Back MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING MANAGER – SOMALIA

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization 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 member feels they belong. We welcome diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be stronger and have a long-term impact. Program / Department Summary Mercy Corps has been a fixture in Somalia since 2005, implementing projects that target hundreds of thousands of vulnerable households. Our work focuses on improving access to basic services and overcoming vulnerabilities caused by civil conflict and natural disasters. We achieve this through interventions in four key sectors: water security, peace and governance, economic opportunity, and food security. Our programs are designed in an integrated manner, incorporating new methodologies like Emergency, DRR (Disaster Risk Reduction), and Resilience frameworks. Mercy Corps' operations in Somalia are firmly rooted in a robust framework of socio-political analysis and risk management systems, ensuring compliance with Somali Federal Government (FGS) laws, internal accountability standards, and donor requirements. Mercy Corps Somalia has over 100 field staff based in field operations in Mogadishu, Hargeisa, Kismayo, and Baidoa with programs funded by multiple donors including USAID, FCDO, SIDA, SDC, AFD, and the UN. General Position Summary Mercy Corps is seeking a Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Manager who will provide overall oversight of the country-level monitoring and evaluation department. The MEL Manager will be responsible for ensuring that a robust MEL system provides the evidence needed for learning and adapting throughout the program life-cycle. The MEL system should be robust enough that data can be used as part of an impact evaluation. The Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Manager is an important position in the Mercy Corps Somalia program responsible for providing oversight of country-level monitoring and evaluation (M&E) department staff, ensuring the quality of the portfolio’s M&E, and the timely delivery of M&E reporting to donors, as well as information management via Mercy Corps’ proprietary TolaData software, geographic information systems (GIS), and other systems the MEL Manager may design and implement. The MEL Manager is also responsible for the capacity building and mentoring strategy for Mercy Corps Somalia staff on themes related to monitoring, evaluation, accountability, learning, and adaptive management. Essential Job Responsibilities MEL STRATEGY AND PLANNING

• Set up and oversee the timely implementation of MEL systems, including the Indicator Tracking Tool (ITT), Activity Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Plan (AMELP), M&E Technology Plan, MEL Plan, and Learning Plan.
  • Oversee data collection, analysis, management, visualization, mapping, and reporting on quantitative and qualitative indicators related to the program’s overall operational context, and performance.
    • Establish a data-visualization agenda that prioritizes and schedules the release of paper and digital products reflecting program activities and impact.
      • Harmonize the MEL system across consortium partner systems and other external systems, as relevant.
        • Maximize the use of participatory methods in MEL data collection
          • Ensure the quality of MEL implementation for the Activity, consistently reviewing and adapting the MEL systems and tools to the needs of the changing programmatic context.
            • Ensure systems are established and maintained to collect sex- and age-disaggregated data to ensure that the project team can design gender-sensitive, and socially inclusive.
              • Ensure that personal protection is included in data collection (direct and remote), storage, and presentation of those data.
                • Tailor evidence-based learning to diverse audiences, decision-makers, and stakeholders. INFORMATION MANAGEMENT
                  • Ensure data management processes (collection, cleaning, analysis, storage, reporting, and visualization) are functioning in all program locations to provide quality data within deadlines.
                    • Ensure data quality through routine internal Data Quality Assessments (DQAs) as required by the Mercy Corps MEL Policy, and make adjustments as needed.
                      • Ensure the Activity adheres to Mercy Corps’ MEL and Program Record Retention and Responsible Data Policies.
                        • Develop reporting templates that facilitate the acquisition, aggregation, and flow of information and learning within the program as well as externally.
                          • Maintain a comprehensive reporting and accountability schedule as well as review program reports to ensure reports contain accurate, clear, and high-quality data presented in the proper format. TEAM MANAGEMENT
                            • Oversee country MEL team and sub-contractors, such as external evaluators and enumerators.
                              • Use competency-based approaches to build the capacity of all relevant MEL staff and partner team members to develop and maintain a high-quality MEL system, which integrates regular reflection, learning, and adaption