We invest in women in 17 conflict-affected countries around the world as they rebuild their lives. We invest where inequality is the greatest by helping women who are forgotten— the women survivors of war and conflict. We help them learn the skills they need to rebuild their families and communities, and to transform their lives. The women in our direct delivery programs engage in community cohorts who learn to save, build businesses, understand their rights, improve their health, and participate towards transformation for themselves, their families, and communities. For 30 years, Women for Women International has used an integrated approach to innovate; we are a learning organization that listens to data, our country teams, and women themselves to constantly evolve and improve the way we work. 

Since 2002, we have operated in five provinces of Afghanistan. Participants of our program receive vocational training for jobs like animal husbandry, tailoring and knitting, participating in savings and self-help groups, and learn to invest in their businesses as they receive stipends. Through this curriculum, they prepare to earn an income and invest in savings. They are trained by our team to embrace and defend their rights, support decision-making in their households, and create social change in their communities. WfWI programming includes men’s engagement, where male family members and community leaders are engaged as allies and key supporters.

WfWI also support grassroots and local organizations, led by women community leaders, to gain access to resources and capacity-strengthening that improves their ability to respond to their organization and their community’s self-identified priorities. Globally, WfWI advocates to ensure that women’s participation, voice, and leadership are central to the long-term changes we’re driving. Through listening to women, we build the evidence base to engage decision-makers at every level in a transformative effort to sustain an enabling environment for women in conflict-affected contexts. 

Purpose of the Role

MERL coordinator works under the direct supervision of MERL Manager and consult with program Coordinator for setting the goals, output, project indicator to measure the progress, identify project deliverables.

MERL Coordinator will oversee the successful implementation of monitoring and evaluation activities in the WfWI-Afghanistan Country Office.

The MERL Coordinator will work in coordination with the Social Empowerment and Economic Empowerment teams as well as with MERL officers to ensure quality data collection, analysis and reporting to WfWI Global Support Center (GSC). The MERL Coordinator is part of (SMT) Senior Management Team and reports to the MERL Manager.

Engagement

1. Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning
   • Coordinate a mechanism for MERL activities in the implementation of projects with consortium modality and work with local partner’s MERL team implementing projects activities in different provinces. Lead the enrollment process of participants during the intake registration and create coordination with program unit and liaison and security for smooth implementation.
   • Conduct community assessment to identify the most appropriate and vulnerable women in the community for SWSN program and prepare a detailed report for CD approval.
   • Support MERL Manager during annual operational plan development and budget development for MERL activities.
   • Coordinate with program teams to ensure that MERL data is integrated into all country planning, programming, and reporting.
   • Collaborate with the GSC MERL team for the design of new MERL forms and tools, and to ensure that MERL activities in Afghanistan are aligned with WfWI’s global strategy.
   • Coordinate special evaluations, impact studies, research, and community assessments as needed.  
   • Carry out regular field monitoring visits to oversee WfWI-Afghanistan program activities and identify areas where adjustments are needed for better MERL reporting.
   • Monitor and evaluate the work of local partners that have received grants or sub-grants from WfWI; liaise with partners to provide technical support in MERL activities as needed.
   • Compile analytical reports on key MERL activities of WfWI-AFG and local partners to fulfill data/ information requests from GSC and donor reporting requirements and maintain accurate records of communication.
   • Prepare weekly work plans and monthly reports for submission to the MERL Manager.
   • Participate in country office strategy development, proposal development and fundraising activities.

Delivery

2. Strategy and Guidelines

• Develop monitoring and evaluation strategy and guidelines for tracking the Stronger Women Stronger Nation (SWSN) and Men Engagement Program (MEP) achievements and outcomes.
• Support Global business development unit in developing proposal especially focused on developing log frame, development of output indicators and activities indicators
• Develop data collection tools using different applications such as Kobo and provide orientation to field team ensuring valid data collection.
• Develop an annual monitoring and evaluation plan to track country level M&E development and deliverables such is intake, baseline and endline assessment.
• Prepare donors driven reports by using SWSN database and dashboards to make comparison of baseline and endline study
• Develop a field level monitoring framework and schedule of implementation for all components of the MERL system, in accordance with WfWI strategies and guidelines.
• Promote a culture of “Lessons Learned” and best practices of MERL activities, ensuring that data and processes are discussed in appropriate forums and in timely fashion for effective use in field activities.
• Oversee data collection, training of staff and contractors in MERL forms, tools and processes, including electronic data collection, and tracking of program participants and graduates.

3. Personnel Management:

• Direct supervision of Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning Officer position.
• Lead on the recruitment for MERL data collection staff and contractors.
• Supervise direct reports in line with WfWl’s performance management framework, including the setting of annual performance objectives, completion of annual performance appraisal, and regular one to one meeting to review progress throughout the year.
• Conduct weekly M&E departmental meetings and oversee time and attendance and work planning and scheduling of all staff in the MERL department.

4. Budget Management:

• Responsible for the efficient and effective use of the country office MERL budget.
• Ensure that expenses are reviewed and approved according to budget and need.
• Provide required documentation to Finance department as needed.
• Participate in new budget development and annual operational budget planning for the M&E department.

Other Responsibilities

The duties, responsibilities and activities of this job description may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time.

All WfWI staff and contractors/consultants are required to adhere to WfWI’s Code of Conduct, Safeguarding, Anti-Fraud and Corruption, and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) policies, and to WfWI’s:

Leadership Principles                                 Organizational Values

Decisive                                                                       Empowerment

Accountable                                                                Integrity            

Courageous                                                                 Respect

Adaptable                                                                   Resilience         

Inclusive

1. Master’s degree in social sciences or related discipline.
2. Minimum of 5 years work experience in a relevant field (M&E/ field research/ statistics/ cooperative management/ development/ poverty reduction programs and related fields), preferably within the INGO sector.
3. Proven experience of using participatory tools and methodologies for program identification, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.
4. Understanding and experience of gender issues and commitment to addressing gender inequalities in all areas of responsibility.
5. Excellent analytical and report writing skills and ability to present complex data and analysis in a clear way; excellent attention to detail required.
6. Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work well as a part of a team and to interact professionally with culturally and linguistically diverse staff and participants.
7. Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion is required.
8. Ability to work with minimum supervision and under pressure and to meet deadlines.
9. Ability and willingness to travel within Afghanistan and internationally as required.
10. High level of fluency in English and local languages is required (speaking, reading, writing) .
11. Excellent computer skills including working with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Email applications. Database management /data entry and analysis experience is required. Experience using statistical software and electronic data collection is preferred.

To apply: Please use our Survey Monkey link:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/G3FN62D