PROGRAM SUMMARY

Mercy Corps in partnership with ADRA are implementing a project aimed at improving food security for 28,000 male and female smallholder farmer households in south Kordofan and Blue Nile States through enhanced gender equitable market access and agricultural production. The Strengthening Agricultural Markets and Food Security (SAFE) programme, will strengthen the capacities of key market actors, contributing to improved resilience capacities to shocks and stresses. The programme is guided by Market Systems Development (MSD) and resilience approaches to sustain food security gains despite the complex risk environment in which smallholder farmers are exposed to. Specifically, the program will enable small holder farmers to increase climate resilient yields, sustainable natural resource management practices, market linkages, gender equity and empowerment of women and girls.

[Describe overview of job missioGENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

The primary function of the MEL Officer is to support the program team in monitoring and evaluating the impact of the program on the beneficiaries and to measure the program indicators in relation to the achieved results. This will be done through implementation of MEL activities in the MEL plan, such as surveys, analysis of qualitative and quantitative data and sharing user friendly information in addition to reporting. The Senior MEL Officer reports to the MEL Coordinator (MELC). S/he will be responsible for the monitoring evaluation and Learning of the ongoing projects (as per MEL plan) and tracking progress toward overall log frame targets.  In addition, s/he will be expected to identify, document and share lessons learned from the implementation in order to learn from and improve practices, and contribute to a continuous improvement of the quality of our work.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Become fully familiar with the project proposal, particularly its goals, objectives, and expected results.
• In conjunction with the MEL coordinator, participate in the implementation of SAFE MEL system and support implementation of the project plan in line with the standards and practices of Market Systems Development and resilience MEL. The MEL system that s/he will support to implement will have among others, types and frequency of surveys and assessments, tools, strategic frameworks, participating registration and monitoring processes and results chains.
• Support program monitoring and compile information on program indicator trends, identify key issues with implementation and work with the program manager and other team members to address them.
• Monitor the integration of cross cutting issues such as gender and Environment management during program implementation as well as other factors in the external environment which impact the program.
• With guidance from the MEL Coordinator and direct program activity implementors, participate in the design and implementation of the partner assessment, monitoring and evaluation as guided by the MEL system and the partner agreement. This will include but not limited to visits to program sites, sampling of partner and direct program activity staff reports and checking for consistency.
• Prepare timely, comprehensive, concise, insightful and on-point reports with duration as defined in the MEL system and work with field team and MEL coordinator to address any issues that are arising.
• Support the development of an evaluation system that will provide information for measuring the outcomes and impact of the SAFE program, designing and carrying out or supervising outcome evaluations of the program.
• Together with MELC, design and carry out surveys, project Evaluations, assessment, research exercises, etc. as appropriate to support program development, monitoring, evaluation and learning and measure impact. These assessments may include Sector specific assessments, market, gender, natural resource and environmental analysis, Market diagnostic surveys, opportunities/constraints studies, private sector mapping and performance tracking studies, financial services, products services and impacts.
• As part of the Learning function, seek to identify learning points across the range of work carried out, share learning and support the program team in utilization of the learning.
• Conduct site visit of the project areas to keep abreast of program implementation, trends, identification of needs, and build a relationship with project participants and other stakeholders in order to fully understand the dynamics of the SAFE programme and its aims.
• Keep close contact with all stakeholders (including GoS, UN, INGOs, NGOs, CBOs, and community program participants) working in South Kordofan State
• Prepare and submit narrative and quantitative reports based on the findings. The reports should particularly focus on whether the program activities impacted project participants, to what extent, and lessons learned to make the program more effective
• Ensure visibility and promotion of project achievements through success and learning stories; 
• Create a filing system and keep detailed updated information for every activity as per the instructions and formats provided by the MEL Coordinator.
• Support the MEL Coordinator and direct program activity staff in ensuring that project activities are implemented in accordance with the objectives and the goal of the project and donors’ requirements; 
• Follow all MC protocols and regulations according to guidance provided by direct supervisor;
• Ensure adherence to program management minimum standards all MC’ policies and procedures as outlined in MC’ policies and procedure manuals.
• Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to MC Europe and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Be fully aware of the security situation of the area and follow all precautionary procedures.
• Personal safety is the top priority. The incumbent is clearly advised not to take any risk whatsoever of personal insecurity at no time and under no circumstances; Develop and track key learning questions and documenting success stories

Do This

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:  Research Assistants/Data clerks, if and when needed and recruited

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: The MEL coordinator

WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: All program staff, Program manager, Research Assistants/ Data Clerks when available, MEL officer from ADRA and direct Program staff and other management staff when required.

SUCCESS FACTORS:

• Strong leadership skills and teamwork skills to be able to liaise with operation and program staff.
• Capacity to represent MC Europe with government officials, partners, and leaders.
• Ability to communicate effectively with team members and other stakeholders.
• Flexibility, adaptability and creativity in planning and problem solving.
• Ability to work independently and effectively in extreme conditions.
• Ability to take initiative and be accountable for results.
• Ability to grasp and understand program details.
• Good temperament, openness and sense of humor

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

• Degree in statistics, quantitative economics, or any relevant discipline is required
• Demonstrated skills in data management (collection, cleaning, entry, analysis, and storage).
• 3 years’ experience in MEL work, two years of which should have been at officer level is a MUST.
• 2 years’ experience in MEL in humanitarian sector and at least one year in development programs with host community, IDPs and refugees.
• Experience and knowledge of many of leading assessments and surveys is a MUST and knowledge of result chains and DCED standards for results measurement would be a strong advantage.
• Strong computer skill in Microsoft Office applications especially Excel, Word, PowerPoint is a MUST and online platforms for data collection, storage, processing, analysis and visualization, such as CommCare, Stata, R, Tableau and PowerBi is a strong advantage
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English and Arabic MUST.
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, organizational and report-writing skills is a MUST
• Good knowledge and experience of South Kodofan state and local context is preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge of applying Do No harm frameworks concepts and approaches in high-risk security areas are an advantage.