Organization: Mercy Corps
Location: Gambella
Grade: Mid level – Mid level
Occupational Groups:
Education, Learning and Training
Monitoring and Evaluation
Closing Date:
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. We help people overcome poverty and conflict. Working with communities, we leverage local logic to help people transform their lives. To grow more food, earn higher incomes and ultimately advocate for their needs.
Mercy Corps has been operating in Ethiopia since 2004. In partnership with civil society organizations, private sector, and the government, Mercy Corps Ethiopia has reached more than five million Ethiopians with interventions to save lives and build secure livelihoods. Our programs emphasize market-driven solutions, reinforce social bonds, and help communities build resilience to the impacts of climate change. Currently in Seven regional states – Afar, Gambella, Oromia, Somali, Amhara, Tigray and South Nations, Nationalities and People’s Region (SNNPR) – Mercy Corps Ethiopia is driven by the mission to contribute the emergence of a peaceful, resilient, and prosperous Ethiopia which is inclusive of youth and women. Our strategic directions focus in promoting inclusive and dynamic markets; promoting peace and social cohesion through strengthening formal/informal governance structures and citizen engagement; improved natural resource governance; and integrated humanitarian response.
Program / Department Summary
Integrated Smallholders Farmers Resilience and Livelihood Support (ISRLS) Project is a WFP funded project with the aim of building the resilience and improving livelihoods of smallholder farmers in Gambella region with the specific objectives of increasing agriculture production and productivity, market linkages, financial inclusion, and promotion of production and consumption of diversified crops to improve nutrition status of the population in target woredas. The implementation of this project will improve smallholder farmers productivity, enhance income and build resilience which contributes to country’s vision becoming middle income country by 2030.
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 implementation of Integrated Smallholder resilience and Livelihood Support Project (ISRLS) in the Gambella Region of Ethiopia. The MEL officer will support MEL Specialist and oversee the monitoring and data collection of the project, track indicators, conduct survey and analyze data to provide insight to the ISRLS 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 project components. 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 of 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.
Perform 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, statistics, Economic, public administration or international development.
2-4 years M&E experience
Fluent in both spoken and written English and Amharic languages.
Previous experience working on USAID/NGOs funded programs preferred
Relevant experience in field survey/data collection techniques, data entry, data verification, and analysis
Good understanding and skills in 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 always 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
All interested candidates are encouraged to apply for the position advertised. All applications submitted to the Mercy Corps office include a CV, three references, and all relevant official documents. Applications will not be returned and will not be retained for future recruitment efforts. In order to ensure fairness to all applicants’ personal inquiries are not permitted.
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 candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. We are committed to empower women.”