Monitoring & Communications Manager - IDEA-NEW Northeast (217814-927), Saturday 15, October, 2011

PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:

Mercy Corps has been working in Afghanistan continuously since 1986. Presently, we are in twelve provinces in Afghanistan with a large portfolio of programs dealing with the promotion of sustainable licit livelihoods, agricultural development, micro-finance and the strengthening of civil society and government institutions. Donors include the United States Department for Agriculture (USDA), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the European Commission (EC), the Bureau for Population and Refugee Migration (BPRM), Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), and The Department for International Development of the British Government (DFID). Mercy Corps' IDEA-NEW program is an alliance with Development Alternatives International (DAI) and ACDI/VOCA that focuses on a private sector approach to improved agriculture for improved incomes, food security and job creation in the northeast of the country.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

The Monitoring & Communications Manager (MCM) will be responsible for oversight and coordination of all monitoring and evaluation, reporting, and public information activities for IDEA-NEW, Northeast. The MCM will work closely with Mercy Corps’ IDEA-NEW management and support teams in Badakhshan, Kunduz, Takhar and Baghlan provinces, as well as Mercy Corps Afghanistan communications and country management teams in Kabul to coordinate IDEA-NEW Northeast monitoring and reporting activities.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Supervise the IDEA-NEW M&E Manager and Program Assistant to ensure data systems are up to date while working with the Kabul M&E Unit to support overall PR activities for Mercy Corps Afghanistan.

• Support and build the capacity of the M&E staff in each of the four provinces.

• Oversee management of database, source documents and DM&E filing system.

• Ensure that IDEA-NEW is adhering to all DM&E requirements stipulated by DAI and MC including output monitoring, impact assessment and baseline evaluation development and implementation.

• Develop and implement additional impact and outcome assessment to guide future programming activities.

• Travel to the four provinces in the northeast, as security permits, to monitor projects and build staff capacity.

Documentation and Reporting

• Prepare reports for the donor, partners, and government on program progress, ensuring all reporting requirements to USAID are met on time and in a quality manner.

• Write and edit success stories and press releases regarding program activities, targeting audiences such as USAID, relevant Mercy Corps HQ departments, IDEA-NEW program partners, and the GIRoA.

• Develop and release public communications in conjunction with IDEA-NEW and Mercy Corps communications teams.

• Ensure quality of program writing, including program activity plans, reports and informal updates.

Communications and Public Relations

• Develop and implement IDEA-NEW communications strategy in conjunction with program staff.

• Ensure compliance with all donor/organizational communications initiatives (reports, signboards, posters, banners, leaflets, press releases, and radio announcements).

• Facilitate information sharing among the IDEA-NEW Northeast team, IDEA-NEW program partners, other Mercy Corps Afghanistan programs, the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (GIRoA) and USAID.

• Develop creative media outputs regarding program activities, i.e. mini-documentaries featuring IDEA NEW beneficiaries.

Staff Capacity Building

Work closely with expatriate team members and the IDEA-NEW M&E Manager and staff to build reporting, editing, and public relations skills for IDEA-NEW team members.

Accountability to Beneficiaries

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

Organizational Learning

As part of Mercy Corps' agency-wide Organizational Learning Initiative, all team members are responsible for spending 5% of their work time in formal and/or non-formal professional learning activities.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: IDEA-NEW M&E Manager & Program Assistant

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: IDEA-NEW Regional Program Director

WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: IDEA-NEW team; Mercy Corps Afghanistan Monitoring and Evaluation and Information Management department; Mercy Corps Afghanistan senior and program management teams.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

Minimum B/A in related field, including public relations, journalism, international affairs or commensurate field experience; MA preferred.

Minimum two years international development experience preferred.

Knowledge of program monitoring and evaluation systems and methodologies.

Familiarity with USAID grant management experience preferred, with special attention to reporting requirements.

Previous work with traditional/conservative cultures, in remote environments, and in the context of high levels of poverty and humanitarian need essential; experience within Afghanistan or South Asia preferred.

Demonstrated effectiveness communicating program objectives to a wide audience required; ability to represent Mercy Corps to international donors, government officials, local groups and community members is essential. .

Fluency in English required; knowledge of local languages preferred.

Willingness to travel and respect the local cuture.

SUCCESS FACTORS:

The conditions of Northeast Afghanistan demand someone who is flexible, security-savvy, and has the ability to manage programs with limited access to the target communities. The successful candidate will apply a strong combination of effective staff management and relationship-building abilities. S/he will demonstrate a strong understanding of cultural, political and religious considerations in the region. The successful candidate will demonstrate a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, and make effective communication a priority in all situations.

LIVING /ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

The position will be based in Kabul with extensive travel to field offices and program sites in Badakhshan, Kunduz, Takhar and Baghlan provinces. The security situation is volatile and may spike into acute periods of insecurity. The MCM is expected to follow all security protocols, including limited movement when necessary. A certain international standard of medical care is available in Kabul. However, for serious cases, evacuation is required, so staff must be able to be 24 hours away from medical care. All offices have internet connectivity and communication is reliable. Accommodation is in team housing, equipped with generators and heating, with cooks and cleaners provided by Mercy Corps.

Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. Staff are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

Mercy Corps is an AA/EOE.

Please apply directly at:
http://mercycorps.silkroad.com/epostings/submit.cfm?fuseaction=app.dspjob&jobid=217814&company_id=15927&jobboardid=479