of surveys, in line with the directions of the Country MEL Manager (when required).
• Provide support to the Country MEL Manager on developing reports for the program, especially reports intended for internal circulation.
• Support the data analysis of surveys, in line with the directions of the Country MEL Manager (when required).
• Contribute to preparing and maintaining MEL related documentation to adhere to Mercy Corps' Program Management Minimum Standards as per the PM@MC methodology
• Support facilitation of learning and feedback mechanisms in response to findings of project monitoring, in coordination with the program teams.
• Translate different MEL tools such as survey questionnaires, indicator plan etc. to the local languages, as and when required.
• Assist in regular data entry into the MEL databases and donor required database, if required.
• Establish cordial, professional relations with team members and beneficiaries, ensuring Mercy Corps’ ability to work with transparency, accountability and good will.
• Provide technical assistance to program staff in order to maximize use of the MEL data collection tools.
• Develop capacity building and facilitation series to support casual and/or program teams to better monitor and evaluate their program components, and to make better use of program information.
• Support efforts towards accountability, specifically to MC beneficiaries and donors.
• Apply Do No Harm standards in the monitoring process to ensure activities do not have detrimental effects on vulnerable communities.
• Other assigned tasks, as necessary.

 

COMMUNITY ACCOUNTABILITY RESPONSE MECHANISM (CARM)

• Lead the implementation of CARM for projects, ensuring accountability to target communities.
• Develop tools to support the project team in maintaining accountability standards.
• Oversee the CARM hotline for feedback from targeted communities regarding project interventions.
• Update the CARM plan and tools according to donor requirements and humanitarian principles.
• Ensure their program has at least three active, context-appropriate feedback channels informed by community preferences and by following proper procedures.
• Collect all feedback received via different available feedback channels, like hotline number, face-face (help desk) and suggestion boxes in intervention sites of targeted locations
• Ensure closure of all feedback cases by following up closely with relevant team member(s).
• Assisting the CARM / GESI Coordinator in analyzing trends and preparing monthly/bi-monthly reports.
• Contact informants who provided non-anonymous feedback to inform them about case resolution and collect data on overall satisfaction.
• Support the CARM / GESI Coordinator in tasks related to community engagement, sensitization and distributing IEC materials across all intervention sites.
• Comply with and ensure compliance with global data protection and privacy standards such as confidentially receiving, following up on, and reporting on CARM feedback received.

 

Safeguarding

• Use existing resources and tools to train field team members on safeguarding when necessary and requested to by a department
• Ensure safeguarding standards are integrated into daily program activities.
• Sensitize program teams on their responsibilities in Safeguarding Core Standard 5 and 6
• Ensure team members in the above teams are trained so they can sensitize contractors, suppliers, etc.
• Conduct field visits to assess safeguarding prevention measures are implemented by teams e.g., complete observational checklists that assess safeguarding prevention measures such as adequate supervision, team member training and other measures
• Support program staff to take proactive steps in ensuring all program activities identify and mitigate risks
• Ensuring safeguarding is integrated in CARM communications
• Follow up with teams to ensure progress towards meeting Safeguarding Core Standards; informing CARM/GESI Coordinator when there are gaps or challenges in progress
• Act as a reporting avenue for safeguarding related issues or concerns

Security

• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
• Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.

 

Organizational Learning 

• As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient, and relevant to the communities they serve, we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

Accountability to Beneficiaries

• Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically
  to our program participants and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.
• Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

Knowledge and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, economics, project planning and management.
• At least 1-2 years of experience in M&E activities, especially construction monitoring, project management, and information systems.
• Good understanding of quantitative and qualitative data analysis
• Ability to conceptualize, plan and implement M&E activities with less support, as well as possess the ability to analyze data and utilize lessons learned for the continuous improvement of program implementation and to promote a culture of learning.
• Experience in building staff capacity through facilitating formal training or workshops.
• Experience with MEL Tech such as data collection, analysis, and visualization platforms
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and tasks efficiently and with a calm attitude.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Experience of establishing and/or managing Feedback and Reporting Mechanisms would be an ass Commitment to actively listening to other people’s ideas and viewpoints.
• Good knowledge of spoken and written English and Dari are required, Pashto is desired.
• Ability to travel frequently to field locations.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.