Purpose of the Position:
The Design, Monitoring, and Evaluation (DM&E) Manager will implement a comprehensive monitoring, evaluation, Research, and Learning system to oversee the successful implementation of Search for Common Ground’s programs across Afghanistan and establish systems to measure program progress and impact. S/he will liaise daily with different project managers/coordinators to meet their specific DM&E and research needs. The DME Manager will be primarily responsible for coordinating the research, design, monitoring and evaluation, and organizational learning efforts of Search’s projects in Afghanistan.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Monitoring and Evaluation
- Provide strategic leadership roles in ensuring high quality and standards in monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning.
- Contribute as part of the leadership group in program quality and program effectiveness.
- Contribute to program development such as the development of the Theory of Change, Project logic, and M&E narrative and budgeting in the proposal development process. Liaise with the Regional Business Development Team and ILT for the finalization of M&E Components in the proposal.
- Actively contribute to project kick-off meetings and share M&E and research compliance with the project team and implementing partners.
- Lead the process of developing a comprehensive MEL plan or any other revisions on log frame indicators and
- Implement project logic frameworks, indicators, targets, data collection tools, and M&E plans in collaboration with ILT and in consultation with the donor M&E focal point.
- Provide timely, quality support and coaching to the different project coordinators and provincial focal points to meet their specific DM&E needs
- Ensure the system captures outcome/output indicators and means of verification and develop case studies
- Ensure DM&E plans are integrated into project work plans with clear roles responsibilities and deadlines
- Lead/coordinate/manage baseline studies, assessments, conflict snapshots, and needs assessments and listenership/viewership survey
- Review all MERL-related reports and provide feedback to consultants and the program team.
- Coordinate and manage external evaluation contracts and teams;
- Lead or facilitate mid-term review. Organize bi-annual reflection meetings of all Search Afghanistan projects using Enduring Change Toolkits and other standards. Prepare Outcome Reflection logs (ORLs) and ensure ORLs and data are uploaded in the GMS.
- Provide regular feedback and lessons learned to the project team to improve their implementation.
- Maintain a database in Google Drive as well as GMS to ensure all program outputs and results are accurately recorded and coordinated to inform program staff;
- Assist Project Coordinators/Managers in providing monthly and quarterly reports on all activities, outputs, and relevant outcome indicators to the Country Director, ILT, and donors;
- Participate in and contribute towards internal evaluation processes;
- Work with Program teams to provide support and guidance to the different projects in the development and implementation of their M&E work plans;
- Coordinate with the finance team to ensure all M&E budgets are efficiently managed and quality consultants are recruited.
- Provide capacity building and support to staff and partners in capturing results and M&E;
- Coordinate with ILT in implementing the Peace Impact Framework (PIF) in all Search Afghanistan Projects. Ensure data is collected for relevant PIF indicators for each project.
- Represent Search Afghanistan in external events and showcase results and achievements. Participate in donor meetings as required.
- Build relationships with implementing partners, and help build their technical capacity and ownership of the programming.
- Popularize the Search Central and South Asia Conflict Geography Strategy and MEL plan for sub-strategy and ensure collection of data for indicators relevant to Afghanistan.
- Develop organizational learning culture within Search Afghanistan offices and beyond.
- Actively contribute to complying with the Evidence and Learning Protocols execution and assessment organized by ILT and develop bi-annual action plans and their execution.
- Any other tasks and responsibilities as advised by the Country Director and ILT, as needed.
Program Quality and Learning
- Lead reviews of log frames and indicators with project teams
- Analyses both qualitative and quantitative data, and ensures data is presented in clear, coherent, presentations/reports
- Contribute to identifying and synthesizing good practices and lessons learned.
- Meet regularly with Search Afghanistan staff to review the progress of projects against project objectives, indicators, and deliverables, and give meaningful input and recommendations into the project management and institutional learning
- Be directly engaged in the continuing development of the organization, its mission, and its staff, through the sharing of experience and knowledge and supporting research and learning initiatives
- Keep abreast of and navigate the conflict dynamics in Afghanistan and target locations
- Travel to program target areas in the field as needed to oversee and support DM&E initiatives
Safeguarding:
- Remain alert and responsive to any child safeguarding risks, acquire relevant knowledge and skills that will enable you to promote strong safeguarding practices, understand the child safeguarding policy and procedures, and conduct yourself in a manner consistent with the Child Safeguarding Policy.
As job descriptions cannot be exhaustive, the position holder may be required to undertake other duties that are broadly in line with the above key responsibilities.