Senior Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL) Specialist

Job Description

Position is contingent on approval of new funding.

Position: Senior Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL) Specialist

Location: Addis Ababa

Position Status Full-time, Regular

Mercy Corps has been present in Ethiopia since 2004 working to drive bold and transformative ideas, working closely with government, the private sector and civil society actors to build a more resilient country, ensuring that programs are responsive to and influenced by participants and stakeholders. Our vision is to enhance the resilience of climate and conflict-affected communities through market systems development for improved livelihoods, access to food, and safe and clean water to thrive in the face of crises. Our strategy focuses on the four outcome areas of: 1) Economically marginalized populations have improved and diversified livelihoods, income, and assets; 2) Pastoralists, farmers, and households have access to sustainably produced, safe, nutritious food; 3) Social cohesion and inclusive governance processes are built in crisis-affected communities; and 4) People have equitable, sustained access to clean water and sanitation for domestic and productive use.  Currently we operate in the regional states of Afar, Amhara, Gambella, Oromia, Somali, Sidama, Southern Ethiopia, Tigray and Addis Ababa city administration working with a diverse base of donors that includes United States Agency for International Development (USAID), European Union, GAC, Hilton Foundation, United Nations (UN), JOA, Sweden, EKN, and other foundations.

General Position Summary

He/she will lead the RIPA CM3 system for indicators tracking & reporting, including evidence gathering, reflective practice, lessons learned generation, success stories documentation, and dissemination; and the implementation of communication and feedback mechanisms with RiPA-CM3 partners, stakeholders and beneficiaries.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• MEL Strategy Implementation and Review-working closely with the Water security manager, CLA Lead, RIPA MEL Manager and MEL Specialist in Addis Ababa, the candidate will lead the implementation of the RIPA-CM3 MEL strategy in Somali region, ensuring all partners and their staff understand the strategy and its work plan. He/she will also ensure that the MEL strategy and MEL activities are monitored and reviewed periodically to make changes based on regular staff, partners and stakeholders’ reflections and lessons learned. He/she works with the program manager to make sure that cross learning and coordination takes place among technical teams in the field. He/she will lead the CNMS (Concept Note Management System), IPTS (Institutional Tracking System) and Tola Data for indicator tracking and reporting.
• Oversight of M&E Plan Implementation– working closely with the Water security manager, CLA Lead, RIPA MEL Manager other MEL Specialist RIPA-North and the rest of the CLA team (Addis Ababa and field), the MEL Specialist will lead the implementation of the M&E plan at field level by  collection, compilation and consolidation and analysis of data in the Zone The MEL Specialist works closely with the RIPA CLA team to ensure data is timely and accurate from partners, following up and doing data audits when necessary. the MEL Specialist monitors other programmatic compliance at field level through document audits using a variety of methods and assists partners in performing random spot checks and assessments as planned.
• Information management, dissemination, and feedback
  • In coordination with technical teams and RIPA CLA officers put together monthly updates from the region and other reports as required, especially summarizing monthly lessons learned and disseminating these with partners.
  • Provides weekly updates for Water security manager, CLA Lead and RIPA MEL Manager in Addis Ababa to share with partners and stakeholders.
  • Assists technical teams in developing, implementing and analyzing sub-activity evaluations and to alert technical teams of results provided by the online information system.
  • Organizes feedback sessions and other platforms at regional level with partners, beneficiaries and stakeholders (private and public sectors), and, with the assistance of the CLA Lead, MEL manager, and MEL Specialist ensures responses are provided timely.
  • Collects and documents case studies, success stories and shares with internal and external audiences.
  • Ensures regular and timely reporting from project staff and implementing partners by monitoring receipts of monthly, quarterly and annual activity progress reports and following up with the project staff and implementing partners on non-reporting
  • Conducts quality control tests on all incoming data.
• Technical Leadership and Support to Sub-Grantees
  • Works closely with the Water security manager, CLA Lead, MEL Manager, MEL Specialist, Communications Manager and other staff to ensure branding and marking policies are followed correctly in the field.
  • Working with the RIPA CLA Field Officers and the Communications Manager, provides assistance to partners in developing success stories.
  • Organizes, with the CLA Lead and MEL Manager, quarterly M&E workshops based on the needs and gaps observed.
• Staff Training and Capacity Building-Builds the capacity of all relevant team members to develop, review, and maintain an excellent M&E system, including regular reflection and analysis of program monitoring data and production of evidence-based recommendations and reports on timely basis. He/she provides ongoing capacity building for incoming staff on M&E and assists program team and technical learning. He/she organizes other capacity building activities with the CLA Lead and the MEL Manager in Addis Ababa.
• Evaluation and Assessments – Play a central role in supporting the baseline, mid-term and final evaluations and work with partners in the design, field-testing, data collection and analysis of any additional evaluation initiatives that may be required at program level.
• 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.
• Other duties as assigned by the Cluster Coordinator, and CLA Lead in Addis Ababa.

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.

Supervisory Responsibility: MEL Specialist (in Gode)

Accountability

Reports Directly To: RIPA CLA/M&E Team lead.

Works Directly With: Water Security Team Lead, RIPA CLA Team in the field offices, RIPA Technical Program Teams, MEL Manager, MEL Specialist and Officers, RIPA Senior Environment and Safeguards Officer, Country PaQ team, Program Specialists.

Knowledge and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, statistics, monitoring and evaluation, international development, communications, or related field is required or demonstrated equivalent work experience in the field.
• Three to five years relevant field management experience, especially in the areas of monitoring and evaluation and learning and knowledge management;
• Strong management skills, with good understanding of relevant cross-cultural issues.
• Previous experience working on USAID funded programs strongly preferred
• Demonstrated experience and ability to professionally and appropriately represent the organization and negotiate with a diverse range of government officials, local organizations, donors and other groups for outcomes in the best interest of program implementation
• Effective verbal and written communication, multi-tasking, organizational, and prioritization skills are necessary
• Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members is required
• Strong written and oral communication skills in English, including report development, writing and editing.

Success Factors:

• Conscientious, with excellent judgment
• Display an entrepreneurial spirit that is both creative and flexible. We are looking for a motivated individual, who is eager to learn and share knowledge and who can balance working independently and in a team environment.
• Multi-tasking, prioritizing, problem solving and simultaneous attention to detail and strategic vision are essential.
• 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
• Ability to foster solid working relationships with USAID, host Government, beneficiary communities, and partner organizations
• Ability to work as part of a team and coordinate with project personnel.
• Strong organizational skills.

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 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

All interested candidates are encouraged to apply for the position advertised.  All applications submitted to the Mercy Corps office or electronically include a CV, three references, and all relevant official documents.

Only candidates that are short-listed will be acknowledged and called for interviews.

“Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer promoting gender, equity and    diversity. Qualified female and young candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. We are committed to empower women and youth.”

DEADLINE FOR ALL APPLICATIONS: 27 October 2023/ 4:00 PM