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.

Program / Department Summary 

Mercy Corps Europe, formerly known as Mercy Corps Scotland, has been operational in Sudan since 2009 and currently leads humanitarian assistance efforts in conflict-affected South Darfur, Central Darfur, Gedaref, Kasala, North Kordofan and South Kordofan States, supporting IDPs, returnees, refugees and host communities. Mercy Corps is also engaged in the South Sudanese refugee response in refugee camps across White Nile State. Mercy Corps’ current areas of programming include food security and livelihoods, WASH, nutrition, peace building and protection

General Position Summary 

Mercy Corps Europe’s Sudan office is seeking to recruit for the vacant position of Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Officer. The officer will work with our program teams as well as our local partner organizations to oversee and ensure the collection of quality MEL data for our European Union funded program – SMART in Zalengei -Central Darfur State. The MEL Officer will be responsible for supporting the MEL manager and Program Director to oversee the routine monitoring activities for all our programs, co-lead all assessments and surveys, and lead the documentation of lessons learnt, through capturing case studies. The MEL officers will specifically lead and manage all participant registration processes, post-distribution/discounting monitoring activities, baseline, midline and endline surveys in the field as directed and guided by the MEL Manager and Program Director.

Essential Job Responsibilities 

Monitoring, evaluation and learning

• Work closely with the MEL team, program teams and local partners, to ensure effective monitoring, evaluation and reporting of program activities and results.
• Coordinate data collection with local partners, specifically tracking deadlines, ensuring adherence to monitoring formats and requirements.
• Compile progress against indicators and report back to the team according to the program monitoring plans.
• Perform spot checks on the program activities and data collected
• Recruit, train and supervise enumerators

Program Management

• Contribute to all program learning and research agenda.
• Build the capacity of all relevant team members to implement program monitoring tools, accurately enter program data into relevant databases, and support them to develop excellent reports and other documents.
• Build the capacity of our local partner organizations through ongoing training and support on: monitoring tools, entering program data into databases, the development of reports and other documents.
• Document lessons learned and success stories on the project.
• Ensure adherence to program management minimum (PM@MC) standards in carrying out his/her duties, advising and supporting other staff in the same as required.
• Other duties as assigned.

Security 

• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
• Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.

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 toward 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.

Safeguarding Responsibilities

• Actively learns about safeguarding and integrates it into their work, including safeguarding risks and mitigations related to their area of work
• Practices the values of Mercy Corps including respecting the dignity and well-being of participants and fellow team members
• Encourages openness and communication in their team; encourages team members to submit reports if they have any concerns using reporting mechanisms e.g., Integrity Hotline and other options

Supervisory Responsibility

None.

Accountability

Reports Directly to: MEL Manager

Works Directly with: MEL Coordinator, Program Manager

Knowledge and Experience 

• BA/S or equivalent, preferable in Mathematics, Statistics, Information technology, Computer science, Communications, Journalism, Economics or any other relevant field
• At east 3 years of experience in Monitoring and evaluation. 
• Fluent in both spoken and written English.
• Previous experience working with INGO programs preferred
• Relevant experience in field survey/data collection techniques, data entry and verification
• Good understanding and skills at data management.
• Strong computer literacy with a full knowledge of MS Office applications.
• Strong team coordination, listening, and consensus building skills.

Success Factors 

A strong team member will be conscientious, with excellent judgement, capable of multi-tasking, prioritizing, problem-solving and attention to detail with strategic vision.  S/he must have the confidence, and humility, to work effectively with a large variety of people who will be diverse culturally, economically and in social status. S/he must be sensitive to political and cultural nuance and able to consistently apply excellent judgment to a variety of demanding and fast-changing situations, as well as the ability to foster solid working relationships with Mercy Corps staff, LNGOs and CBOs.  Working as part of a team and coordinating with project personnel, as well as strong organizational skills, are essential to this position.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION

Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives. We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.

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. By applying for this role an applicant confirms that they have not previously violated an employer’s sexual misconduct, sexual exploitation and abuse, child safeguarding or trafficking policy. 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 e-learning 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).

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse 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.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions 

The position is based in Zalengei and will require extensive travel to the field within the Central and South Darfur states where the program is being implemented.  

Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. 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.

Fostering a diverse and open workplace is an important part of Mercy Corps’ vision. Mercy Corps is an Equal Opportunity Employer regardless of background. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment.