Database and Management Information Systems Manager at Mercy Corps

Program / Department Summary 

USAID’s Office of Food for Peace recently awarded funding to a Mercy Corps-led consortium of Kenyan and international partners for a 5-year Development Food Security Activity (DFSA) in Turkana and Samburu Counties. Through a phased approach that emphasizes evidence gap analysis, as well as partnership, learning, and co-creation with government, civil society, communities, and the private sector, this program aims to drive sustained reductions in acute malnutrition in both counties. Mercy Corps’ NAWIRI consortium brings together the global leadership, research capacity, technical expertise, and implementation experience necessary to partner with local institutions to test, adapt, and scale evidence-based solutions. The program requires a robust county-centered design with government leadership, active engagement from communities, the private sector, and civil society. Together we will sustainably reduce persistent acute malnutrition for vulnerable populations in Turkana and Samburu counties.

The Position Summary

This position will play a critical role in the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) team. The MEL team is responsible for designing and implementing the plan for collecting program data to be used for internal and external use as well as managing program data and providing information to the program team to support decision-making and donor reporting. The Database and Management Information Systems (MIS) Manager will work closely with the Program  and Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) teams to recommend, adapt and/or create the database/MIS for the project. S/he will be responsible for creating digital data capture forms and computer databases for the collection, protection and analysis of data. The MIS will consist of digital and paper data capture forms, databases of monitoring and survey data, and information retrieval formats to facilitate the integration of the project database with other data collection and analysis platforms like ONA, CommCare and TOLA. S/he will be charged with monitoring the project database to address any issues and challenges as they arise. The Database and MIS Manager will contribute to the visioning, strategic planning, and work plans of the MEL team by bringing expert technical perspective to the program on how to best use technology to support data needs for optimized program management.

Essential Job Responsibilities

PROGRAM DATABASE ARCHITECTURE

• Work with all stakeholders to ensure database architecture will respond to data and information user needs
• Produce system requirements and specifications in collaboration with program and MEL staff, including Mercy Corps’ HQ Information and Communication Technologies for Development (ICT4D) team.
• Review consortium partner’s databases and/or designs and customize project specific databases to meet USAID/FFP data acquisition, entry, management, and reporting functions and compatibility requirements.
• Work with consortium MEL staff to identify and address shortfalls in information management that can impact data quality and affect program implementation.
• Coordinate and communicate with project staff when necessary to address issues in database development and management.

DATA ACQUISITION

• Finalize standardized digital data capturing forms with data validation and calculations to be used with the ONA or CommCare platform.
• Provide virtual technical support on digital data capture and project database to field staff collecting and entering primary data.
• Oversee operations of the MIS and manage CommCare HQ application.
• Build, test, and train a team on data collection tools.
• Design and build dashboards to monitor data collection.

 DATA ENTRY

• Incorporate user interfaces for data entry directly into the databases.
• Integrate data pulls from digital data sources, such as android phone data collection applications, into project databases.
• Monitor timeliness of data entry updated dashboards and data dissemination.

DATA MANAGEMENT

• Configure databases to house quantitative program data, survey, evaluation and GIS data.
• Organize and archive GIS, survey, evaluation and routine M&E data accurately and efficiently.
• Monitor data accuracy in the database and work with relevant staff at country level to ensure submission of quality data.
• Manage database server and cloud back-up.
• Manage user login identifications and passwords for all database users across the consortium.
• Manage storage, backup and archival of multiple research and study data sets (raw, flat and analytic datasets) with their corresponding documentation.
• Assure data protection measures are in place and enforced to protect personally identifiable information

INFORMATION PRODUCTION & REPORTING

• Construct standard reports for regular monitoring, with user interface/dashboard to access the reports.
• Ensure data are accessible and exportable, in formats compatible for complex data analyses.
• Document and train staff on accessing standard reports/ dashboards and datasets.

GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM (GIS)

• Working in collaboration with the MEL manager, develop Geographic Information System (GIS) information, collection and analysis needs as part of the M&E data management plan.
• Build capacity of project staff on the use of GPS devices for data collection and analysis using GIS Software.
• Develop GIS information products including maps as part of quarterly/ annual results reporting (ARR).

CAPACITY BUILDING

• Supervise the project and M&E staff in the creation of training modules on data capture, data entry, and information production.
• Provide technical support to staff on database use and interpreting the data based on the data source.
• Promote the understanding, interpretation and use of cutting-age M&E technologies such as remote sensing and GIS by demonstrating its capabilities and potential applications to Mercy Corps staff and partner agencies and identifies staff capacity building needs to use the application.

TEAM MANAGEMENT

• Create and maintain a work environment where mutual respect among team members prevails and where the pursuit of individual and collective excellence is valued.
• Promote individual accountability and commitment by clearly and regularly communicating expectations and providing constructive feedback.
• Recruit, guide and supervise permanent MIS staff under his/her supervision as well as contracted data entry staff during survey-based data collection.
• Train and inspire the staff under his/her supervision, providing them with resources and knowledge so that they can deliver their best performance.
• Ensure that team members comply with the Mercy Corps Code of Conduct and the Principles of Humanitarian Accountability and immediately report to their Supervisor and National Director any cases of fraud or conduct not in accordance with Mercy Corps policies within the program.

REPRESENTATION

• Identify, build and manage trusted partnerships with consortium agencies, local government and other stakeholders.
• Maintain good working relationships with donors and other development organizations and represent Mercy Corps at meetings when necessary.
• Effectively communicate the program’s best practices to build Mercy Corps’ positive image with development stakeholders.
• Conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times.

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.

Supervisory Responsibility

• Database officers from all consortium partners

Accountability

Reports Directly To:  Monitoring and Evaluation Lead

Works Directly With: Technical Leads & Director of Program Delivery from Turkana and Samburu

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in GIS, IT, computer science, or a related field. Master’s degree preferred.
• At least 5 years’ experience in database development and management for those with MA and 8 years for those with BA.
• Experience in designing and managing complex relational and spatial databases, with familiarity with open-source databases. SQL/ CommCare literacy strongly preferred.
• Competence in working with Esri’s ArcGIS Desktop Suite or open-source mapping platforms like Quantum GIS.
• Experience with digital data collection using iFormBuilder, Open Data Kit/Ona, FormHub or other online or offline digital data collection solutions preferred.
• Hands-on experience in SQL/ CommCare servers desired.
• Strong computer literacy with a full knowledge of Microsoft office applications.
• Strong organizational skills and demonstrated ability to multi-task and process information into action as to not delay program activities.
• Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members.
• Strong English skills required, both written and spoken.
• Ability to work effectively with an ethnically diverse team in a sensitive environment.

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 Kenya.  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 focused on team-building and capacity-building of national staff; be a strategic thinker, have strong skills in design monitoring and evaluation of development programs and maintain a sense of humor.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position is based in Nairobi requiring up to 50% field visits to projects sites in remote locations, and working with county relevant department office and forums;

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.