Job details
Description
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.
The Program / Department Summary
USAID’s Office of Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) awarded funding to a Mercy Corps-led consortium of Kenyan and international partners for an 8-year Resilience Food Security Activity (RFSA) in Turkana and Samburu Counties of Kenya.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, the USAID Nawiri program aims to drive sustained reductions in acute malnutrition in both counties.
Mercy Corps’ 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.
General Position Summary
The Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Assistant will work as part of the county M&E team responsible for program quality assurance, accountability, documentation and learning. They will be involved in day-to-day implementation of the M & E system sub-county level including data collection, collation, entry, analysis and use for decision-making. The Monitoring and Evaluation Assistant will conduct quality assurance activities of field-based data collection mechanisms, program implementation and community accountability process. In addition, they will supervise enumerators during annual household surveys, Post Distribution Monitoring and Qualitative Inquiry Assessments at county level. The assistant will support M&E systems strengthening at sub-county level including, training and mentoring Community Health Workers (CHV), Ward Development Committees (WDC) and other field-based data processes to produce reliable/quality data and support platforms for data use platforms for decision-making at sub-county and ward level.
Essential Responsibilities
PROGRAM MANAGEMENT: MONITORING AND EVALUATION
- Support in roll-out of USAID Nawiri monitoring and evaluation strategy and tools at the Sub County level.
- Collect program routine monitoring data and follow-up with the program team on data collection and reporting.
- Support roll-out and supervision of data collection through Annual Surveys, Post Distribution Monitoring (PDM) and Quality Inquiry Surveys.
- Timely entry of monitoring data into mobile and computer-based data collection systems and working with MIS officers to resolve data quality issues observed.
- Support Monitoring and Evaluation activities to ensure that program-based monitoring activities are being performed according to schedule.
- Support and collaborate with the M&E Officer to provide timely reports and data summaries.
- Assist to maintaining a clear and transparent filing system at the Sub County level office.
- Support the process of testing and adopting relevant technologies for improving the efficiency of the program’s MEL function at the Sub- County level.
- Strengthen Sub-County Government M&E and Data Use Platforms including Review Meeting, Data Quality Assurance, Mentoring and Supportive Supervision.
- Other duties as assigned from time to time by supervisor.
SAFEGUARDING
- Actively learns about safeguarding and integrates it into their work, including safeguarding risks and mitigations related to their area of work
- Practices the values of Mercy Corps including respecting the dignity and well-being of participants and fellow team members
- Encourages openness and communication in their team; encourages team members to submit reports if they have any concerns using reporting mechanisms e.g., Integrity Hotline and other options
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
None
Accountability
Reports Directly to: M&E Officer at the Sub County level, with technical oversight from the MEL Coordinator and administrative oversight from the Sub County Lead
Works Directly with: USAID Nawiri Program Quality and Learning team, all program staff and implementing partners at sub-county level.
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
- Must hold at least a diploma in Social Science, Statistics, International development, Health, Agriculture or relevant field (with coursework in M&E, research and evaluation methodologies, statistical analysis or organizational development) or similar field of study.
- At least 1 year of program monitoring and evaluation experience (Entry Level Fresh Graduate)
- Experience working with USAID funded project and familiarity with USAID/BHA M&E guidance and requirement is an added advantage.
- Should understand general MEL concepts and demonstrate skills in MEL system (i.e. Theories of Change, Results Frameworks/Logical Frameworks, MEL Plans and Data Collection tools).
- Must have good writing and analytical skills.
- Should have knowledge of quantitative and qualitative data collection, reporting techniques. In addition to Microsoft Excel, the incumbent should demonstrate fluency in use of at least one data management software including SPSS, Power Bi, Tableau and STATA.
- Must be fluent in both spoken and written English. Understanding of local language will be an added advantage.
Success Factors
A successful M&E Assistant will have the ability and curiosity to work comfortably and effectively. They will be excellent communicators, multi-tasker, with the ability to work effectively in complex environments. They must have the confidence and humility to work effectively with a diverse group of people – as well as be sensitive to political and cultural nuance.
Living Conditions
The position is based in Nairobi. Housing for this role is individual housing and staff will have access to good medical services and the living situation is of a high standard
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.
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 and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. By applying for this role an applicant confirms that they have not previously violated an employer’s sexual misconduct, sexual exploitation and abuse, child safeguarding or trafficking policy. 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. As an applicant, if you witness or experience any form of sexual misconduct during the recruitment process, please report this to Mercy Corps Integrity Hotline ([email protected]).
