Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Manager at Mercy Corps

General Position Summary

• The country level MEL Manager is a key position dedicated to the technical oversight of a portfolio of programs and the direction of monitoring, evaluation and learning within each of the programs, ensuring there is integration of MEL within the overall program management.
• S/he will be responsible for cross-cutting programmatic information management, monitoring and evaluation, and ensuring that information collected is reflected upon.
• The MEL Manager will design the M&E framework for programs then train MEL and program staff to use the tools and systems set out by the framework, ensuring the stated procedures and protocols are followed.
• This position will also analyze data to provide insight to project team, and to contribute to report writing for the dissemination of findings to a wider audience.
• S/he will ensure that tools and processes across the entire program are in place, effectively implemented and well synchronized.
• The MEL Manager will work closely with programs teams in data collection, management, analysis, and reporting, in accordance to the needs of the program. S/he will lead on our coordination with headquarters on MEL issues.

Essential Job Functions

Technical Leadership of Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning:

• Develop program M&E frameworks (M&E Plans and M&E Workplans) during the program inception period in consultation with the program directors/manager and project MEL teams.
• Contribute to program design to ensure adherence to Mercy Corps’ standards, including the use of standardized indicators and documentation methodologies.
• Provide leadership and lead on the development, testing, and implementation of M&E Plans, M&E tools, survey design, methodology, data analysis, and other services as may be required for program monitoring and evaluation.
• Build the capacity of all relevant team members to develop and maintain an excellent MEL system, including the periodic reflection and analysis of program monitoring data.
• Provide guidance, recommendations, supervision, and leadership to ensure that the M&E systems meet the needs of programs, managers, and senior leadership.
• Lead the institutionalization of learning in the program structure by supporting program staff to develop feedback loops and accountability systems that enable frequent and regular learning sessions and periodic activity redesigns for continuous improvement.
• Assist in the recruitment of competent MEL program staff and organize the program teams to perform MEL activities.
• Resolve technical issues such as sampling methodologies, data quality and integrity in all data collection activities
• Lead and supervise data collection at the field level: teams are organized and resourced as required, data is delivered as per M&E Framework and according to quality standards.
• Conduct regular field visits to meet the beneficiaries and coordinate with program teams ensure data is correctly and efficiently captured as well as appropriate and accurate information is obtained.
• Develop and implement Beneficiary Accountability mechanism.

ICT Oversight:

• Develop country -level Information Management System, including the introduction of electronic data collection, to support data collection, analysis and reporting needs which are aligned with the country strategic and annual plan.
• Establish the MEL and data management system using appropriate ICT for M&E tools and platforms to best serve the needs of the overall program, which is then foreseen to inform and further develop the overall country-level information management system/MEL platform.
• Address shortfalls in monitoring, evaluation and information management that affects program implementation.
• Working on other data entry systems as needed and requested by the program teams

Data Analysis, Learning, and Reporting:

• Ensure quality of M&E data collection then support program staff on analysis and reporting progress against program indicators.
• Design data analysis plans for monitoring data in coordination with program teams; technically support MEL staff in producing basic descriptive statics, graphs, and tables from monitoring data as determined in the analysis plan
• Evaluate descriptive statistics and charts from monitoring data produced by MEL staff. Preform more sophisticated analysis as needed. Share findings in internal and external reports.
• Maintain a comprehensive schedule of donor funding reports and review project/program reports to ensure that reports contain accurate, clear, and high-quality data and presented in the proper format.
• Focus on the collection of data and information that is relevant, timely and critical to learning about program progress and effectiveness, and which can better inform the program team on how best to adapt their implementation modalities to an ever changing and complex environment.
• Include regular reflection and analysis of program monitoring data and evidence-based recommendations in meetings and coordination activities, including the development of systematic feedback loops for learning and adaptive management.
• Assist program management in the tracking and sharing and integration of ‘lessons learned’ across programs.
• Gather qualitative information on program services through focus group discussions. Produce reports for distribution to program management based on findings including highlighted gaps and successes in services.

Strategic Leadership:

• Provide response-wide leadership, in collaboration with the Country Director and programs director; actively participate in management meetings and strategy sessions and participate in work planning sessions with team members, including the development and review of annual plans.
• Build a trusted relationship and develop an environment of mutual respect between MEL and program team strive to achieve excellence by providing clear, accurate, and relevant information
• Build the capacity of all team members to understand and contribute to design, monitoring and evaluation systems, methodologies and requirements including basic surveying and sampling techniques, qualitative monitoring methods, data management, data analysis and visualization, data use, report writing techniques and requirements
• Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback .
• Provide programs team members with information, tools and other resources to improve performance and reach objectives.
• Contribute to the country team­building efforts, help team members identify problem solving options and ensure the integration of all team members into relevant decision-making processes.

Internal and External Coordination:

• Provide support to and coordinate between all offices and programs in all aspects of M&E and information management.
• Coordinate with program MEL staff, Mercy Corps’ HQ-based and regional Technical Support Unit (TSU) on the process of baseline studies, ex-ante, ex-post and midterm evaluation, from the design, implementation and documentation phases.
• Identify, build, and manage collaborative partnerships with donors, local governments and other stakeholders. Communicate effectively to ensure overall project targets and donor obligations are met.

Other Responsibilities:

• Stay up to date on the M&E methodologies used by Mercy Corps as an agency. Integrate these methodologies into work carried out for programming.
• Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its mission.
• Ensure adherence to program management minimum standards in carrying out his/her duties, advising and supporting other staff in the same as required.
• In cooperation with programs and operations teams plan movement for all field-based MEL team members on a weekly basis.

Other Duties as Assigned:

• Organizational Learning: 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.
• Accountability to Beneficiaries: Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

Knowledge and Experience

• BA/S degree in Development Studies, Research Methods, Statistics, Economics, Social Sciences, Monitoring and Evaluation, Project Management or other relevant field. MA/MS/MBA or equivalent preferred
• At least 7 years of active MEL work experience required; ideal candidate will have both theoretical and practical background in MEL and skilled in qualitative and quantitative M&E methodologies and techniques.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills with a demonstrated ability to prioritize tasks, follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members.
• Experience managing staff, including preforming performance reviews and implementing capacity building activities
• Demonstrated training and facilitation experience
• Experience in designing and implementing MEL Frameworks required
• Assessment or survey design experience is essential
• Knowledge of assessment indicators for monitoring and evaluation in disaster contexts, including SMART, SPHERE, and Cluster/Sector specific indicators an advantage
• Advanced computer skills, particularly in MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint required
• Experience with mobile data collections tools like Open Data Kit including Collect and XLSForm design and data management platforms like Formhub or Ona preferred
• Quantitative skills and experience statistical packages including Stata, R and SPSS is preferred
• Qualitative skills including designing and leading key informant interviews and focus groups preferred
• Fluency in English; fluency in Hausa is desired

Success Factors:

• The post holder will have strong organizational skills and the ability to interact effectively with international and national personnel.
• He/she will have excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, and a demonstrated ability to multi-task and process information into action.
• The successful candidate will have proven experience working with a cross-cultural team and possess capacity building and strong mentoring skills.
• S/he will demonstrate an understanding of cultural, political and religious considerations in the region.
• The successful candidate will demonstrate a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, and make effective communication a priority in all situations.