Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Specialist

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 now, and in the
future.
Mercy Corps has worked in Jordan since 2003 to implement a variety of programs funded by global
public institutions, as well as private donors to meet the urgent needs of vulnerable populations, build
cohesive and civically engaged communities, and increase inclusive economic opportunities. Mercy
Corps’ current portfolio in Jordan focuses on three domains: resilient individuals, strong communities
and governance, and environmentally sustainable and inclusive economic growth. Mercy Corps
integrates cross-cutting themes of youth, gender equality, and empowerment, governance, natural
resource management, and technology.
The Program/Department Summary
Informal Livelihoods Advancement Activity (Iqlaa) is a five-year USAID-funded program that aims to
support Jordan's home-based businesses (HBBs) and Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) to grow,
transform, and become resilient to future shocks. HBBs and MSEs are essential drivers of employment
and economic stability in Jordan. Micro and small enterprises represent 98 percent of all businesses in
Jordan and compose half of the country’s private sector employment. Therefore, the Iqlaa approach
places formal and informal Jordanian HBBs and MSEs on a path to recovery, stabilization, and growth
following the unprecedented COVID-19 crisis, focusing on four critical sectors: agriculture, tourism,
manufacturing, and services, with special attention to technology development and implementation.
Mercy Corps' approach to IQLAA integrates direct assistance with market systems development
(MSD) interventions to support MSEs along the full journey from recovery to growth and resilience.
Grounded in evidence-based, adaptive, and inclusive support, Jordan’s MSEs can emerge from the
COVID-19 crisis stronger and more resilient, transformed through new ways of doing business and
improved access to financial markets, and services. Understanding that women, youth, and people
living with disabilities (PLWD) face unique constraints to starting up and leading resilient MSEs, Mercy
Corps design will infuse a Gender, Youth, and Social Inclusion (GYSI) lens throughout all interventions.
Mercy Corps approach is committed to supporting MSEs to build back, formalize, and grow,
emphasizing systems-level change, equitable opportunities, and a dignified work environment for all
women, men, and youth, and PLWD in Jordan.
General Position Summary
The MEL Specialist will provide technical leadership and assistance in monitoring and evaluating
activities within the Iqlaa activity. S/He will lead the operationalization and revision of the Activity
Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Plan (AMELP) in compliance with donor requirements and reflecting Iqlaa interventions. Collaborating with technical leads, the MEL Manager will develop indicators, MEL systems, and plans to track and report on activity indicators. The MEL Specialist will ensure timely and quality maintenance and implementation of MEL systems and data collection tools, to ensure high-quality reporting to the donor and Mercy Corps. S/He will lead the development of data collection tools for the Iqlaa team, partners, and all implementing partners,with the goal of collecting high-quality data for reporting, adaptive management, and program decision-making processes.

The MEL Specialist will take the lead in developing a systematic and realistic monitoring plan,
contributing to activity design, giving guidance, and conducting evaluation and monitoring activities
during activity implementation and close. S/He will work closely with partners to develop and
undertake their M&E activities. In addition, the MEL Specialist will be responsible for enhancing the
capacity of MEL officers and assistants.
The MEL Specialist will be responsible for establishing data collection tools and instruments, ensuring
that Iqlaa MEL activities meet all donor, Mercy Corps Global, and Mercy Corps Jordan requirements
as stipulated in respective policies or guidance notes. S/He will ensure data quality based on USAID
criteria of quality data and lead internal and external data quality assessments (DQAs). Collaborating
with the Information Management team, the MEL Specialist will ensure that all data collection tools
are well-designed and that program teams, including partners, have the capacity to collect accurate
data.
For market system development (MSD) interventions, The MEL Specialist will work closely with the
PQL Director and CLA Manager to undertake monitoring and evaluation activities for MSD
interventions to ensure that they are implemented effectively and efficiently in accordance with the
designed interventions. The MEL Specialist will be responsible for developing and revising MEL plans
and tools for MSD activities and analyzing and reporting data to inform decision-making, track
progress, and demonstrate the impact of MSD intervention.
The MEL Manager will manage a team of MEL Officers and MEL Assistants and work closely with MEL
focal points from Iqlaa partners. S/He will report directly to the PQL Director.
Overall, the MEL Specialist will be responsible for providing technical leadership and assistance,
ensuring high-quality monitoring, evaluation, and learning activities, and promoting a culture of data
use for adaptive management and improved program outcomes.

Essential Job Responsibilities
Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning
• Maintain and operationalize the Activity Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Plan (AMELP) in
compliance with the donor’s requirements.
• Lead the design and implementation of a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation system for
all project aspects, including the development of monitoring tools and reports for donors and
stakeholders.
• Develop and implement monitoring and evaluation activities to align with USAID and MC
Jordan and global MEL requirements.
• Ensure the timely and quality implementation of MEL systems and data collection tools, with
a focus on analysis and reporting for quality donor reporting.
• Take the lead on establishing data collection tools and instruments that will be used by the
Iqlaa team, including partners and all implementing partners, and ensure timely and quality
development, testing, and management of data.
• Develop data collection tools to monitor project progress against set milestones and evaluate
the impact of project activities in targeted communities.
• Lead the process of co-developing MEL plans for partners, sub-grantees, and sub-awardees.
Therefore, to provide ongoing assistance and guidance to ensure proper implementation of
MEL activities.
• Develop a master MEL plan for MC, partners, and all implementing partners.

• Develop and regularly update a master indicator list for all indicators developed by
implementing partners.
• Develop a MEL tool plan that includes the purpose, frequency, and responsibility of using each
tool.
• Ensure the monitoring and evaluation part is included in any Iqlaa RFAs and RFPS, including
those for partners.
• Collaborate with the Information Management team to design data collection tools in
CommCare and ensure program teams, including partners, can collect accurate data.
• Plan and conduct Data Quality Assessments (DQAs).
• Ensure proper MEL documentation, including MEL folders for indicators with all raw and
analytic datasets/evidence, data collection tools, analysis workbooks, and related
documentation.
• Ensure data protection in accordance with Responsible Data Policy and evaluation
requirements.
• Plan and conduct the final internal performance review and align it with quarterly review
sessions in collaboration with the technical leads, CLA manager and PQL Director.
• Develop and update the MEL plan using TolaData, including a logic model and Indicator Plan
reflecting sex and age disaggregation (SADD) for relevant indicators. Therefore, to manage
and regularly update TolaData for Iqlaa Activity.
• Ensure monitoring and evaluation systems and tools, data collection, entry, cleaning, and
storage are appropriately implemented by the MEL team.
• Analyze monitoring and evaluation data to an appropriate standard and use analysis results to
inform project decision-making.
• Lead the implementation of project evaluation assessments in coordination with PQL Director
and CLA Manager.
• Coordinate the implementation of surveys, focus group discussions, interviews, and follow-up
on monitoring and evaluation exercises for various initiatives in targeted communities.
• Ensure compliance with relevant Mercy Corps MEL policy and donor MEL policies and
regulations.
• Complete any other duties assigned.
Data Collection – Monitoring Data
● Take the lead on establishing data collection tools and instruments that will be used by the
Iqlaa team, including partners and all implementing partners, and ensure timely and quality
development, testing, and management of data.
● Develop data collection tools to monitor project progress against set milestones and evaluate
the impact of project activities in targeted communities.
● Develop data collection tools and instruments in coordination with Information Management
Coordinator – including digitized data collection methods i.e. ODK collection built on XLS
forms.
● Support the Information Management team in ensuring a comprehensive and updated database
for the project is maintained and reflected on Iqlaa information management system.

● Keep up to date with the latest technologies to facilitate data-driven programmatic decision-
making and project quality assurance.

Evaluation Data
● Lead the coordination and development of research questions and methodology for measuring
the impact of Iqlaa interventions and report to the relevant stakeholders accordingly.
● Coordinate the implementation of surveys, focus group discussions, interviews, and follow-up
on evaluation exercises for various initiatives under Iqlaa.

• Plan and conduct the annual surveys and final internal performance review and align it with
quarterly and annual review sessions in collaboration with the technical leads, CLA manager,
and PQL Director.
• Work with the PQL Director in the development of TORs and SoWs for planned MEL-related
studies, evaluations, and assessments.
Capacity Building and Mentoring
● Provide leadership and mentoring to the MEL team. This includes maintaining a professional
culture of excellence, engagement, and empowerment. Therefore, delegate duties purposively
to build the capacity of subordinates.
● Provide training in the development of MEL plans, MEL tools, as well as survey design,
methodology, data collection, and other skills as required for assessing the impact of the
project on the MEL team, technical team, partners, and Iqlaa implementing partners.
● Supervise and provide technical guidance to the MEL team, ensuring they effectively carry out
their duties and responsibilities.
● Develop individual work plans and provide regular feedback and coaching to the MEL team
members.
● Lead in conducting basic and advanced MEL training (including data collection methods,
capturing success stories, analyzing and interpreting data, and reporting) to build and raise the
capacity of project teams.
● Provide continuous support and mentoring to project MEL officers and assistants to undertake
enhanced MEL tasks in the project.
● Ensure that all MEL team members are adhering to USAID and MC MEL policies and
procedures.
● Ensure that all MEL team members are adhering to ethical and data protection standards while
collecting, storing, and sharing data.
● Conduct performance evaluations for MEL team members and develop capacity-building plans
to address any identified gaps.
● Foster a positive team environment, learning culture, encourage collaboration, and recognize
team members’ contributions to the project’s success.
Reporting
● Ensure appropriate internal communication and feedback systems are in place and functioning
so that MEL informs project planning and implementation.
● Ensure high quality and timely preparation of MEL data for reports to donors and other
stakeholders such as the annual, quarterly, and monthly reports in close coordination with the
PQL Director and IM Coordinator (focusing largely on high-level indicators), including:
1) Technical ad-hoc reports
2) Weekly reports
3) Quarterly report (MEL progress Quarterly review reports and progress on indicators)
4) Annual report (MEL progress and DQAs report and progress on indicators)
5) Final report including (Final Internal Learning review Report, MEL progress report,
and progress on indicators)

● Ensure that the contractual MEL obligations and indicators are analyzed and reported to
expected quality standards in a timely manner.
● Coordinate to support the presentation and dissemination process of monitoring and
evaluation findings to management, MC higher management, HQ representatives, and donors.
● Lead on maintaining and reporting on Mercy Corps’ TolaData and USAID’s DevResults portals
on a regular basis.

● Support in developing Iqlaa reports by incorporating the most updated MEL data.
● Contribute to documentation, project data, lessons learned, and best practices for internal
and external sharing.
Project Coordination Activities
● Chair the MEL community of practice for Iqlaa MEL Focal points, and actively participate in
MC’s MEL community of practices.
● Manage and monitor consultants’ work on a regular basis and review deliverables provided to
make sure they’re meeting the minimum standards.
● Assist in facilitating field visits for Mercy Corps staff and donor agency visitors.
● Ensure the integration of team members and partners into MEL relevant decision-making
processes.
● Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit
to Mercy Corps and not jeopardize its humanitarian and development missions.
● Ensure implementation of safeguarding policies and procedures.

Organizational Learning
As part of MC's commitment to organizational learning and in support of the understanding that
learning organizations are more effective, efficient, and relevant to the communities they serve – all
MC team members are expected to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy
Corps as well as themselves.
Accountability To Beneficiaries
● Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability,
specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and
development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the
design, monitoring, and evaluation of our field projects.
● Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect
local laws, customs, and MC's policies, procedures, and values always and in all in-country
venues.
Supervisory Responsibility: Senior MEL Officer, MEL Officers (x2) and MEL Assistants (x3)
Reports Directly To: Program Quality and Learning (PQL) Director
Works Directly With: CLA Manager, IM Coordinator, Technical leads, DCOP, MC senior MEL
manager and PAQ Director, Communications Director, procurement team, and finance teams
Knowledge And Experience:
▪ Bachelor’s degree in quality management, project management, Sociology, Economics,
Statistics, International Development, or other relevant fields.
▪ Master’s degree in Sociology, Economics, Statistics, International Development, or other
relevant fields is highly preferred.
▪ Minimum of 7 years of experience, 5 of which within international development or
humanitarian assistance projects. The specific experience in MSEs/HBBs development is a plus.
▪ Proven experience in leading a team.
▪ Demonstrated skills in data collection, statistical analysis methods, and database management.
▪ Demonstrated experience in building log-frame, indicators, and relevant data collection tools

▪ Experience developing and delivering training on MEL.
▪ Very strong writing skills, including reports, best practices, case studies, etc.
▪ Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Excel and Word.
▪ Proficiency in developing XLS forms and using ODK is required.
▪ Fluency in spoken and written Arabic and English.

SUCCESS FACTORS:
▪ Deep commitment to humanitarian principles and values.
▪ Willingness to learn new skills and methodologies.
▪ Ability to work under pressure, independently, and with limited supervision.
▪ Demonstrated organizational skills.
▪ Demonstrated creative problem-solving skills.
▪ Security, political and cultural awareness.
▪ Ability to provide a high-quality report in English.
▪ Ability to multi-task while meeting several pressing deadlines.
▪ Mature, responsible, and diplomatic in their interactions with others.
▪ Pays attention to detail and is meticulous, thorough, and results-oriented.
COMPETENCIES:
▪ Accountability.
▪ Coaching.
▪ Attention to Details/Accuracy.
▪ Focus on Quality.
▪ Analytical Thinking.
▪ Planning and Prioritization Skills.
MERCY CORPS DIVERSITY STATEMENT
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.
SAFEGUARDING & ETHICS
Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our
work, whether team members, community members, project 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.

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