Mercy Corps is a globally respected humanitarian and development organization committed to promoting resilience and long-term well-being among vulnerable communities around the world. Guided by the belief that a better world is possible, the organization partners with local institutions and communities to implement transformative programs that combat hardship and build resilient livelihoods. With operations in over 40 countries, Mercy Corps is recognized for its bold, evidence-based solutions and participatory development approaches.
In Kenya, Mercy Corps leads the implementation of Nawiri, an eight-year Resilience Food Security Activity (RFSA) that addresses chronic food insecurity and persistent acute malnutrition in the arid and semi-arid counties of Turkana and Samburu. Nawiri is in its sixth year of implementation and has already gone through extensive operational research to tailor evidence-driven interventions that improve livelihoods, strengthen health systems, and build institutional capacity in Northern Kenya.
To further enhance the impact of Nawiri in these counties, Mercy Corps is currently seeking passionate, skilled, and adaptive professionals to fill the position of County Learning Coordinator in Samburu (1 position) and Turkana (1 position). This full-time, on-site role is crucial to advancing Nawiri’s learning agenda and promoting continuous program improvement based on data-driven insights.
Position Title: County Learning Coordinator
Locations: Samburu (Maralal), Turkana (one additional location)
Category: Monitoring & Evaluation
Requisition Number: COUNT006062
Posted On: 22 July 2025
Type: Full-time, On-site
About the Role
The County Learning Coordinator is a pivotal member of Mercy Corps’ Program Performance and Learning (PPL) team, working under the Strategic Learning Lead. This role is responsible for operationalizing Nawiri’s Evidence and Learning Agenda within the respective county and ensuring that learnings are integrated into every aspect of program design and implementation.
Acting as both a facilitator and learning advocate, the Coordinator will build a culture of adaptive learning at the county level, working across internal teams, county government stakeholders, partner organizations, and local communities. The successful candidate will lead processes that turn insights from data, community feedback, and field observations into improved program outcomes and innovations.
Key Responsibilities
- Facilitation of Regular Reflection and Review Meetings
- Plan and conduct structured learning activities including monthly and quarterly reviews, as well as annual reflection workshops.
- Collaborate with technical leads to embed learning components into work plans and strategy updates.
- Promote knowledge exchange through learning collaborations with Mercy Corps teams, county governments, local organizations, and relevant stakeholders.
- Create and maintain systems for capturing and documenting field observations and turning them into actionable recommendations.
- Design feedback loops and action trackers to ensure learning discussions translate into real changes on the ground.
- Collaboration with Program and M&E Teams for Data Analysis
- Work closely with M&E and technical teams to co-develop insights that improve program performance.
- Align data collection practices with program learning priorities and evidence needs.
- Ensure that program adaptations are both guided by empirical data and properly documented.
- Facilitate data interpretation sessions to help teams translate statistics and qualitative data into operational decisions.
- Partner with the Strategic Learning Lead to craft user-friendly data visualizations and storytelling formats that increase accessibility and use of insights.
- Conduct Qualitative Inquiry and Research
- Identify learning opportunities through qualitative methodologies that complement existing M&E systems.
- Design and carry out community-based research to amplify local voices and indigenous knowledge in program learning.
- Promote participatory learning approaches that make community members active contributors to program development.
- Leverage community insights to enhance cultural relevancy and effectiveness of interventions.
- Content Creation Based on Learnings
- Document best practices, success stories, and lessons learned to support adaptive management.
- Produce practical and accessible learning materials such as policy briefs, newsletters, community updates, and knowledge notes.
- Coordinate with communications teams to disseminate learnings to internal and external stakeholders.
- Collaborate with the Reporting Officer to ensure all reports include relevant learning highlights and program adaptations.
- Security and Compliance
- Adhere to organizational security protocols and promote a safe work environment.
- Ensure all team members understand and comply with relevant safety and security policies.
- Safeguarding Responsibilities
- Continuously build awareness of safeguarding risks related to the program and actively implement mitigation measures.
- Promote Mercy Corps’ core values and principles, including respect for the dignity and well-being of all participants and staff.
- Encourage a transparent and supportive team culture that empowers staff to report safeguarding concerns through appropriate channels, including the Integrity Hotline.
Supervision and Accountability
- Direct Supervisor: County Field Director
- Works Closely With: Strategic Learning Lead, Program Performance & Learning (PPL) team, Technical Leads, County Program Managers, and Consortium Partners
- Supervisory Role: Learning Officers based in either Samburu or Turkana County
Core Competencies and Transferable Skills Required
- Strong cultural competency, particularly in understanding local languages, customs, and community dynamics.
- Proven experience in using data and evidence to inform program decisions and adapt activities.
- Ability to conduct both qualitative and quantitative research, and synthesize findings into practical recommendations.
- Experience using participatory methods to gather feedback and insights from communities.
- Excellent facilitation and communication skills, capable of leading constructive dialogue among diverse stakeholders.
- Advanced written communication skills for preparing reports, learning briefs, and visual presentations.
- Familiarity with digital tools for data collection and analysis, including mobile survey platforms and Microsoft Office suite.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Sociology, Demography, Statistics, Monitoring and Evaluation, or a related field. A Master’s degree is an added advantage.
- Minimum of five years of relevant professional experience in learning, M&E, community engagement, or participatory development, preferably in collaboration with county governments, NGOs, or research institutions.
- Familiarity with community-based program implementation in Samburu or Turkana Counties is highly desirable.
- Experience working within an international organization and collaborating with consortia or multiple partners is advantageous.
Key Attributes for Success
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, while also contributing meaningfully to a larger team.
- Deep commitment to learning and continuous improvement, both personally and programmatically.
- Flexibility and adaptability to navigate evolving challenges and priorities in complex settings.
- Capable of creating a psychologically safe learning environment where everyone’s voice is valued.
Working and Living Conditions
This position is based in Samburu or Turkana County, with extensive travel (up to 60%) across sub-counties to support Nawiri programming. The role may involve visits to remote and occasionally insecure locations. Despite these challenges, the organization provides secure individual housing, high-standard amenities, and access to quality medical care.
Professional Development
In alignment with Mercy Corps’ commitment to lifelong learning, each team member is encouraged to allocate at least 5% of their working hours toward self-directed professional development. This includes participating in workshops, training sessions, or other capacity-building activities to enhance performance and career growth.
Team Culture and Values
Mercy Corps places a high value on building inclusive, diverse, and effective teams. The organization fosters a culture of respect, innovation, and collaboration where every team member is encouraged to contribute to shared goals. Mercy Corps believes that effective teamwork enhances resilience, creativity, and program impact.
The County Learning Coordinator will be part of a mission-driven environment that embraces new ideas, values community voices, and aims to deliver life-changing outcomes for vulnerable populations in northern Kenya.
Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination
Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse workforce and fostering an environment of mutual respect. We do not tolerate discrimination on the basis of gender, ethnicity, religion, disability, age, sexual orientation, or any other protected status.
Applicants from underrepresented groups and residents of Samburu or Turkana are highly encouraged to apply.
Safeguarding and Ethics
Mercy Corps is fully committed to ensuring the safety and dignity of all people we work with. Team members are expected to adhere to strict safeguarding policies and to report any instances of sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment through designated mechanisms. All new hires must complete mandatory ethics and safeguarding training courses upon onboarding and annually thereafter.
How to Apply
If you are passionate about evidence-based programming, community-driven solutions, and have a deep appreciation for learning and adaptive management, Mercy Corps invites you to be part of this transformative journey in Samburu and Turkana.
Apply now through the official Mercy Corps job portal.
