(This position is contingent upon funding)

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.

The Position:

The Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Specialist will be responsible for providing technical leadership and assistance on information management and monitoring, evaluation in the project. S/he will work closely with the Senior Project Manager and Component leads on developing indicators and MEL systems and plans in order to track and report to the project indicators.  The MEL Specialist will also ensure timely and quality implementation of the development and implementation of MEL systems and data collection tools focused on analysis and reporting to ensure quality reporting to the donor and Mercy Corps. S/he will provide support for information management systems development and maintenance, data analysis and reporting, and capacity building of staff.  Additionally, s/he will work closely with partners to build their capacity in monitoring and evaluating their hub activities to ensure sustainability of CAH functionality.

Additionally, the MEL Specialist will be taking the lead on the development of a systematic and realistic monitoring plan, contribute to project design, advice, and reports during the implementation, and evaluate the project on a regular basis and by the end of the project as well. Moreover, s/he will be responsible for taking the lead on the process of data collection, analysis, and visualization using different software including (but not limited to) ONA/ODK, Power Bi in order to provide quality MEL results and reports.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Project Oversight: Assist the project manager in overseeing all aspects of project planning, execution, and completion. This involves ensuring that project objectives are met within budget and on schedule.
• Risk Management: Identify potential risks and issues that may arise during the project lifecycle and work with the project manager to develop mitigation strategies. This involves monitoring project progress and addressing any challenges that may arise in a timely manner.
• Lead the design of monitoring, evaluation, and learning system and implementation for all aspects of the program, including monitoring project progress by developing and applying monitoring tools to inform reports to donors and key stakeholders.
• Develop and Update project MEL plan by ensuring having the final Logic Model and the Indicator Plan built-in or uploaded to TolaData, reflecting sex and age disaggregation (SADD) for relevant indicators. In addition to developing monitoring plans, data quality, data protection in accordance with Responsible Data Policy and evaluations.
• Develop MEL Technology Plan before implementing a technology solution for data collection, storage, protection, analysis, or visualization, and be approved by MEL advisor.
• Ensure having proper MEL documentation, including MEL folders for indicators, with all raw and analytic datasets/ evidence, data collection tools, analysis workbooks, and related documentation.
• Lead on developing the project learning plan and conducting quarterly learning events in collaboration with MEL Advisor.
• Plan and conduct the final internal performance review and align it with quarterly learning review sessions.
• Plan and conduct Data Quality Assessments (DQAs) in support of the MEL advisor
• Work on TolaData software and ensure all indicators must be updated regularly.
• Design SOW for planned MEL-related studies, evaluations, and assessments and be completed at least three months before the scheduled data collection activities start date and approved by the MEL advisor.
• Ensure adherence to participants’ data protection protocols;
• Ensure monitoring and evaluation systems and tools, data collection, entry, cleaning, and storage are appropriately implemented by the MEL team at MC and CAH.
• Ensure monitoring and evaluation data is analyzed to an appropriate standard and that the results of analysis inform project decision-making.
• Lead the implementation of project impact evaluation and research reports.
• Lead the process of developing data collection tools that are essential in monitoring project progress against set milestones and evaluating the impact of project activities in targeted communities.
• Support in the implementation of surveys, focus group discussions, interviews, and follow-up on monitoring and evaluation exercises for various initiatives in targeted communities.
• Establish MEL and information management systems and beneficiary database systems in partner CAHs operating in the project, taking into consideration the political context and the confidentiality of the data collected
• Ensure compliance with relevant Mercy Corps New MEL policy and donor policies and regulations
• Assist in developing quality management standards to mainstream effective training programming in partner CAHs.
• Actively participate in Jordan MEL community of practice and support other MEL teams where needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

DATA COLLECTION AND MONITORING DATA

• Develop data collection tools and instruments – including digitized data collection methods i.e. ODK collect built on XLS forms
• Establish and ensure a comprehensive and updated database for the project, and pay regular review to the database
• Keep up to date with the latest technologies to facilitate data-driven programmatic decision-making and project quality assurance.

EVALUATION DATA

• Lead the development process of developing research questions and methodology to assess community needs and community-based organizations selection and report on key findings.
• Lead the development process of developing research questions and methodology to evaluate the impact and appropriateness of the project towards the end of funding
• Coordinate the implementation of surveys, focus group discussions, interviews, and follow-up on evaluation exercises for various initiatives under the project

CAPACITY BUILDING AND MENTORING

• Provide training and mentoring in the development of MEL plans, MEL tools as well as survey design, methodology, data collection, and other skills as required for assessing the impact of the project.
• Plan, lead and evaluate regular MEL training workshops for MEL capacity building for partner CAH focal points in Arabic and English.
• Lead on conducting basic and advanced MEL training (including data collection methods, capturing success stories, analyzing and interpreting data, and reporting) to build and raise the capacity of project teams and CAH personnel
• Provide continuous support and mentoring to project MEL Officer and assistant to undertake enhanced MEL tasks in the project.
• Provide continuous support and mentoring to MEL focal points to lead on advanced MEL activities in partner CAHs.
• Conduct filed visits to the partners to ensure that all documentation process meets with MC and project requirements.
• Follow up with other team members to ensure all project documents are uploaded

REPORTING

• Ensure appropriate internal communication and feedback systems are in place and functioning so that MEL informs project planning and implementation.
• Ensure high quality and timely preparation of MEL data for reports to donors and partners such as the annual, quarterly, and monthly reports (focusing largely on high-level indicators), including:
• Inception report.
• Quarterly report (Narrative progress Quarterly learning reports and progress on indicators)
• Annual report (Narrative progress and DQAs report and progress on indicators)
• Final report including (Final Internal Learning review Report, Narrative progress report and progress on indicators)
• Ensure that research and assessments conducted are analyzed to expected quality standards and reports compiled timely and disseminated for sharing and learning.
• Present and disseminate monitoring and evaluation findings to management, MC higher management, HQ representatives, and donors.
• Lead on maintaining and reporting on Mercy Corps’ Tola website on Monthly basis.
• Support in developing projects reports by incorporating most updated MEL data.
• Lead the project internal and external progress reports in close coordination with the Senior Project Manager.
• Contribute to documentation, project data, lessons learned and best practices for internal and external sharing.

PROJECT COORDINATION ACTIVITIES

• Assist the Senior Project Manager in all operations related to the project implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and reporting.
• Manage and monitor project evaluation consultants’ work on a regular basis and review deliverables provided to make sure they’re meeting the minimum standards.
• Assist in facilitating field visits for Mercy Corps staff and donor agency visitors.
• Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.
• Other duties as assigned.

PEOPLE (TEAM MANAGEMENT)

• Design and implement a training plan for local partners MEL Focal Points, youth workers, case coordinators, and partners management staff in order to develop ownership and full responsibility for activities and align understanding of project objectives.
• Ensure that partner MEL systems meet the required technical expectations/are in line with relevant programming guidance and data protection protocols.
• Conduct monitoring of partners personnel engaged in MEL activities, including pre/post assessments, attendance, outreach, and filing.
• Establish and maintain a reporting system (or database) for MEL Focal Points, ensuring that reporting is timely and technically accurate.
• Evaluate the performance of MEL Focal Points and ensure training needs are met in a timely manner.
   

COMPETENCIES:

• Coaching
• Attention to Details/Accuracy
• Focus on Quality 
• Analytical Thinking 
• Planning and Prioritization Skills.

Supervisory Responsibility

The MEL Specialist will be supervising:  MEL Officer and MEL Assistants

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Senior Project Manager.

Works Directly With: Project Leads, and MEL Team.

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders

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

Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills

• Minimum 6 years of experience in monitoring and evaluation of development or relief programs.
• Minimum BA degree in Sociology, Economics, Statistics or other relevant fields and 6 years of experience at NGOs.
• Proven experience in leading a team.
• Demonstrated skills in data collection, statistical analysis methods, and database management
• Demonstrated experience in building log-frame, indicators and relevant tools
• Experience in developing and delivering training on MEL.
• Very strong writing skills, including reports, best practices, case studies, etc.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications including Excel and Word
• Proficiency in developing XLS forms and using ODK is required;
• Proficiency in using Power Bi is plus.
• Fluency in Arabic and English
• Very strong team management skills

Success Factors

• Deep commitment to humanitarian principles and values. 
• Willingness to learn new skills and methodologies and transfer knowledge to team members.
• Ability to work under pressure, independently, and with limited supervision
• Demonstrated high organizational skills
• Demonstrated creative problem-solving skills
• Security, political and cultural awareness
• Ability to provide a high-quality report in both languages English and Arabic
• Ability to multi-task while meeting several pressing deadlines.
• Mature, responsible, and diplomatic in their interactions with others.
• Pays attention to detail and is meticulous, thorough, and results-oriented

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position is based in Amman and it requires up to 40% travel to support country programs.

Ongoing Learning

In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development

Team Efficiency and Effectiveness 

Achieving our mission starts with how we build our team and collaborate. By bringing together individuals with a variety of experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives, we strengthen our ability to solve complex challenges and drive innovation. We foster a culture of trust and respect, where every team member is valued for their contributions, empowered to reach their full potential, and motivated to do their best work.

We recognize that building a strong and effective team is an ongoing process, and we remain committed to learning, improving, and growing together.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out different backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact.

We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

Safeguarding & Ethics

Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct elearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

As an applicant, if you witness or experience any form of sexual misconduct during the recruitment process, please report this to Mercy Corps Integrity Hotline (integrityhotline@mercycorps.org).

 الصون و الأخلاق

ميرسي كور تلتزم بضمان المعاملة اللائقة واحترام جميع الأفراد اللذين نتواصل معهم من خلال عملنا, سواء كانوا أعضاء الفريق أو أعضاء المجتمع أو المشاركين في البرامج أو غيرهم.  نحن ملتزمون بالمبادئ الرئيسية المتعلقة بمنع الاستغلال والإساءة الجنسية التي وضعها الأمين العام للأمم المتحدة واللجنة الدائمة للتنسيق بين الوكالات الإنسانية (IASC)، وقد وقعنا على نظام الإفصاح المتبادل بين الجهات الفاعلة في حالة السلوك الغير اللائق. عند التقديم لهذا الدور، يؤكد المتقدم أنه لم ينتهك في السابق سياسة السلوك الجنسي، والاستغلال والإساءة جنسية، صون الأطفال، أو الاتجار بالبشر لأي جهة عمل. ميرسي كور لن تتسامح مع إساءة معاملة الأطفال أو الاستغلال الجنسي أو الإساءة أو التحرش من قبل أو بسبب أعضاء فريقنا. كجزء من التزامنا تجاه توفير بيئة عمل آمنة وشاملة, من المتوقع أن يتصرف أعضاء الفريق بطريقة مهنية, تحترم القوانين والعادات المحلية. والالتزام بسياسات وقيم مدونة قواعد السلوك الخاصة بمنظمة ميرسي كور في جميع الأوقات. كما يتطلب من جميع أعضاء الفريق إكمال دورات التعليم الإلكتروني الإلزامية لقواعد السلوك عند التوظيف وذلك بشكل سنوي.

كمتقدم للوظيفة، إذا كنت قد شهدت أو تعرضت لأي نوع من أنواع السلوك الجنسي الغير لائق خلال عملية التوظيف، يرجى الإبلاغ عن ذلك إلى خط النزاهة في منظمة ميرسي كور integrityhotline@mercycorps.org.

RECRUITMENT SCAMS & FRAUD WARNING

Mercy Corps has become aware of scams involving false job offers. Please be advised

Recruiters will never ask for a fee during any stage of the recruitment process.

All active jobs are advertised directly on Akhtaboot.

Official Mercy Corps emails will always arrive from a @mercycorps.org email address.

Please report any suspicious communications to ((integrityhotline@mercycorps.org))