Location: Kathmandu with frequent travel to program field offices
Position Status: Full-time, Regular
Salary Level: M2

Program / Department Summary

Mercy Corps is expected to begin a new program to enhance food and nutrition security, reduce future humanitarian caseload and improve the resilience of communities to recurrent shocks in the Karnali Province in Nepal, on or around October 1, 2020. The program will be a Multi-Year Emergency Food Security Activity funded by USAID's Bureau for Humanitarian Affairs, and implemented in 6 districts (Mugu, Jumla, Kalikot, Surkhet, Achham, and Dailekh, with cluster hubs in Surkhet and Jumla) in the Karnali River Basin area. The new program, called “Building Hope Along the Karnali River Basin (Bhakari)”, is somewhat built upon many of the successes of the Nepal team’s previous Food for Peace program which ended in January 2020, the PAHAL program, but with some new districts and a much heavier emphasis on emergency response. It includes program components of agriculture and market systems, disaster risk reduction, water for productive use, natural resources management, and a large emphasis on a gender and social inclusion approach, all with a highly integrated multi-sectoral approach.

General Position Summary

The MEL Manager will work directly under the MEL Director and work in close coordination with Chief of Party (CoP), Deputy CoP, as well as with the specific thematic component leads to help execute the program monitoring, evaluation, and learning systems. S/he will support the MEL Director to operationalize program’s MEL systems to monitor/ track progress, evaluate, document and disseminate the results. S/he will ensure that Bhakari MEL requirements, including development and implementation of MEL plan, are implemented in a timely fashion in the project districts. The MEL Manager will also support the MEL Director to respond to donor queries and adhering to reporting requirements. S/he will work closely with the technical staff, cluster & district office based MEL staff, Knowledge Management and Learning Specialist and Data Analysis Coordinator to schedule and manage collaborative learning and adaptation (CLA) sessions for internal review and reflection with the purpose of facilitating the use of results to improve activity performance. The position will report directly to the MEL Director and supervise the cluster MEL team. As gender and social inclusion (GESI), safeguarding, governance and environmental sensitivity are cross-cutting and core components of the all MC programs, the MEL Manager is required to own these components and ensure these components are integrated into his/her work area.

Essential Job Responsibilities

The specific duties and responsibilities of the MEL Manager includes, but are not limited to, the following:

STRATEGY AND PLANNING

• Provide leadership to cluster and district offices in aspects of MEL.
• Ensure sectors use the necessary MEL systems and tools to inform and improve each program component, as well as feed into the broader country-level MEL system and country strategy.
• Actively participate in meetings and country-wide strategy sessions.
• Assist in the recruitment of skilled MEL staff and organize the program team to perform MEL activities.

TECHNICAL LEADERSHIP OF MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING

• Provide technical support in developing, reviewing and updating MEL document such as, annual MEL plan, Performance Indicator Reference Sheet (PIRS), Indicator Performance Tracking Table (IPTT), Detail Implementation Plan (DIP) and other services as may be required for program monitoring, evaluation and learning.
• Build the capacity of all relevant team members and program partners’ staff to develop and maintain an excellent MEL system, including the periodic reflection and analysis of program monitoring data.
• Provide guidance, recommendations and supervision to ensure that the MEL system meets the need of programs, managers, and senior leadership.
• Address shortfalls in monitoring, evaluation and information management that affect program implementation.
• Provide technical support during planning and reporting. This includes ensuring data utilization during target setting and availability of data for reporting requirements such as quarterly reports, annual results reports etc.
• Support in the institutionalization of learning in the program structure by supporting the program team with results chains, monitoring systems and feedback loops that enable frequent and regular learning sessions.
• Contribute to program implementation to ensure adherence to Mercy Corps, donor and international standards, including the use of standardized indicators and documentation of methods.

DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF BHAKARI MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM (MIS)

• Together with MIS Officer, MEL team and the technical team, lead the design, development and execution of Bhakari database system as per USAID and Mercy Corps reporting requirements.
• Ensure that the database covers the output, outcome and process indicators with all required disaggregation as appropriate for all sectors, including cross cutting themes such as GESI and SBCC.
• Produce outputs (reports) for further analysis and at the times relevant for periodic reports to the USAID
• Ensure the MIS is implemented effectively by implementing partners, in accordance with donor guidelines, agency protocols, and data quality assurance criteria.
• Focus on the collection of data and information that is relevant, timely and critical to learning about program progress, effectiveness and adaptive management.
• Build capacity of the project team to effectively use the database system including (but not limited to); training on data collection tools and templates, entering data, cleaning data and producing reports (outputs) for further analysis
• Ensure compliance with USAID implementation and reporting guidelines as well as Mercy Corps’ internal systems, policies and approaches; keep up-to-date on changing donor requirements, Government of Nepal requirements, and USAID/Nepal requirements.

DATA QUALITY ASSURANCE

• Provide technical support in data quality assurance and compliance with reporting requirements and their timely submission
• Liaise with the clusters and districts based staff, to validate monitoring data and to see if there are any inconsistencies in trends, across groups, geographic areas etc. Verify or cross verify in case there are any inconsistencies
• Support MEL Director in conducting routine Data Quality Assessment (DQAs) using the USAID Data Quality Standards (validity, integrity, precision, reliability and timeliness).
• Ensure database and data security and develop strategies and action points to address data quality issues pointed by DQA.

COMMUNITY ACCOUNTABILITY REPORTING MECHANISMS (CARM)

• Work closely with Mercy Corps CARM focal person and CARM Officer to establish a sound CARM system for Bhakari activity that includes developing a CARM checklist that outlines the CARM actions needed to operationalize, assigning responsibility for each action to a team member to create accountability etc.
• Ensure the CARM system is operationalized at all levels and the feedback loops are closed timely and appropriately.

EVALUATION AND LEARNING

• Provide technical support in conducting baseline & final evaluation as well as additional research initiatives as per the requirement.
• Work closely with Knowledge Management Specialist and Data Analysis Coordinator to identify and facilitate data/information use.
• Schedule and manage collaborative learning and adaptation (CLA) sessions for internal review and reflection with the purpose of facilitating the use of results to improve activity performance and learning.

SECURITY

• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
• Proactively ensure that team members and community operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.

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.

OTHERS

• Ensure proper integration of safeguarding and GESI aspects into MEL 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.
• Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and not to jeopardize its humanitarian mission.
• Other duties as assigned by Supervisor and or Country Director.

Supervisory Responsibility: Directly responsible for managing cluster MEL team
Accountability

Reports Directly to: Bhakari MEL Director
Works Directly with: Bhakari MEL team, Technical Program Managers at center, cluster and district level, SBCC Manager, CARM team and Mercy Corps Country MEL team and support functions.

Knowledge and Experience

• Master’s Degree in Development studies, Statistics, Information Technology, Social science, Management or any other related discipline.
• At least 5 years of experience with I/NGOs or donor agencies in Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning. Minimum of 3 years of relevant MEL experience of large, complex, multi-sector programming. Previous experience working on USAID funded programs preferred.
• Proven experience in designing and implementing MEL database systems for integrated large programs, as well as analyzing and promoting the use of the data collected. Experience in developing and working with ICT for MEL and data management systems, data visualization software’s, web-based tools or other MIS solutions.
• Demonstrated experience in digital data collection technologies; quantitative and qualitative analysis; and reporting; including experience with computer-based statistical packages and databases. Preference will be given to the candidates with familiarity with GIS mapping software.
• Demonstrated ability to work in complex environments under tight deadlines & changing donor requirements.
• Sound technical skills, Theory of Change (TOT), knowledge and experiences on strategic planning, program design and monitoring using various logical modules including; ToC, log-frames, result framework, Indicator Performance Tracking Table (IPTT) etc.
• Knowledge, experience and conceptual understanding on accountability, especially to communities and beneficiaries.
• Previous experience of managing team and building M&E capacity (developing training tools, training, coaching and mentoring)
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a multi-cultural setting with a wide variety of partners and stakeholders.
• Effective writing skills to prepare reports, complete analyses and make presentations.

Success Factors

The successful MEL Manager will be conscientious, with good judgment. S/he will combine strong technical and communication skills, initiative, and tactful decisiveness to assist in the development and implementation of Bhakari MEL strategy and MIS platforms and tools. S/he will have an ability to think creatively about operationalizing and improving the MEL system on food security, community development and resilience. Prioritizing, multi-tasking, problem solving and simultaneous attention to detail are essential. The most successful 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.