Key Expert 4: Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning Expert

Addis Ababa

Organization: Mercy Corps
Location: Addis Ababa
Grade: Senior level - Senior
Occupational Groups:
- Education, Learning and Training
- Monitoring and Evaluation
Closing Date: Closed

Contingent upon funding!

Position Title: Key Expert 4: Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning Expert

Duty Station:Addis Ababa

Open Position: 1

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.

Mercy Corps has been present in Ethiopia since 2004 working to drive bold and transformative ideas, working closely with government, the private sector and civil society actors to build a more resilient country, ensuring that programs are responsive to and influenced by participants and stakeholders. With the launch of Mercy Corps Global Strategy, Pathway to Possibility, the country office is poised to operationalize its three-year strategy with a vision to enhance the resilience of climate- and conflict-affected communities through market systems development for improved livelihoods, access to food, and safe and clean water to thrive in the face of crises. In Ethiopia, our strategy focuses in the four outcome areas: 1) Economically marginalized populations have improved and diversified livelihoods, income, and assets; 2) Pastoralists, farmers, and households have access to sustainably produced, safe, nutritious food; 3) Social cohesion and inclusive governance processes are built in crisis-affected communities; and 4) People have equitable, sustained access to clean water and sanitation for domestic and productive use. Currently, we operate in six regional states – Afar, Gambella, Oromia, Somali, Amhara and South Ethiopia. Working with a diverse base of donors that includes United States Agency for International Development (USAID), European Union, GAC, Hilton Foundation, United Nations (UN), JOA, Sweden, EKN, and other foundations, Mercy Corps Ethiopia empowers people to recover from crisis, build better lives and transform their communities for good.

The Programme

This opportunity focuses on providing technical assistance to strengthen economic transformation in areas affected by conflict and migration in Ethiopia. The specific objective of the contract is to support and enhance the capacity of the local economy to generate employment opportunities within existing and potential value chains. These efforts will target refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), returnees, and host communities, fostering inclusive economic development and resilience.

The Position

The expert will play a critical role in designing and implementing robust MEAL systems and tools for donor-supported programmes, with a particular focus on forced displacement contexts. Drawing on a strong background in MEAL capacity development, the expert will develop comprehensive MEAL frameworks, deliver training, and provide ongoing coaching to enhance programme impact and accountability. The expert will ensure data-driven decision-making and foster continuous improvement to meet programme objectives effectively.

Essential Responsibilities

STRATEGY AND PLANNING

Collaborate with programme leadership to design and implement MEAL strategies that align with programme objectives in forced displacement and migration contexts.

Develop and refine MEAL frameworks, systems, and tools to monitor progress, evaluate outcomes, and enhance accountability.

Lead the identification and establishment of key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure programme impact and inform decision-making.

Coordinate with stakeholders to ensure MEAL strategies align with donor requirements, national policies, and programme priorities.

Facilitate capacity-building initiatives, including training and coaching, to strengthen MEAL skills among team members and local stakeholders.

Ensure data collection processes are gender-sensitive and inclusive, capturing the experiences of vulnerable populations, including refugees, IDPs, and host communities.

Analyse data and produce high-quality reports, providing actionable insights to improve programme design, delivery, and impact.

Support the development of partnerships to enhance MEAL practices and foster knowledge sharing among stakeholders.

Monitor and evaluate programme activities, making recommendations to refine approaches and ensure continuous learning and improvement.

REGIONAL SYSTEMS AND SUPPORT FUNCTIONS

Review and support country team adherence to Mercy Corps and donor policies and procedures;

Assist in capturing and disseminating best practices on operations, finance and HR systems across country teams to ensure highest quality and standards.

Collaborate with country finance leads in producing bi-annual master budgets.

HUMAN RESOURCES, SAFEGUARDING AND DIVERSITY

Support Mercy Corps global and regional initiatives for human resources, including safeguarding and diversity, and talent development;

Collaborate with the people team to promote staff access to high quality learning opportunities, with a special emphasis on national team member development;

RISK MANAGEMENT

Engage and support the programme team to ensure that adequate risk management systems are in place;

Collaborate with country leadership to support preparedness and response to major disruptive events;

Engage with country team on the internal audit process to track findings and ensure country team compliance with IA findings and recommendations;

Engage with country level Ethics and Assurance managers as well as the global Ethics and Assurance department to track and analyze trends and needs across countries;

Supervisory Responsibility

TBC

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Key Expert 1: Team Leader

Works Directly With: Programme team (Key and Non-Key Experts), country leadership and heads of Finance, Operations and HR departments.

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

Qualifications and skills 

Master’s Degree in statistics, economics or a relevant, directly related discipline, or, in its absence, equivalent relevant professional experience of minimum 10 years.

General professional experience 

Minimum 5 years professional experience in designing and/or implementing MEAL systems and tools for donor-supported programmes;

Minimum 5 years professional experience in Africa is a requirement. Relevant experience in Ethiopia would be an advantage;

An excellent verbal and written command of English is required.

Specific professional experience 

Minimum 3 years of experience relating to MEAL in forced displacement contexts;

Minimum 3 years of experience relating to MEAL capacity development (development of MEAL package, training, capacity building, coaching).

Success Factors

The successful candidate will demonstrate exceptional coordination, and relationship-building skills, with a particular focus on fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders in value chain development. They will excel at facilitating partnerships and driving innovative approaches to engage and include vulnerable populations in economic systems. A strong ability to navigate complex challenges, think strategically, and adapt to evolving priorities is essential.

The ideal candidate will possess excellent interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills, enabling them to build trust and maintain productive relationships with community members, business leaders, and development partners. A commitment to inclusivity, flexibility, and openness to new ideas will support continuous improvement and innovation in value chain initiatives. A positive attitude, a collaborative spirit, and the ability to inspire and motivate teams will be key to achieving success. Fluency in English is essential for clear communication and report writing.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position is based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and it may require up to 40% travel to support country programme, which may include travel to insecure locations where freedom of movement is limited and areas where amenities are limited. Housing for this role is in individual housing and staff will have access to good medical services and the living situation is of a high standard.

Ongoing Learning

In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

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.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact.

We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

Safeguarding & Ethics

Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program 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. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct elearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

All qualified individuals are invited to apply for the advertised position. All applications, including a CV, three references, and all applicable official papers, must be sent electronically.

Only candidates that are short-listed will be acknowledged and called for interviews.

“Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer promoting gender, equity and diversity. Qualified female and young candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. We are committed to empower women and youth.”

DEADLINE FOR ALL APPLICATIONS: December 26 2024 / 4:00 PM

This vacancy is now closed.