Islamic Relief Worldwide is an international aid agency that provides humanitarian relief and development Programs in over 40 countries, serving communities in need regardless of race, political affiliation, gender or belief. Founded in 1984 in the UK, it has international headquarters in Birmingham (Islamic Relief Worldwide) and a network of national offices, affiliated partners, registered branches and field offices spanning 50 countries. Its income in 2020 was £149 million, and it is the largest independent international aid agency inspired by Islamic humanitarian values. Islamic Relief’s key areas of work are humanitarian relief and disaster preparedness; development programmes that improve access to sustainable livelihoods, healthcare, education, water, sanitation and hygiene; and advocating on behalf of those in need.

Job Summary

The Senior Accountability and Learning (A&L) Officer, reporting directly to the MEAL manager, collaborates closely with the Sr. M&E Coordinator, MIS coordinator, M&E Coordinator/officers, head of program implementation, program coordinators, reporting coordinators, area managers, and management is responsible for designing, planning, and implementing the accountability and learning strategy and mechanisms within the IR Afghanistan country program, including compliance with standards such as the Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS), IHSAN, Code of Conduct (CoC), and "Do No Harm." Key responsibilities include developing processes and procedures for feedback, reporting, and complaints mechanisms, training staff and stakeholders in accountability principles, and ensuring implementation and compliance across the organization.

S/he is responsible for establishing an accountability and learning framework, collect and disseminate learning, coordinate projects and programs, and produce quality reports with recommendations for improved implementation. Contribute to the development of accountability and learning plans for projects and programs, aligning with the IRW's MEAL framework.

The Senior Officer Accountability and learning (A&L) will have responsibilities that include:

Ensuring Quality and Accountability (50%):

• Serve as the CRM case handling focal point including investigation, report writing and communication.
• Develop and enforce the accountability strategy and action plan across IR Afghanistan, monitoring its implementation.
• Coordinate the creation of project-specific accountability action plans and track their progress.
• Implement community feedback mechanisms in collaboration with program team and management for effective utilization of feedback and action.
• Set up a comprehensive complaint handling system in line with IRW's Complaints policy and CHS standards.
• Oversee accountability training for all staff, suppliers, contractors, and consultants to enhance understanding and implementation of accountability measures.
• Enhance accountability mechanisms to ensure comprehensive understanding and accessibility of the accountability framework, Code of Conduct, and feedback systems for all stakeholders.
• Lead accountability task in IR Afghanistan, providing training, capacity building, and technical support to ensure accountability principles are upheld.
• Collaborate with the MEAL team, program leadership, and sector managers to integrate accountability across all programs.
• Ensure IR Afghanistan's compliance with CHS and Code of Conduct through close coordination with the MEAL lead and Country Director.
• Generate monthly complaint handling reports for management review.
• Lead/contribute to review and update the complaint handling guidelines and incorporating CRM queries in evaluation tools.
• Promote accountability culture among staff through ongoing training and orientation, including CRM processes.
• Establish complaint handling committees at all project and field office locations Strengthening Organizational learning

Reporting (30%):

• Ensure all cases are reported properly to upward and downward accountability.
• Ensure that accountability and learning are reflected in the interim and final project reports.
• To disseminate learning reports and study finding with relevant stakeholder. 

Coordination and support to programme management (20%)

• Field visit and monitor accountability and learning implementation and provide feedback as needed.
• Lead the processes to ensure compliance with Core Humanitarian Standard and IHSAN Standards (IRW-Quality Management System).
• Ensure to update the organizational level Risk Register on quarterly basis in JCAD online system.
• Ensure budget utilization for learning capturing and sharing learning at the project and organizational level.
• Updating consolidated lesson learnt log of the organization quarterly and share learning with management.
• Provide inputs about accountability and learning for new project proposals and the project interim reports submitted to any donor.
• Any other duties assigned by the Management.

Job Requirment

Essential Qualifications and Knowledge/Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in social science, development studies, Journalism, and mass communication, and a Master's degree is preferable
• Minimum 3 to 5 years’ experience in monitoring and evaluation, research or impact assessment projects
• Experience working in a variety of humanitarian and development projects in the Afghanistan or abroad.
• Knowledge and experience concerning the CHS Verification Framework.
• Good knowledge of globally accepted humanitarian technical standards and initiatives, e.g. Sphere, LEGS, INEE, CALP, SDGs, Inclusion Charter, ADCAP
• Sound knowledge of and commitment to participatory approaches to working with communities, and innovative approach to working on these issues with a proven commitment to people empowerment methodologies
• An understanding of gender equity and inclusion and how to integrate principles of gender equity and inclusion into program work
• Knowledge and experience on the accountability and quality standard

Skills:

• Strong analytical and conceptualization skills and ability to think strategically.
• Highly organized with good attention to detail and developed the ability to prioritize multiple tasks to meet tight deadlines.
• Excellent program management skills and excellent communication skills - able to communicate and report on technical points, both oral and written.
• Willing to be accountable for work conducted.
• Communicates honestly, openly, and consistently.
• Shares information appropriately and ensures that team members’ views are freely expressed.
• Familiar with online data collection platforms such as KOBO
• Able to form creative solutions in problem-solving.
• Encourages a positive rather than negative viewpoint.
• Problem-solving skills and self-management.
• Good interpersonal skills and the ability to work sensitively with people from various cultural and social backgrounds.
• Willing to adapt to IRW’s norms and values without compromising personal beliefs and principles.
• Good networking skills and representation.
• Good in written and spoken English.

Knowledge/Experience

• Functional knowledge of statistics and data processing
• Experience in collecting and analyzing quantitative and qualitative data.
• Experience in integrated programme/community development.
• Good working knowledge of Results-Based Management, ToC, Value for money, 'Not harm', DRM, Complaints management, ISAC-PSEA Six Core Principles, and report writing.
• Good knowledge of current development and MEAL thinking. Knowledge and experience of technology and technological solutions for MEAL

Disposition/Approach

• Able to work flexible hours when necessary to complete the task.
• Politically and culturally sensitive with qualities of patience, tact, and diplomacy
• Ability to work on one’s initiative and as a part of a team.
• Have a high sense of urgency and a well-developed work ethic.
• Applicants should show a good understanding of humanitarian principles and sympathy with Islamic Relief’s values and a commitment to Islamic Relief’s vision and mission.

Interests:      

• Relief & development issues and international affairs, DRR and community development

IT skills:  

• Applicable knowledge of MS PowerBI, Word, Excel, Outlook, Access, Kobo, PowerPoint, and SPSS.

Submission Guideline

Interested and qualified national female candidates should submit a cover letter explaining their motivation and updated CV to the following:

 

The closing date for accepting applications is 14 April 2024.

Please clearly state the Vacancy Announcement number and title of the position you are applying for in the subject line. 

Please note that applications received after the closing date will not be considered and only short-listed candidates will be called for written test/interview.

 

Female candidates are encouraged to apply for the position. 

 

APPLY

Country

Afghanistan

City

Kabul

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