Information Management Coordinator - On a Rolling Basis (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. 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. We do this through:

Addressing the humanitarian and protection needs resulting from crisis situations for the most vulnerable communities

Enabling local communities, civil society and government to better prevent and respond to conflict, address needs and deliver sustainable development solutions

Promoting economic growth and catalyzing economic opportunities for vulnerable, under-employed groups in Lebanon

The Mercy Corps Lebanon team consists of over 150 staff working across four offices throughout Beirut, South Lebanon, Tripoli and the Bekaa.

Program Summary

The Performance and Quality Unit (PaQ) collaborates with program teams, supporting departments and partners to use evidence to design and deliver relevant and impactful programs that improve the lives of program participants. The PaQ unit supports team development and assists teams to design and implement robust monitoring, evaluation, and accountability systems that prove impact, inform areas for improvement, and ensure accountability to the principles of good program management, as well as to our end participants and other stakeholders.

General Position Summary

The Information Management (IM) Coordinator leads the information systems for MC Lebanon country office for all programs. This role is responsible for taking initiative in ensuring that relevant data products are available, credible and are being used for evidence-based decision making. S/he is responsible for a) developing and adapting central and program-specific information management systems, b) analysis and visualization of data functions, c) ensuring the Data Protection Policy has been successfully rolled out d) working to enhance the performance and quality of Mercy Corps programming to better understand and track the scope and impact of Mercy Corps’ activities in Lebanon. S/he reports to the Program Performance and Quality (PaQ) Manager – ensuring that systems and analysis are responsive to the needs of program staff as well as the leadership team.

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

STRATEGY AND VISION

• Develop an IM strategy and provide strategic guidance in all that relates to information management and or the use of these systems in improving the quality of Mercy Corps Programs.
• Identify opportunities for improvement and make recommendations and develop tools to strengthen programmatic information flow and to improve information management systems.
• Take initiatives in ensuring that data is being used for evidence-based decision making.
• Formalize and coordinate information sharing between program, MEL, and other secondary sources.
• Build partnerships with information management counterparts in other NGOs, local partners, and other peer agencies, to enable and promote the coordinated collection, management, analysis and visualization of data and information, specifically for MC consortia programs.
• Liaise with the Inter-Agency Coordination Unit, as well as the Lebanon Humanitarian INGO Forum (LHIF), and other working and coordination groups. Represent MC at the Information Management Working Group as needed.

TECHNICAL SUPPORT

• Lead the management, analysis, and visualization of data information to support Mercy Corps programs in close collaboration with the MERL Technical Specialist, the MEL teams, and program teams, using MC’s MEL TECH Suite.
• Process and analyze available information/data related to Mercy Corps’ sectors of intervention, support programs with their database management, analysis, and visualization, according to their information needs. This includes basic analytics such as creating visuals, regular reporting, and summarizing of finding.
• Provide substantive support to teams to develop systemized and on-demand information gathering – including developing minimum standards and protocols for information management across the Lebanon portfolio.
• Carry out information management functions according to relevant technical specializations such as: information coordination; geographic information systems, infographics and visualization; secure database development, management, and maintenance; development/coding of data collection tools on digital platforms; and coordinated assessment analysis.
• Engage with staff and partners to strengthen their capacities in information management, database development and data visualization. Provide technical support on MC data collection platforms, such as Commcare, Google-Drive, and MS 365. Provide capacity building on IM tools and the MC MEL TECH SUITE for team members, specifically with Commcare and ONA and other data analysis software.
• Alongside the PaQ Manager and MERL Technical Specialist, support program MEL staff on data visualization, including assisting them to develop data visualization dashboards as required.
• Alongside the MERL Technical Specialist, provide technical support to MEL staff using MC’s MEL TECH Suite, including assisting with form-building as needed, as well as on conducting Privacy Impact Assessments (PIAs) and Sensitive Information Assessments (SIAs) for protection of participant data.
• Set up IM and Data Protection SOPs for MC-Lebanon and contribute to systems that support data protection and safeguarding of Mercy Corps participants.
• Engage with MEL and IT colleagues / consultants on optimizing data flows through automation where possible.
• Serve as the primary link with technology and/or software developers.

INFORMATION ANALYSIS, OUTPUTS & REPORTING

• Set-up and manage a core information management system to store all data related to Mercy Corps’ programs indicators and beneficiaries, while also collecting, storing, and making available all relevant information and data related to Lebanon.
• Oversee the development and maintenance of internal information systems including the setup, and management of a core database to store all data related to Mercy Corps’ key performance and programs indicators and participants. Responsible for coordinating the set-up and maintenance of a cloud-based system for filing/documentation for all Mercy Corps Lebanon to meet PM@MC Minimum Standards.
• Lead and support the development and management of information products, including assessment results, mapping of activities, inter-sectoral analysis, factsheets, and internal and donor reports.
• Support program MEL teams in the setup and management of program databases, the update of TOLA and linking evidence to their indicators, the analysis and visualization of MEL data. Work with the MERL Technical Specialist to coordinate and to carry out data quality spot checks for indicator evidence.
• Alongside the MERL Technical Specialist, liaise with regional and global support to set up MC-Lebanon KPIs on TOLA Data and ensure quarterly reporting against these.
• Support oversight of data collection and data sharing schemes between MC and consortium partners.
• Lead the update of IM trackers within the PaQ unit (i.e.: SME database, participant count quarterly reporting, etc.)
• Support assessment initiatives and promote analysis of and learning from results and findings.
• Support the PaQ team to ensure all programs are reporting against ActivityInfo indicators.
• Work with the Media and Communications Coordinator to produce figures on MC program reach and key outcomes to be published on MC online platforms (Lebanon portal, social media, workplace, etc.).

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES

• 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.
• Support the Program Development and Quality Unit with other tasks as assigned.

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: PaQ Manager

Works Directly With: MERL Technical Specialist, Director of Programs, Program Managers, MEL teams, and program teams

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor degree or equivalent in Geographic Information Systems, Information Management, Information Systems, Information Technologies, Social Sciences or a related field is required. Masters is preferred.
• 5+ years of progressively responsible professional experience in managing information preferably in both humanitarian and development programs.
• Excellent technical skills in database development, cloud-based technologies, data visualization, mapping, data analysis (qualitative and quantitative), etc.
• Proven ability to work cooperatively with internal and external stakeholders, and to play a leadership role in convening groups.
• IMS and/or M&E experience in the humanitarian or development sector is essential as well as tools such as Commcare/ODK/mobile data collection, QGIS, MySQL, and business intelligence software such as Power BI.
• Ability to analyze and summarize information, evaluate options and to think and plan strategically.
• Excellent organizational, interpersonal, communication, presentation, and writing skills.
• Willingness and ability to travel to Mercy Corps project sites and field locations.
• Fluency in written and spoken English and Arabic required.

SUCCESS FACTORS

The successful candidate will have a wide range of existing knowledge regarding information gathering techniques, databases, and the design of relevant tools. S/he will have an analytical mind and be able to systemize the collection of information and present it in useful formats for programmatic and operational decisions.

It is critical that the IM Coordinator be an excellent communicator, who is supportive, and solution focused. The IM Coordinator needs to be analytical, highly motivated, self-driven and able to support Mercy Corps’ portfolio of humanitarian and development programming in Lebanon with limited daily support and direction. S/he will be capable of multitasking, rapid decision-making, have initiative, drive, and a lot of energy, as well as high emotional intelligence, constructive mentoring skills and proven experience with capacity building. S/he will have highly developed interpersonal communication skills – particularly when working in a remote context.

Successful Mercy Corps team members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and challenging environments, and make effective written and verbal communication a priority.

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 self-accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling 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.