MEAL (Data) Assistant

Malan Ideal Impact (Malan) is a leading Afghan research and Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) consultancy, registered with Afghanistan’s Ministry of Industry and Commerce. We specialize in providing high-quality research, MEL services, Third-Party Monitoring (TPM), data collection, Safeguarding, and Accountability to Affected People (AAP) services across both development and humanitarian sectors.
Malan was founded by professionals with extensive experience in renowned international aid organizations, including USAID, DFAT, the World Bank, FCDO, SIDA, GIZ, UN agencies, bilateral donors, and international NGOs. We have our main office in Kabul and have implemented projects across all 34 provinces of Afghanistan. 
Malan's strong local presence in Afghanistan, comprehensive geographic coverage, values-based approach, technical rigor, use of modern technology, diverse team, and access to qualified enumerators, as well as a pool of national and international consultants, enable us to deliver high-quality data collection and MEL services tailored to each project's requirements. We have demonstrated capabilities in delivering research and MEL services across Afghanistan, supported by extensive geographic experience, established relationships with district, provincial, and national stakeholders, and strong expertise in designing and implementing research studies, MEL frameworks, TPM assignments, evaluations, reviews, data collection, data analysis, and capacity-building initiatives.

Malan is seeking a dynamic and self-driven Data Assistant who can work with minimal supervision and support our Kabul-based MEAL team. The Data Assistant will mainly support data management, data collection, analysis, and project management activities, with strong data management and analytical skills and an emphasis on data-driven decision-making.
This is a full-time, fixed-term position based at Malan’s Kabul office. Candidates with experience working with consulting firms and NGOs are preferred. Experience working on portfolios funded by DoS/USAID, ECHO, FCDO, World Bank, ADB, UN agencies, and international NGOs will be an advantage.

Key Responsibilities

The Data Assistant will support the MEAL and program management teams in data collection, management, analysis, and reporting processes. The position will involve working with field teams and managing multiple tasks simultaneously with a focus on data quality and analysis.

Key responsibilities include:

• Supporting data collection, data cleaning, management, and analysis from multiple sources and formats.
• Working with data collection teams to ensure the quality, completeness, and accuracy of collected data.
• Collecting both qualitative and quantitative data through IDIs, KIIs, FGDs, surveys, observations, and other methods.
• Conducting initial data cleaning and analysis using appropriate quantitative and qualitative techniques.
• Verifying data completeness and identifying data quality issues through systematic checks and validation.
• Conducting follow-up interviews or data verification when required.
• Using electronic devices and digital data collection platforms for data recording.
• Supporting the management and coordination of field data collection teams.
• Coordinating with stakeholders involved in data collection and related project activities.
• Supporting capacity building and training of data collection teams.
• Supporting project management and other MEAL-related tasks as required.

Candidates with practical experience in team management, capacity building, project management, and managing multiple tasks will be preferred.

• At least two years of proven relevant data and MEAL experience with demonstrable analytical responsibilities.
• Practical experience in data collection, data cleaning, data management, and basic data analysis and interpretation of findings.
• Good command of data collection and management platforms, including KoboToolbox, ODK, Survey123, and SurveyCTO.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Excel and experience with data analysis or visualization tools such as SPSS, and NVivo, Power BI or similar tools will be an advantage.
• Fluency in English and working knowledge of Dari and/or Pashto.
• Bachelor’s degree in Data Science, Statistics, Economics, Computer Science, or a relevant field.
• Experience in project management and field team capacity building will be an advantage.
• Experience working with consulting firms, NGOs, UN agencies, or international development organizations will be an advantage.
• Experience with donor-funded projects, particularly DoS/USAID, ECHO, FCDO, World Bank, ADB, UN agencies, and international NGO portfolios, will be an advantage.

Interested individuals meeting the minimum requirements are encouraged to submit resumes, along with a cover letter, to submission@malan.af before 5:00 PM on September 19, 2026. Please mention “MEAL (Data) Assistant - KBL26-23” in the subject line of your email. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, with priority given to early submissions.