Monitoring, evaluation & Learning Specialist – DREAMS Tanzania.

Position Description

Location Dar es salaam

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Position Status Full-time

Current Team Member: New Position

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is powered by the belief that a better world is possible. To do this, we know our teams do their best work when they are diverse, and every team member feels that they belong. We welcome diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be stronger and have long term impact.

Program / Department Summary

Mercy Corps was established in Tanzania on 9th June 2011 and registered under Non- Governmental Act, 2002 and issued with registration number 00NGO/00004646 by Registrar of NGO’s. Since its establishment, the organization implemented number of programs ranging from food and security, livelihood, and peacebuilding includes AgriFin which worked to address the inclusion gap for smallholder farmers (SHF) who lack access to affordable, accessible, demand-driven financial products and services that drive higher productivity and income for farm families. CREATE – Collective Resilience Against Extremism- aimed to mitigate the drivers, enablers, and narratives of violent extremism in Tanzania through support to policy initiatives, engaging local and national government, local civil society organizations and communities in preventing violent extremism; REDP2 – Rural Electrification and Densification Project, Phase 2A- aimed to improve the livelihoods of rural entrepreneurs through the provision of business skills training and the stimulation of productive uses of energy; and, GRUNDFOS – a Solar Irrigation for Agricultural Resilience In Least Developed Regions in Tanzania, with the aim of improving food security and agricultural resilience of small holder farmers by promoting the uptake of the Grundfos Small-Scale Solar Irrigation (SSSI) pumps and providing targeted business development support services. And currently, DREAMS -Delivering Resilient Enterprise and Market Systems aiming at addressing the entrenched and extreme poverty among naturalized Tanzanians and their host communities in Western Tanzania resulting from protracted displacement and limited livelihood opportunities in settlements.

Program Summary

The Delivering Resilient Enterprises and Market Systems (DREAMS) program is a collaboration between three leading organizations in the field of global poverty alleviation: Village Enterprise, Mercy Corps, and dignity kwanza. The DREAMS program aims to improve the well-being of 150,000 women, children, and men over the course of the four years. Targeting naturalized Tanzanians and host community members in the West Tanzania, our innovative approach will layer two evidence-based models[1] – poverty graduation and market systems development – to achieve increased household income, savings, and assets: improved food security and wellbeing.

General Position Summary

The MEL Specialist will contribute to the quality assurance of program implementation and ensure that the program is meeting its deliverables, as well as developing tools and reports to demonstrate the impact and results of program implementation. S/he will develop and maintain data management systems. The MEL Specialist is responsible for supporting Mercy Corps staff to regularly collect, enter, verify, and analyze data and work with the MEL team to make timely adjustments to measure the impact of Mercy Corps’ programs and to ensure M&E data is accurately incorporated into all organizational reports and information products. S/he will ensure the collection and analysis of useful, timely and actionable information for managers and decision-makers, and contribute to the frequent review, reflection and key learning processes to improve performance.

Essential Job Responsibilities:
Monitoring and Evaluation

Work with DREAMS TZ program teams, Consortium and Local Implementing Partner Organization including Private sector Partners M&E Officers to integrate M&E into ongoing program planning and implementation systems and ensure adherence to Mercy Corps M&E minimum standards;
Assist with the development of appropriate monitoring, tracking and reporting systems, tools and templates that enhance monitoring of project outputs and quality, generate quality evidence on project impact and promote and ensure use of data for decision-making processes;
Assist the program team to develop and promote the use of standard indicators, tools and forms (as appropriate) and M&E practices across the project and coordinate the collection of information required for country-level management;
Coordinate assessments and evaluations;
Ensure that monitoring plans are developed for the program and ensure that regular monitoring visits are conducted by MEL staff to the different project locations, ensure that minimum standards are being met, and that reports are shared with the program teams;
Work with Local partner organizations, Private Sector partner staffs and program team to gather success stories and anecdotal evidence of program impact to share for outreach and with donors.
Data Analysis and Reporting

Work as part of a broader team to design, facilitate and support data collection and analysis systems including baseline, annual, and end line surveys, regular monitoring, data collection and analysis, feedback and reporting;
Generate data reports (tables/graphs/reports) from the database at regular intervals, ensuring reports/information are available for program implementation staff as required;
Facilitate data analysis with program implementation team as requested;
Conduct regular field visits to ensure all elements of the data system are being utilized effectively, assessing and identifying breakdowns and areas that require clarifications and improvements;
Coordinate with field team and partners to implement system corrections and adjustments, solving operational issues and documenting actions taken and next steps;
Work with program teams to ensure data analysis and reports are integrated into programmatic decision making to improve impact of the program;
Contribute to monthly reports and other ad hoc reports to meet donor and internal requirements;
Report program achievements on TOLA, Activity Info, and other relevant reporting mechanisms.
Database Management

Develop and manage a program database that improves Mercy Corps’ ability to inform program implementation, analyze data, and represent impact to key stakeholders;
Contribute to understanding of and support for mobile data collection hardware and software, including tools such as Commcare, Tableau, PowerBI etc;
Build Capacity of partners Organization, Private Sector partners and program staff to utilize the database to analyze program information and results;
Design, adapt and maintain the database in conjunction with the Partners organizations MEL team to match strategic program or implementation changes;
Review data being collected in order to locate and fix problems with data entry or integrity;
Document database contents, protocols and update manuals for smooth functioning of the data management system;
Manage regular synchronizations of data;
Troubleshoot front and back end issues with the database, including any synchronization issues with field-level data entry.
Accountability

Coordinate with the team to build systems that promote beneficiary accountability by ensuring that communities participate in initial assessments and program design;
Coordinate with program teams to ensure that communities are informed about our programs and what we do, are aware of their entitlements, are comfortable to give feedback and that feedback is used to improve the quality of our programs
Ensure that Mercy Corps’ Community Feedback and Accountability Mechanism is clearly communicated to project beneficiaries, and that the hotline numbers are visible to end beneficiaries throughout the program.
Ensure all activities are gender sensitive and follow Mercy Corps’ Gender Equity Policy;
Apply Do No Harm standards to ensure activities do not have detrimental effects on vulnerable communities;
Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and not jeopardize its humanitarian mission;
Other assigned tasks, as necessary.
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.

Supervisory Responsibility: MEL Officers and MEL Assistant.
Accountability
Reports Directly To: Program Manager

Works Directly With: Local Partner Organizations’ MEL Officer, DREAMS program Officers, Field Operations Team and Private Sector Partners M&E staff, including other program stakeholders.

Knowledge and Experience
Bachelor’s degree in statistics, Quantitative economics, Economics, social sciences or related field.
At least 3 – 4 years’ experience in monitoring and evaluation of Humanitarian or development programs or in the fields of research.
Good understanding and skills at data management.
Experience authoring Excel forms for mobile data collection (This will be tested)
Experience managing different aspects of assessments as a lead, right from tools design, data collection, processing, analysis and report writing (Writing samples will be requested).
Strong computer literacy with a full knowledge of MS Office applications and G suite.
Proficiency in at least one statistical software (Stata, R, SPSS) in handling large data sets (Stata will be preferred)
Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members.
Fluent in both spoken and written English and Swahili.
Strong team coordination, listening, and consensus building skills.
Success Factors
The successful MEL Specialist will be bright, energetic, hard-working and eager to learn. S/he will take a deep personal interest in humanitarian and development assistance. S/he will be attentive to detail and able to carry out assigned tasks in a timely manner and according to a very high standard of quality. S/he will be creative and flexible, contributing to developing and encouraging new and innovative solutions, but at the same time will not have any difficulty in adhering to systems and procedures. S/he will strictly follow all protocols related to safety and security, and holds self-accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Mercy Corps’ values

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position is based in the West Tanzania. Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC’s policies, procedures, and values always and in all locations.

Success Factors

The ideal candidate will have the ability and curiosity to work comfortably and effectively in the cultural, relatively poor infrastructure of West Tanzania. S/he will be an excellent communicator a strong leader with the ability to build the capacity of team members, have a strong sense of humor, multi-tasker, and able to work in difficult and often stressful environments. S/he will be committed to the work of Mercy Corps and the objectives of this program. S/he will demonstrate their dedication with a strong work ethic, attention to detail and creativity in planning and problem solving.

Ongoing 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. 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 eLearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.