Senior Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning and Communication Officer

Senior Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning and Communication Officer

Number of Vacancies: 1
Location: Dhangadi
Position Status: Full-time, Regular Staff

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 Nepal since 2005, implementing programs in food security, agriculture, market development, financial services, girl’s education, climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction. We take a systems-based approach in our programming, with the aim of improving the lives and potential of vulnerable individuals and communities across Nepal.

Program Summary

Mercy Corps has been implementing a new phase of Managing Risk through Economic Development (M-RED) program in Indonesia, Timor Leste and Nepal to accelerate the replication and scale of the M-RED disaster-readiness approach through a multi-pronged approach, since April 1, 2022. An integrated disaster risk reduction and economic development program has been implemented in eight Local Governments of two districts (Kailali and Kanchanpur, with field office in Dhangadhi) in the Sudurpaschim Province of Nepal. The new phase is built upon successes and lessons of previous MRED phases, other DRR/CCA programs, but with new and heavier emphasis on localization, transformation, nature-based solutions and anticipatory action.

The program focuses on economic incentives through risk-sensitive livelihoods and nexus interventions and building an enabling environment that can sustain the disaster-ready capacities of communities before, during, and after disaster, utilizing market incentives for private investors and supporting local and province government to scale best practice. The program will reinforce new or improved economic opportunities by enabling communities to access markets for inputs and sales of high demand/natural fiber-based commodities. It will strengthen skills and capacity of farmers’ group, disaster management bodies, promote meaningful inclusion of women and marginalized groups in risk sensitive livelihood and DRR planning, and decision making and modify existing cash-based response, and economic recovery to incorporate an early action framework by integrating forecast information into EWS and prepositioning of cash and voucher assistance in preparedness and response mechanisms.

Position Summary

The Senior MEL and Communication Officer will play a leadership role in developing a rigorous and effective monitoring, evaluation, communication and database management system for M-RED program. They are responsible for cross-cutting programmatic M&E, data analysis and visualization, capturing and sharing the learnings for ongoing program improvements, and programmatic communication. They will play a leading role in evidence-based program documentation and management of proper data filing and record keeping as per the Mercy Corps Standards.

Key responsibilities includes the creation and testing of measurement tools for both quantitative and qualitative monitoring, as well as design of discrete assessment measurements, capacity building of the partner’s M&E team and maintaining and strengthening collaboration between M&E, program staff, and management to ensure that high quality and timely reports are generated and program decisions are made based on evidence established through M&E ensuring the MEL minimum standards set by Mercy Corps. Mercy Corps Nepal utilizes mobile data collection through a tablet-based application, and this position will lead on mobile form authoring and testing on ground. Additionally, the position requires management and analysis of cloud-based datasets for timely, and often real-time, visualization and utilization. They will be involved in coordination with tech partners, as well as rolling out internal approaches to utilization of tech solutions.
As gender and social inclusion (GESI) and governance is cross-cutting components of all Mercy Corps program(s), Senior MEL Officer is required to own these components and ensure GESI sensitivity and integration, and governance practices are integrated into the work area.

Description

Essential Responsibilities

PROGRAM DESIGN AND PLANNING

• Provide technical leadership to the M-RED program in developing program-level M&E systems that meet donor requirements and Mercy Corps Program and MEL minimum standards, as well as feed into a standardized countrywide M&E system and strategy.
• Development and roll out of project M&E Frameworks, guidelines, plans or tools to guide quality M&E in the projects.
• Lead design, conduct and management of the base line, mid-term, end-line survey, KAP and Impact Evaluation of project.
•  Support team to develop work plan, PMP and review logic model by tracking indicator progress and work plan.
•  Ensure GESI sensitive monitoring and evaluation process (for e.g. ensure disaggregated data and information is regularly collected, analyzed and updated to monitor the progress of the program implementation, by closely working with other team members including GESI.

MONITORING AND EVALUATIONS (M&E)

• Serve as M&E focal point for M-RED program for external representation inside and outside country platforms. Closely work with regional and headquarters M&E team as and when required.
• Regular review of M&E plans, data collection tools, reporting template and other documents such as results metrices, reporting templates etc., as may be necessary in close coordination with relevant colleagues or partners.
• Develop data collection tools, protocol, and use digital data collection platform for data collection.
• Ensure Data consent, privacy, security, and data sharing policies are compiled to Mercy Corps Standard. Develop M&E capacity building plan for partner staff as well as other technical staff. Implement the plan through different training, mentorship, coaching, onsite support and sharing of information with partner team.
• Provide oversight and development of program databases, including migration of data from cloud-based aggregation platforms to internal databases.
•  Design, monitor and manage survey related data collection methodology, data quality, reports, and field work for regular surveys, research as well as during emergencies and manage consultant assigned for the MERL activities.
• Ensure routine monitoring information is systematically and regularly gathered for the reporting requirements.
• Design and implement quality checklist and monitoring tools for determining quality of program being delivered and implement regular DQA with support from national and regional MEL team. Disseminate the findings from monitoring using reports and/or dashboards for both internal and external users.
• Contribute to draft the periodic internal and/or donor reports by providing M&E data, analysis and content thus ensuring the indicator achievement are against the target as per the result framework.

DATA MANAGEMENT

• Develop and implement data management plans.
• Manage data entry works by providing required capacity building training on mobile data collection.
• Oversee and validate that the data management process being followed by project staff and partners.
• Aggregation of data from multiple data sources and platforms to produce a consolidated database and to provide statistical and qualitative analysis to create useful summary data and visualizations for program analysis.
• Handle database and design suitable dashboard for information dissemination.
• Work as the focal person for MRED to update MC Global Tola system.
• Participate in the preparation and presentation of data, when applicable

CAPACITY BUILDING

• Build the capacity of all relevant team members, including partner team members, to develop and maintain an excellent M&E system and tools.
• Provide overall guidance to MEL team members at Implementing partner teams in supervision of Project coordinator at implementing partner team to effectively implement MEL activities.
• Encourage use of data and evidence among all program teams to allow for evidence-based decision making.
• Regularly conduct project site visits to provide hands-on training to field staff on how to capture and organize information for accurate documentation and reporting.

KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT AND COMMUNICATION

• Provide a central role of program documentation and prepare sharing documents for program stakeholders in a timely manner.
•  Assist the program team with timely and accurate data for reporting to donors.
• Provide technical support to the project team and partner staff to collect project learning and good practices.
• Design and conduct different activities like pause and reflect session including quarterly review meetings as part of capturing lesson learnings and sharing in internal and external platforms.
• Support developing variety of communications – engaging and informative communication materials (i.e., blog, success stories, program summaries, thought leadership pieces).
• Consolidate event highlights, develop blog and social media post to increase the visibility of M-RED.

INFLUENCE AND REPRESENTATION

• Manage good relationships with project stakeholders, including Government and Non-government officials, community institutions.
• Coordinate closely with, and the partner M&E Officer and Supervisors to ensure upwards and downwards communication of developments in M&E related thinking.

SECURITY

• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership, especially related to staff and partners’ security during emergency distributions, as well as digital information security related to digital emergency transactions.
• Contribute to creating a secure environment for team members.

ACCOUNTABILITY TO PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS

• Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging participating communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.
• 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.

OTHERS

• Mercy Corps as a humanitarian agency is expected to respond as and when crisis and humanitarian situation engulfs. As MC employees all staff are expected to be part of humanitarian and emergency response in addition to their regular roles and responsibilities.
•  Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
•  Conduct themselves both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and not to jeopardize its humanitarian mission.
• Other duties as assigned by their supervisor and or Country Director.

Supervisory Responsibility: N/A

Accountability:

Reports Directly to: Advocacy and Influencing Coordinator M-RED
Works Directly with: Resilience MERL Advisor, Program Manager, DRR Resilience Advisor, Economic Resilience Advisor, Sr. GESI officer, operations, HR, finance and other program teams and the Implementing Partners.

Knowledge and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Statistics/ Economics/ Environment/Disaster Risk Management/ Development Studies/Social Works/Communication/Sociology/Finance, or relevant topics.
• At least 3 years of MEL or relevant research experience for I/NGOs and development agencies.
• Proven ability to design both qualitative and quantitative data collection tools and provide relevant analysis and to build staff capacity in those areas.
• Experience in data aggregation from multiple data sources and platforms to produce a consolidated database and to provide statistical and qualitative analysis to create useful summary data for program analysis. The ability to use power bi software is preferred.
• Confidence with new software packages, open-source platforms, web design, and/ or XLS Form syntax for survey authoring. The ability to use COMM care software platform is preferred.
• Willingness and ability to travel frequently to project villages, often in remote locations as well as the Central office in Kathmandu or if required outside the country. Strong curiosity for understanding and working effectively within the complex cultural, political, security, and social environment of Nepal.
• Knowledge and skills of participatory planning, monitoring and evaluation.
• Representational skills and proven ability to coordinate with and influence others.
• Sound analytical capacity, documentation, and communication skills to communicate with internal and external audiences.
• Ability to work independently and show initiative. Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to meet deadlines and work cooperatively with team members.
•  Effective writing and organizational skills for report development, complete analyses and develop presentations.
• Strong computer skills in MS Office programs.
• Sound judgment skill within agreed processes using a good understanding of the operating environment, project team and partners.

Success Factors:

A successful Sr. MEL Officer will combine exceptional collaborative and technical skills to collect and document all program intervention results, manage learnings, and collaborate on any research or studies. They will have proven experience with cross- cultural team and capacity building of partner and internal M&E team. Multi-tasking, prioritizing, problem solving and simultaneous attention to detail as well as strategic vision are essential. The most successful Mercy Corps staff members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments and make effective written and verbal communication a priority in all situations.

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. 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.

Organizational Learning:

As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient, and relevant to the communities they serve, we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

Application Deadline: Thursday 26th October, 2023

Source: The Himalayan Times, 14 October, 2023

Tagged as: Communications Officer, Dhangadhi, Evaluation Officer, Learning Officer, Mercy Corps, Monitoring Officer, NGO INGO