National Specialist – M&E (MERL - Quantitative Research)

The Aga Khan Foundation, Afghanistan AKF (Afg) is an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), a group of international, private, non-denominational development agencies working to improve living conditions and opportunities for people in some of the poorest parts of the developing world. The Network’s organizations have individual mandates that range from the fields of health and education to architecture, rural development, and promotion of private-sector enterprises and institutions that seek to empower communities and individuals, usually in disadvantaged circumstances, to improve living conditions and opportunities.

AKF seeks to provide sustainable solutions to long-term problems of poverty, hunger, illiteracy, and ill health. In Afghanistan, AKF works with rural communities in mountainous, remote, or resource-poor areas to improve quality of life in the areas of natural resource management, market development, governance, education, and health.

POSITION OBJECTIVE
The incumbent will contribute to guiding M&E and MERL in high-quality survey sampling, research instrument design, statistical analysis, and also delivering training in quantitative research methods. The Quantitative Research Specialist, together with the M&E coordinator, will coordinate data collection in a wide range of multi-disciplinary areas using a set of common standards and data management practices. This will then allow data to be reused by other projects in the future, as well as providing the data for a wider audience across the AKDN network. She/he will also support the R&D pillar of MERL in the design, implementation, data management, analysis, reporting, and dissemination of outcome-level studies, such as Quality-of-Life study.
The position for the job holder will be funded by more than one grant, and s/he should expect to work on more than one project or program at any one time. Additionally, the job holder may spend up to approximately 80% of her/his working time focusing on research and evaluation, but up to 20% on a second area (e.g., Monitoring and MIS). This is to ensure that the Unit and its staff are flexible and can adapt as funding and programs change; and it ensures that MERL staff have a broad and professional understanding of MERL, which will enable them to progress their career within AKF-A. Where individuals wish to specialize, this will also be supported. The position holder is also supposed to apply the 70:20:10 capacity building model in their work, where 70% of learning will be on-the-job learning, while 20% will be through planned capacity building opportunities within MERL, as well as 10% through specific training programs for the career development of individuals.

JOB SPECIFICATION

• Bachelor's degree in international development, sociology, research, or any related field while a master's degree will be preferred.
• At least 5 years of work experience in survey design and implementation, research and evaluation.
• Ability to communicate clearly with partners, understand needs and challenges where appropriate
• To be able to travel and work in hard and remote areas.
• Working knowledge in at least one of the below data management and data analysis software is mandatory. (SPSS, R, Python, Stata, CSPro, SAS).
• Ability to draw informed and balanced conclusions and share results proactively.

REQUIRED CORE COMPETENCIES

• Attention to detail & quality control, High level of interpersonal skills.
• Communication skills e.g. oral and written communication skills in Dari/Pashto and English
• Creativity, Innovation, tactful.
• Result Orientation, Accurate listening, working in remote areas, good team player
• Accountability, Honesty, Sense of timing.
• Self-confidence and ability to work independently.

 Technical Support

• To develop common standards and practices related to quantitative research data collection.
• Prepare questionnaires and data collection formats and tools and to conduct field studies in AKDN programming areas.
• To do quantitative research survey methodology, sample selection, data cleaning, and analysis of survey results using any of these apps: SPSS, R, Stata, CSpro, or Python.
• Prepare presentations, brochures, and other technical documents from the outcome of the research for publication purposes.
• Actively monitor and analyze secondary data and trends from internal and external sources, academic research, and reports to inform and improve development programming.
• Present and communicate research and analysis clearly and effectively across various organizations in any format required.
• To design data entry forms in CSPro, Kobo Toolbox, ONA, or MS Access for data collection and entry.
• Serve as a technical resource person for MERL teams working in the regions.
• Undertake monitoring visits and evaluations of quantitative research-nature development projects.
• Train MERL staff in specialized procedures and theoretical concepts and analyze and interpret the results of surveys.
• Explore and recommend alternative approaches to improve the quality of research findings.
• To write comprehensive reports on the findings of the research and evaluation projects in collaboration with M&E/R/&D teams.
• To verify that the information on databases remains available, safe, and secure.

To participate proactively in knowledge uptake/community of practice and other learning platforms across AKDN networks.

 Planning

• Design relevant quantitative research methods for various studies and assessments under different projects as needed.
• In coordination with others in M&E/R&D teams, prepare work plans (monthly, quarterly, and yearly) and implement capacity building interventions for MERL officers at the regions.
• Regularly review and reflect upon the field monitoring reports, case studies and success stories conducted at the regions, and work of the 3rd parties contracted out by AKF-A.

 Reporting and updates

• Contribute to the development and compilation of the integrated data management system (IDMS), including the regular updates of project documents, PMFs, LFAs, and others as assigned.
• Contribute to the design, implementation, update, and reporting of project M&E plans.
• Provide high-quality research and evaluation reports in a timely manner.

 Representation

• Represent MERL in all M&E/R&D works across the AKDN network with professionalism and in partnership with other colleagues.
• Represent MERL at meetings, events/campaigns, and other national conferences and workshops.
• To carry out responsibilities of the role in a way which reflects AKF’s commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults in accordance with the Safeguarding Policy and Child Safeguarding Policy.
• To report any suspicions or actual violations of the Safeguarding Policy and and/or Child Safeguarding Policy as per the given training.

• Any tasks assigned by the immediate supervisor or MERL senior management.

DECISION-MAKING & AUTHORITY

 Administration

• Coordination of M&E/R&D activities.
• OIC for MERL as assigned and needed.

 Technical

• Planning and execution of M&E/R&D fieldwork in the regions.
• Participation in post data gathering exercises including reporting, presenting and knowledge uptake.
• Use of a solutions-focused approach to work.

 Geographical Scope

• NPO and regions.

 Other

• Ability to make decisions independently and on behalf of M&E/R&D teams when asked.

APPLICATION

Interested applicants should submit their CV along with a cover letter to [email protected] no later than 31st October 2026.

Important Notes

• Please quote the Vacancy Number as the Subject of the e-mail when applying.
• No supporting documents (e.g., diplomas, recommendation letters, identification card(s), etc.) are required at this stage.
• Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for further assessment.
• Salary scale: Grade C, step 1 – 3 based on the organization’s salary scale.

The Aga Khan Foundation Afghanistan (AKF-Afg) promotes a transparent and equitable recruitment process. We reiterate that all services related to job applications, including processing, seminars, and training programs, are provided free of charge. Our official job announcements are posted on the ACBAR website (acbar.org/jobs). Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their applications through our designated email address: [email protected]. Each job vacancy is assigned a unique identification number for your reference, and upon submitting your application, you will receive an automatic confirmation acknowledging its receipt immediately.

AKF- Afg recruitment and selection process reflects our commitment to equal opportunity and protecting children and at-risk adults, beneficiaries, partners, community members, and employees from safeguarding violations. AKF (Afg) participates in the Scheme for the disclosure of safeguarding-related misconduct within the humanitarian and development sector (Misconduct Disclosure Scheme). In line with this Scheme, AKF (Afg) will contact previous employers of job applicants to request information about any investigations or findings of misconduct concerning allegations of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, and/or sexual harassment (sexual misconduct) against the applicant, during or after their employment. AKF (Afg) further implements a range of procedures and vetting checks, including criminal records disclosures, to ensure everyone associated with AKF (Afg) is kept free from harm and abuse is prevented.

Protection from Sexual Exploitation Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH) is the responsibility of everyone, and all selected individuals will be required to always comply with AKF (Afg)s Safeguarding Policy.

By submitting the job application, the applicant confirms to have understood and consented to AKF (Afg) contacting the applicant’s prior employers, during AKF (Afg)’s recruitment process, to request any such information and maintain this information on file for Recruitment and Human Resources Management purposes.

Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply for this position.