Senior Monitoring & Evaluation Officer - (National Role)

The Senior Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL) Officer is a key position in the Mercy Corps Ukraine Program Performance and Quality (PAQ) Unit. This position will support planning and execution of monitoring and evaluation - ensuring quality in accordance with accepted standards, providing essential feedback for learning, accountability and decision making on the Mercy Corps Ukraine response program strategy. S/he will be responsible for providing internal capacity building for program staff on monitoring and evaluation activities as well as reviewing and developing the tools and reports necessary to meet Mercy Corps and donor reporting requirements.

The Senior MEL Officer will work with the Mercy Corps program team as well as partner organisations to oversee and ensure the collection of quality MEL data for the program. The Senior MEL Officer will be responsible for supporting the MEL Coordinator to oversee the implementation of Mercy Corps MEL strategy and standards. S/he will ensure that performance monitoring and results reporting tools and processes across the entire program are in place, effectively implemented and well synchronized between program sites.

The Senior MEL Officer will be an integral member of the program team learning and reflection processes, leading discussions on program learning.

Essential Job Responsibilities:

1.     Strategy & Vision

• Ensure that the MEL systems for programs 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 tools, indicators, and documentation methodologies.
• Lead and support the design and implementation of assessments and other pre and post data collection and analysis.
• Support learning-to-action events, reflection session to analyse data for programmatic use and to document and incorporate lessons learned into program design, planning and implementation.
• Actively participate in any additional evaluation MEL activities including but not limited to baseline surveys, mid-term, PDMs, end-line surveys, evaluations, household surveys
• Develop data quality assessment plans and lead in implementing plans.
• Work closely with the program teams and local partners, to ensure effective monitoring, evaluation and reporting of program activities and results.

2.     Data Management & Quality Controls

• Assist program teams to develop and maintain knowledge and Information management system to support data collection, reflection, analysis, and reporting needs.
• Ensure quality control procedures and accuracy of entered data and comparing it with the existing filing system to make sure all records are consistent and aligned.
• Provide support in the development of MEL Plans, tools, survey design, methodology, data analysis, and other services as may be required for program monitoring and evaluation.
• Ensure program teams (including partners) are compliant with donor monitoring, evaluation and reporting requirements (adhere to donor MEL guidelines).

3.     Technical Support:

• Play a key role in the development and review of program, sector intervention strategies and MEL frameworks and document changes to generate learnings and ideas for programs.
• Coordinate assessments, evaluations, and monitoring surveys in area of operation. This will entail development of Scopes of Work, development of survey tools, trainings and management of data collectors, report writing and facilitating discussion on the results.
• 4. Documentation & Reporting:
• Regularly document lessons learned, best practices, program data analysis summaries, and evaluations and provide evidence-based information, success stories, case studies and other high quality, results-based documentation.
• Produce quality program reports and support program teams to review and improve on quality of reporting.
• Visit sites and partners to collect supplementary data, stories and conduct qualitative research both independently and in teams and support partner-organizations with proper documentation and report generation.
• 5. Capacity Building & Mentoring
• As needed, support in the training and oversight of enumerators for data-collection.
• Build the capacity of all relevant team members (including partner staffs) to develop and maintain an excellent MEL system and facilitate periodic reflection and analysis of program monitoring information that feeds into programming and learning.

6.     Internal & External Coordination

• Maintain professional relationships with local government officials, private sector partners, NGOs, other development organizations, and civil society organizations.
• Maintain an active advisory role with the program and MEL team to help guide them towards robust and relevant data collection.
• Work with MEL and IT staff to maximize the value and utility of technology initiatives for effective MEL.
• Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to credit Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its mission.
• Perform any other duties as assigned by his/her supervisor or representatives.

7.     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.

8.     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:MEL Officer(s) in Poland, MEL Data Collection Assistants

Accountability:

Reports Directly To: MEL Manager (Poland)

Works Directly With: The Ukraine MEL and Technical teams, coordinates work with the regional and HQ-level counterparts on data, MEL and automation.

Knowledge & Experience:

• Academic background or equivalent experience in social science, STEM fields, statistics, economics, or other related field. (Academic or formal training on technologies and M&E will strongly enhance the candidate’s ability to succeed in this job.)
• Three years of MEL experience (or equivalent).
• Relevant experience in field survey/data collection techniques, data entry, data verification, analysis, and reporting.
• Strong understanding of data management.
• Strong computer literacy with a full knowledge of MS Office applications; knowledge of data science and programming is plus but not required.
• Should understand concepts and demonstrate skills in monitoring and evaluation, results frameworks/program logics, and participatory monitoring.
• Experience with both quantitative and qualitative data collection and reporting techniques.
• Should be able to design and implement surveys, have knowledge of commonly used sampling techniques.
• Experience with facilitation, capacity building, formal and informal knowledge transfer, partnership strengthening, and empowering staff through opportunities for growth and development.
• Experience leading learning extraction, development and sharing as part of the monitoring and evaluation feedback process.
• Familiarity with data visualization and data analytics.
• Knowledge of statistical analysis software such as Power BI, SPSS, and mobile data collection platforms preferable.
• Experience with market price monitoring and analysis, and cash distribution programming
• Experience with digital or technology platforms for program and MEL related activities.
• Strong ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Excellent oral and written English skills (demonstrate good writing skills).
• Fluency in Polish, Ukrainian, or Russian is an asset – but not required.

Success Factors

The Senior MEL Officer in Poland will be capable of multi-tasking, rapid decision-making, have initiative, drive, and a lot of energy, as well as have high emotional intelligence, constructive communication skills and proven experience with capacity building. S/he will be committed to long-term program sustainability and the delivery of high-impact activities at the community level. Successful Mercy Corps team members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and challenging environments, and make effective written and verbal communication a priority.

A strong team member will be conscientious, with excellent judgement, capable of multi-tasking, prioritising, problem-solving and attention to detail with strategic vision.  S/he must have the confidence, and humility, to work effectively with a large variety of people who will be diverse culturally, economically and in social status. S/he must be sensitive to political and cultural nuance and able to consistently apply excellent judgment to a variety of demanding and fast-changing situations, as well as the ability to foster solid working relationships with Mercy Corps staff.  Working as part of a team and coordinating with project personnel, as well as strong organizational skills, are essential to this position