Location  Kathmandu, Nepal- with frequent field visits.
Position Status: Full-time, Regular  
Salary Level: M1 

General Position Summary  :

The CARM(Community Accountability And Reporting Mechanism Advisior) Advisor will work under the leadership of Program Manager and work closely with the MC program teams and MEL teams, s/he will develop the MC Nepal country and program level CARM processes and tools and develop the CARM strategy. In addition to developing and managing the work plan for the rollout, build program team capacity and train program and MEL teams on the newly established CARM system. The strategy will include standard operating procedures to ensure that the methods of providing feedback are safe, confidential and accessible and that the feedback provided is timely in line with the country CARM system. S/he will ensure the CARM system in program partners with providing adequate support to set up the system in IPs. The CARM will also provide support to Blossom Program M&E team through coordinating and collaborating with national level partners and external evaluators. 

As gender equality and social inclusion (GESI), child safeguarding, governance and environmental sensitivity are cross-cutting and core components of the all MC programs, the CARM Advisor is required to own these components and ensure these components are integrated into his/her work area. S/he should support the GESI and child safeguarding assessments in coordination with M&E coordinator and Child Safeguarding officer. 

Essential Job Responsibilities: The specific duties and responsibilities of the CARM Advisor include, but are not limited to, the following:

Strategy & Vision for MC NEPAL CARM System (15%) 

• Recognize opportunities for innovative action and create an environment where alternative viewpoints are welcomed
• Ensure the programs are accurately reflected in the country CARM SOP
• Develop program level CARM system process and SoPs through consultations with the programs CARM Focal Person, program team and in the communities where Mercy Corps works
• Lead effective, proactive and iterative design of CARM system for existing and new program and support business development team to integrate CARM system in new proposals
• Develop CARM database, data management tools and processes for MC Nepal
• Complete program CARM checklist for Nepal and ensure that all the programs meet minimum standard of MC CARM system
• Conduct orientation sessions for all program teams on CARM and their roles and responsibilities toward a successful implementation of accountability and reporting mechanisms
• Together with HR, support integration of CARM training into new employee onboarding

CARM Implementation in Blossom Project (60%)

• Develop program level CARM system process and SoPs through consultations with the M&E, Program Team and in the communities where Mercy Corps works
• Understand and identify locally appropriate, user-friendly and culturally sensitive communication channels for feedback and incorporate these into the CARM system for project
• Support the Program Implementing Partner to develop a CARM system that integrates with the Program CARM system
• Develop necessary IEC material for internal and external use which must address the different needs multi lingual, disable friendly and inclusive
• Develop work plans for the rollout of CARM including processes procedures and forms
• Develop CARM database, data management tools and processes
• Lead the analysis and reporting of CARM data trends in close coordination with the M&E team
• Ensure that the CARM data trends is presented in a report and shared with the program lead every quarter to ensure timely integration of learning into activity adaptation and identify program priority 
• Ensure any gaps identified in the feedback process, channel and mechanism are reported to the Country Director and Program Manager
• Conduct capacity building of the implementing partner staff, stakeholders and schools on CARM SYSTEM through designing and delivering formal training and orientation
• Prepare training materials to be used for training on CARM

Program Evaluation & Monitoring (20%)

• Support Project Manager and M&E coordinator to ensure that the national partners meet MC standard M&E system throughout the implementation
• Support M&E coordinator for managing database system, TOLA, PM@MC, Regional Quarterly Tracking tools and other broader MC requirements from headquarter and Nepal
• Work alongside the team lead to produce high quality donor reports and the production of technical and branding materials
• Support project team to hire and engage external evaluator for conducting baseline and endline evaluation

Community Accountability & Reporting Mechanism 

• Ensure the program has at least 3 context-appropriate feedback channels. Likewise; face to face, phone, complain box, etc.
• Ensure the program is accurately reflected in the country CARM SOP
• Ensure any gaps identified in the feedback process, channel and mechanism are reported to the country CARM focal point and PM
• Complete program CARM checklist
• Ensure “Voice Boxes” are installed in all the target schools, so that students can express their concerns related to their schools  

Team  Management

• Assist team members with information, tools and resources to improve performance & reach programme objectives
• Play an active role in providing regular mentoring support to MC and partners M&E team

Security

• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership
• Proactively ensure that team members and community operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.

​Organizational Learning (5%)

• As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve, we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves 

Supervisory Responsibility: N/A

Accountability

Reports Directly to: Program Manager 

Works Directly with: Blossom Project Team and partners M&E Team, STEM II M&E team, Country Programs, HQ Team and local stakeholders

Knowledge and Experience 

• Experience in setting up or running CARM and M&E system or similar system
• Experience in designing surveys and research tools, studying critical program areas to incorporate lessons learned in the impact evaluation study 
• Strong facilitation skills (Training, Workshop and orientation) 
• The ability to work closely in a team, be patient, adaptable, flexible, able to improvise and work in an environment that is often stressful and potentially volatile
• Good interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate and negotiate clearly and effectively at all levels, taking into account cultural and language difficulties
• Excellent computer skill including data management (online survey design, recording and analysis)
• Strong written and oral communication skills in English required, including report development, writing and editing
• Strong qualitative and quantitative data handling and analysis skills
• Excellent negotiation and representation skills and the ability to work under tight deadlines and often stressful situations

Success Factors:

The successful CARM Advisor will combine exceptional management skills and experience in building and maintaining donor and partner relationships. S/he should have strong public speaking and facilitation skills. S/he will have an ability to think creatively about operationalizing and improving the CARM system in MC overall. S/he will have proven experience with cross-cultural team and capacity building, individual staff development and strong mentoring skills. The CARM Advisor will have proven experience with cross-cultural team and capacity building, individual staff development and strong mentoring skills with exceptionaldiplomatic skills. Multi-tasking, prioritizing, problem solving and simultaneous attention to detail as well as strategic vision are essential.

The most successful Mercy Corps staff members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments and make effective written and verbal communication a priority in all situations. 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. Team members 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.

• Master’s Degree in any field preferably in Social Science, Education and Management
• Seven years or more working experience in M&E, Accountability, Safeguarding or Program Quality management