Specialist of the monitoring, assessment and training department in Mercy Corps

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is powered by the belief that a better world is possible. To do this, we know our teams do their best work when they are diverse, and every team member feels that they belong. We welcome diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be stronger and have long term impact.

The Program Summary  

Mercy Corps’ Ukraine response meets the humanitarian needs of people affected by the war in Ukraine. Since the escalation of the war in 2022, Mercy Corps has supported more than 750,000 conflict-affected people in Ukraine and neighboring countries. We have provided cash assistance, food and hygiene kits, and psychosocial support for people in emergency situations; grants for micro, small and medium businesses, as well as small to medium farming enterprises; and conducted large-scale information campaigns. Notably, nearly all our programming is delivered in partnership with civil society organizations matching humanitarian action with capacity strengthening and a real commitment to localization.

Building on the successes and lessons learned of the the Locally led, Inclusive and Versatile Emergency Support to Conflict Affected Populations in Ukraine and Poland program (LIVES), under LIVES 3.0 Mercy Corps will continue to work with CSO partners to deliver a comprehensive package of emergency assistance to the most vulnerable conflict-affected individuals and communities in Ukraine. With a focus on reaching those most in need in frontline, recently de-occupied or hard-to-reach areas, Mercy Corps and our local partners aim to reach over 60,000 individuals with emergency cash and other humanitarian aid. Another principal objective of LIVES 3.0 is to support local partners with the resources they need to grow their knowledge of, leadership in, and capacity to deliver the humanitarian response. The overall outcome is “The most vulnerable conflict-affected Ukrainians are enabled to meet their basic needs through rapid, localized and appropriate humanitarian assistance, delivered in a gender, age, and ability responsive way.”

General Position Summary

The Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Officer will play a critical role in the implementation of MEL activities of the emergency response program LIVES 3.0, with a focus on working with partners and contributing to their capacity strengthening. This role will be responsible for creating and maintaining effective data collection systems, conducting analysis to generate actionable insights, and supporting Mercy Corps and partners in their MEL activities. The MEL Officer will play a key role in enhancing program effectiveness through accurate data analysis and reporting. The ideal candidate should possess strong technical skills in MEL methodologies, data management, and training facilitation.

Essential Job Responsibilities:1.     Strategy & Vision

• Lead and support the design and implementation of Rapid Needs Assessments and other pre and post data collection and analysis.
• Visit sites and partners to monitor activities, collect PDM data, stories and conduct qualitative research both independently and in teams and support partner-organizations with proper documentation and report generation.
• Support learning-to-action events, reflection session, and After-Action Reviews to analyse data for programmatic use and to document and incorporate lessons learned into program design, planning and implementation.
• Actively participate in any additional evaluation MEL activities including but not limited to baseline surveys, PDMs, end-line surveys, evaluations, household surveys
• Work closely with the program teams and national partners, to ensure effective monitoring, evaluation and reporting of program activities and results.
• Lead trainings for partners on MEL systems and tools, and provide capacity strengthening support through ToTs, and individualized trainings for partners.
• Ensure that the MEL systems for programs are in compliance with Mercy Corps’ standards and strategic initiatives. 

2.     Data Management & Technical Support

• Assist in developing data collection, analysis and visualization tools.
• Ensure quality control procedures and accuracy of entered data and comparing it with the existing filing system to make sure all records are consistent and aligned.
• Participate in Data Quality Assessments, and contribute into ensuring that all verification documents meet Mercy Corps minimum standards.
• Provide support in the development of tools, survey design, methodology, data analysis, and other services as may be required for program monitoring and evaluation.

3.     Internal & External Coordination

• Maintain an active advisory role with the program and MEL team to help guide them towards robust and relevant data collection.
• Work with MEL and IT staff to maximize the value and utility of technology initiatives for effective MEL.
• Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to credit Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its mission.
• Perform any other duties as assigned by his/her supervisor or representatives. 

4.     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.

Supervisory Responsibility:

N/A

Accountability:

Reports Directly To: Humanitarian MEL Manager

Works Directly With: Senior MEL Manager, LIVES 3.0 Program Manager, LIVES 3.0 Deputy Program Manager, program officers, MEL and PaQ teams 

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.

Knowledge & Experience:

• Academic background or equivalent experience in social science, statistics, economics, or other related field.
• Two years of MEL experience (or equivalent).
• Relevant experience in field survey/data collection techniques, data entry, data verification, analysis, and reporting.
• Strong understanding of data management. Familiarity with data visualization and data analytics.
• Strong computer literacy with a full knowledge of MS Office applications;
• Knowledge of softwares such as Power BI, SPSS, R and/or mobile data collection platforms preferable but not required.
• Experience with both quantitative and qualitative data collection and reporting techniques.
• Experience with facilitation, capacity building, formal and informal knowledge transfer, partnership strengthening, and empowering staff through opportunities for growth and development.
• Ukrainian language (written and spoken is required, intermediate level of English (written and spoken) is also necessary.
• Willingness to conduct field visits in the locations where the activities are implemented (when security situation allows it)
• Strong ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines. 

Success Factors

The MEL Officer will have the ability to work closely with a diverse team of individuals in a highly fluid work and security environment. S/he will have the capacity to support ambitious and innovative gender-responsive approaches while helping to strengthen understanding of the sensitivities of the cultural context.

The successful candidate will have strong communication and interpersonal skills and must adapt to building strong partner relationships and advocating for change at all levels. The most successful Mercy Corps staff members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments, and make effective written and verbal communication a priority in all situations.

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.

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 based on 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 onto 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. 

Benefits

Mercy Corps is offering competitive 25 Benefits Packages (10 law statutory and 15 market competitive), including but not limited to the relocation, transportation, phone allowances, remote and flexible working modality, duty of care, well-being support, 24/7 free resilience consultations in addition to a salary offer. Team positive working environment in a well-established and growing international humanitarian organization with career development opportunities through our global talent development platform.

People with disabilities and veteran status are welcome to apply.