Monitoring Evaluation and Learning Assistant at Mercy Corps Nigeria

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. In Nigeria, Mercy Corps has worked since 2012 by focusing its programming on adolescent girls’ empowerment, economic development, conflict mitigation, and humanitarian response.

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.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Monitoring Evaluation and Learning Assistant

Reference Number: MDG/HUMOPS/2018/00038
Location: Ngala - Borno

Program / Department Summary

• With the insurgency affecting North East Nigeria and displacing millions of people, Mercy Corps is expanding its humanitarian programming to support the conflict-affected population. 
• As a result of the wide-scale needs, Mercy Corps is scaling-up food security, non-food items, nutrition, protection, livelihoods, and water sanitation hygiene (WASH) activities in Dikwa, Ngala, Gwoza, Damboa and Bama Local Government Areas in Borno State to address emergency needs.

General Position Summary

• The Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Assistant will work with the MEL officer as part of a team to operationalize specific program systems.
• The MEL Assistant is responsible for supporting Mercy Corps staff and partners to regularly collect, enter, verify and analyze data and make timely database adjustments to measure the impact of the program.
• The MEL Assistant will work directly with the MEL Officer and will closely coordinate with other program staff to help ensure monitoring and evaluation data is accurately incorporated into all reports and information products.

Essential Job Functions

• Understand and maintain an M&E system database that improves Mercy Corps’ ability to inform program implementation, analyze data and represent impact to donors, government, partner organizations and communities.
• Ensure all relevant programme staff are able to utilize the database to analyse program information and results.
• Regularly review data entered into the M&E system to locate and fix problems with data entry or integrity.
• Manage regular synchronizations and backups of field data to cloud-based data management system.
• Troubleshoot front and back end issues with the database, including any synchronisation issues of field-level data.
• Work as part of a team to facilitate and support M&E operations including baseline, annual and end line surveys, regular monitoring, data collection, analysis and reporting according to the M&E work plan.
• Generate data (tables/graphs/reports) from the M&E database at regular intervals, ensuring reports/information are available for programme implementation staff when required. Facilitate data analysis with programme implementation team as requested.
• Conduct regular field visits to ensure all elements of the M&E system and database are being utilized effectively by all stakeholders, assessing and identifying breakdowns and areas that require clarifications and improvements.
• Ensure field teams always have the most recent version of all M&E tools and documents.
• Assist the team in improving the PROGRAM’s M&E systems by identifying good practices, field tested lessons learned and creative recommendations; share with and encourage staff to incorporate these in their daily work.
• Work closely with the M&E Officer to develop and deliver staff/partner trainings, improving capacities in monitoring, evaluation and database management.
• Review or edit data in reports as requested and required.
• Other duties as assigned.

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.

Accountability:

• Supervisory Responsibility: None
• Reports Directly To: MEL Officer
• Works Directly With: MEL team, Programs, Finance, Operations and MC Beneficiaries.

Knowledge and Experience

• One or more years of experience working in the NGO sector in M&E, ideally in conflict management, peacebuilding, community development or economic and market development.
• A university degree in social sciences or a related field is required. 
• Prior experience carrying out surveys or conducting qualitative and quantitative data collection.
• Prior experience with computerized data management systems.
• Advanced computer skills in MS Office programs, particularly Excel and Access. 
• Strong analytical skills coupled with a solid understanding of quantitative indicators and data collection strategies.
• Excellent oral and written English skills.

Success Factors

• The ability to interact effectively with international and national personnel is required.  A demonstrated ability to multi-task, meet deadlines and process information in support of changing program activities is necessary.
• 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.
• 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 in-country venues.

Application Closing Date
27th November, 2018.

How To Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should submit no more than 4 page CV and Cover Letter in one document, addressing the position requirements to: ng-recruitment.nigeria@mercycorps.org

Note

• All applications must include the position title and Reference Number in the subject line.
• CV and cover letter and should not be more than 4 pages.
• Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interview and we are an equal opportunity organization so women are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.