Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Technology Coordinator – Cash Consortium of Sudan (CCS)

Monitoring & Evaluation Nairobi, Kenya

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Description

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.

Program / Department Summary 
Mercy Corps’ Sudan crisis response seeks to meet the humanitarian needs of vulnerable Sudanese and other conflict-affected people across the country. Mercy Corps Sudan is recognized as a leader in market systems, agricultural, and food security and building on this experience, the MC Sudan humanitarian program will layer in resilience and other program activities where appropriate and feasible to do so. Mercy Corps is scaling up to reach upwards of 200,000 conflict affected people with multi-purpose cash assistance, targeted voucher programs, in-kind and services provision across the country. Our impact will be delivered with a focus on needs, in partnership with local actors and civil society, and embrace the safe, appropriate, and accountable use of digital systems and technologies to support the response.

The Cash Consortium of Sudan (CCS), a collaborative platform to advance a progressive vision of the potential of cash assistance to transform humanitarian response and recovery in partnership with vulnerable conflict-affected populations in Sudan. CCS is led by Mercy Corps, building on its extensive global experience as lead agency within a cash consortium, with cash coordination and breadth of technical resources. International partners include Acted, CARE, the International Rescue Committee (IRC), and the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), each of which bring strong cash and complementary technical competencies, as well as expansive operational coverage in Sudan. The CCS also includes ten Sudanese NGOs as partners in alignment with global aid sector commitments to enhance the prominence of local actors in driving humanitarian response and recovery. IMPACT is a non-implementing partner dedicated to Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning. IMPACT will support quality data systems and an objective evidence base that will be essential to CCS’ accountability and adaptive management to refine programming approaches to enhance impact as the Sudan crisis context evolves. The CCS will work closely with other consortia and actors in Sudan to deliver an effective CVA response for communities affected by the crisis.

The MEL Technology Coordinator is a core member of the CCS Secretariat team. The MEL Technology Coordinator is focused on improve the CCS MEL System by supporting the partners’ and developing/maintaining technological solutions for program Data collection, curation and analysis. 

 

General Position Summary 

The CCS MEL Technology Coordinator will support the establishment and ongoing maintenance of a harmonized/standardized common data standards, data schema, and data collection tools that would be available for the entirety of the consortium. This includes creating interactive reporting infographics such as dashboards and other business intelligence solutions; establishing harmonized/standardized (but adaptable) questions/variable naming conventions, identifying data types/database schema to be able to establish a harmonized consortium MEL Microsoft Azure cloud database/infrastructure that is integratable with the Mercy Corps MEL Tech suite of tools (including  CommCare, Power BI). The MEL Technology Coordinator will also support the setup, piloting, customization, documentation/guidance, development and deployment of the CommCare data management system and data automation system (cleansing/processing/analytics through linkages between CommCare, Microsoft Azure and Microsoft Power BI).
The role will provide programmatic support to the MEL Manager and Consortium Director, leading information management and data quality control. It will also effectively assist the CCS MEL Manager in tracking indicators, processing data and establishing monitoring and evaluation practices with high quality standards.
The MEL Technology Coordinator is responsible for  the management, implementation and administration of the consortium's Azure databases and will support the information sharing and analysis processes with other programs, organizations and institutions. They also inform the MEL Manager about early alerts related to compliance with minimum standards of monitoring, evaluation and data quality required by donors and partner organizations.
They will support the capacity building and mentoring strategy for the MEL staff of CCS partners on regular Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning activities. Additionally, will work with different team members globally across HQ (PaQ, TSU, HLR, T4D, IT) and with Mercy Corps country/regional program and MEL team members to establish and document the data standards/data schema, workflows and strategies related with MEL automation processes. 




Essential Job Responsibilities 
Establish Harmonized/Standardized Data Collection Tools, Common Data Standards
  • Maintain and develop the information system for the Cash Consortium of Sudan (CCS), including all data collection, transformation, visualization and security tools and processes with the objective of contributing to the continuous improvement of the consortium's MEL activities.
  • Maintain harmonized/standardized data collection tools (XLS forms in CommCare) in collaboration with the CCS MEL Manager for the following program activity phases: Household Vulnerability Assessments; Participant Selection, Registration, Verification; Baseline/Endline; Cash Distributions (Households and Community Based Organizations); Post-Distribution Monitoring (PDM). 
  • Establish and maintain standardized Power BI Dashboards based on the developed standardized data collection tools.
  • Frequently review the CCS Data Management Plan, ensuring that it aligns with Mercy Corps and donor minimum standards.
  • Identify and align new questions, variables (and their data types), data naming conventions, and indicators across the different data collection forms from the above phases.
  • Facilitate the development and implementation of CCS-specific technology solutions to improve collaboration, coordination and team performance.

 

Program Management
  • Lead the information management and regular quality control of program data, with the objective of ensuring the technical quality of all consortium M&E activities. This includes coordinating on partners on case management in the consortium's data management system.
  • Facilitate and promote the analysis of results and follow-up of program management through innovative statistical and communication tools and identify gaps in the technical capacities of the monitoring and evaluation teams and propose plans for improvement and capacity building.
  • Assist in processing data for ECHO and other internal reports, and help prepare the Consortium team for presentations to high-level stakeholders.
  • Contribute to the CCS MEL strategy, in actions such as technical strengthening of field teams and inter-organizational coordination, promoting the use of best practices and compliance with MEL procedures designed in the consortium. 

 

Establish, Test, And Implement Automated Azure Data Infrastructure

 

  • Establish, maintain, and improve Microsoft Azure data architecture and data processing pipelines, including the use of Azure Data Factory, Logic Apps, Azure Data Lake Storage, Azure SQL DB, Azure Synapse
  • Develop, maintain, and improve data connections between key CCS data sources (e.g. CommCare, Excel, SharePoint, Google Drive) and the established Microsoft Azure data architecture environment using available Azure tools.
  • Implement, maintain, and actively monitor the servers, virtual machines, applications, and software of the Azure data platform.
  • Ensure and maintain a high level of data protection, security and confidentiality of the data platform to prevent unauthorized access.
  • Follow processes and maintain version control over the code assets within the Microsoft Azure data platform and GitHub repositories.
  • Engage with data analysts, visualization/BI developers, data scientists to prep datasets for data analysis and visualization.
  • Work with Mercy Corps PaQ/MEL, IT, T4D team members as well as Microsoft Cloud data and infrastructure architects to ensure harmonized data collection tools and schema are properly deployed into effective automated data pipelines/data architecture in Microsoft Azure. 
  • Run tests and oversee pilot implementation of the dataflows and architecture (in a participatory manner) as necessary. 

 

Technical Support To CCS MEL Teams
  • Engage teams to provide feedback/learnings on needed improvements to the harmonized/standardized data collection tools/data standards.
  • Engage CCS MEL teams to gather feedback/learnings on the automated Azure data pipelines/infrastructure.
  • Provide support to CCS MEL teams in person and/or remotely to support the use of the consortium's technology tools, with the objective of enabling them to internally troubleshoot issues.
  • Generate and share with CCS partners regular reports associated with deduplication purposes, data quality management, case management, field team performance, etc.
  • Manage CommCare data systems and CCS databases related to indicator compliance and duplicate management.
  • Closely document IT/database/development processes associated with CCS MEL Plan and Analysis plan, including regular Monitoring and Evaluation procedures as well as automation tools like Microsoft Azure architecture. 
Data Aggregation And Analysis
  • With supervision from the CCS MEL Manager and in coordination with the partners MEL teams, identify data analysis processes for the harmonized/standardized data collection tools/variables.
  • Identify what components/data is needed in order to conduct effective aggregate analysis of harmonized/standardized data variables.
  • Where appropriate/applicable, conduct aggregate data analysis of the harmonized/standardized data variables.
Agency Coordination & Representation
  • Engage with external agency stakeholders on harmonized/standardized common data standards and schemas across like-sector programs
  • Engage with Microsoft Cloud Data and Solutions Architects to ensure the harmonized/standardized common data standards/schema are effectively built into the Microsoft Azure cloud data infrastructure.

 

Supervisory Responsibility
This position does not have supervisory responsibility.

Accountability

Reports Directly To: CCS MEL Manager.  
Works With: HQ PAQ/MEL team, CCS Director, CCS MEL Manager and CCS partner MEL and Program national/local teams (including Mercy Corps Sudan MEL team).
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 projects. 

 

Knowledge and Experience

Required

  • Bachelor's degree and/or professional certification in engineering, IT, computer science,  economics, statistics, business administration, social sciences or related fields.
  • Minimum 5 years of demonstrated professional experience, and a minimum of 2 years of demonstrated professional experience in international relief and development with knowledge of relevant sectoral and/or operational areas. 
  • The ideal candidate could either be an IT professional with some experience of humanitarian / development work, or, an experienced MEL professional with some working knowledge of data science and/or data engineering.. 
  • Experience in development and implementation of information systems and primary data collection tools is mandatory. Experience of using statistical/programming software (such as STATA, R, Python, SQL) to establish data pipelines to extract, transform, load data between different data storage containers and analysis software is desirable. 
  • Demonstrated experience developing data collection tools using XLS Forms, or case management platforms such as SurveyCTO, CommCare, ActivityInfo
  • Demonstrated experience on harmonizing data collection tools across multiple programs/sectors. Solid concepts of database management and information analysis.
  • Demonstrated ability to critically evaluate data, identify errors and weaknesses, and conduct data cleaning and manipulation.
  • Experience with descriptive and inferential statistics and conducting aggregate data analysis (combining common data across different programs/datasets).
  • Experience facilitating technical training and consultations remotely and or in-person.
  • Experience working with an interdisciplinary team of diverse professionals (team members from different cultures - technical, and non-technical) to deliver a functional technical solution that improved business/program processes and decision making.
  • Proficiency with MS Office software (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
  • Ability to pick up technical skills in a variety of software platforms and applications through self-directed learning. 
  • Ability to manage teams and meet deadlines.
  • Ability to work independently.
  • Excellent communication and organizational skills.
  • Proficiency in English 

Preferred (not required)

  • Knowledge of design and implementation of data architecture platforms, infrastructure, pipelines, and technologies to effectively automate business/program processes. 
  • Experience with REST and/or OData API integration
  • Experience architecting and developing cloud database/storage systems and analytics solutions (such as Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services, etc.)
  • Experience developing, implementing, deploying, and maintaining virtual machines, virtual servers
  • Experience with Azure Cloud, especially Synapse SQL analytics pools (SQL DW);
  • Experience implementing data governance practices and requirements within data systems architecture and process
  • Experience with GitHub/Gitlab
  • Experience with GIS software (e.g. ArcGIS, QGIS)
  • Proficiency in Arabic. 
  • Azure, Oracle, Google, and/or AWS cloud data solutions design certification desirable.

Success Factors

The candidate will have strong capabilities to translate data collected from CCS activities into information relevant to evaluating program progress, identifying opportunities for improvement, and presenting reports relevant to the consortium's visibility with donors and other relevant stakeholders. They will have the tools and technical expertise to develop a robust database system as well as to implement innovative technological solutions to support the work of the CCS Secretariat and all partners with the main objective of improving implementation quality and strengthening team capacities. 
The candidate will show a personal commitment to data quality and security, a strong interest in using data analysis to reduce the time and effort required for program/MEL staff to make strategic decisions, and an ability to work collaboratively with teams of varying technical capacities. They will be an independent problem solver and ensure that CCS needs to drive the support work conducted. 
They will act in an ethical manner at all times regarding the privacy and security of program participant data, communicate ethical concerns up the chain of responsibility, and ensure the concerns are resolved appropriately. They will serve as an advocate for the data technology/data standards needs of CCS teams, and will demonstrate an ability to build trust among country team members and balance the needs of multiple partners. 
They will coordinate with the CCS MEL Manager and partners’ MEL teams on work plans and priorities, and be skilled at building highly effective working relationships. 

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions 

The position is based in Nairobi, Kenya and it requires up to 30% travel to support consortium programming and operations in Sudan and neighboring countries such as Chad, South Sudan, Egypt and Ethiopia. This may include travel to insecure locations where freedom of movement is limited and areas where amenities are limited.

Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours when deployed in operational countries or on a visit to a program site. 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 in-country 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. 

Organizational Learning

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. 

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 e-learning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.  

 

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