Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL) Manager at Mercy Corps

Program / Department

Mercy Corps began working in Kenya in 2008 and has built a robust and diverse portfolio working to enable Kenyans affected by poverty, climate change, resource scarcity and conflict to be healthy, productive and to drive peace and development of their communities. To do this, we deliver integrated programming to strengthen market and governance systems, innovate urban youth employment opportunities, respond to climate-related shocks, address the root causes of conflict, and build the resilience of vulnerable populations - in particular youth, women, adolescents and marginalized communities.

Mercy Corps is seeking a MEL Manager for our Resilient Approaches in Natural Rangeland Ecosystems (RANGE) program.  RANGE seeks to strengthen the resilience of communities in the Arid- and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL) of northern Kenya through natural resource management, livestock market engagement, governance, advocacy and adaptive learning. The program will contribute to sustainable economic and social development in a well-managed landscape. The MEL Manager will oversee implementation of all monitoring, evaluation and learning activities in the target counties of Isiolo, Marsabit and Samburu.   

General Position Summary

The Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Manager is a key position within RANGE and is responsible for cross-cutting programmatic information management, monitoring and evaluation, ensuring that information collected is reflected upon, used to improve ongoing programs, and is incorporated into consistently high quality reports and program adaptations. The MEL Manager will support the program team in planning and execution of all monitoring and evaluation activities, ensuring quality in accordance with accepted standards, providing essential feedback for learning, accountability and decision making. The MEL Manager ensures that key research findings and learnings are effectively integrated and used for program improvement and learning.

Essential Responsibilities

MONITORING, EVALUATION & LEARNING

• Establish a MEL Unit that will facilitate MEL activities within the RANGE program and collaborate closely with internal and external partners and stakeholders to ensure operational success
• Design, review, adapt and maintain a MEL system with utility and program quality in mind, providing the program team and partners with real time information that can steer program implementation as well as informing donors and strategic program direction and that helps strategize future interventions.
• Ensure MEL systems are in alignment with relevant policies, laws and guidelines
• Regularly conduct program site visits to better understand activities, information needs and program impact; provide hands-on training to field staff on how to capture and organize information for accurate documentation and reporting.
• Plan and lead all MEL activities including the baseline, midterm and final evaluations, and develop standards for data collection in collaboration with consortium partners. Supervise all sub grantees and partners involved in data collection activities including the baseline, midterm and final evaluation teams, and review their standards for data collection.
• Work with senior management to address shortfalls in MEL that affect program implementation and conduct internal DQAs.
• Assist the program implementation team in timely and accurate reporting to donors; Take on overall responsibility for providing data for project reporting including Weekly, Monthly, Quarterly, Annual, Final and ad-hoc reports in close coordination with the Program Manager
• Ensure that lessons learned throughout the project are captured and communicated to internal and external stakeholders through appropriate channels.
• Critically analyze data and create, and or collect case studies, success stories shareable with internal and external audiences in close collaboration with the communications coordinator

TEAM MANAGEMENT

• Lead and develop a MEAL team to maintain and utilize a system that improves the program’s ability to analyze and represent impact to donors, government, colleague agencies, and communities themselves.
• Assist team members with information, tools and resources to improve performance & reach objectives; Train project team members and partners on their MEL responsibilities.
• Build the capacity of all relevant team members to develop and maintain an excellent MEL system, including through training and coaching.
• Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback informally and formally via regular one on ones and performance reviews.
• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
• Hire, orient and lead team members as necessary.

Supervisory Responsibility

• Two MEL Officers

Accountability

Reports Directly to: RANGE Program Manager

Works Directly with: RANGE Program Manager, Area Manager, Director of Programs, PAQ Department, Partner Staff

Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills

• BA/S or equivalent, preferable in social work, MEL, business administration, public administration or international development. MA/S in similar relevant fields preferred.
• No less than 7 years of experience in the areas of monitoring and evaluation, including relevant experience building and managing an MEL system, designing and implementing MEL tools, and managing MEL team, relevant experience supervising data collection and data validation exercises, and building staff capacity.
• Demonstrated experience in experimental design of evaluations; ability to utilize statistical software for both quantitative and qualitative data analysis; experience with quantitative and qualitative research methods, fielding surveys and leading primary data collection exercises is critical
• High degree of computer literacy; Excel, SPSS, PowerPoint and Word skills are essential.
• Excellent Communication and organizational skills; ability to manage and meet deadlines
• Internationally recognized qualification in project or program management or a commitment to obtain the qualification in the early months of work.
• Fluency in written and oral English; Must be able to read and interpret documents, prepare clear and concise reports and communicate with others as necessary to perform job duties effectively
• Strong research, analytical, interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies;
• Excellent creative and conceptual skills;
• Track record of strong commitment to sharing knowledge, documenting experiences, supporting creative initiatives and working as a team.