Mercy Corps
Location: Edinburgh, London, UK, or NL
**Position Status: Full-Time, open term
Salary range: London: circa 47K – 55K; Edinburgh : circa 41K- 47K, NL: circa 47K – 54K
Apply with CV and Cover Letter by October 10th
The applicant must have the independent right to live and work at the location of assignment (ie., not require visa sponsorship)**
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.
Program / Department Summary
The Program Performance and Quality Unit (PaQ) is an integrated Unit consisting of the Program Standards Team; the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Team; the Strategic Leadership Team; and the Infrastructure Teams. PaQ is a Unit within the Global Programs Department. The purpose of PaQ is to support effective, efficient, and equitable program performance through a culture of quality management, to achieve results for those that matter most — our program participants.
The HQ MEL Team supports both foundational and cutting-edge adaptive management approaches with design, monitoring, evaluation and learning functions as key processes and benchmarks to ensure evidence-based decision making for quality program implementation. The MEL Team’s work includes, but is not limited to, the provision of technical MEL support to programs, the integration of MEL technologies at all stages of the data lifecycle, implementation of learning mechanisms and platforms, implementation of and support for data quality assessments, the development of global MEL standards and good practices, and support with agency-level reporting. A major focus area of the MEL team is the implementation of Mercy Corps’ MEL and Program Management policies. The team works across a wide spectrum of stakeholders both internal and external to Mercy Corps, as well as diverse technical program approaches and sectors.
General Position Summary
The Senior Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Advisor, based in the Program Performance and Quality team, will work across multiple teams, to ensure technical rigor and application of best practices in our program initiatives. He/she will provide technical leadership on UK, EU and bi-lateral funded programs globally, working as the MEL focal person for MCE-funded programs. The Senior MEL Advisor will have a central role in ensuring our work is integrated across practice areas, especially related to training and curriculum, tools and resources, application of mobile technologies, minimum program quality standards. This role will work both at a headquarters, as well as provide hands on support through virtual and field visits to Mercy Corp program teams, on program design, monitoring, evaluation, learning, accountability; data and knowledge management; team capacity building; resource and tool development; cross-departmental collaboration and coordination. The Senior MEL Advisor will liaise with internal stakeholder teams while working on agency-wide initiatives, represent Mercy Corps in external events, and remain informed and knowledgeable of the cutting-edge advancements in the field of MEL, most particularly within the context of the UK and European donors and peer agencies.
Essential Job Responsibilities
MONITORING EVALUATION, & LEARNING TECHNICAL SUPPORT TO PROGRAMS AND PROPOSALS (50%)
● Act as the MEL technical lead in proposal development, including drafting MEL Narrative sections, Value for Money sections, MEL Plans, setting MEL budgets and staffing plans, and developing VfM frameworks when relevant.
● Provide M&E technical support to programs and develop M&E tools and guidance for the program team. This may include support to program monitoring, evaluation and learning plans, as well guidance on quantitative and qualitative methods, tools, operational research, participatory learning reviews, and assessments, studies and evaluations that are grounded on program experience and best practices.
● Provide direct MEL support for complex programs and represent PAQ in complex programs
● Design and build capacity for strong MEL systems for various programs. Advise on adequate MEL Technology packages, support their integration
● Drive the TolaData (Mercy Corps’ proprietary MEL database) adoption strategy of the organization through coordination across departments and country teams
● Support solutions for integrating program and organizational reporting mechanisms into TolaData, such as Participant Count, and others as they evolve with Mercy Corps’ strategy.
● Train project team members and partners on their MEL responsibilities
● Ensure that lessons learned through the project are captured and communicated to internal and external stakeholders through appropriate channels
● Provide technical leadership on UK, EU and bi-lateral funded programs globally.
PROGRAM QUALITY CAPACITY BUILDING AND LEARNING (20%)
● Coordinate capacity building initiatives to field teams, especially around integrated training and follow up support, including the design, strategy and curriculum
● Closely work with program managers in countries, to support the organizational efforts to promote data-driven decision making in programs to generate lessons learnt and boost organizational learning with other technical advisors
● Manage capacity building needs across the program quality team- including training, webinars, workshops, particularly integrated ones, curriculum and follow up, plus liaising with other departments doing training, for stronger coordination and integration from the HQ and field level
● Using Mercy Corps’ MEL Competencies framework, promote capacity building through coaching, mentoring field-based MEL staff and supporting existing MEL communities of practice in the regions
● Set-up and lead PAQ-related working groups and community of practice to promote capacity building around TolaData, VfM and MEL technical areas.
● Identify, coordinate, and at times, directly document lessons learned through our program implementation on key priority areas as requested by the Senior MEL Director and MEL technical leads, and write and disseminate technical publications around best practices and lessons for our team’s work; explore and lead innovative ways to disseminate and communicate the content of these publications
● Liaise directly with the Mercy Corps Regional Program Team (i.e. UK-based desk officers) to respond to questions and keep them briefed on PaQ-related resources.
SPECIAL INITIATIVES (20%)
● Initiate and lead the development, as well as reporting against higher-level monitoring matrixes, such as Value for Money
● Liaise with TSU (economic growth, including youth employment, area) to develop frameworks for measurement and to support sound monitoring and evaluation in the technical area.
● Co-lead the efforts to use TolaData in portfolio reviews and complex program boards
● Roll-out the TolaData uptake strategy, including special initiatives and program-level capacity building
● Manage special projects to help move our program quality work, particularly in the area of MEL and program evidence, forward. These may include but are not limited to, the MEL policy, MEL talent management strategy, and the collection and meaningful application of sex- and age- disaggregated data.
REPRESENTATION, NETWORKING AND DONOR RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT TRENDS (10%)
● Track donor trends and expectations, specifically related to UK and European donors; coordinate with relevant HQ, regional and country teams to produce guidelines and provide recommendations
● Keep up to date on trends and innovations in program management, M&E, mobile data, and other external resources relevant to PaQ, and disseminate them across Mercy Corps
● Represent Mercy Corps at conferences, media forums, and other events; contribute to thought leadership in area MEL
● Identify and nurture strategic partnerships with other organizations and institutions.
● Contribute to a strong and regularly updated network of technical experts and consultants that can serve as an additional resource for program support.
Supervisory Responsibility: None
Accountability
Reports Directly To: Senior Director, MEL
Works Directly With: HQ PaQ team, HQ MEL Team, Research and Learning Team, and the Technical Support Unit, HQ program teams, and country 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.
Minimum Qualifications & Transferable Skills
● M.Sc. or equivalent in a relevant social science, international development, data science, economics or other relevant field.
● At least 7-10 years professional experience in the international development or humanitarian response sector – required
● 5 years of experience developing and implementing M&E systems at the program level, including developing M&E plans, indicator tables, data collection tools, and building capacity of M&E staff; at least 2 years in a field-based direct program role. – required
● Experience in value for money analysis, cost-efficiency or cost analysis – required
● Strong understanding of the program management cycle, and experience implementing, or directly supporting, program implementation in the field – required
● Experience with mobile data collection platforms and other M&E-related digital technology tools – required
● Demonstrated experience providing technical support to field programs, and the ability to multi-task and adjust guidance depending on field capacity, needs and budget available – required
● Experience in gender-integrated programming, including a solid understanding of gender analysis frameworks, applying gender analysis in programs, and experience facilitating the application of disaggregated data. – preferred
● Demonstrated experience with behavior change initiatives, such as capacity building initiatives; direct training and facilitation; remote learning; coaching; communities of practice, and tool and resource development – preferred
● Experience in a project management role, such as the design and rollout of an internal special initiative, with a workplan and deliverables defined and achieved – preferred
● Spanish language capacity- the ability to work professionally and technically in a Spanish- speaking environment- is preferred. (French being a second preference) – preferred
● Experience with M&E requirements for donors including FCDO , EU, European bi-laterals, USAID and private foundations – preferred
● Experience/knowledge of UK government Commercial Contracts. I know that the role was initially intended to help support our commercial contracts– preferred
Success Factors
The successful candidate will have the ability to work comfortably and effectively across a diverse portfolio. They will be an excellent communicator, multi-tasker, and able to work in ambiguous situations. They will be a team player with a positive attitude toward problem solving and conflict resolution. A successful person in this role will be flexible and adaptive, enterprising, and have strong collaboration skills, and come to the role with both M&E and program management experience. Since Mercy Corps’ PaQ team embraces an adaptive management approach within the team, the specific roles and responsibilities of this position may evolve over time based on the needs of the team, and the agency.
Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions
The position requires approximately 30% travel, sometimes to hardship locations and for extended durations of time (sometimes 2-3 weeks if needed). Regular travel to Mercy Corps’ Edinburgh office may be required.
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 theInteragency 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 toMercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times.
As a safeguarding measure, Mercy Corps screens all potential US-Based employees. Any offers of employment or continued employment are dependent on the successful completion of the screens which include, but are not limited to our Background Check and Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme processes,
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.
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
Covid-19 Vaccine Policy for US-Based Employees
Mercy Corps has determined that, in an effort to protect the health, safety, and well-being of all Mercy Corps employees working in the United States, all U.S.-based employees must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, regardless of prior COVID-19 infection status.
This policy will be revised as needed to comply with federal, state, and local requirements, and to respond to changing guidance from public health authorities.
For new employees this requirement goes into effect within 10 business days of employment. Team members that travel are expected to comply with host-country requirements, including vaccinations. Failure to comply may impact your employment. Proof of vaccination or exemption must be provided.
How to apply
Learn more and join us here: https://jobs.jobvite.com/mercycorps/job/o9Y6kfwh