Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) Lead

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world’s largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you’re a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) began its operations in Afghanistan in 1988, launching relief programs for individuals displaced by the Soviet invasion. Currently, the IRC is active in eleven provinces, providing essential life-saving services as well as long-term development and resilience programs. These efforts focus on several key areas: Education, Economic Recovery and Development (ERD), Emergency Response, Health and Nutrition, Integrated Protection, and Environmental Health.

IRC’s Education programmes have benefited over 77,000 learners in 2023. The organization is strategically positioned within the education sector in Afghanistan, where it coordinates and co-leads several strategic technical working groups, participates in the EdSTWG, and implements for key donors including GPE.

Scope of work

The IRC is seeking a Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting, and Learning (MERL) Lead for an upcoming FCDO Education activity in Afghanistan titled ‘Health and Education in Afghanistan – Response and Transition (HEART)’. This recruitment focuses on the Education component, which aims to protect and enhance access to quality and equitable primary education (including both public education and CBE), as well as to improve teaching and learning outcomes, particularly in foundational skills.

The Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting and Learning (MERL) Lead will provide leadership and direction on all aspects of monitoring and evaluation of the HEART Project activities, conducting evaluations, preparing and leading the reporting process, and providing project learning. He/She will be developing and implementing the project’s Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting and Learning Strategy/performance monitoring plan in accordance with IRC, FCDO, and best international practices. The MERL Director will work closely with the meal advisors and technical staff to ensure that relevant data is collected, analyzed, and used to inform management and design decisions and to provide project updates, evaluation and reports, as required. The MERL Director will director oversee country level research staff in delivering research and learning activities, and lead the engagement with IRC’s global research (Airbel) team to deliver project research.

Please note that recruitment is contingent upon the successful award of the programme, and the selection of final applicants is subject to FCDO’s approval.

Responsibilities

• Develop, manage, and implement a monitoring and evaluation system (performance monitoring plan) across all project components that leverages qualitative and quantitative methods and draws from a variety of data sources to measure progress and evaluate impact, as well as support collaboration, implementation, learning, and adaptation.

• Provide training, assistance, and consultation, as needed, on interpreting and using performance benchmarking measures, indicators, and reports.

• Experience ensuring Key Performance Indicators KPIs and deliverables are measurable and achievable for FCDO Commercial contract with payments by results methodologies.

• Lead collection of periodic data reports and compilation of narrative reports and submit them to the Team Lead and Deputy Team Lead.

• Communicate information obtained through MERL activities to program staff and external stakeholders, including FCDO, to enable informed decision-making.

• Develop and ensure compliance with procedures for collecting and reporting projects and program performance data to provide quality, timely data.

• Regularly review data collection processes, perform data quality assessments, and make adjustments as needed.

• Prepare the MERL section of the annual work plans and review or update it as needed.

• Participate and provide input to program strategy, including necessary adjustments or refinements to the work plan.

• Oversee baseline surveys and assessments and the implementation of the MERL system on a day-to-day basis.

• Lead mid-term and final evaluations to inform project and programming decisions.

• Oversee and support research design and research implementation, including rapid assessments, longitudinal assessments and impact evaluations, in partnership with IRC’s Airbel Impact Lab

• Conduct regular visits to project sites, as possible, to provide technical assistance and support in monitoring project activities.

• Lead the learning agenda for the project and support integration of evidence into routine practice.

• Prepare inputs for regular and ad hoc reports.

Requirements

• Advanced degree (master’s or doctorate) from an accredited university in social science, international development, evaluation research, statistics, or a related discipline required; equivalent experience may be substituted for a graduate degree.

• A minimum of 8 years of experience in MEAL/MEL/MERL/M&E for similar Education or FCDO high value complex programming. Experience with projects designed to improve education in Afghanistan is preferred.

• Significant experience carrying out MERL activities in hard-to-reach provinces and districts, preferably for FCDO multi-million, multi-partner funded projects.

• Experience working in Afghanistan on Education programming.

• Strong negotiation skills and the ability to develop relations with local counterparts, donors, and other stakeholders.

• Fluency in English required. Knowledge of local languages (Dari and Pashto) is a plus.

Please note that the JD is high level and indicative only at this stage and may be subject to change once the Terms of Reference for the programme is released and as the opportunity develops. This position will be contingent on the outcome of the bid.

**Standard of Professional Conduct:**The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.