Mercy Corps announces vacancy for Community Accountability Reporting Mechanism (CARM) Officer. Interested candidates can apply for the job. Read the full article below for the job details.

Knowledge and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in relevant areas with at least 2-3 years of experience in program performance and quality, accountability or monitoring, evaluation & learning with I/NGOs.
• Knowledge, experience, and conceptual understanding on accountability, especially to communities and program participants. Experience setting up or running CARM or similar systems is highly preferable.
• Knowledge on MEL database, digital data collection technologies, data collection tools, data compilation, analysis, documentation, and report writing
• Previous experience of building capacity of implementing partners and communities through developing training tools, providing training, orientations, and sensitization activities.
• Good communication and facilitation skills.
• Ability to work closely in a team, be patient, adaptable, flexible, and innovative.
• Fluent in both Nepali and English languages. Ability to summarize data and write reports in both languages for internal and external use.

Essential Job Responsibilities

The specific duties and responsibilities of the CARM Officer includes, but are not limited to, the following:

STRATEGY AND PLANNING

• Provide leadership to BHAKARI cluster and district offices in aspects of CARM. 
• Ensure the CARM system is functional and followed at all levels across the program areas and the feedback loops are closed timely and appropriately. 
• Prepare yearly CARM related budget required for implementing different activities in the field
• Identify the areas to promote CARM in all program activities and make it an integral part of the program.  

CARM IMPLEMENTATION

• Ensure a smooth operation of the CARM system in BHAKARI program areas in line with the Country CARM SoP. 
• Understand and identify locally appropriate, user-friendly, and culturally sensitive communication channels for feedback and incorporate these into the manual and other CARM IEC materials.
• Develop a community sensitization plan to introduce the CARM feedback channels to the community members, and work in coordination with the program team to execute the same. 
• Ensure that all feedback received through various feedback channels are logged into the Country CARM database. 
• Follow the required procedures for all feedback received, according to the various grades. 
• Ensure complaints and feedback are processed in a timely, secure, fair & appropriate manner
• Help to hold the program team accountable for adaptations and response to the feedback. The entire process shall be managed maintaining a high degree of confidentiality. 
• Ensure the feedback loop is closed for all cases. 
• Ensure any gaps identified are reported to Country CARM Advisor, Chief of Party, Deputy Chief of Party and Program Managers.
• Complete Program CARM checklist and make sure the CARM activities are implemented accordingly. 
• Develop/update Program CARM Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). 
• Support Implementing Partners to develop a CARM system that integrates with the BHAKARI CARM system.
• Coordinate with the Implementing Partners in sharing the CARM data appropriately to analyze the trends and draft and share reports on a biweekly basis to support adaptive management.  
• Support in development of necessary IEC material for internal and external use which must address the different needs. 
• Develop work plans for the rollout of CARM including processes, procedures and forms.  
• Work closely with MIS Officer, Country CARM Focal Point, and MEL Manager to develop program CARM database, data management tools and processes for easier and faster processing of feedback received. 
• Prepare a weekly feedback list for the program team to review and discuss for Grades 1-3.
• Lead the analysis and reporting of CARM data trends in close coordination with the MEL team and Country CARM Focal Point. 
• Ensure that the CARM data trends are presented in a report and shared with the program team every month to ensure timely integration of learning into activity adaptation.  

TEAM BUILDING & CAPACITY STRENGTHENING

• Conduct orientation sessions for BHAKARI team on CARM and their roles and responsibilities toward a successful implementation of accountability and reporting mechanisms.
• Build capacity of implementing partner staff on CARM system through designing and delivering formal training and orientation.

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.

ACCOUNTABILITY TO PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS

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

OTHERS

• Ensure proper integration of safeguarding and GESI aspects into MEL planning and implementation.
• Mercy Corps as a humanitarian agency is expected to respond as and when crisis and humanitarian situation engulfs. As an MC employee all staff are expected to be part of humanitarian and emergency response in addition to their regular roles and responsibilities.
• Conduct themselves both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and not to jeopardize its humanitarian mission.
• Other duties as assigned by Supervisor and Country Director

Supervisory Responsibility: N/A

Reports Directly to:  Deputy Chief of Party, BHAKARI 

Works Directly with:  Country CARM Advisor, Program team, district and cluster team and implementing partners.

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. Now, and for the future. Mercy Corps has been operating in Nepal since 2005, implementing programs in food security, agriculture, market development, financial services, girl’s education, climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction. We take a systems-based approach in our programming, with the aim of improving the lives and potential of vulnerable individuals and communities across Nepal.

Click here to apply

Deadline: 6th Mar, 2022