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. Mercy Corps has been operating in Ethiopia since 2004, working in rural, peri-urban and urban areas in five regional states – Somali, Oromia, Afar, Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples, Amhara – and the capital city of Addis Ababa. We engage in both development and humanitarian work, and seek to integrate approaches, programs and geographies as much as possible.  Our partners include government, academic institutions, development and private sector actors, civil societies and communities. Mercy Corps Ethiopia invites motivated and qualified candidates to apply for the following vacant position.

 Position Title: Monitoring Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Officer

Location: Gambella

Number of Positions: one

 Program / Department Summary

Mercy Corps has been operating in Ethiopia since 2004, working in rural, peri-urban and urban areas in five regional states – Somali, Oromia, Afar, Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples, Amhara – and the capital city of Addis Ababa. We engage in both development and humanitarian work, and seek to integrate approaches, programs and geographies as much as possible. Our partners include government, academic institutions, development and private sector actors, civil societies and communities. Mercy Corps envisions contributing to the emergence of a peaceful, prosperous, and resilient Ethiopia which is inclusive of youth and women. Our strategic focus in the country includes in promoting dynamic and inclusive markets; natural resource management; peace and social cohesion, and humanitarian responses.  With the revised proclamation to contribute working in the area, Mc has started a small trade4peace pilot intervention (under its RISING program) to demonstrate the importance and potential impact of this approach.  Complimentary to this we are about to implement a 2 million dollar program through the funding of the Hilton foundation that will be implemented for one year. The program will focus on creating community governance institutions that promote peace and social cohesion between refugees and host communities and which fosters mutually beneficial economic interactions and opportunities. The proposed trade 4 peace program will consist of two objectives;

1. Trade 4 peace governance institutions become drivers of cooperation and peace between refugee and host communities
2. Improve livelihood and Market opportunities for refugee and host communities

General Position Summary

The Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Officer will work with the Mercy Corps program team as well as our local partner organizations to oversee and ensure the collection of quality M&E data for the program.  The M&E Officer will be responsible for supporting the Promotion Peace and Improving Livelihoods (PPIL) in the Gambella Region of Ethiopia, oversee the monitoring and data collection of the project, lead xx surveys, analyze data to provide insight to the PPIL project  team, and contribute to report writing. S/he will ensure that performance monitoring and results reporting tools and processes across the entire program are in place, effectively implemented and well synchronized between the two program sites. The MEL officer will be an integral member of the project team learning and reflection processes, leading discussion on beneficiary feedback.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Strategy & Vision

●       Develop M&E Plan(s) for programs and proposals.

●       Develop a system for reporting and validating program data (Excel, Tola, Access, etc.)

●       Work closely with the program teams and local partners, to ensure effective monitoring, evaluation and reporting of program activities and results.

●       Coordinate reporting with local partners, specifically tracking deadlines, ensuring adherence to monitoring formats and requirements, ensuring reporting quality and accuracy, and periodic report writing, editing, and submission.

●       Compile progress against indicators and report back to the team according to the monitoring plan.

●       Develop Data Quality Assessment Plan.

●       Perform spot checks on the team’s data collected and reports each month.

●       Actively participate in any additional evaluation M&E activities including but not limited to baseline surveys, mid-term, endline surveys, evaluations, households surveys

Program Management

●       Contribute to learning/research agenda.

●       Build the capacity of all relevant team members to implement program monitoring tools, accurately enter program data into relevant databases, and enable them to develop excellent reports and other documents.

●       Build the capacity of our local partner organizations through ongoing training and support on: monitoring tools, entering program data into databases, the development of reports and other documents.

●       Document lessons learned and success stories on the project.

●       Ensure adherence to program management minimum standards in carrying out his/her duties, advising and supporting other staff in the same as required.

●       Other duties as assigned.

Security

●       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.

Knowledge and Experience

●       BA/S or equivalent, preferable in business administration, public administration or international development.

●       2-4 years M&E experience

●       Fluent in both spoken and written Somali languages with good knowledge of English.

●       Previous experience working on USAID funded programs preferred

●       Relevant experience in field survey/data collection techniques, data entry, data verification, and analysis

●       Good understanding and skills at data management.

●       Strong computer literacy with a full knowledge of MS Office applications.

●       Strong team coordination, listening, and consensus building skills.

Success Factors

A successful candidate will have the ability to live and work closely with a diverse team of individuals in a highly intense and fluid work and security environment with a capacity to spark innovative approaches to programming and inspire groups to collaborate closely to implement high-quality programs. S/he will have proven ability to learn quickly, take initiative, and be accountable for results, with an ability and willingness to remain mobile for short-term and/or long-term as necessary within the region, based on programmatic needs. An ability to work independently and as part of a team, with curiosity about and sensitivity to new cultures, a desire and ability to learn and grow, both personally and professionally, and a great sense of humor.

 Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position is based in Gambella, Ethiopia and it requires up to 40 % travel to field offices.

Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY 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.

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