Mercy Corps, a globally recognized humanitarian organization, continues its steadfast mission to support communities in overcoming adversity and building resilient futures. Operating in more than 40 countries, Mercy Corps implements high-impact programs that address food insecurity, poverty, conflict, and climate-related challenges. The organization’s dedication to innovation and collaboration has empowered millions of people to build stronger, more sustainable livelihoods.
In Kenya, Mercy Corps leads the Nawiri program, an ambitious eight-year Resilience Food Security Activity (RFSA) focused on reducing persistent acute malnutrition in Turkana and Samburu counties. Now entering its sixth year, Nawiri has matured from intensive operational research to dynamic, adaptive implementation — combining evidence-based insights with multi-sectoral approaches that address root causes of food insecurity and malnutrition.
To further enhance the program’s learning culture and evidence-based adaptation, Mercy Corps is pleased to announce two new full-time vacancies for County Learning Coordinators — one for Samburu County and one for Turkana County. These roles are instrumental in fostering a learning-oriented ecosystem that supports effective, responsive, and community-centered programming.
Job Title: County Learning Coordinator
Number of Positions: Two (1 in Samburu, 1 in Turkana)
Job Category: Monitoring & Evaluation
Requisition Number: COUNT006062
Location: Maralal, Samburu County and a second location in Turkana County, Kenya
Employment Type: Full-time, On-site
Posting Date: 22 July 2025
About the Nawiri Program
The Nawiri program — meaning “to thrive” in Kiswahili — is a collaborative initiative led by Mercy Corps in partnership with a consortium of international and national actors. It seeks to address the structural drivers of acute malnutrition through a systems-driven, evidence-led approach. The program integrates resilient livelihoods, water, health and sanitation services, natural resource management, governance strengthening, conflict mitigation, and gender and social inclusion efforts.
As Nawiri continues to scale up implementation in its sixth year, the integration of strategic learning is more critical than ever. The County Learning Coordinators will lead the effort to embed adaptive learning into program decision-making and ensure the relevance and effectiveness of interventions at the county level.
Position Overview
The County Learning Coordinator will be a central figure within the Program Performance and Learning (PPL) team, operating under the leadership of the Strategic Learning Lead. This individual will drive the operationalization of Nawiri’s Evidence and Learning Agenda in either Samburu or Turkana County, embedding learning principles into daily activities and long-term planning.
This is a leadership role requiring strong facilitation skills, analytical abilities, and the capacity to work across teams and stakeholder groups. The Coordinator will help create a culture of reflection and continuous improvement by turning field experiences and data into actionable insights that inform program adjustments and innovations.
Key Responsibilities
Facilitation of Regular Reflection and Review Meetings
- Lead the organization of monthly, quarterly, and annual data-driven review and learning meetings.
- Partner with technical leads to incorporate learning moments into work plans and strategic decision-making frameworks.
- Facilitate collaboration among Nawiri staff, county government officials, local partners, and other stakeholders to reflect on findings and improve practices.
- Design and manage systems to capture observations and lessons from the field, ensuring they feed back into program adaptation cycles.
- Develop and manage feedback loops and action trackers to hold teams accountable for following through on learning insights.
- Ensure proper documentation of all learning sessions, with contributions from local and county stakeholders.
Collaboration with Program and M&E Teams for Data Analysis
- Work closely with Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) staff and program leads to interpret data and extract key insights for improved decision-making.
- Ensure data collection activities are aligned with learning priorities and support the Evidence and Learning Agenda.
- Collaborate with technical leads to integrate learning outcomes into program adaptations and ensure documentation of these adjustments.
- Guide quality data analysis and interpretation processes, making data accessible and useful for various stakeholders.
- Partner with the Strategic Learning Lead to create engaging visualizations and stories based on program data and field learnings.
Conduct Qualitative Inquiry and Research
- Identify research and inquiry opportunities aligned with the Evidence and Learning Agenda and programmatic needs.
- Conduct qualitative research at the community level, with a focus on integrating indigenous knowledge and community voice.
- Develop case studies, thematic analyses, and ethnographic inquiries to capture rich contextual insights.
- Innovate community-engaged learning approaches that empower program participants and local actors to shape interventions.
Content Creation Based on Learnings
- Generate learning products such as briefs, newsletters, knowledge notes, and case studies tailored to different audiences.
- Document lessons learned and promising practices for internal and external sharing.
- Collaborate with communications staff to disseminate learning materials widely and effectively.
- Ensure all program reports capture learning components by working closely with the Reporting Officer.
Security and Safeguarding Responsibilities
- Ensure compliance with Mercy Corps security protocols and procedures to protect all team members.
- Actively promote safeguarding principles and model behavior that upholds the dignity and safety of program participants.
- Encourage a transparent reporting culture for any safeguarding concerns through available mechanisms like the Integrity Hotline.
Supervisory and Reporting Responsibilities
- Supervise and mentor Learning Officers within the county of assignment (Samburu or Turkana).
- Report directly to the County Field Director and work closely with Nawiri’s Strategic Learning Lead, Technical Leads, Program Performance & Learning Team, and County Managers.
Who Should Apply
Applicants who are passionate about participatory learning, community development, and adaptive programming are encouraged to apply. The ideal candidate will possess strong facilitation, research, and analytical skills, along with a deep commitment to localization and inclusion. This position is well-suited for a professional who thrives in field-based roles, enjoys working across diverse teams, and seeks to make a meaningful impact on nutrition and resilience outcomes in Northern Kenya.
Success Factors
- Strong sense of ownership and initiative in developing learning systems and strategies.
- Ability to work independently in remote and sometimes insecure locations.
- Capacity to translate complex data into actionable insights for program improvement.
- Demonstrated experience in leading reflection and learning events and developing high-quality documentation.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to engage with staff, community members, and government partners.
- Adaptability, creativity, and a passion for innovation in learning and knowledge sharing.
Living Conditions and Work Environment
The position is based either in Samburu or Turkana County and involves extensive travel (up to 60%) to support subcounty activities. Applicants must be willing to work in rural and sometimes remote locations, including areas with limited amenities. Mercy Corps ensures access to individual housing, quality medical services, and a secure working environment. Living conditions are generally of a high standard, and staff are provided with necessary support to ensure comfort and safety.
Ongoing Learning and Team Development
Mercy Corps invests in the professional growth of its staff. All team members are encouraged to dedicate at least 5% of their time to learning activities that support their career development. The organization values team diversity and collaboration and is committed to building inclusive, respectful, and high-performing teams that reflect the communities they serve.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Mercy Corps is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We value and seek diverse talent to strengthen our impact. We do not discriminate based on race, color, gender identity, religion, age, sexual orientation, disability, or any other legally protected status. We aim to create a workplace where all individuals are respected and given equal opportunities to thrive.
Safeguarding & Ethics
Mercy Corps upholds the highest standards of integrity and ethical behavior. Team members are expected to adhere to the organization’s Code of Conduct and participate in mandatory safeguarding trainings. We take every precaution to ensure that our recruitment processes are free of misconduct and that all individuals we serve are protected from abuse and exploitation.
If you witness or experience any form of sexual misconduct during the recruitment process, you are encouraged to report it to the Mercy Corps Integrity Hotline at [email protected].
How to Apply
Interested candidates are invited to apply for this opportunity. Kindly indicate your preferred location (Samburu or Turkana) in the subject line of your cover letter. Applications should be submitted via email following the instructions provided in the job posting.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring the safety and dignity of all applicants throughout the recruitment process. We appreciate your interest in contributing to meaningful change through the Nawiri program.
