MEL Assistant - Beirut (Applications will only be accepted if submitted through the URL link provided below)

About Mercy Corps

Mercy 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.

Mercy Corps has been present in the Middle East since the 1980s and currently works in Yemen, Lebanon, Palestine, Jordan, Syria, and Iraq. Working in Lebanon since 1993, Mercy Corps is committed to generating positive opportunities for women, men, boys and girls from Lebanese, Syrian, and Palestinian communities, with a strong focus on engaging youth.  Mercy Corps exists to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression by helping build secure, productive and just communities. Our programs focus on four sectors:  Economic Opportunities, Governance and Social Stability, Youth and Humanitarian interventions. The Mercy Corps Lebanon team consists of over 150 staff working across four offices throughout Mount Lebanon, South Lebanon, Tripoli and the Bekaa.

Program Summary

Along with Al Majmoua, Danish Refugee Council, Oxfam and Mercy Corps, the Linked SPS (Supporting Private Sector) program aims to contribute to the sustainable economic development of vulnerable job seekers, Syrian refugees, and Lebanese host communities in Lebanon and to strengthen the resilience of MSMEs affected by the Beirut blast. The Consortium is funded by the European Union. 

In order to achieve the program's objectives, the consortium is providing MSMEs with tailored support, including technical assistance (business development support-BDS), cash grants, financial management support, guidance on decent work conditions at the workplace, for both employers and employees, and finally referrals to access loans. MSMEs are eligible for assistance if they are located within the designated radius, have a physical space to run the business, and have been operational for the last 2 years.

General Position Summary

The MEL Assistant is expected to contribute to the quality assurance of program implementation. They will contribute to the monitoring and evaluation functions related to tracking project progress and quality, collecting useful, timely and actionable information for management, and contribute to the frequent review, reflection and key learning process to improve performance. The MEL Assistant will work closely with the MEL Coordinator and the Project Manager to manage field activities for the program’s MEL functions. They will assist in implementing review and learning processes (e.g., complaints mechanisms, feedback loops, lessons learned documentation and sharing, etc.). They will work closely with partners and other stakeholders involved in program implementation in order to ensure a coherent and comprehensive program is implemented, lessons are learned and experiences shared across the various sectors and program teams.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning

• Contribute to the management and maintenance of the project databases to facilitate timely information updates, data quality assurance, sharing of information and learning, etc.
• Assist in the development of appropriate monitoring, tracking and reporting systems, tools and templates (including a M&E plan) 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.
• Contribute to the participant selection process, through analysis on applicant data, and oversight on the business evaluation grid.
• Lead the monitoring of the cash distribution component, including collecting PDM feedback from participants and conducting activity spot-checks, as well as ensuring that the usage of allocated funds is properly documented and validated.
• Support on monitoring the Business Development Services component, by conducting MEL spot-checks on service providers, and liaising with different key stakeholders to ensure proper feedback is collected.
• Manage participant portfolio through continuous documentation of project progress through tracking attendance sheets, photos, etc.
• Coordinate with partner organizations and service providers to ensure that MEL processes and data collection is executed and received in a timely manner.
• Compile and file program evidence using MC systems and guidance.
• Manage participant referrals between LINKED partners and other key MSME actors in the region.
• Conduct data collection for MEL outcome assessments following the conclusion of activities.
• Support use of digital data collection for M&E needs wherever possible.
• Share regular written reports on monitoring findings and program participants stories.
• Participate in Lessons Learned sessions and disseminate results across the teams.

Data Analysis and Reporting

• Support in developing monthly monitoring and evaluation reports conducted on service providers.
• Support project team in data collection and data analysis.
• Liaise with other project teams and M&E staff as required to ensure that the project databases complement and align with each other.  This will ensure that data on project outputs and project impacts are aligned and reported together.
• Coordinate with the MEL Coordinator and the project team to review indicator updates and program data monthly.
• Contribute data and analysis to program reports.
• Contribute to program achievement reporting on TOLA, Activity Info, and other relevant reporting mechanisms.
• Support in the development of the narrative reports to donors, and stakeholders.
• Support in the intra-agency referral mechanism.
• Other tasks as required

Accountability

• 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.
• Liaise between the Mercy Corps CARM focal point to make sure that feedback is effectively escalated and closed.
• 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 to 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

None.

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Senior MEL Coordinator

Works Directly With: LINKED SPS program team, LINKED SPS consortium MEL

Knowledge and Experience

• • BA/S or equivalent, preferable in social sciences, business administration, public administration, MIS, international development

• • 1-2 years M&E or Information Management experience.
  • Fluent in both spoken and written Arabic with good knowledge of English.
  • Previous experience working with international and/or local NGOs.
  • Intermediate computer, data analysis, and querying skills (Excel, ODK, Experience in PowerBI is a major plus).
  • Familiarity in working with Cloud drives and storage (Google Drive, OneDrive)

• • Experience developing and maintaining data management systems.
  • Relevant experience in field survey/data collection techniques, data entry, data verification, and analysis.

• • Strong team coordination, listening, and consensus building skills.

Success Factors

The successful MEL Officer will be bright, energetic, hard-working and eager to learn.  They will take a deep personal interest in humanitarian and development assistance.  They 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.  They 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. They will strictly follow all protocols related to safety and security, and hold themselves accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modeling Mercy Corps’ values.

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.