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

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 catalysing economic opportunities for vulnerable, under-employed groups in Lebanon

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

Program Summary

With funding from the United Kingdom Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (UK CSSF), Mercy Corps launched and successfully implemented the program, Improved Networks, Training and Jobs (INTAJ) 3 in Lebanon (INTAJ 3), a one-year programme to refine and test interventions to improve stability and Solid Waste Management and Recycling (SWM/R) service delivery while reducing grievances and improving perceptions and trust between community members in Lebanon. The current program, IJMAA, will build on learnings from INTAJ 3 and will aim to deliver a reduction in drivers of tension amongst and between Lebanese host communities, refugees and municipal authorities in Lebanon through fostering dialogue and peacebuilding mechanisms, and providing rapid stabilisation support, particularly in relation to waste management as well as other sources of tensions.

General Position Summary

The MEL Officer is expected to contribute to the quality assurance of program implementation. S/he 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 Officer will work closely with the MEL Coordinator, the MEL Manager (depending on program structure) and the Program Manager to develop and document M&E plans for the program and develop the data management systems. S/he will assist in implementing review and learning processes (e.g., complaints mechanisms, feedback loops, lessons learned documentation and sharing, etc.). S/he 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 development and management of 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;
• Work with the MEL Coordinator and Program teams to integrate M&E into ongoing project planning and implementation systems and ensure adherence to Mercy Corps M&E minimum standards;
• Coordinate with partner organizations to ensure data is collected on time and entered in a timely manner;
• Lead on data collection for assessments and evaluations;
• Support use of digital data collection for M&E needs wherever possible;
• Generate quality evidence on program impacts and promote use of data for decision-making processes;
• Conduct regular monitoring visits and spot checks to the different project locations;
• Support documentation of project progress through tracking attendance sheets, photos, etc.
• 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 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 MEL Coordinator and the project team to review indicator updates on a monthly basis. Generate data reports (tables/graphs/reports) from the project databases at regular intervals, ensuring reports/information are available for project implementation staff as required. Facilitate data analysis with project implementation team as requested;
• Contribute data and analysis to program reports;
• 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;
• Contribute to program achievement reporting on TOLA, Activity Info, and other relevant reporting mechanisms;
• Support in the intra-agency referral mechanism;
• Other tasks as required.

Capacity Building

• Build the capacity of all relevant team members to develop and maintain a robust M&E system;
• Build the capacity of local partners in the area of M&E and reporting;
• Adapt existing protocols and plans to mentor and coach colleagues to enable them to develop high quality reports.

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;
• 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: MEL Coordinator

Works Directly With: MEL Manager, IJMAA Programme Staff

Knowledge and Experience

• • BA/S or equivalent, preferable in social sciences, business administration, public administration, international development or other relevant disciplines;

• • 1-2 years M&E and/or research experience;
  • Fluent in both spoken and written Arabic with good knowledge of English;
  • Previous experience working with international and/or local NGOs;
  • Good computer skills and experience developing data management systems including ONA/KoBo/ODK is an asset;

• • Relevant experience in field survey/data collection techniques, data entry, data verification, and analysis;

• • Good data management understanding and skills;
  • Strong team coordination, listening, and consensus building skills.

Success Factors

The successful MEL Officer 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.