MONITORING EVALUATION AND LEARNING LEAD – Mercy Corps

Summary
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 has been present in Zimbabwe since 2002 focusing its interventions on a multi sectoral market systems development portfolio mobilizing communities to promote small-scale agriculture and revive local economies. Its current operations focus on helping smallholder farmers increase their incomes and harvests through the power of technology and increasing urban household access to quality, reliable water, sanitation, and hygiene services. Market driven approaches are at the heart of Mercy Corps’ programming globally. Mercy Corps facilitates the development of systems that increase incomes and improve access to goods and services, while reducing the risks and effects of shocks and stresses.

General Position Summary
The Country MEL Coordinator will play a key role within the country leadership to develop (in partnership with program staff), coordinate, maintain and continuously improve the M&E system at the country level, as well as build the capacity of M&E staff in each office or program. The general duties and responsibilities of the MEL Coordinator are to oversee all monitoring, evaluation and learning activities within the country, ensuring the quality of the programs’ MEL activities, information management via the programs reporting system and Mercy Corps’ Tola Data system.

Essential Job Responsibilities
STRATEGY & VISION
Develop the program level MEL Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) aligned to the Mercy
Corps MEL Policy and minimum standards.
Work closely with the global MEL team to lead the in in-country deployment of Mercy Corps MEL
policy minimum standards guides.
Coordinate and coach all country M&E teams in developing and maintaining a system that
improves the country’s ability to analyze and represent impact to donors, government, colleague
agencies, and communities themselves.
Lead country MEL management meetings and actively participate to country-wide strategy
sessions to contribute to improved program implementation and adaptive management.

PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
Work with MEL staff, Program Managers to promote a culture of adaptive management and
evidence gathering.
Lead program quality review processes including respect of MEL minimum standards, quality of
MEL data collection and analysis, periodic program reflection meetings.
Use existing MC resources to train M&E and program teams in the area of monitoring, evaluation
and learning.
Build the capacity of relevant team members to develop and maintain an excellent M&E system,
by providing training on the Tola Data toolbox and ensuring MEL officers organize periodic
meetings of data reflection and analysis to disseminate learning.
Lead Tola Data adoption and integration into new programming and the institutionalization of Tola
Data at the country level by working closely with country leadership, program and MEL team
members, and regional and HQ team members.
Manage and contribute to country and regional status reports and accountability metrics on
TolaData usage and adoption.
Set up and supervise MEL team by actively coordinating the hiring, onboarding and orientation,
as well as providing regular supervision for M&E staff.
Support the creation and implementation of workplans (weekly, monthly, and project-specific) so
as to better prioritize tasks and ensure a pro-active approach to data collection and project
monitoring
Ensure capture, consolidation and dissemination of program lessons learned.

M&E SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION
Coordinate a timely development and implementation of high-quality MEL plans ensuring all MEL
Policy and MEL SOPs standards are met.
Supervise the integration of programs indicator plans on TOLA and check regular updates of
data and evidence on the platform.
Play a central role in all evaluation, design and implementation of internal evaluations as well as
developing the capacity of teams in conducting internal evaluations.
Work with the country Senior Management Team (SMT) to address MEL gaps affecting program
implementation and conduct internal Data Quality Assessments (DQA).

Knowledge and Experience
A Bachelor’s degree in International Development, Statistics, Operations Research, Economics
or other relevant Social Science degree. Master’s degree will be preferred.
Internationally recognized qualification in project or program management will be preferred.
At least 4 to 6 years of experience in the areas of program development, program design,
monitoring and evaluation, including relevant experience building and managing an M&E system
and team, relevant experience supervising data collection and data validation exercises, and
building staff capacity.
Experience designing practical and effective monitoring systems, including data and database
management systems – at country level is preferable.
Experienced in training and capacity-building in person and remotely and fostering a
collaborative relationship with field practitioners and management.
Experience with data analysis and presentation using Excel, Access, and advanced data
analysis and visualization packages. Additional software and technical skills (databases, mobile
technology, GIS, and statistical packages) preferred. High degree of computer literacy skills are
essential.
Excellent ability in report writing. Ability to manage and meet deadlines.
Strong communication skills, able to work in person and remotely with a geographically
dispersed and culturally distinct teams
Proficiency in English and local languages.