DAI Global, LLC (DAI) is implementing a new USAID-funded agriculture program which aims to reinvigorate agricultural livelihoods and catalyze private sector engagement to address food insecurity, income gaps, target populations’ empowerment, and communities’ resilience to climate change. The activity actively facilitates implementation with and through local systems actors (such as anchor firms, business development and advisory service (BDAS) providers, education and financial institutions, and local communities). This approach centers a competitive, performance-based Partnership Facility (PF) to design interventions that: incorporate local Afghan knowledge, engage target populations, and leverage resources to ensure local ownership and sustainability. Utilizing performance-based grants, DAI will partner with stakeholders to achieve the below three objectives. 

Using a private sector-led, market systems development (MSD) approach, the activity is aimed at driving local system actor behavior change. In doing so, the activity endeavors to meaningfully improve Afghan lives and agriculture sector performance through the following objectives:   

Objective 1: Food Security Improved Through Increased and Inclusive Resilience, Productivity, Diversification, and Stability of Agricultural Value Chains  

Objective 2: Enhanced Communities’ Resilience to Climate Change-Induced Shocks, Specifically Water Stress 

             Objective 3: Target Population Economic Empowerment Strengthened 

The MEL Director will be responsible for providing technical advice, technical assistance, and guidance on issues related to monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) in designated areas. He/she will manage relationships with several MEL support staff and partners. The MEL Director will play a significant role in helping to manage and strengthen systems to assess, monitor, and communicate program and project performance across relevant stakeholders. He/she will also synthesize lessons learned from implementation in Afghanistan and facilitate incorporation of these lessons learned into project-wide reporting and internal learning. Responsible for overseeing annual Activity Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Plan (AMELP), ensuring they are in-line with the Project’s Quality Assurance System Plan (QASP).

Scope of Work

The duties of the position include but are not limited to the following:

• Oversee all aspects of MEL processes, including development and implementation of the Monitoring, Evaluation, Collaboration, Learning, and Adaptation (MECLA) Plan, Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan.
• Lead tracking of program activities and progress towards achieving the key results as well as efforts to promote knowledge exchange and learning among the program’s partners and stakeholders.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of performance measurement systems, collect annual periodic reporting documents, and ensure technical and analytical rigor in all deliverables from tool development to final reporting.
• In conjunction with the technical staff and Project senior management, develop the project's M&E deliverables.
• Liaise with project related partners on M&E, especially those which specializes in GIS data for decision making.
• Identify and manage any required technical STTA that involves MEL.
• Provide monitoring and evaluation (M&E) training to MEL staff in Kabul and regional offices to ensure understanding of the project's high-level indicators, targets, data collection needs and methodologies.
• Work closely with USAID M&E office on all key project deliverables, trainings and surveys.
• Participate in preparation and review of contractual deliverables, ensuring compliance with required obligations.
• Provide facilitative leadership support to all MEL functions carried out by the technical implementation team.
• Use data to document achievements, success stories, and best practices while coordinating and collaborating systematically and consistently with the Communications Team.
• Identify key messages and disseminate knowledge and learning products through diverse communication channels. 
• Support the Chief of Party in responding to USAID requests related to MEL and CLA and preparing reports as required.  
• Provide regular updates and reports on MEL and CLA activities to the Chief of Party, Deputy Chief of Party, and other project stakeholders. 
• Stay updated with the latest trends and developments in MEL and CLA practices and thus integrate innovative approaches into the project's monitoring and evaluation processes.
• Develop MEL sections of the annual workplan and other documents such as the M&E plan, special surveys (if required), baseline assessments, provide input into all routine Project reporting deliverables.
• Supervise and provide capacity building support for MEL and GIS staff.
• The MEL Director will be based in Kabul with frequent travel to regional offices and the field.
• Other duties as assigned by the Chief of Party.

• An advanced degree in finance, management, international relations, communications, public administration, economics, or other relevant field is required or bachelor’s degree plus 5 years of relevant experience, master’s degree plus 3 years of relevant experience, or a PHD degree plus 1 year of relevant experience is required.
• Five years of experience working on donor-funded projects in a related role with supervisory, and project management experience is preferred.
• Extensive experience in project management and implementing crosscutting MEL strategies and experience with USAID programs is an asset.
• Experience leading and managing the technical aspects of USAID projects, including a demonstrated understanding of applicable MEL-related challenges.
• Demonstrated experience in collecting gender equity and women’s empowerment-related data along with experience integrating gender-responsive methodology, tools, and data analysis techniques into project implementation.
• Ability to communicate findings to a range of external and internal stakeholders and apply MEL results from learning and planning. Proficiency in statistical software.
• Understanding of USAID regulations and policies, including but not limited to the Automated Directives System 201, Evaluation Policy, and the Journey to Self-Reliance.  
• Proficiency in using Microsoft Suite (Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, and MS Word) computer software.
• Proficiency in speaking and writing Dari or Pashto is required.
• Fluent English is required, including demonstrated report writing skills in English.

Interested candidates should submit their CV via the below link by November 25, 2024. Early applications are encouraged. No phone inquiries will be accepted, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Please only submit 1 application.

Application Link: https://bit.ly/40CTFR0