DM&E Specialist

PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:

Mercy Corps has been working in Somalia since January 2005, in support of Livelihoods Recovery, Peace Building and Emergency Response programs throughout much of the Country. Since 2005, funding has been a mix of private donations, OFDA, DfID and USAID. Currently, Mercy Corps Somalia has offices in Bossaso and Garowe in Puntland, Galkacyo in Galmudug and Hargeisa in Somaliland. The program is growing at a healthy pace and will soon open several more field offices to support newly funded programs.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

Reporting to the Program Quality Manager, the DM&E Specialist will have overall responsibility to ensure new program design, quality and timely monitoring and evaluation of program performance and supervision of DM&E officers. The primary goal of this would be ensure Mercy Corps sustained ability to effective track and monitor its program activities as well as developing the ability for dissemination and sharing of best practice and lessons learned to ensure quality program delivery. S/he will provide support and/or lead needs assessments and provide substantial input into the design of new programs in the region in line with and supportive of wider Mercy Corps goals and missions.

The DM&E Specialist will work closely with Mercy Corps Program Team Leaders to develop monitoring tools, train program staff on the use of these tools and ensure frequent capturing of program data/information using the tools agreed upon. In coordination with program managers, s/he will ensure grant specific assessments and surveys are undertaken, oversee the development of data gathering tools for the same and liaise directly with the external consultants/program staff to ensure the assessments/surveys are successfully completed and findings disseminated.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Design

• In collaboration with the Program Quality Manager, design and implement needs assessments and provide information to support the design of new programs and proposals;

Program Monitoring

• Design and develop performance management plans for each program and field site. Identify and design key outcome and impact indicators and targets for each program/project component and for each level of the objective hierarchy;
• Set up/create and maintain an M&E system for all programs to demonstrate outputs, outcome, impact and lessons learned;
• Design effective program monitoring tools and data collection tools and procedures to track performance;
• Develop a data management tool with the IT & GIS support officer covering all MC programs,
• Develop and establish GIS resource tracking systems for use within the Program Support Unit,
• Design and apply relevant program/ project databases and data manipulation systems as per the requirements of the Program Managers and teams;
• In conjunction with program staff, conduct regular field monitoring visits to assess progress on the ground and promote compliance by project impact and deliverables ;
• Accurately analyze data and make recommendations to improve program effectiveness and efficiency.

Donor Reports and Proposal development

• Develop a reporting calendar for the organization and ensure effective tracking and planning to ensure timely reporting internally and externally;
• Provide accurate data for donor reports and support Program Managers in collating and finalizing donor reports;
• Assist the communications team in writing, reviewing/editing the completeness and accuracy of narrative success stories for donors and marketing purposes;
• Work closely with the communications team to ensure project results and reports are properly disseminated internally and externally.

Program Evaluation and Assessments

• Conduct assessments and surveys, data analysis for Mercy Corps internal surveys and act as the focal point for external consultants for evaluations and or mid-term reviews. Develop an organization wide M&E system and country strategy;
• Coordinate M&E with national staff and ensure organizational learning to improve program quality and sustainability;
• Assists in the development of terms of reference for baselines, evaluations, and Special Studies in order to monitor programs and strategic developments.

Team Management

• Build capacity of staff and local partners on M&E tools, data management, data analysis, basic surveying and sampling techniques, report writing techniques and requirements for Mercy Corps;
• Lead in recruitment, training and supervision of M&E staff required for current or future programs.

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 – members are expected to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

Accountability to Beneficiaries

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards 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.

ACCOUNTABILITY:

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: National DM&E Officers

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Deputy Country Director

WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Program Managers/heads as well as operation staff in the country and field offices.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

• MA/S or equivalent in social science, management, international development preferred;
• 5+ years field DM&E experience in international relief and development in Africa;
• Experience in setting up and managing systems and designing or evaluating multiple sectors including market based emergency programs, livelihood programs, civil society strengthening, peace building, WASH, etc;
• Demonstrated knowledge of GIS within the context of international development; knowledge of GIS and cartographic concepts, theory and practices;
• Demonstrated success in design, development and implementation of complex database systems of this scope and complexity;
• Demonstrated understanding of complex emergencies, related security concerns, and appropriate responses, with experience in Somalia strongly preferred;
• Demonstrated experience with training and mentoring of national staff on measurement issues.
• Effective verbal and written communication, organizational, prioritization and MS Office applications;
• Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members;
• Good analytical skills; resourcefulness, initiative, maturity of judgment;
• Fluent in both oral and written English;
• Self-motivated, versatile and adaptable to different cultures and people.
• Knowledge of Mercy Corps systems and procedures desirable.

SUCCESS FACTORS:

A successful candidate will have a demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with team members of varied work styles and cultures, follow procedures, and meet deadlines with flexibility and creativity in planning and problem solving. S/he will have a proven ability to learn quickly, multi-task, prioritize, take initiative, and be accountable for results, understand the larger picture while remaining focused on the details, problem solving, work within a complex and sensitive setting and to follow laws and security protocols. A willingness to relocate for short-term as necessary within coverage regions based on needs, work independently and as part of a team are essential. The most successful Mercy Corps staff members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments and make effective written and verbal communication a priority in all situations. In Somalia, patience, diplomacy, tenacity, compassion, determination and a sense of humor are all success factors.

LIVING CONDITIONS/ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

The DM&E Specialist will be based in Garowe, and support activities throughout the country. This is an unaccompanied post in a highly insecure environment.

Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. 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.

Please apply online at
http://mercycorps.silkroad.com/epostings/submit.cfm?fuseaction=app.dspjob&jobid=217775&company_id=15927&version=2&jobboardid=479

Mercy Corps is an AA/EOE