The Aga Khan Foundation, Afghanistan (AKF (Afg)) is an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), a group of international, private, non-denominational development agencies working to improve living conditions and opportunities for people in some of the poorest parts of the developing world. The Network’s organizations have individual mandates that range from the fields of health and education to architecture, rural development and promotion of private-sector enterprise and institutions that seek to empower communities and individuals, usually in disadvantaged circumstances, to improve living conditions and opportunities. 

The Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) is a non-denominational international development agency established in 1967 by His Highness the Aga Khan. Its mission is to develop and promote creative solutions to problems that impede social development, primarily in Asia and East Africa. Created as a private, non-profit foundation under Swiss law, it has branches and independent affiliates in 19 countries. 

AKF seeks to provide sustainable solutions to long-term problems of poverty, hunger, illiteracy, and ill health. In Afghanistan, AKF works with rural communities in mountainous, remote or resource poor areas to improve quality of life in the areas of natural resource management, market development, governance, education, and health.

POSITION OBJECTIVE  
The rural development programme integrates agriculture and food security, climate resilience, economic inclusion, community development, and infrastructure to promote sustainable development in rural areas. The Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Manager will play a critical role in ensuring that the program’s objectives are met through rigorous data collection, analysis, and reporting. This position is essential for tracking progress, assessing impact in coordination with MERL team, and providing evidence-based recommendations for programme improvement.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
•    Serve as the primary point of contact for M&E-related matters, providing technical guidance and support to thematic teams in designing comprehensive M&E framework, including indicators, tools, and methodologies, that aligns with the various project’s objectives and expected outcomes.
•    Develop and maintain a results-based monitoring system that tracks progress against key performance indicators (KPIs) across all thematic areas.
•    Utilize Geographic Management Information Systems (GMIS) to collect, manage, and analyze spatial data, ensuring that geographic factors are integrated into programme monitoring and evaluation
•    Oversee the collection, management, and analysis of quantitative and qualitative data from field activities, ensuring data accuracy and integrity.
•    Prepare high-quality M&E reports in coordination with the sectors for sharing with donors, government agencies, and internal use.
•    Coordinate with MERL team in mid-term and final evaluations, as well as special studies, to assess the overall impact of various projects and identify lessons learned.
•    Provide training and support to sector M&E staff and regional teams on M&E concepts, tools, and best practices, enhancing their capacity to collect and use data effectively.
•    Conduct regular field visits to assess physical progress, gather feedback, and provide feedback to field teams.
•    Establish a universal data base of the RD interventions and implement data quality assurance processes, including regular data audits, to ensure the reliability and validity of M&E data.
•    Undertake any other responsibilities assigned by the supervisor.
•    Advocate for gender inclusion and lead safeguarding efforts across all RD initiatives, ensuring a safe, equitable, and inclusive environment.
•    To carry out the responsibilities of the role in a way which reflects AKF (Afg)'s commitment to safeguarding staff, beneficiaries and protecting children from harm and abuse in accordance with AKF (Afg)s Safeguarding policy.  
•    To report any suspicions or actual violations of the Safeguarding Policy and/or Child Safeguarding Policy as per the given training.

OCCASIONAL SIGNIFICANT DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
•    Conduct or oversee special assessments and evaluation studies that go beyond routine monitoring activities as part of the project activities.
•    Support and facilitate external audits and reviews conducted by donors, partners, or third-party evaluators.
•    Contribute to the development of new project proposals by providing M&E-related input, such as defining objectives, indicators, and data collection methodologies.

DECISION-MAKING & AUTHORITY
•    Design and implement the Monitoring and Evaluation frameworks.
•    Development and modification of data collection tools and methods.
•    Compile, analyze, and present data in reports for internal and external stakeholders.
•    Coordinate with regional teams and sector teams on M&E-related activities.

JOB SPECIFICATION
•    Advanced degree in GIS, Statistics or related fields with minimum of 10 years of experience in monitoring and evaluation, preferably within rural development, agriculture, or related sectors.
•    Strong understanding of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, including experience with data management and statistical software.
•    Proven experience in designing and implementing M&E systems, including data collection, analysis, and reporting.
•    Strong proficiency in Geographic Management Information Systems (GMIS), with the ability to integrate spatial data into M&E activities.

REQUIRED CORE COMPETENCIES
•    The ability to interpret both quantitative and qualitative data to provide actionable insights.
•    Must be proficient in both written and verbal communication, able to present complex data in an accessible and persuasive manner.
•    Proven capacity to manage and maintain high levels of accuracy in data collection, analysis, and reporting.
•    Result oriented - driven by the desire to ensure that the program meets its objectives and delivers positive outcomes for the communities it serves.

APPLICATION
Interested applicants should submit their CV along with a cover letter to Jobs.afghanistan@akdn.org no later than 03rd November 2024. 

Important Notes: 
•    Please quote the Vacancy Number as the Subject of the e-mail when applying. 
•    No supporting documents (e.g., diplomas, recommendation letters, identification card(s) etc.) are required at this stage. 
•    Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for further assessment.
•    Salary scale: Grade B based on NTA Salary scale. 
•    This position is only for advertising and to be available from January 2025.

The Aga Khan Foundation Afghanistan (AKF- Afg) promotes a transparent and equitable recruitment process. We reiterate that all services related to job applications, including processing, seminars, and training programs, are provided free of charge. 

Our official job announcements are posted on the ACBAR website (acbar.org/jobs). Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their applications through our designated email address: jobs.afghanistan@akdn.org. Please note that each job vacancy is assigned a unique identification number for your reference. After you submit your application, you will immediately receive an automatic confirmation acknowledging its receipt.

Aga Khan Foundation - Afghanistan (AKF- Afg) recruitment and selection process reflect our commitment to equal opportunity and protecting children and at-risk adults, beneficiaries, partners, community members and employees from safeguarding violations. We will do everything possible to ensure that only those who are suitable to work with children and at-risk adults are recruited to work for us. In the process of recruitment, selection and appointment AKF (Afg) implement a range of procedures and vetting checks including criminal records disclosures to ensure everyone associated with AKF (Afg) is kept free from harm and abuse is prevented.
 
Protection from Sexual Exploitation Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH) is the responsibility of everyone, and all selected individuals will be required to comply with AKF (Afg)s Safeguarding Policy at all times. 

By sharing your cover letter and resume with AKF (Afg) in response to this job application, applicants consent AKF (Afg) to keep this information on file for Recruitment and Human Resources Management purposes.

Female candidates are encouraged to apply.

We request all job seekers to be attentive and report any instances of individuals or entities claiming to charge fees on behalf of AKF Afghanistan to AKFA.HR@akdn.org. Our commitment to ethical practices ensures that your career aspirations are supported without any financial burden during recruitment.