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 Program / Department / Team (Program / 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 MEL Systems Manager.

The Position (General Position Summary)

The MEL Systems Manager is a crucial role in ensuring that Mercy Corps’ program data is organized, secure, and readily available for analysis and decision-making. The MEL Systems Manager will ensure the smooth operation, efficiency, and integrity of Mercy Corps’ databases. The Manager will be responsible for the management of all data, building and strengthening the capacity of MEL team and development and use of an MC Sudan MEL Tech suite. The MEL Systems Manager will also be responsible for supporting Mercy Corps staff and local partners to regularly collect/ enter/ verify/analyze/ data and make timely adjustments to measure the impact of Mercy Corps’ programs.

Essential Job Responsibilities

DATA MANAGEMENT AND INNOVATION 

Understand, innovate, and maintain a management information system that improves Mercy Corps’ ability to inform program implementation, analyze data, and present impact to donors, government, colleague agencies, and communities themselves. 

Manage Tola Data ensuring all programs are updated regularly with complete data and information. 

Manage country Power BI ensuring it is used for decision making and program adaptations. 

Ensure all relevant program staff utilize digital systems to analyze program information and results. 

Provide routine training to MEL and other staff on use of MEL Tech suite

Take lead in database administration tasks like user creation and role management. 

Ensure the database is live and accessible to field offices. 

Review data being entered in the database regularly to locate and fix problems with data entry or integrity. 

Document system database contents, protocols, and update manuals for smooth functioning. 

Troubleshoot database-related issues and resolve user queries.

MEL TECHNOLOGY 

Deployment of appropriate technologies for data collection.

Lead the development and ongoing adaptations of the forms in CommCare and dashboards Power BI 

Ensure data validation is well embedded in the structure of data collection tools 

In close collaboration with MEL and PaQ teams, undertake Data analysis, Data Quality Assurance and Data reviews and use to inform the Project Programming 

Providing training to M&E staff on indicator databases and dashboards 

Undertaking data quality assessments for current databases 

IMPLEMENT M&E SYSTEM AND TOOLS

Generate data (tables/graphs/reports) from the database at regular intervals, ensuring reports/information are available to program staff when required. Facilitate data analysis with the program implementation team as requested.

Whenever required, collaborate with Mercy Corps’ HQ who have expertise in data visualization tools to create more complex and interactive dashboards.

Conduct regular field visits to ensure all elements of the M&E system and database are being utilized effectively by all stakeholders, assessing, and identifying breakdowns and areas that require clarifications and improvements.

Take lead in data migration and data warehousing.

STAFF TRAINING AND CAPACITY BUILDING

Lead in developing and implementing staff/partner trainings, improving capacities in monitoring and evaluation and database management: data collection, entry, verification, and analysis; using commcare and other agreed systems.

Follow-up training by mentoring staff/partners to develop identified technical skills one-on-one.

LINK M&E RESULTS TO REPORTING

Produce analytical summaries: graphs, charts, and tables as requested to fulfill reporting requirements.

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 in Sudan.

Other duties as assigned and agreed upon.

SECURITY

Implement data security measures like access controls and user permissions.

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.

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

Senior MEL Manager

Accountability

Reports Directly To: MEL Manager and MEL Coordinators

Works Directly With: MEL Officers, other MEL, PAQ and CARM team among others.

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 

A bachelor’s degree in computer science, Information Technology, or a related field is preferred. 

● Computer literacy in Mercy Corps’ preferred Data management and visualization applications like Commcare, PowerBi and Excel is essential. 

● Familiarity with Mercy Corps’ preferred cloud-based database solutions like MongoDB, Microsoft Azure is required. 

● 4-6 years’ experience managing or designing databases. 

● Knowledge of data security best practices and techniques to safeguard sensitive information within the database. 

● Familiarity with scripting languages like Python or shell scripting can be beneficial for automating tasks and interacting with databases programmatically. 

● Understanding basic data analysis concepts and the ability to generate reports and identify trends from database queries is advantageous. 

● The ability to communicate technical concepts clearly and concisely to both technical and non-technical audiences is essential. 

●Troubleshooting database issues and resolving user queries requires strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

●Knowledge of data integrity constrains, access controls, and security protocols to protect sensitive information.

●Demonstrated skills in training, capacity building, and mentoring.

●Good basic math and analytical skills as well as a general knowledge of statistical or monitoring and evaluation principles

●Fluency in spoken and written English and Arabic

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.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position is based in Kassala/Gedaref and it requires up to 40% travel to support country programs, which may include travel to insecure locations where freedom of movement is limited and areas where amenities are limited. Housing for this role is in individual housing and staff will have access to good medical services and the living situation is of a high standard.

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).