M&e Assistant

PROGRAM SUMMARY The conflict that began more than three years ago in Syria has resulted in a steady increase in Syrian refugees to Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Turkey. To date, more than one million refugees have fled to Lebanon, and the numbers continue to mount. All refugees who have entered Lebanon are staying with host families or in rented accommodation. As numbers rapidly increase, humanitarian conditions are deteriorating. The burden on host communities and the financial and emotional stress on refugees and their hosts is tremendous. Mercy Corps is responding to these needs by addressing humanitarian and longer-term development needs alike. Mercy Corps will be working with the World Food Program on their innovative electronic voucher program in the Beqaa that will allow hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees to meet their food needs and help boost the local economy. Mercy Corps’ project will involve the distribution of e-cards to newly arrived refugee households, monitoring the households’ use of the e-card, including food consumption patterns, monitoring the shops where the e-cards can be utilized, and monitoring market prices to ensure that the impact of the program on the local economy is understood.  GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY Working under the direction of the Project Coordinator and Team Leader, the M&E Assistant is expected to conduct the seven-fold monitoring of the WFP e-card project. The monitoring will consist of: i) Post-Distribution Monitoring; ii) Pre-Assistance Baseline Monitoring; iii) Shop Monitoring; iv) Price Monitoring; v) Non-redeemed card analysis; vi) Hotline Tracking; vii) Distribution Monitoring. The M&E Assistant will conduct the day-to-day engagement with the Syrian refugee community receiving the e-cards, and the shops where Syrians utilize them. The role will involve utilizing the pre-prepared questionnaires and going through these with target people and households. ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS Monitoring and Evaluation Conduct the following assessments on a monthly basis as assigned by the Project Coordinator and Team Leader: i) Post-Distribution Monitoring; ii) Pre-Assistance Baseline Monitoring; iii) Shop Monitoring; iv) Price Monitoring; v) Non-redeemed card analysis; vi) Hotline Tracking; vii) Distribution Monitoring. Facilitate timely information updates, data quality assurance, sharing of information and learning, etc.; Ensure the maintenance of appropriate monitoring, tracking and reporting systems, tools and templates that enhance monitoring of program outputs and quality; Contribute to understanding of and support for mobile data collection hardware and software; Write up beneficiary stories from the field.  Analysis of data and Reporting Assist in generating data reports (tables/graphs/reports) from the program databases at regular intervals, ensuring reports/information are available as required; Review or edit data in reports as requested and required; Produce analytical summaries: graphs, charts, tables, narratives and appealing visuals, as requested, to fulfill internal and external reporting requirements; Other tasks as required. KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:  Experience in community engagement preferred; Strong understanding of refugee issues in the current Lebanon context; Knowledge of local context in the Beqaa Positive, respectful attitude and collaborative approach to problem solving; Demonstrated attention to detail; ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently as well as cooperatively with team members; Required to have a drivers license for a minimum of one year SUCCESS FACTORS: The successful M&E Assistant will be able to multi-task, prioritize, problem solve. S/he will have attention to detail and an ability to work independently. Demonstrated flexibility and creativity in planning and problem solving is essential in a complex security and political environment like Lebanon. 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.