CRS began working with local partners in Afghanistan in 1998 and launched its own direct operations in 2002. CRS carries out development and emergency relief efforts in Afghanistan with a focus on rural livelihoods through diverse programs that promote food security, natural resource management, and access to quality primary school education for marginalized communities and emergency response as needs arrive. CRS currently maintains 5 main provincial offices in Kabul, Bamiyan, Ghor, Daikundi and Herat provinces, as well as sub-offices that support the direct implementation of program activities.

Project Summary:

CRS is implementing a 51-month BMZ-funded project in Bamiyan to support households and communities to sustainably improve their livelihoods resilience through watershed restoration and improved use of natural resources. The project focuses on community-led solutions that will improve watershed and disaster risk management, increase access to clean water, and improve food production. Through this project, 16 vulnerable communities in Bamiyan province will have strengthened resilience to crises and disasters such as droughts, flooding, and market shocks.

You will assist project monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (MEAL) implementation by working directly with local partners and community members, coordinating various MEAL-related project activities and events in support of CRS’ work to serve the poor and vulnerable. Your service and community relations skills ensure that the local partners and communities feed into and benefit from the project that consistently applies best practices and continuously works towards improving its impact.

Roles and Key Responsibilities

• Support the coordination and implementation of all assigned project MEAL activities as outlined in the Detailed Implementation Plan in line with CRS program quality principles, standards and MEAL policies, procedures, and practices; donor MEAL requirements; and industry good practices.
• Monitor and report any MEAL-related challenges and gaps identified to inform adjustments to plans and implementation schedules. Assist partners in their efforts to reflect on project experiences.
• Lead the roll-out and implementation of the project’s feedback, Complaint, and response mechanism (FCRM). Support actively seeking and responding to feedback, Complaint from all members of targeted communities and other stakeholders as defined by the FCRM.
• Support field-level project MEAL activities (including digital data collection) and assist project team members in their efforts to collect and ensure timely analysis of project data per specified mechanisms and tools. Collaborate with team members to prepare MEAL-related aspects of reports per established reporting schedule.
• Collect information on staff MEAL capacity needs and technical assistance needs of team members and monitor MEAL capacity building and technical support activities to ensure effective impact.
• Complete project documentation for assigned MEAL activities. Assist with identifying information for case studies and reports on promising practices.
• Support program learning and decision-making by posing thoughtful questions, engaging with project data and reflecting upon and sharing with project management the information gathered from community members and partners.
• Support learning to accompany project activities throughout the project cycle. Support accountability through coordinating project evaluation activities guiding the project team to reflect on project experiences. Analyze implementation challenges and report any inconsistencies and gaps to inform adjustments to plans and implementation schedules.
• Coordinate provision of any MEAL-related logistical and administrative support to staff.
• Ensure timely, project documentation for assigned MEAL activities is complete with all required documents and is filed per agency and donor requirements. Assist with preparation of trends analysis reports and documentation of case studies and promising practices.

• Support the Senior Project Officer MEAL in the analysis of project progress towards indicators and present results in both narrative and visualized models using Pivot tables and PowerBI. 
• Conduct regular qualitative and quantitative data analysis among the team according to the project need, and share results with the project team for learning and adaptive management

• Foster an open and welcoming learning environment for the MEAL and program staff, so everyone can share experiences and learnings with others

• High School diploma required. Bachelor degree in International Relations, Economics, Business administration, or in the field of MEAL would be a plus.
• Minimum of 2 years of work experience in project support, with at least one year in the field of MEAL and for an NGO, I/NGO.
• Additional experience may substitute for some education.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Analysis and problem-solving skills with ability to make sound judgment
• Good relationship management skills and the ability to work closely with local partners

• Proactive, results-oriented and service-oriented
• Attention to details, accuracy and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with partners, participatory action planning and community engagement.
• Experience in data analyses and data analysis tools.
• Staff supervision experience a plus.
• Experience monitoring projects and collecting relevant data.
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

Supervisory Responsibilities: MEAL Project Field Officer

Key Working Relationships:  

Internal:  Program Manager, Senior Project Officer (MEAL), Senior Project Officer, Head of Programs Project Officers, Technical Advisors, MEAL Project Officers, MEAL Project Assistant, Field Officers, Field Agents.

External: Project participants, community shura/leaders, other community members,  IOs, NNGOs, INGOs, Universities, communities of practice, etc. working in watershed and natural resource management

Required Languages – Near fluent English (reading, writing, speaking and listening); Fluent Dari (reading, writing, speaking and listening). Pashto language skills a plus.

Travel – The position will be based in Bamiyan with frequent travel to project communities. The position may also require occasional travel to other CRS offices in Afghanistan for workshops and trainings. 

CRS is committed to providing daily allowances for mahram who accompany female staff on day trips to the field, and per diem and accommodation for mahram who accompany female staff on work-related trips that require overnight stays.

Agency REDI Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.  

• Integrity  
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation 

• Builds Relationships  
• Develops Talent 
• Strategic Mindset 
• Accountability & Stewardship 

MEAL Competencies (for CRS MEAL Program Staff)

Each staff member in this position is expected to have basic knowledge and ability and, with guidance, be able to apply the following competencies in common situations that present limited difficulties:

• Monitoring
• Accountability
• Analysis and Critical Thinking

In addition, each staff member in this position is expected to have elementary understanding of and to demonstrate a willingness and potential to learn about:

• Evaluation
• Learning
• ICT4MEAL

Management in MEAL

Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.  

CRS' talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation. 

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Protection Acknowledgment: CRS prohibits all forms of abuse and exploitation towards children and vulnerable adults. As a professional candidate, you commit to adhering to the Agency’s policy on protection, rights and dignity of children and vulnerable adults and to safeguard them from abuse and exploitation as defined in CRS’ Safeguarding Policy

Applications comprise a one-page cover letter to explain your interest and suitability for the post and your CV. Please do not attach your education documents and work certificates unless requested.

Dear Applicants!

The process of submitting a CV/Application has been changed to the online system. Therefore, interested candidates are encouraged to apply using the link provided below. Applications sent to any other email address or location will not be considered. Please ensure to rename your application file according to your name entered on the first page of the application forms.

Interested candidates can submit their applications by clicking on this link.

Please note that applications received after the closing date (i.e., November 20^th, 2024), will not be given consideration. Only short-listed candidates whose applications respond to the above criteria will be contacted for tests and interviews.