Country: Uganda
Closing date: 13 Sep 2018
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 an international, non-governmental humanitarian relief and development agency with headquarters in the UK and USA operating in over 44 countries. The agency exists to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression by helping people build secure, productive and just communities. Mercy Corps’ work emphasizes community-led, market-driven interventions through public, private and civic sector partnerships. After more than a decade of operation in Uganda, the Mercy Corps country team has differentiated itself as a forward-thinking, market-driven agency, having implemented or currently implementing nearly 40 programs, valued at over $141 million, changing the lives of over 2.5 million Ugandans and refugees. In Uganda, some of our donors include USAID, SIDA, DFID, WFP, US Department of State; MasterCard Foundation, and ECHO, with over 20 programs and projects currently in operation in 30 districts.
General Position Summary
The Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning Advisor (MEL Advisor)will support to design and manage MEL system for a new project focused on resilience, market systems development and a unique approach to employment, in order to bridge humanitarian and development objectives in and around three refugee settlements (Bidibidi, Palorinya and Rhino Camp) in West Nile. The project will develop Innovation Centre concepts that improve access to employment through focus on social enterprises and technology. The project has a number of partners from the private sector, community-based organization to international NGOs that should work in strong coordination with one another.
The MEL Advisor is a key position in program quality assurance, accountability, documentation and learning unit, which exists to support program design, management and implementation. The MEL Advisor leads operational MEL for the project, providing technical expertise and managing the internal and external dissemination of learnings leading to adaptive management
This position is contingent on funding; start date for the project is anticipated to be in October 2018.
Essential Job Responsibilities
Essential functions
· Lead the development and deployment of project specific MEL system, indicator and other MEL plans.
· Oversee monitoring and evaluation, analyses, and assessments throughout the life of the project, including the data quality assessments, value for money audits (impact management for the project), participatory data collection methods and protocols, and data quality verification techniques;
· Oversee the project’s PMP and the development, maintenance as well as quality control of implementing partners’ M&E Plans and outputs
· Ensure that project MEL systems 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 indicators and documentation methodologies.
· Support the supervisor in coordinating and leading components of the baseline, mid-term evaluation and final evaluation, along with other key research activities.
· Technical lead for learning-to-action events, reflection session to analyze data for programmatic use and to document and incorporate lessons learned project management processes leading to adaptive management.
· Coordinate reporting with local partners, specifically tracking deadlines, ensuring adherence to formats and requirements, ensuring reporting quality and accuracy, and periodic report writing, editing, and submission.
· Compile progress against indicators and report back to the team according to the monitoring plan.
· Develop accountability and transparency mechanisms for the project and orient staff as well as local partners on the same.
· Perform spot checks on the team’s data collected and reports each month.
· Build the capacity of all relevant project team members to implement project result based monitoring tools, accurately enter program data into relevant databases, and enable them to develop excellent reports and other documents.
· Build the capacity of our local partner organizations through ongoing training and support on: monitoring tools, entering program data into databases, the development of reports and other documents.
· Ensure adherence to program management minimum standards in carrying out his/her duties, advising and supporting other staff in the same as required.
· Disseminate research learnings and recommendations to team members, beneficiaries and other relevant audiences.
· Other duties as assigned.
Finance & Compliance Management
· Ensure compliance with donor and Mercy Corps regulations related to food security programming.
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.
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.
Accountability to Beneficiaries
· Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically
to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.
Supervisory Responsibility
Supervision of enumerators collecting field data as needs arise.
Accountability
Reports Directly to: Program Manager
Works Directly with: Programs, MEL team, Operations and Finance teams
Ethics and Integrity
All Mercy Corps staff member are expected to behave ethically and demonstrate highest integrity in their professional and personal life. Mercy Corps has zero tolerance to any form of fraud, corruption, abuse, harassment or exploitation. Any breach of our policies or misconduct will lead to disciplinary action or may lead to termination.
Knowledge and Experience
· Advanced degree in a relevant discipline and at least 5 years of demonstrated experience designing, and implementing monitoring and evaluation activities and special studies for complex programs in Northern Uganda including previous experience working with DFID funded programs.
· The Advisor must have strong writing skills and be able to prepare clear, substantive reports and briefing papers in English, in a timely manner. She/he must be familiar with a wide range of issues, such as program evaluation, gender-constraints to development, agriculture, community development, etc.
· Previous experience implementing and managing a rigorous M&E system including developing performance monitoring plans that track performance as sub-results/results and by funding stream
· Knowledge of data collection protocols to ensure accurate data collection and verification is essential, as well as an ability to identify data trends and communicate this information to allow for changes in program implementation. Strong knowledge of mobile data collection tools and best practices preferred.
· In addition, she/he must have the capacity to manage activities in a multi-cultural environment and in providing MEL support services in helping stakeholders analyze problems, devise and adopt solutions.
· Past experience, leading and building the capacity of stakeholders including remote, field-based staff, to meet program needs and deliverables are desired.
· Extraordinary organizational, verbal and written communication skills to manage project communications and disseminate project information are required with strong written and oral presentation skills in English
Success Factors
The successful MEL Advisor will combine exceptional management skills and experience in building and maintaining partner relationships. S/he will have an ability to think creatively about operationalizing and improving the M&E system of the program. S/he will have proven experience with cross-cultural team and capacity building, individual staff development and strong mentoring skills. 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. A good sense of humor and the ability to learn from mistakes also goes a long way!
Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours. 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 locations.
How to apply:
Applications: Submit your online application addressed to the Human Resource Director, Mercy Corps Uganda; by clicking on the following link https://www.fuzu.com/campaigns/monitoring-evaluation-and-learning-advisor-based-in-westnile-mercycorps ,clearly stating your salary requirements, CV (with 3 referees), and copies of academic qualifications/certificates. Deadline for Submission: Close of business on Thursday, 13th September, 2018. Subject of email should include the position you are applying for**.** Only short-listed candidates will be contacted by Mercy Corps. Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer; qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.