Monitoring And Evaluation Manager And Analyst

PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT SUMMARY: Mercy Corps exists to alleviate suffering, poverty, and oppression by helping people build secure, productive, and just communities. The agency pursues its mission through emergency relief services, sustainable community development, civil society and economic development initiatives. Mercy Corps has been present in the Middle East since the 1980s and currently has offices in Yemen, Lebanon, Palestine, Jordan, Syria, Iraq, Egypt and Libya. Working in Lebanon since 1993, Mercy Corps is running community development programs focused on promoting economic development and increased opportunity for disadvantaged communities, while responding to emergencies as they have emerged. Until recently Mercy Corps’ focus had been on programs aiming to bolster civil society and give voice to under-represented groups through the empowerment of young leaders. Recently, the program portfolio has expanded in response to the massive refugee influx from Syria.  The emergency response component of the portfolio will be an increasing focus and driver of programming in Lebanon. The conflict in Syria has resulted in a steady increase in Syrian refugees to Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey.  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 urgent basic needs, protection as well as the psychosocial impact of the conflict and displacement.  A growing programmatic focus is on mitigating the emerging tensions between hosts and refugees, particularly over economic resources, by addressing both livelihood opportunities and conflict mitigation capacity. GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY: The M&E Manager will work with the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) team to manage the quality of data captured, establish and maintain database systems across programs, and analyze data for reporting purposes.  The M&E Manager is responsible for supporting Mercy Corps staff to regularly collect/ enter/ verify/analyze/ data and work with the MEL team to make timely database adjustments to measure the impact of Mercy Corps’ programs and to help ensure monitoring and evaluation data is accurately incorporated into all organizational reports and information products. The M&E Manager will directly work with assigned Sector Managers who are the point of contact for program activities. ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: 1.      Database Management and Innovation Understand, maintain and innovate a system database that improves Mercy Corps’ ability to inform program implementation, analyze data, and represent impact to key stakeholders; Ensure all relevant program staff are able to utilize the database to analyze program information and results; Design, adapt and maintain the database in conjunction with the MEL team to match strategic program or implementation changes; Provide training in use of data management and analysis tools, including FormHub, ODK Collect, Google Fusion Tables, CKAN, and MS Office products, to team members; Advise the program teams, MEL Unit and management team on how the database systems need to be maintained and managed to ensure maximum flexibility with growing programs; Review data being collected in order to locate and fix problems with data entry or integrity; Document database contents, protocols and update manuals for smooth functioning of the data management system; Manage regular synchronizations of data Troubleshoot front and back end issues with the database, including any synchronization issues with field-level data entry Develop new databases, as necessary, and find ways to integrate information from other databases to support better organizational utilization of data  2.      Monitoring and Evaluation Work with Project teams and M&E Officers to integrate M&E into ongoing project planning and implementation systems and ensure adherence to Mercy Corps M&E minimum standards; Supervise the development of appropriate monitoring, tracking and reporting systems, tools and templates 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; Supervise MEL Officers to develop and promote the use of standard indicators, tools and forms (as appropriate) and M&E practices across the project and coordinate the collection of information required for country-level management; Coordinate  assessments and evaluations; Ensure that  monitoring plans are developed for projects and ensure that regular monitoring visits are conducted by MEL staff to the different project locations and that reports are shared with the program teams; Supervise and support MEL team in writing beneficiary stories from the field; Report M&E updates across the sectors assigned to the director of M&E and Syria M&E Advisor.  3.       Implement System and Tools Work as part of a broader team to design, facilitate and support data collection and analysis systems including baseline, annual, and end line surveys, regular monitoring, data collection and analysis, feedback and reporting according to the DM&E workplan; Generate data reports (tables/graphs/reports) from the database at regular intervals, ensuring reports/information are available for program implementation staff as required. Facilitate data analysis with program implementation team as requested; Conduct regular field visits to ensure all elements of the data system is being utilized effectively, assessing and identifying breakdowns and areas that require clarifications and improvements; Coordinate with field-based managers to implement system corrections and adjustments, solving operational issues and documenting actions taken and next steps; Follow-up with relevant stakeholders on agreed upon system corrections, adjustments and actions, informing and strategizing with the MEL team, as necessary; Develop information sharing platforms with multiple applications to improve coordination and knowledge sharing among other teams.   4.      Staff Training and Capacity Building Work closely with assigned program teams and MEL Officers to develop and deliver staff/partner trainings, improving capacities in monitoring and evaluation and database management: data collection, entry, verification and analysis; and other identified needs; Follow up on trainings by mentoring staff/partners to develop identified technical skills one-on-one; Build data management and analysis skills among Mercy Corps staff, including data entry, verification, and report generation; Prepare reference sheets and develop guides on developing data management or visualization applications (such as ODK Scan, using Google Fusion Tables, or Maps in a box) and how to setup information sharing systems; Contribute to understanding of and support for mobile data collection hardware and software.  5.      Analyze Data and Reporting 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; Liaise with other Mercy Corps teams as required to ensure that the databases complement and align; Develop user-friendly web-based data visualization applications to facilitate analysis and organizational learning. Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit toMercy Corpsand to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission in Lebanon Other duties as assigned  KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE: Experience implementing, managing extensive data systems and tools from collection to analysis; Highly adept with various software, including spreadsheet, database, data analysis, presentation, statistics; Significant knowledge and understanding of the current political, social, economic, cultural and historical context of Lebanon and Syrian crisis. SUCCESS FACTORS: Team player, strong communication and diplomatic skills; Detail-oriented; Good interpersonal/communication skills; Positive, respectful attitude and collaborative approach to diversity; Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills; Excellent writing skills – ability to write in a variety of styles for multiple audiences; Good organizational skills and ability to work independently; Able to work remotely with a geographically dispersed team; Able to manage several projects simultaneously and under pressure of deadlines.