Description
This position is for 3 months employment. Possible to be based in other Asia countries (with not more than 3 hours time different with Timor-Leste)
This position is for 3 months employment. Possible to be based in other Asia countries (with not more than 3 hours time different with Timor-Leste)
About Mercy Corps
Mercy Corps is powered by the belief that a better world is possible. To do this, we know our teams do their best work when they are diverse and every team member feels that they belong. We welcome diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be stronger and have long term impact
Department Summary
Timor-Leste is the newest country in Asia, having gained independence in 2002 after decades of conflict. Timor-Leste is working to build its new democracy with still-nascent institutions, limited human capital, and significant economic, food security, and health challenges. Since establishing operations in Timor-Leste in 2007, Mercy Corps has earned a reputation for innovative and high-quality programming with our community-led, market-based approach. Local businesses, associations and CSOs benefit from our critical support igniting Timor-Leste’s engine for inclusive growth and prosperity. Our Timor-Leste team is headquartered in Dili, the capital, with partners and offices strategically located throughout the country, and a portfolio valued at around US 17 million dollars. Partnering with a diverse funding base that includes the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), European Commission (EC), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), and several large companies, foundations and NGOs, Mercy Corps empowers people to recover from crisis, build better lives and transform their communities for good. We stand with Timor-Leste to find and access opportunities, and to be part of lasting and meaningful transformation in the country.
General Position Summary
The Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) Advisor is a key, short-term position in Mercy Corps designed to support team transitions, and the nationalization of Timor-Leste’s MERL team. The MERL Advisor will be responsible for technical leadership on upcoming programmatic assessment, research and evaluation projects, and ensuring that MERL research deliverables are of a high quality and are delivered in a timely manner. S/he will support MERL inputs in proposal development and work with the 5-person Timor-Leste MERL team to refine indicator plans, tailor data collection tools and data flows, and build user-friendly dashboards for new programs. The MERL Advisor will also provide technical support to the MERL Manager and team to ensure that the country office meets Mercy Corps’ MEL Policy Minimum Standards and that Timor-Leste’s MERL systems, processes and practices contribute to improved program quality, performance, results and impact.
Essential Job Responsibilities
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Accountability
Reports Directly to: Director of Programs
Works Directly with: MERL Manager, MERL Senior Officer, MERL Officers, Program Managers, Country Director
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.
Knowledge and Experience
The ideal candidate will have a strong curiosity for understanding and working effectively within the complex cultural, political, social and economic environment of Timor-Leste. S/he will be an excellent communicator, task manager, and able to work in ambiguous situations. S/he will be a tolerant and flexible individual able to work in difficult and stressful circumstances and follow procedures. The successful candidate will be focused on team-building and capacity-building of national staff; be a strategic thinker, have strong skills in design monitoring and evaluation of development programs and maintain a sense of humor.
Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions
The position is based in Timor-Leste with possibility based in other countries within Asia region where Mercy Corps operates (not more than 3 hours time different with Dili). The MERL Specialist will engage proactively and reliably with the Mercy Corps team in Timor-Leste. Some flexibility with work times to align with working hours in Dili is strongly preferred.
Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all venues. Fostering a diverse and open workplace is an important part of Mercy Corps’ vision. Mercy Corps is an Equal Opportunity Employer regardless of background. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment.
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.
Mercy Corps is powered by the belief that a better world is possible. To do this, we know our teams do their best work when they are diverse and every team member feels that they belong. We welcome diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be stronger and have long term impact
Department Summary
Timor-Leste is the newest country in Asia, having gained independence in 2002 after decades of conflict. Timor-Leste is working to build its new democracy with still-nascent institutions, limited human capital, and significant economic, food security, and health challenges. Since establishing operations in Timor-Leste in 2007, Mercy Corps has earned a reputation for innovative and high-quality programming with our community-led, market-based approach. Local businesses, associations and CSOs benefit from our critical support igniting Timor-Leste’s engine for inclusive growth and prosperity. Our Timor-Leste team is headquartered in Dili, the capital, with partners and offices strategically located throughout the country, and a portfolio valued at around US 17 million dollars. Partnering with a diverse funding base that includes the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), European Commission (EC), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), and several large companies, foundations and NGOs, Mercy Corps empowers people to recover from crisis, build better lives and transform their communities for good. We stand with Timor-Leste to find and access opportunities, and to be part of lasting and meaningful transformation in the country.
General Position Summary
The Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) Advisor is a key, short-term position in Mercy Corps designed to support team transitions, and the nationalization of Timor-Leste’s MERL team. The MERL Advisor will be responsible for technical leadership on upcoming programmatic assessment, research and evaluation projects, and ensuring that MERL research deliverables are of a high quality and are delivered in a timely manner. S/he will support MERL inputs in proposal development and work with the 5-person Timor-Leste MERL team to refine indicator plans, tailor data collection tools and data flows, and build user-friendly dashboards for new programs. The MERL Advisor will also provide technical support to the MERL Manager and team to ensure that the country office meets Mercy Corps’ MEL Policy Minimum Standards and that Timor-Leste’s MERL systems, processes and practices contribute to improved program quality, performance, results and impact.
Essential Job Responsibilities
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
- Lead document reviews and assessments to support upcoming new business opportunities.
- Assist in designing programs that incorporate Mercy Corps’ standards on design, monitoring, and evaluation.
- Develop and refine Theories of Changes, log frames and indicators, using Mercy Corps resources.
- Lead the development of key MERL start-up deliverables, such as MEL Activity Plans.
- Ensure programs that are in the early phase of implementation have high-quality, well understood M&E plans, processes, and practices. Work with program and MERL team members to:
- Co-develop Performance Management Plans (Indicator Plans + Indicator Performance Tracking Tables);
- Update or build new ONA data collection tools;
o Ensure data collection, cleaning, analysis, visualization and review processes are integrated into o Mercy Corps Timor-Leste’s Knua system;
o Co-build program-specific Knua dashboards;
o Ensure Indicator Plans are added to Tola, Mercy Corps’ Global system.
o Co-build program-specific Knua dashboards;
o Ensure Indicator Plans are added to Tola, Mercy Corps’ Global system.
- Collaborate closely with Program Managers and MERL team members to ensure M&E systems and processes serve the needs of the program team, the country portfolio, and the donor.
- Lead/conduct specified assessments, research and evaluation projects, including design, data collection, analysis, synthesis and reporting.
- Liaise with consultants, program and MERL team members to ensure contracted/outsourced assessments are technically sound, accurate and meet the needs of Mercy Corps team members and donors.
- Support the capacity of national MERL team members to conduct analysis and derive insights.
- Coordinate with the Country Director, Director of Programs, MERL Manager and Program Managers to ensure that reports are timely, high-quality, and responsive to donors.
- Assist program teams in timely and accurate reporting to donors.
- Support national team capacity building and transitions through coaching in report writing and quality control of final written products.
- Conduct MERL quality reviews for specified programs focused on assessing M&E data collection and analysis practices, and adherence to minimum standards.
- Support the MERL Manager to ensure that Mercy Corps Timor-Leste meets or exceeds Mercy Corps MEL Policy Minimum Standards, and that Timor-Leste’s MERL systems, processes and practices contribute to improved program quality, performance, results and impact.
- Support the Timor-Leste MERL team to develop and maintain a system that improves the country’s ability to analyze and represent impact to donors, government, colleague agencies, and communities themselves.
- Work with MERL, program and HQ support teams to build a culture of adaptive management, evidence and learning in Timor-Leste, and support better performance of the country team in these areas. Assist country teams to make use of M&E data and contribute to evidence-based learning.
- Build the capacity of relevant team members to develop and maintain MERL processes and practices, including the periodic reflection and analysis of program monitoring data to disseminate learning.
- Engage with CDs, DoP and MERL Manager on leadership issues related to monitoring and evaluation and the relationship between M&E and program quality – including use of indicators.
- Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback informally and formally.
- Sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
- Assist team members with information, tools and resources to improve performance and reach objectives.
- Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
- 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.
Accountability
Reports Directly to: Director of Programs
Works Directly with: MERL Manager, MERL Senior Officer, MERL Officers, Program Managers, Country Director
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.
Knowledge and Experience
- BA/S or equivalent, preferable in international development, economics, evaluation or gender. MA/S in relevant field strongly preferred.
- 4 years of experience in program quality, monitoring and evaluation, including relevant experience building M&E systems, leading data collection and data validation exercises, developing high quality deliverables and building staff capacity.
- Experience working with a variety of donors, including USAID and DFAT.
- High degree of computer literacy; Excel and Word skills are essential. ONA, Tableau and Open Data Studio skills are strongly preferred.
- Excellent organizational skills, an ability to manage and meet deadlines and to work independently (on a multi-task load).
- Excellent English communication skills are essential. Tetun communication skills are strongly preferred.
- Internationally recognized qualification in project or program management strongly preferred.
The ideal candidate will have a strong curiosity for understanding and working effectively within the complex cultural, political, social and economic environment of Timor-Leste. S/he will be an excellent communicator, task manager, and able to work in ambiguous situations. S/he will be a tolerant and flexible individual able to work in difficult and stressful circumstances and follow procedures. The successful candidate will be focused on team-building and capacity-building of national staff; be a strategic thinker, have strong skills in design monitoring and evaluation of development programs and maintain a sense of humor.
Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions
The position is based in Timor-Leste with possibility based in other countries within Asia region where Mercy Corps operates (not more than 3 hours time different with Dili). The MERL Specialist will engage proactively and reliably with the Mercy Corps team in Timor-Leste. Some flexibility with work times to align with working hours in Dili is strongly preferred.
Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all venues. Fostering a diverse and open workplace is an important part of Mercy Corps’ vision. Mercy Corps is an Equal Opportunity Employer regardless of background. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment.
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.
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