Monitoring, Evaluation And Learning Specialist And Managers

Mercy Corps is anticipating future needs for Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Professionals

PROGRAM /DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:

Mercy Corps is a leading global relief and development agency saving and improving lives in the world’s toughest places. In more than 40 countries, we partner with local people to put bold ideas into action, help them overcome adversity and build stronger communities. We help communities survive and move beyond emergencies. When natural disasters strike, economies collapse or conflict flares, Mercy Corps is there. Working with communities, we leverage local logic to help people transform their lives to grow more food, earn higher incomes and ultimately advocate for their needs. We see global challenges as an invitation to pioneer innovative, sustainable solutions. During our 34-year history, our work has improved more than 170 million lives in more than 115 countries around the world.

It is essential that Mercy Corps have strong systems in place to monitor, evaluate, and measure the impact of its work. The information gathered through these activities both helps Mercy Corps to strengthen its programming and assists us in remaining accountable to communities and donors alike. The Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Unit is a 4-person team tasked with supporting and promoting best practices and high quality in design, monitoring, evaluation, and learning, This team is closely aligned with both Research and Learning, and the Program Management Initiative, to maximize impact on staff capacity

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

The MEL Specialist and Manager roles are important positions in Mercy Corps programs. They promote excellence in country programming and provide leadership to strengthen organizational and staff capacity to design and implement effective design, monitoring and evaluation systems. In all phases of relief, recovery and long-term development, it is essential that the strongest possible systems are in place to support monitoring and evaluation. The MEL team members will be responsible for developing these systems, training program staff to use them, and ensuring that they are followed. S/he will serve as a resource for program staff, advising them on program design, developing and implementing M&E plans, gathering of baseline data, development of monitoring systems, and impact assessment and facilitating and articulating improved learning within and across the programs. S/he will advise both program and M&E staff charged with data tracking and reporting. S/he will also serve as the main point of contact for M&E issues with partners and donors.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Strategic Leadership and Program Design:

Participate in program design and proposal development that includes and resources critical research and learning imperatives, and incorporates all best practices of M&E in the proposal design stage for most effective program management during implementation.
Ensure adherence to Mercy Corps’ standards, including the use of standardized indicators, M&E, and adaptive management approaches, and country-level learning and strategy objectives.
Provide leadership, in collaboration with the field leadership in MEL including learning and in information management.
Participate in the facilitation of country and sector-level strategic planning sessions, assisting program managers, field leadership in the development, tracking and reporting of Annual Plans and strategies.
As a strategic leader, actively participate in management meetings and country-wide strategy sessions, driving a Learning and Knowledge Management agenda for the team.

MEL System Development:

Work with the country program team to upgrade existing systems, or institute new systems, for monitoring and evaluating of programming, in ways that are timely, meaningful and contribute to adaptive management principles.
Provide guidance, recommendations, oversight, and leadership to ensure that the M&E systems meet the needs of programs, managers, and senior leadership, and is in concert with HQ and agency recommendations.
Ensure ICT4M&E is strategically coordinated and advanced in each program, including the use of mobile data collection and GIS-mapping using Android Tablets and on-line data management platforms.
Manage the development and/or implementation of appropriate data management systems that provide access to timely, accurate, and meaningful data.
Ensure that these systems produce data and evidence that can be used to inform programmatic and strategic decision making and demonstrate the impact of Mercy Corps’ activities on the communities and individuals we serve.

Implementation of Surveys, Evaluations and Research:

Guide the process of surveys and studies, including baseline, ex-ante, ex-post, midterm and final evaluations, from the design, implementation (where required) and documentation phases, in coordination with donors, partners and Mercy Corps program and TSU staff.
Appropriately employ mixed methods (quantitative and qualitative) approaches in data collection, management, and analysis processes, using appropriate sampling methods.
Design and support meaningful evaluation even if baseline data is missing or of poor quality.
Ensure scopes for evaluation and/or research reflect key learning questions and high quality external or internal evaluators undertake evaluations.
Coordinate with Mercy Corps’ regional and HQ-based Technical Support Unit (TSU) to promote a country-level learning agenda rooted in evidenced-based approaches.

Technical Assistance, Training and Capacity Building:

Provide leadership and training in the development of M&E plans, M&E tools, survey design, methodology, data quality assurance, data analysis and visualization, and other services as may be required for program monitoring and evaluation.
Ensure that team members know ‘MEL is Everyone’s Job’ and that M&E is an intrinsic responsibility for each person and team, and support ways to promote this.
Develop and implement trainings for expatriate and national team members and local partners, ensuring that they have the tools and skills they need to appropriately design, monitor, and evaluate programs.

Internal and External Coordination:

Represent Mercy Corps in meetings and discussions on all M&E issues with Mercy Corps’ implementing partners and donors. Ensure close coordination with the partners on baseline studies, development of performance monitoring plans and common indicators, and evaluations.
Strengthen linkages with internal resources, including Mercy Corps’ HQ-based Technical Support Unit (TSU) and learning management systems and intranet platforms to enhance organizational learning where relevant to MEL. Do This
Provide support to and coordinate between all offices and programs in all aspects of M&E and information management in country.

Team Management (where applicable):

Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback via regular performance reviews.
Contribute to country team-building efforts, help team members identify problem solving options and ensure the integration of all team members into relevant decision-making processes.
Provide team members with information, tools and other resources to improve performance & reach objectives.
Influence team members without direct authority to create the culture of accountability and program quality
Manage different needs and interest of team members with varying roles and responsibilities and reach consensus

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

MA or equivalent in social science, management, international development, or relevant field. Coursework in M&E, research and evaluation methodologies and statistical analysis is strongly preferred.
3- 5 years in M&E for non-governmental organizations working in international relief and development.
Experience in developing program monitoring systems and implementing baseline studies and evaluations; ideal candidate will have both theoretical and practical background in M&E and be skilled in qualitative and quantitative M&E methodologies and techniques.
Substantive experience in training and capacity building.
Experience with a range of both private and institutional donors such as EC, USAID, and DFID.
Strong knowledge of computer programs typically used for data management, analysis and reporting (e.g., Excel, Access, SPSS/STATA or others).
Proven experience in developing and working with data management systems, including databases, web-based tools or other MIS solutions; experience with mobile data collection technology and GIS a plus.
Excellent oral and written communications skills (English).
Foreign language skills preferred (French and Arabic).

SUCCESS FACTORS:

Ability to work closely with a diverse team of individuals in a highly intense and fluid work and security environment. Ability to communicate and manage effectively in a situation that often relies on remote management. Highly analytical with a willingness to acquire expertise in different communication, learning and development approaches. Demonstrated capacity to be innovative and persuasive in solving problems. Strict adherence to Mercy Corps security policies and procedure. Respect for local cultural norms and traditions and ability to live in various cultural environments. Desire and ability to learn and grow, both personally and professionally.