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 Senior MEL Coordinator 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 CLA Manager, and Senior IM Coordinator, the Senior MEL Coordinator will develop and amend the indicators, MEL systems, and plans to track and report on activity indicators. The Senior MEL Coordinator 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 Senior MEL Coordinator 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 Senior MEL Coordinator will be responsible for enhancing the capacity of MEL officers and assistants.
The Senior MEL Coordinator will be responsible for drafting 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. Collaborating with the Information Management team, the Senior MEL Coordinator will ensure that all data collection tools are well-designed and that program teams, including partners, have the capacity to collect accurate data in line with Iqlaa’s MEL frameworks, systems, and automated tools.
The Senior MEL Coordinator will be responsible for developing and revising MEL plans and tools for Iqlaa’s partners and sub-grantees. Therefore, to analyze and report data to inform decision-making, track progress, and demonstrate the impact of Iqlaa 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 Senior MEL Coordinator 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
- Support the PQL Director to 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, using Iqlaa’s PQL automated systems and with a focus on qualitative data analysis and reporting for quality donor reporting.
- Take the lead on establishing data collection tools and instruments in coordination with the Senior Information Manager Coordinator 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 maintain master MEL Plans for all Iqlaa’s interventions.
- 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 teams utilizing and in line with Iqlaa’s PQL Automated systems, including partners, can collect accurate data.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
● In coordination and collaboration with the CLA Manager and Senior Information Management Coordinator, 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 MEL data as well as 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.
●Coordinate with all partners, sub-grantees, and technical leads to ensure adherence with Iqlaa MEL system and data collection requirements.
Evaluation Data
- ●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, Senior Information Management Coordinator, 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 theproject.
- 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