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 collaborate to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within, now and for the future. In Nigeria, Mercy Corps operates in over 13 states focusing on key thematic areas of humanitarian response, conflict mitigation and adolescent girls’ empowerment.
Program / Department Summary
Mercy Corps has been present in Nigeria since 2012, focusing its interventions on adolescent girls' empowerment, economic development and conflict mitigation. With the insurgency spilling over from the Northeast of Nigeria and causing displacement of millions of individuals. Mercy Corps started its humanitarian response in 2014 to address the rising humanitarian needs with funding from institutional donors, foundations and private corporations, Mercy Corps continues to provide assistance to meet the basic needs of vulnerable populations in the areas of food security, shelter, water and sanitation. protection, and livelihoods.
Northwest Nigeria faces a multifaceted crisis stemming from banditry, farmer-herder conflicts, displacement, climate change, and economic marginalization, among other challenges. In response, The Conflict Prevention Crisis Response and Resilience (CPCRR) Programme is being implemented by International Organization for Migration (IOM), Mercy Corps (MC), and the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) in 8 local government areas of Katsina State (Jibia, Kankara, Batsari, DanMusa, Faskari, Sabuwa, Safana, Dandume) and 2 local governments of Zamfara State (Gusau and Bungudu). The CPCRR Programme aims to address crisis by enhancing community resilience through conflict mitigation, livelihood support, governance strengthening, climate adaptation and address critical gaps in communication between communities and government.
General Position Summary
Monitoring progress and evaluating results are key management functions in any performance-based management plan. Mercy Corps will need a Senior MEL Officer who will be responsible for Supporting and strengthening project monitoring, evaluation, and Learning (PMEL) procedures. He/She will conduct local field visits to project locations to verify proper use of monitoring tools, review all data feed in from field and report recommendations to MEL Manager, will be responsible for the management of M&E tools to track implementation performance in line with the logical framework. Promotion of knowledge sharing through the organization's operational processes to ensure seamless exchange of information across systems as well as actively seeking innovative MEL good practices for local operations; Oversee the data entry and analysis of data and ensure that data is verified for accuracy and inconsistencies are addressed.
Contribute to project reporting by consolidating data regarding progress toward project indicators. Design baseline and end-line surveys, including developing TORs, identifying consultants, training data collection teams, coordinating data entry and analysis, and writing reports. Provide technical assistance and capacity building to staff and partners in the implementation of M&E activities. Lead and conduct analysis of quantitative data as well as qualitative data on all project inputs, outputs, and outcomes - Advise on best M&E solutions to be adopted by the project staff in order to digitize data collection, analysis and reporting. - Prepare data visualization for reports and presentations that reflects planned versus achieved key activities.
Essential Job Responsibilities.
The specific duties and responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to the following:
PROJECT DESIGN AND PLANNING
Provide technical support to the project in developing project level M&E systems that meet donor requirements and Mercy Corps 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.
Support the program to design and conduct the baseline, mid-term, end-line survey, KAP and Impact Evaluation of project
Support team to develop work plan, budget and review result measurement framework 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 project implementation, by closely working with other team members including GESI.
MONITORING AND EVALUATION (M&E)
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 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.
Contribute to drafting the monthly, quarterly and annual report and help technical team by providing necessary data for reporting
Develop data collection tools, protocol, and use digital data collection platform for data collection.
Provide oversight and development of program databases, including migration of data from cloud-based aggregation platforms to internal databases.
Design and implement quality checklist and monitoring tools for determining quality of project being delivered. Disseminate the findings from quality monitoring using dashboards for both internal and external users.
Design and monitor survey related data collection methodology, data quality, reports and field work for regular surveys as well as during emergencies.
Ensure routine monitoring information is systematically and regularly gathered for the reporting requirements
Closely work with project and the partner staffs to ensure effective monitoring, evaluation and reporting of project deliverables
Contribute to drafting the periodic internal and/or donor reports by providing M&E data and content thus ensuring the indicator achievement are against the target as per the result framework.
Ensure the baseline and endline survey are carried out. Develop the tools for the study in line with the indicators of the project
Conduct frequent visit to project areas – 50% of the time away from the home base DATA
MANAGEMENT
Develop and implement data management plans
Manage data entry 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
Handle database and design suitable dashboard for information dissemination.
Work as the focal person for the project 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.
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 REPORTING
Assist the project team with timely and accurate data for reporting to donors.
Assist to develop and implement project knowledge management plan, documentation, and communication plans/strategies.
Provide technical support to the project team and partner staff to collect project learning’s and good practices.
Support developing variety of communications and promotional materials including developing and editing success stories/case studies.
Provide a central role of project documentation and prepare sharing documents for project stakeholders on timely manner.
FINANCE AND COMPLIANCE MANAGEMENT
Support to create and maintain systems ensuring effective and transparent use of financial resources for timely and informative reporting in line with donor and Mercy Corps policies and procedures.
Support to build and/or maintain operational systems that ensure proper administrative support for programs.
INFLUENCE AND REPRESENTATION
Manage good relationships with project stakeholders, including Government and Non-government officials, community institutions.
Coordinate closely with, and the partner Project 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.
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.
SAFEGUARDING:
Mercy Corps has zero tolerance of every form of abuse and expects team members, operations and programs to not harm the people and communities with which we work or put anyone, especially vulnerable populations at risk of abuse or exploitation.
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. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC’s policies, procedures, and values always and in all in-country venues.
OTHERS Ensure proper integration of child safeguarding and GESI aspects into sector specific project planning and implementation. Mercy Corps as a humanitarian agency is expected to respond as and when crisis and humanitarian situation engulf. As an MC employee 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 assigned by their supervisor and or Country Director.
Knowledge and Experience
Bachelor’s degree in development studies/social works/communication/Sociology/Finance, Economics or relevant Disciplines.
At least 3 years of M&E 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.
Statistics skills and experience working with statistical software strongly preferred.
Willingness and ability to travel frequently to project villages, often in remote locations.
Strong curiosity for understanding and working effectively within the complex cultural, political, security, and social environment of Northwest Nigeria.
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 audience.
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 make 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
Supervisory Responsibility: None
Reports Directly to: Senior Programme Manager
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 team. Multitasking, 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.
Safeguarding & Ethics
We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, colour, 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 the Interagency 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. As an applicant, if you witness or experience any form of sexual misconduct during the recruitment process, please report this to Mercy Corps Integrity Hotline (integrityhotline@mercycorps.org)
