STA - Complex Program, Start-up Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Advisor

Job Description

DescriptionAbout Mercy CorpsMercy 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.Program / Department SummaryMercy Corps has been operating in Jordan since 2003. In partnership with civil society organizations, the private sector, and the government, Mercy Corps Jordan has reached more than 3.4 million Jordanians and displaced populations in the country. Working throughout Jordan, Mercy Corps is driven by the mission to contribute to the emergence of a peaceful, resilient and prosperous Jordan which is inclusive of youth and women. We seek to build a future for Jordan in which all people feel secure, believe in the goodness of communities and institutions around them, and are on a sustainable path toward economic self-reliance. Our strategic directions focus on promoting strong communities and governance, peace and social cohesion and environmentally sustainable and inclusive economic growth. The Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Advisor - Complex Program Start-up will work closely with the Program Performance and Quality (PaQ) unit. The PaQ unit supports and enables the delivery of high-quality programs by establishing and maintaining standards, championing an evidence-based practice to improve program performance, and supporting strategic program change management.General Position SummaryMercy Corps is seeking a Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Advisor to support the start-up of the technical design and implementation of the five-year, $75m USAID-funded Informal Livelihoods Advancement Activity (IQLAA) program. The proposed program aims to put Jordanian Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) on a path to recovery, help them access the safety net measures in Jordan, and, most importantly, regain productivity and growth. This will be achieved through a large number of activities and grants to get micro and small enterprises back to work, link them back to markets, and put them on track towards formalization and growth. The MEL Advisor - complex program start-up will manage the general duties and responsibilities for the oversight of the start-up of the program-level monitoring and evaluation activities, ensuring the quality of the program?s MEL activities and information management via the program?s reporting system (which may be tied with Mercy Corps? proprietary Tola system), and geographic information systems (GIS), where applicable. S/he will be responsible for developing the overall program?s monitoring plan including a comprehensive Activity Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Plan for the life of the activity based on its proposed Log Frame. The MEL Advisor will oversee and ensure coordination of the various technical areas across the program?s MEL team and other relevant program staff and components. The MEL Advisor is responsible during the start-up period for working closely with the program staff on themes related to monitoring, evaluation, accountability, reporting and learning. The MEL Advisor will provide dedicated support to all monitoring evaluation & learning functions for a period of 2 to 3 month before handing over to the IQLAA MEL Director.Essential ResponsibilitiesProgram Management* Review the activity logical frameworks with key stakeholders and make adaptations based on feedback. * Lead the team in developing a learning agenda for the program. * Conduct a desk review and/or capture lessons learned from similar programs globally and in-country; share lessons with the team and ensure they are integrated into program planning. * Develop a MEL plan that is integrated with the program work plan, including: + Developing and/or crafting indicators and write up of Performance Indicator Reference sheets. Including high level and lower level indicators for all results under the activity. + Develop data flow maps for indicators and share those with team and partners. + Develop monitoring forms. + Establish all project indicators in Tola for indicator and results management. + Identify and support the team in setting up mobile data collection systems.* Review and provide feedback on assessment SOWs. * Review and adapt the SOW for baseline assessment. * Supervise all sub-contractors involved in data collection activities including the baseline team and review standards for data collection.* Liaise with various stakeholders and program donor on relevant program MEL concerns.* Given the nature of the work, the Advisor is expected to be flexible and may be asked to carry out duties which are not specifically listed above. The job description may be revised after discussion between the Advisor and management.Team Management* Ensure the program team has understanding and ownership of program approach/log frame, including indicators. * During the duration of the STA or until the program MEL Director arrives, manage program MEL staff in day-to-day activities. Train team members and partners on their MEL responsibilities.* Develop the capacity of the team, deepen understanding of their roles.* Assist team members with information, tools and resources to improve performance & reach objectives.* Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.* Support technical and skills evaluation for recruitment and hiring of relevant program team members. Orient and lead new team members as necessary.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(IQLAA) MEL Officers/AssistantsAccountabilityReports Directly To:Complex Program CoP or Start-up Lead depending on start-up structure.Works Directly With:Other start-up team members and existing country office MEL/PAQ team.Accountability to Participants and StakeholdersMercy 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* BA/S or equivalent required. MA/S in relevant field preferred. * A minimum of 7 years of relevant experience in monitoring and evaluation management for international development programs; USAID or other donor, or NGO preferred. * Demonstrated experience in budgeting, planning and managing data collection teams; hiring and training M&E staff: managing monitoring information systems (MIS); designing, conducting and analyzing baseline/endline studies and performance evaluations; developing logic frameworks, theories of change, M&E plans, PIRS and target setting; conducting data quality assessments; managing data collected on android tablets or smart phones. * Experience with ArcGIS or other geographic information system preferred but not required. * Ability to prepare clear and concise reports. * High degree of computer literacy; Excel and Word skills are essential. Experience with relational databases, statistical analysis software and/or qualitative research software. * Ability to manage and meet deadlines. * Ability to work independently on multi-task load. * Excellent communication and organizational skills. * Fluency in written and oral English and French, Spanish, or Arabic depending on location of complex program.

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