M&E Database Officer 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.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: M&E Database Officer

Reference Number: ABV/PRO/2019/0015
Location: Abuja, Nigeria (With an estimated 50% travel to other program locations)
Position Status: Full-time, Field-based, and Regular.

Program / Department Summary

• This is a five-year United States Agency for International Development (USAID)-funded Community Initiative to Promote Peace (CIPP)
• The CIPP program aims to strengthen conflict prevention, mediation and early warning by facilitating community-led analysis and action to prevent, manage, and mitigate conflict and violent extremism
• The program will work in twenty-four (24) high-risk local government areas in Benue, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kogi and Plateau states
• The position is based in Abuja and it requires up to (50 %) travel to project sites in Benue, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kogi and Plateau states.

General Position Summary

• The M&E Database Officer will work with the MEL Unit as part of a team to operationalize and improve the MEL system, which heavily relies on a well-managed CIPP database
• The M&E Database Officer is responsible for supporting Mercy Corps staff and local partners to regularly collect/ enter/ verify/analyze/ data and make timely database adjustments to measure the impact of Mercy Corps’ programs
• The M&E Database Officer will directly work with the M&E Manager who is the point of contact for all Mercy Corps field staff regarding M&E support needs and operational issues
• The M&E Database Officer will also closely coordinate with the Learning/Knowledge Management Officer to help ensure monitoring and evaluation data is accurately incorporated into all reports, learning and information products.

Essential Job Responsibilities
DM&E System Database Management and Innovation:

• Understand, maintain and innovate an M&E system database (MIS) that improves Mercy Corps’ ability to inform program implementation, analyze data, and represent impact to USAID, government, colleague agencies, and communities themselves
• Ensure all relevant program staff are able to utilize the database to analyze program information and results
• Design, adapt and maintain the MIS in conjunction with the M&E Manager Learning and knowledge management officer to match strategic program or implementation change
• Provide training in the use of a database, pivot tables and pivot charts to staff members that require it, or support on exporting to MS Excel for data analysis
• Ensure the database is live and accessible to field offices
• Review data being entered in the database regularly in order to locate and fix problems with data entry or integrity
• Document system database contents, protocols and update manuals for smooth functioning

Implement the M&E System and Tools:

• Work as part of a team to facilitate and support M&E operations including baseline, annual, and endline surveys, regular monitoring, data collection and analysis, feedback and reporting according to the MEL workplan
• Generate data (tables/graphs/reports) from the database at regular intervals, ensuring reports/information are available for program implementation staff when required. Facilitate data analysis with the program 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.

Staff Training and Capacity Building:

• Work closely with MEL Manager to develop and deliver staff/partner training, improving capacities in monitoring and evaluation and database management: data collection, entry, verification and analysis; and other identified needs
• Follow up on training by mentoring staff/partners to develop identified technical skills one-on-one

Link M&E Results to Reporting:

• Review or edit data in reports as requested and required
• Produce analytical summaries: graphs, charts, and tables as requested to fulfil reporting requirements
• Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission in Nigeria
• Other duties as assigned and agreed upon

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:

• Reports Directly To: CIPP MEL Manager
• Works Directly With: Communication Officer, DCOP, Program officers, finance and operations and security and safety teams.

Knowledge and Experience

• B.A or equivalent from a recognized institution, preferably in Sciences, MS Access, Database Management/Programming or Administration
• Microsoft certification is preferred
• 1-3 years’ experience managing or designing MS Access databases, knowledge of SharePoint, MySQL, and VBA a plus
• Demonstrated skills in training, capacity building, and mentoring
• Good basic math and analytical skills as well as a general knowledge of statistical or monitoring and evaluation principles
• Former experience in field survey/data collection techniques, data entry, data verification, and analysis beneficial
• Fluency in spoken and written English
• Computer literacy in MS Access and other MS Office packages including Excel, and PowerPoint is essential
• Willingness to travel to all CIPP field offices regularly

Success Factors

• The ideal candidate will have a strong curiosity for understanding and working effectively within the complex cultural, political, security and social environment of Nigeria
• He/She will be an excellent communicator, multi-tasker, and able to work in ambiguous situations
• He/She will be a tolerant and flexible individual able to work in difficult and stressful environments and follow procedures
• The successful candidate will be a design thinker, have strong skills in design monitoring and evaluation of development programs and maintain a sense of humour.
• Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/STA to a field posting. 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.
• Fostering a diverse and open workplace is an important part of Mercy Corps’ vision. Mercy Corps is an Equal Opportunity Employer regardless of background. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment.

Living/Environmental Conditions

• The position is based in the capital city Abuja with regular travel to other parts of Nigeria. The location is accompanied and generally secure. Housing, health care, water, electricity and consumer goods are all reasonably accessible and there are good international and domestic travel options from Abuja Airport. Air travel is necessary to get to some field locations. Mobile phones services are widely available. Internet is available in all Mercy Corps offices with some inconsistencies in the most remote sites
• There is a wide variety of schools with different education philosophies and curriculum (British, American, French, and German to name the few). This position requires 50% travel by road and air to field offices that are located in highly insecure locations.
• Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours when deployed in a field posting or on short-term assignments. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and Mercy Corps' policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues. Fostering a diverse and open workplace is an important part of Mercy Corps’ vision
• Mercy Corps is an Equal Opportunity Employer regardless of background. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment. Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions The position is based in Abuja and it requires up to 50% travel to field offices.

Application Closing Date
Not Specified.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV and Cover Letters in one document, addressing the position requirements, reference number and location to: ng-recruitment.nigeria@mercycorps.org

Note

• All applications must include the position title and reference number in the subject line
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interview
• We are an equal opportunity organization so women are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.