Position Description 

Location : Dhangadhi, Nepal 
Position Status Full-time, Regular 
Salary Level: O1 
Current Team Member: N/A 

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. Mercy  Corps has been operating in Nepal since 2005, implementing programs in food security, agriculture, market  development, financial services, youth engagement, climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction.  We take a systems-based approach in our programming, with the aim of improving the lives and potential of  vulnerable individuals and communities across Nepal. 

Program / Department Summary  

Mercy Corps has received funding to implement a 2-year integrated disaster risk reduction (DRR) and economic  development program, called Managing Risks through Economic Development (M-RED). This program will be  implemented in four districts of Nepal: Kailali, Kanchanpur, Dadeldhura and Baitadi. M-RED aims to reach 2000  households in 20 communities with mitigation measures that reduce vulnerability while also linking to local markets  to increase incomes or contribute to broader community economic strengthening. By economically incentivizing  DRR mitigation measures, the program hopes to demonstrate a new approach to sustainable DRR that is market driven. 

Mercy Corps takes a market development approach. This is characterized by a focus on acknowledging that the  poor are participants in market systems, understanding their role as producers, consumers and laborers in these  complex systems, and facilitating systemic change by identifying and leveraging capacities and incentives of market  players to address underlying causes of market system dysfunction. The aim is to address income poverty by  improving the core market relationships and transactions, supporting functions, and rules/ regulations of a market  system to improve access and terms of access of the poor.  

General Position Summary  

The Data Management Officer focuses on providing technical support and capacity building to MRED team  members on digitizing M&E systems and analyzing data to enable effective adaptive management within  projects. The position will be responsible for staying current on industry innovation and best practices, building  the capacity of teams on data analysis and management. The position’s main goal will be helping to improve  evidence based decision making, and facilitate learning within project teams. The Data Management Officer  is assigned to the MRED team at the Dhangadhi field office. 

As gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) and good governance are crucial cross-cutting components of  the MC programs, the Data Management Officer is required to own these components and ensure GESI  sensitivity and integration, and good governance practices in their day to day functions and team. In addition,  the Human Resources Manager is also expected to contribute to ensuring GESI and good governance at the  institutional level.  

Essential Job Responsibilities  

The specific duties and responsibilities of the Data Management Officer include, but are not limited to, the  following: 

Staying abreast on Industry Innovation and Best Practices 

• Read and learn about emerging data management systems and techniques and make them relevant to  MRED operations. Understanding of data collection and management platform like commcare is  preferred. 
• Cultivate and nurture MRED-specific strategic technology focused partnerships that result in impactful  program development efforts.  
•  Conduct themselves both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps  and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission. 
•  Ensure proper integration of GESI aspects into program planning and implementation.
• Mercy Corps as a humanitarian agency is expected to respond as and when crisis and humanitarian  situation engulfs. As an MC employee, all staff are expected to be part of humanitarian and emergency  response in addition to their regular roles and responsibilities. 
• Other duties as assigned by the direct Supervisor.  

Impactful Data Management and Analysis 

• Develop Data standards and guidelines for data collection
• Program data integration, standardizing and integrating beneficiary data in terms of SADD
• Solve the most difficult problems facing MRED with data integration and manipulation, dash boarding,  and mapping wherever possible
• Utilize the latest emerging technologies to facilitate data driven programmatic decision-making and  program quality assurance
• Ensure quality of data reported and verify all data and information from sources; conducting data quality  assessment for the project to ensure that data reported is validated, is accurate and consistent while  providing feedback as necessary to program teams
• Support the MRED II Unit to maintain standards of program delivery that apply agency priorities and  comply with relevant regulations and requirements

Information Management

• Support program teams in developing quality program reports and providing the necessary data also  ensure to incorporate past learning. 
• Develop one-pagers and infographics when necessary describing the project, key activities, approaches,  outcomes and impacts together with M&E team; 
• Manage Mercy Corps specific complete indicator workflow platform “TOLA” for MRED program

Disseminating and Leveraging Learning 

• Work with the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) team and program to ensure that monitoring  and evaluation is practical and reflects best practices
• Utilize Mercy Corps developed technologies to enable greater information sharing, and generate actionable insights to improve MEL outcomes
• Support the MRED team in developing reports and dashboards
• Provide training and support for MRED team members on data management technologies
• Present concepts and ideas to the MRED team that influence them to drive innovation and positive change  when applicable

Finance & Compliance Management  

• Ensure all internal control procedures are adhered to and that necessary measures are put in place to  ensure high standards of accountability and compliance. 
• Work closely with finance/compliance to mitigate fraud, conflict of interest and legal ramifications of  Mercy Corps activities. 
• Support and orient on MC Code of Ethics and uphold Mercy Corps’ Zero tolerance of corruption policy. 

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. 

Data Privacy and Security

• Adhere to the data privacy and security policy of Mercy Corps. 
• Maintain a system of data sharing and storing considering the sensitivity and privacy of data. 

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
• 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 

Supervisory Responsibility: N/A 

Accountability  
Reports Directly to: Deputy Program Manager 
Works Directly with: Program Manager, Deputy Project Manager, Monitoring, Evaluation and Documentation  Officer, Resilience MERL Advisor, Disaster Risk Reduction(DRR) & Resilience Technical Advisor, District  Coordinators, Advocacy Coordinator and Partners’ Project Team.

Knowledge and Experience 

• Bachelor’s degree required in a field related to data analysis, information technology, environment  science and/or relevant technical certifications
  
• Minimum 2 years of experience in one or more of the following areas:
  a.  Excellent knowledge of information technology systems and proficient in the use of ODK/Kobo  and data analysis program e.g. Microsoft Access, SPSS and Stata
  b. Demonstrable track-record in data management, with the ability to manage large databases
  c. Trained in data management and with at least two-year experience working with Excel managing  databases
  d. Experience in quantitative and qualitative data collection (M&E methods) and data analysis
  e. Demonstrating strong theoretical and applied knowledge of using data to create impact
  f. Delivering technology or data-based capacity building for field teams
• Demonstrated ability to work in complex environments under tight deadlines  
  
• Good writing and computer skills, including preliminary research and information gathering from the  internet, MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint preparation are required
• Fluency in written and spoken English and Nepali required
• Effective writing skills to complete analysis, make presentations and prepare dashboards for regular  feedback. Working knowledge of data visualization platforms like Google Data studio, Power BI, Tableau,  excel dashboards is preferred
• Ability to work effectively with an ethnically diverse team in a sensitive environment  

Success Factors  

Above and beyond all, the desire to help improve Mercy Corps’ programs and ultimately to help the people  we are working with is the most important factor of success. Equally, a keen sense of teamwork will be vital,  as the MEL team must be a working partner for the Project/Program Managers without being seen as a  “police.” The nature of the Data Management Officer requires building consensus and being seen as adding  value to project team efforts in order to be effective. A demonstrated ability to work quickly and accurately,  meet deadlines and process information in support of changing program activities is necessary. In order to  succeed, the Data Management Officer will need to be flexible and creative, believe strongly in accountability  and transparency, and possess a strong sense of research ethics, including sensitivity towards people we are  collecting data from and a desire for accuracy. Knowledge of – and passion for – the sectors in which Mercy  Corps works (agriculture, microfinance, food security, youth, disaster management, natural resource  management, climate change adaptation), as well as the ability to learn and adapt to new technological  platforms, will also contribute to success. 

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. 

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

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion 

Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching  our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to  leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture  of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential  as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives. 

We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to  become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today. 

Equal Employment Opportunity 

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek  out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global  impact. We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal  employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race,  color, 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. 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  e-learning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.