Afghanistan: AME Advisor Afganistan
Country: Afghanistan
Closing date: 30 Nov 2013
Department: Program development
Position: AME AdvisorContract duration: 6 monthsLocation: Mazar, KabulStarting Date ASAP
I. Background on ACTED
ACTED is an independent international, private, non-partisan and non-profit organization that operates according to principles of strict neutrality, political and religious impartiality, and non discrimination.
ACTED was created in 1993 to support populations affected by the conflict in Afghanistan. Based in Paris, France, ACTED now operates in 30 countries worldwide, with over 200 international and 4000 national staff. ACTED has a 100 million € budget for over 350 projects spanning 8 sectors of intervention; including emergency relief, food security, health promotion, economic development, education & training, microfinance, local governance & institutional support, and cultural promotion. For more information, please visit our website at www.acted.org.
II. Country Profile
Projects : 16 (2011)National staff : 874 (2011)International Staff : 14 (2011)Capital Office : KabulTotal number of direct beneficiaries : 3,030,371 (2011)Budget : 14 M Euros (2011)
ACTED continues to build on 17 years of uninterrupted presence in Afghanistan, with 900 staff of whom 98 % are Afghan nationals, dedicated to the people of Afghanistan and to rebuilding their country. ACTED consolidates its work in eight of Afghanistan’s 34 provinces in the north of the country and our beneficiaries, while predominantly from rural, agricultural-based areas, typify the diversity which is Afghanistan, inclusive of different ethnic groups, languages, customs and traditions.
ACTED workes with 8% of the population, building sustainable livelihoods in a holistic way in seven northern provinces. We empower people to secure ownership of and access to resources, and income-earning activities, including building reserves and assets to offset risk, shocks and to meet contingencies and emergencies which have continued to affect the country. The conflict presents challenges, but we continue to deliver emergency and development programmes with continued support of communities and the determination of our staff.
ACTED’s programme has six objectives: human, social, natural, financial, political and physical capital development.
ACTED works in partnership with NGOs and the government to deliver key national programmes. We represent and advocates on behalf of NGOs as an elected member of the MAIL NGO Coordination Unit and the NSP Facilitating Partners Representative Group. The Afghanistan Livelihoods Network (ALN), an initiative of ACTED, fills a gap in the development sector with 90 organisations attending our best practice workshops. We participate in other humanitarian and early recovery coordination mechanisms. We continue to serve as an elected member of the governing bodies of the Agency Coordinating Body for Afghan Relief, (ACBAR, which represents 120 member NGOs) and the Human Rights Research and Advocacy Consortium. We also serve as a member of the governing bodies of local organizations.
Sustainable livelihoods security is a long term development strategy. We continue to design and deliver holistic programmes which have shown tangible results. As such, our focus is to continue providing communities with the means to identify their own priorities. Programmes remain evidence-based and relevant to needs. Inclusion of young people and women is key priorities and we will continue to respond to emergencies if they arise, while continuing to support civil society, improve coordination and increase regional dialogue with neighboring countries.
III. Position Profile
The Appraisal, Monitoring and Evaluation (AME) Advisor is responsible for providing technical oversight to the AME department to guide the design and implementation of program / project monitoring and evaluation systems for the ACTED Afghanistan country portfolio in Badakshan, Baghlan, Balkh, Faryab, Kunduz and Takhar provinces. In this capacity, the adviser works with the AME national staff manager to develop tools for in-country appraisal, monitoring and evaluation activities; design key assessments, baselines and internal evaluations; ensure that projects are monitored and evaluated according to project milestones and data collection standards; and build the capacity of the AMEU team and partners in the areas of monitoring and evaluation.
1 . M&E Coordination and Strategy
• Coordinate with other departments and program staff to develop project-level M&E frameworks and plans, including identification of data collection tools, methodologies and sources of data verification, for existing and new projects • Contribute to strengthening the country-wide M&E system through developing standardized indicators, tools and practices across projects in alignment with M&E good practices and standards• Support AME manager to set direction by prioritizing and organizing actions & resources to generate evidence and data on program outcomes and potential impact for learning, accountability and decision-making• Provide timely technical support and capacity building to AME team for the design and implementation of assessments, surveys, baselines and internal evaluations as required• Prepare appropriate formats, forms, tools and databases for data storage, analysis and tracking of results for different projects• Work with program staff to refine and improve project documentation tools to ensure relevant information is captured for accurate reporting, tracking and analysis of project results.2. Capacity Building of AMEU staff.
• Build capacity of AME national staff team, project partners and other stakeholders in M&E systems and practices through formal trainings as well as informal coaching and on-site mentoring• Ensure AME team understands the role and responsibilities of M&E within project cycle management and M&E’s function in informing learning and decision-making processes• Train AME team on data collection practices, including quantitative and qualitative methodologies, data analysis and report writing• Support and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where AME team members strive to achieve excellence3. Project development and information management
• Ensure findings and lessons learned from M&E data collection activities are communicated with Project development team, Program staff and Area Coordinators to guide decision-making and inform new project development• Coordinate with Project Development department to identify and design key performance indicators and M&E frameworks for new proposals / logical frameworks. Ensure indicators are appropriate, realistic and measurable according to resources, context and constraints • Assist AMEU manager to review monitoring and M&E report writing, including individual monitoring reports and monthly management reports from NE & NW AME team leaders, to improve quality of reports and ensure relevant data and information are captured.
- Participatory approach to AMEU
Assist AME team members to identify problem solving options and ensure integration of AME team members, other departments and other stakeholders into relevant M&E decision-making processes, where needed.
IV. Qualifications:
- University Degree in Public Administration, International Affairs, or a related field preferable.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Previous experience with community development, economic/agricultural development, and/or
- Participatory Rural Appraisal methodology
- Experience establishing and/or working with community groups desirable
- Knowledge of and experience in field-based data collection methods
- Design, Monitoring and Evaluation experience in humanitarian/development settings
- Relevant local language and/or regional experience highly desirable
- Willingness to live and work in an insecure environment
V. Conditions:
- Salary defined by the ACTED salary grid; educational level, expertise, hardship, security, and performance are considered for pay bonus
- Additional monthly living allowance
- Free food and lodging provided at the organisation’s guesthouse/or housing allowance (depending on contract length and country of assignment)
- Transportation costs covered, including additional return ticket + luggage allowance
- Provision of medical, life, and repatriation insurance + retirement package
How to apply:
Please send, in English, your cover letter, CV, and three references to jobs@acted.orgRef : AMEA/AFG/SA
