Senior MEL Officer

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.

Program / Department Summary

Mercy Corps is responding to the Ukraine emergency since the escalation of armed conflict across the country in February 2022. The attacks set off a wave of displacement internally and into the countries along Ukraine’s western borders. Mercy Corps response program will focus on basic needs assistance through multi-purpose cash interventions and other key sectors, particularly protection. Mercy Corps is also supporting local NGOs and other civil society actors currently supporting vulnerable households in Ukraine and neighboring countries. As Mercy Corps pursues its objectives in the region it will continue to assess the security situation in areas of potential operation, with an eye towards the logistics of possible interventions and positioning going forward.

General Position Summary

The Senior Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL) Officer is a key position in the Mercy Corps Ukraine Program Performance and Quality (PAQ) Unit. The position holder will support planning and execution of monitoring and evaluation, ensuring quality in accordance with accepted standards, providing essential feedback for learning, accountability and decision making on the Mercy Corps Ukraine response program strategy. S/he will be responsible for providing internal capacity building for program staff on monitoring and evaluation activities as well as review and develop the tools and reports necessary to meet Mercy Corps and donor reporting requirements.

The Senior MEL Officer will work with the Mercy Corps program team as well as partner organisations to oversee and ensure the collection of quality MEL data for the program. The Senior MEL Officer will be responsible for supporting the MEL Coordinator to oversee the implementation of Mercy Corps MEL strategy and standards. 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 program sites.

The Senior MEL officer will be an integral member of the program team learning and reflection processes, leading discussions on program learning.

Essential Job Responsibilities

STRATEGY & VISION

• Ensure that the MEL systems for programs are in compliance with Mercy Corps’ global, regional and country policies, procedures, standards and strategic initiatives.
• Assist in program strategy design, planning and implementation to ensure adherence to Mercy Corps’ Minimum Standards, including the use of standardized tools, indicators, and documentation methodologies.
• Lead and support the design and implementation of assessments and other pre and post data collection and analysis.
• Support learning-to-action events, reflection session 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, mid-term, PDMs, end-line surveys, evaluations, households surveys
• Develop Data Quality Assessment Plans and lead in implementing plans.
• Work closely with the program teams and local partners, to ensure effective monitoring, evaluation and reporting of program activities and results.

DATA MANAGEMENT AND QUALITY CONTROLS

• Assist program teams to develop and maintain knowledge and Information management system to support data collection, reflection, analysis and reporting needs.
• 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.
• Provide support in the development of MEL Plans, tools, survey design, methodology, data analysis, and other services as may be required for program monitoring and evaluation.
• Ensure program teams (including partners) are compliant with donor monitoring, evaluation and reporting requirements (adhere to donor MEL guidelines).

TECHNICAL SUPPORT

• Play a key role in the development and review of program, sector intervention strategies and MEL frameworks and document changes to generate learnings and ideas for programs.
• Coordinate assessments, evaluations and monitoring surveys in area of operation. This will entail development of Scopes of Work, development of survey tools, trainings and management of data collectors, report writing and facilitating discussion on the results.

DOCUMENTATION AND REPORTING

• Regularly document lessons learned, best practices, program data analysis summaries, and evaluations and provide evidence based information, success stories, case studies and other high quality, results-based documentation.
• Produce quality program reports and support program teams to review and improve on quality of reporting.
• Visit sites and partners to collect supplementary data, stories and conduct qualitative research both independently and in teams and support partner-organizations with proper documentation and report generation.

CAPACITY BUILDING AND MENTORING

• As needed, support in the training and oversight of enumerators for data-collection.
• Build the capacity of all relevant team members (including partner staffs) to develop and maintain an excellent MEL system, and facilitate periodic reflection and analysis of program monitoring information that feeds into programming and learning.

INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL COORDINATION

• Maintain professional relationships with local government officials, private sector partners, NGOs, other development organizations, and civil society organizations.
• 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.

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.

Supervisory Responsibility

MEL Officers

Accountability

Reports Directly To: MEL and Data Analysis Manager

Works Directly With: The Ukraine MEL and Technical teams, coordinates work with the regional and HQ-level counterparts on data, MEL and automation

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 and Experience

• Academic background or equivalent experience in social science, economic growth, or other related field. Academic or formal training on technologies and M&E will strongly enhance the candidate’s ability to succeed in this job.
• Three years of MEL experience (or similar)
• Relevant experience in field survey/data collection techniques, data entry, data verification, analysis, and reporting.
• Good understanding and skills at data management.
• Strong computer literacy with a full knowledge of MS Office applications; knowledge of data science and programming is plus but not required.
• Strong team coordination, listening, and consensus building skills.
• Should understand concepts and demonstrate skills in monitoring and evaluation, results frameworks/program logics, and participatory monitoring.
• Experience with both quantitative and qualitative data collection and reporting techniques.
• Should be able to design and implement surveys, have knowledge of commonly used sampling techniques.
• Experience with facilitation, capacity building, formal and informal knowledge transfer, partnership strengthening, and empowering staff through opportunities for growth and development.
• Experience leading learning extraction, development and sharing as part of the monitoring and evaluation feedback process.
• Familiarity with data visualization and data analytics.
• Knowledge of statistical analysis software such as Power BI, SPSS, and mobile data collection platforms preferable.
• Experience with market price monitoring and analysis, and cash distribution programming
• Experience with digital or technology platforms for program and MEL related activities.
• Strong ability to work cross teams.
• Communicates well with remote collaborators.
• Manages multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Excellent oral and written English skills (demonstrate good writing skills).
• Fluency in Ukrainian or Russian is strongly preferred.
• Ability to work effectively with an ethnically diverse team in a sensitive environment

Success Factors

S/he will be capable of multi-tasking, rapid decision-making, have initiative, drive and a lot of energy, as well as have high emotional intelligence, constructive communication skills and proven experience with capacity building. S/he will be committed to long-term program sustainability and the delivery of high-impact activities at the community level. Successful Mercy Corps team members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and challenging environments, and make effective written and verbal communication a priority.

A strong team member will be conscientious, with excellent judgement, capable of multi-tasking, prioritising, problem-solving and attention to detail with strategic vision. 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, as well as the ability to foster solid working relationships with Mercy Corps staff. Working as part of a team and coordinating with project personnel, as well as strong organizational skills, are essential to this position.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position is based in Krakow, Poland with travel to the Eastern Europe region and Ukraine. The position is unaccompanied. Accommodations are in guest houses and access to services – medical, electricity, water, etc is in place. This position may require travel to surrounding countries. Given the emergency context, this position requires exceptional work schedules, including evenings and weekends.

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 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 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.