Database 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 Food Security and Livelihood Project Manager and the Protection Manager, the Database Assistant is expected to contribute to the quality assurance of our WFP E-Card data monitoring.  S/he will contribute to the monitoring and evaluation functions related to tracking program progress and quality, completing data entry of useful and actionable information for managers and decision-makers, and contribute to the frequent review, reflection and key learning process to improve performance. The Database Assistant will work closely with the Project Manager and Team Leader to document M&E and Targeting plans for the program and develop the data management system. S/he will work closely with all of the M&E Assistants and Verification Assistants in order to ensure a coherent and comprehensive program is implemented, lessons are learned and experiences shared with the team and the donor.  ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS  Monitoring and Evaluation Input monitoring data received from field teams into the Mercy Corps database including: -          PAB data entry forms -          PDM data entry forms -          Shop monitoring forms -          Price data entry forms -          Targeting data entry forms Input all monitoring data received from field teams into required reporting formats for donor reporting Analyze and disaggregate data to feed into monthly reporting Work with M&E and Targeting team to integrate M&E into ongoing program planning and implementation systems and ensure adherence to Mercy Corps M&E minimum standards; Ensure the development of appropriate monitoring, tracking and reporting systems, tools and templates that enhance monitoring of program outputs and quality, generate quality evidence on program impact and promote and ensure use of data for decision-making processes; Assist in conducting assessments and evaluations; Contribute to understanding of and support for mobile data collection hardware and software when applicable;   Analysis of data and Reporting Support program teams in data analysis and management; Liaise with program teams as required to ensure that the program database aligns with the requirements of the program; Coordinate with program team to review indicator updates on a monthly basis.  Generate data reports (tables/graphs/reports) from the program database at regular intervals, ensuring reports/information are available for program implementation staff as required. Facilitate data analysis with program implementation team as requested; Develop program operational reporting templates that facilitate the acquisition and aggregation of information in program; 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.  Capacity Building Build the capacity of all relevant team members to develop and maintain a robust M&E system.  Accountability Coordinate with the team in the office to build systems that promote beneficiary accountability by ensuring that communities participate in initial assessments and program design; 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.   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. KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE Experience with data entry, charts, and graphs organization Experience working with donors; Advanced computer skills and experience developing data management systems; Experience with qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis methodologies required; Team player who takes initiative, is a problem-solver and able to multi-task; Effective verbal and written communication skills; Written and oral communication skills in Arabic and English. Detail-oriented and highly organized.  SUCCESS FACTORS Conscientious, with excellent judgment; Multi-tasking, prioritizing and simultaneous attention to detail are essential; S/he must have the confidence, and humility, to work effectively with a large variety of people who will be diverse culturally, economically and in social status; S/he must be sensitive to political and cultural nuance and able to consistently apply excellent judgment to a variety of demanding and fast-changing situations; Ability to foster solid working relationships with government counterparts, teammates, local partners and others. Strong organizational skills and ability to work independently; S/he will have the ability to comfortably adapt to a quickly changing environment with a sense of urgency, humor, and curiosity; Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills; Excellent writing skills – ability to write in a variety of styles for multiple audiences; Able to work remotely with a geographically dispersed team; Able to manage several projects simultaneously and under pressure of deadlines.  The most successful Mercy Corps staff members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability; thrive in evolving and changing environments; make effective written and verbal communication a priority in all situations.