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.

Department Summary 

The Monitoring Evaluation Learning (MEL) unit exists to strengthen the monitoring efforts of Mercy Corps’ programs. The MEL unit provides technical support service to programs and its one of the subunits under the Program Performance and Quality (PaQ) department. The aim of the MEL unit is to assist programs in specific activities that help quantify, analyze, and document the output, outcome and impacts of Mercy Corps’ programs including data collection, data management, data analysis, and mapping. The MEL Unit conducts surveys, manages program data, maps program activities, provides reports and participates in monitoring evaluation and learning activities. Mercy Corps is looking for an experienced, qualified and business minded Sudanese to fill the position of Database Management Specialist. 

General Position Summary 

The MEL Officer position will serve as the focal point for all Drobale Solution monitoring activities and a coordinating role for MEL assessments, monitoring and reporting. Reporting to a MEL Coordinator, this is a technical position working in close collaboration with the Drobale Solution team to ensure that all program needs are being met and that data collection, analysis, storage and reporting is as planned. The MEL Officer will provide leadership, management and technical support in the design and implementation of Drobale Solution MEL system. S/he will support the MEL Coordinator and MEL Manager in training and supervising enumerators for all programs and field offices. S/he will also support the development of MEL plans and conduct research/studies. S/he will ensure that learnings are generated and shared back with Drobale Solution program teams and work closely with the team to liaise with relevant authorities and other organizations to ensure the implementation of quality programs.

Essential Job Responsibilities 

Design of MEL Systems

• Work closely with the MEL Coordinator on the design of County and Program-level MEL systems
• Support in design or review of strategic and thematic area specific results chain and / or Theory of Change (ToC) and identify the assumptions that underpin the expected pathways of change, and subsequently direct data collection efforts to test those assumptions, for DROBALE SOLUTION . 

Support the management and implementation of the MEL systems 

• In coordination with the MEL Coordinator and Program Managers, ensure that all program MEL plans are implemented.
• Manage all operations related to MEL according to individual program MEL plans, budgets and implementation strategies. 
• Monitor program implementation, measure impact and calibrate program strategies and implementation accordingly. 
• Ensure continued re-evaluation of program activities and that achievements and best practices are captured and disseminated with resulting activity adjustments.
• As part of the learning function, seek to identify learning points across the range of work carried out, and identify opportunities to share this learning with program teams.
• Implement a robust research design to assess the impact of the program on participant’s economic and non-economic outcomes over time. Tracking of outcomes and impact will be conducted via outcomes surveys for both youth and market actors.
• Oversee data management (collection, cleaning, entry, storage and maintenance of approved databases etc.) including timeliness and completeness of reporting.
• Collaborate with DROBALE SOLUTION  team to provide weekly, monthly, quarterly and any other reports as required. Analyze and provide summarized reports as requested.
• Coordinate with DROBALE SOLUTION  team to ensure regular monitoring is being performed as scheduled and that data collection is adequately completed.
• Serve as a liaison between Mercy Corps program staff and collaborating research institutions for data-based research projects, as directed by the DROBALE SOLUTION  Project Lead.

Support MEL Team Management

• Working under the MEL Coordinator, s/he will be responsible for the performance management of enumerators and data collectors in the field.
• Track and advise on MEL staffing needs and manage the recruitment and training of enumerators when necessary to ensure volunteers are of the quality and capacity for successful implementation of activities. 
• Facilitate capacity building and technical assistance for MEL staff from program and implementing partners, to improve the quality of monitoring data and maximize program-wide learning.
  • Implement data security measures like access controls and user permissions. 

Security 

• Perform regular backups and disaster recovery planning to safeguard data.
• 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. 

Keep up to date with the latest database technologies and best practices. 

Continuously learn new skills and tools to adapt to evolving database management systems.

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.

Supervisory Responsibility

MEL Assistants and Enumerators

Accountability 

Reports Directly To: Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Coordinator 

Works Directly With: DROBALE SOLUTION  team, MEL Officers, MEL Coordinators and the PAQ Manager.

Knowledge and Experience 

1. A graduate degree in statistics, quantitative Economics, Information Technology, Computer science, Development economics or related field
2. At least 3 years of relevant experience in M&E
3. Wide experience in design and execution of monitoring and evaluation systems is essential and experience in working in consortia or partnerships is an added advantage. 
4. Proven technical experience in monitoring and evaluation of market facilitation, development programs, livelihoods, agriculture and value chain, climate smart, resilience programming is an added advantage.
5. Practical and theoretical knowledge in program monitoring and data collection methods, including interview techniques. 
6. Experience in building and maintaining effective partnerships with implementing and strategic partner agencies, and government authorities and counterparts.
7. Strong computer literacy with a full knowledge of statistical packages for data analysis is required.
8. Experience with mobile data collection, 
9. Strong English writing and speaking, communication, organization, prioritization and negotiating skills is required.

Success Factors 

The ideal candidate will have a strong curiosity for understanding and working effectively within the complex cultural, political, security and social environment of Sudan.  He/She will be an excellent communicator, multi-tasker, and able to work in ambiguous situations as well as possess a meticulous eye for detail to ensure data accuracy and consistency within the database.

He/She should be a tolerant and flexible individual, able to work in difficult and stressful environments and follow procedures.  The successful candidate will be focused on team building and capacity-building of staff; be a strategic thinker, have strong skills in design monitoring and evaluation of development programs and maintain a sense of humor.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions 

The position is based in South Kordofan and requires up to 30% travel to different field locations across Sudan. Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit 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 always 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.

ORGANIZATIONAL LEARNING

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

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 DROBALE SOLUTION ’s operating state of South Kordofan. Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/short term assignment 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.