The Programme - SCAFIN

Green Growth Programme Component 3: Scaling Finance for Established Agri-businesses in the Democratic Republic of Congo forms part of FCDO’s Green Growth Programme (GGP) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Through a combination of technical assistance, catalytic grants, and concessional finance, the GGP will mobilise additional private capital, strengthen financial markets, and build the resilience and productivity of DRC’s agricultural sector. The GGP is part of FCDO’s broader efforts to promote low-carbon, climate-resilient development and deliver measurable results under the UK’s International Climate Finance (ICF) commitments.

Component 3 (SCAFIN) aims to increase access to finance for climate-smart agribusinesses, catalysing private investment and promoting sustainable economic growth. The programme will work with financial institutions, impact funds, and agribusinesses to expand the use of innovative financial products, improve access to finance for DRC firms, and incentivise lenders and investors to support green activities such as the uptake of resilient seeds, irrigation systems, and solar technologies.

SCAFIN will scale finance for climate-smart agribusinesses in the Kongo Central, Kwilu, Mai-Ndombe, and Kwango provinces, serving as a catalyst by supporting processes and systems to develop appropriate financial products and attract investments. SCAFIN will contribute to agricultural development in DRC that creates resilient, sustainable livelihoods as part of a climate-smart economic development pathway, by achieving the following Outcomes:

•       Outcome 1: Financial institutions provide financing products to agribusinesses to adopt and scale climate-smart products and services

•       Outcome 2: Agribusinesses access and effectively use finance to invest in climate-smart products and services

•       Outcome 3: Lenders and investors promote climate-smart activities through investments in agribusinesses and financial institutions

The Theory of Change is included at the end of this job description.

The Position (General Position Summary)

This is a short-term assignment that will create the MEL framework for the program. The STA will be undertaken during the inception and initial start up period. A period of around 3 months is expected.

Essential Responsibilities (Safeguarding Responsibilities are required for all roles)

PROGRAMME SPECIFIC

Specific requirements of the MEL STA are

• Establish the framework for MEL on SCAFIN.
• Development of a specific MEL Plan, covering investment and agriculture business partners - this will be very specific and focussed on the Technical Advisory nature of the program
• Develop and track data collection from Financial Institution partners (banks, MFIs), Agribusinesses and investors. Data interpretation of governance and adaptation development will be a key output to inform the program design and development
• Review the stakeholders, types of participants, develop the framework for the Baseline
• Develop the ToR and work with Procurement to launch a baseline evaluation
• Develop project specific procedures to enable  learning and programme adaptation
• Review the log frame and propose any adjustments
• Work closely with the financial inclusion specialist to establish the type of evidence based data collection framework required
• Work closely with Cross Boundary Partner to establish partner level data collection mechanisms for Objectives 2 and 3
• Drive evidence generation, learning, and adaptive management. Propose mechanisms for dissemination
• Develop / support scopes of work for TA support packages, and investment facilitation outputs
• Interface and establish requirement needs for FCDO reporting and knowledge development with FCDO, develop data collection tools, databases, dashboards, and reporting templates that align with the overarching Green Growth Programme MEL framework
• Ensure data quality and integrate evidence and learning across components.
• Develop with PQEL team the JD and support recruitment of a permanent MEL Manager

TECHNICAL OVERSIGHT

●        Ensure active collaboration with program/technical managers to develop M&E tools and integrate M&E across all program components.

●        Identify and develop the tools needed to measure program impact.

●        Ensure effective use of ICT4D in data management systems (using CommCare, , Excel, QGIS, and other tools as appropriate) to promote data-driven decision-making.

●        Set up approach to adaptive management by analysing trends, generating insights, and facilitating regular learning reviews to inform strategic and operational decisions.

PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT

●      Lead the design and implementation of the programme’s MEL system, ensuring all tools, indicators, and reporting processes effectively capture results related to expanded access to finance, investment mobilisation, and green growth outcomes.

●    Work closely with the delivery partner and stakeholders to align on data requirements, reporting expectations, and performance indicators, ensuring that partner-level data on pipeline development, technical assistance packages, and investment facilitation outputs are captured consistently and integrated into programme-wide reporting.

●  Set up and organise regular MEL coordination meetings to review progress, validate results, and document lessons learned across consortium partners, supporting adaptive management and learning.

●        Evaluate quarterly performance data and contribute to programme reporting, synthesising evidence on financial leverage, climate-smart investments, and enterprise outcomes.

●        Ensure string design, quality data collection and analysis for baseline and endline exercises.

●   Facilitate knowledge-sharing and learning dissemination by documenting processes, lessons, and success stories that demonstrate the programme’s contribution to mobilising finance for climate-smart agribusinesses.

INFORMATION MANAGEMENT

●    Facilitate the achievement of performance-based targets and outcomes and lead efforts to design effective, proactive, and iterative M&E systems following the program's logical framework and results chain measurement.

●        Ensure data outputs on activities and scope of work, deliverables and with SMEs verify overall quality of work of any internal or external evaluation or research partners.

●        Develop project follow-up tools and directly assist the Team Lead and Deputy Team Lead in tracking the progress of their project indicators and activities.

●        Document achievements/impact of innovative program components of the program.

●     Work with team members to focus on assisting the program to generate practical information that can be used for ongoing program analysis and decision-making while also capturing results at the impact level.

●      Ensure proper archiving and record retention.

ANTI-FRAUD SYSTEMS

●        Set-up Program systems that allow for a better follow-up of all field activities. Noting that given the Technical Advisory with businesses and finance, the extent of direct field activity will be very limited.

●        Develop new methodologies and ways of operating to reduce/eliminate aid diversion during interventions.

●        Build and maintain awareness of the broader context and implications of the various types of risk affecting emergency interventions.

●        Provide technical support to Programme Team to mitigate risks identified per intervention

●        Contribute to proactive dissemination and use of knowledge gained through audit activities

●        Escalate issues as appropriate for advanced investigation and analysis by the Internal Control

TEAM MANAGEMENT

●        Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.

●        Set a team culture valuing learning and adaptive management in support of an ongoing resilience approach in programming

●        Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback via regular performance reviews.

●        Manage and help with the recruitment, orientation, professional development and ongoing training of program and M&E staff to ensure they are of the quality and technical capacity necessary to ensure the successful implementation of activities.

●        Advance the M&E mission-wide capacity-building strategy FINANCE & COMPLIANCE MANAGEMENT

SECURITY

●        Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.

●        Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.

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.

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.

Accountability

Reports Directly To: GGP Component 3 Programme Team Leader

 Partner representatives in the Partnership

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.

Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills

• MA/MS or equivalent in economics, statistics, development studies, monitoring and evaluation, or a related discipline.
• At least 5 years of experience in monitoring, evaluation, and learning for development or access-to-finance and investment programmes, preferably within FCDO- or other donor-funded initiatives.
• Strong technical skills in quantitative and qualitative data collection, management, and analysis; proficiency in Excel and at least one statistical or data visualisation software (e.g., Power BI, STATA, R).
• Proven experience integrating MEL systems across multiple partners and components, including coordination with technical and finance teams to ensure data-driven decision-making.
• Knowledge of MEL approaches for market systems development, blended finance, or private-sector engagement programmes is highly desirable.
• Experience with mobile data collection and management tools, such as CommCare, KoboCollect, or ONA, and familiarity with ICT4D applications.
• Strong analytical and communication skills, with the ability to synthesise complex information into actionable insights and learning products.
• Demonstrated ability to foster collaboration with implementing partners, financial institutions, and private sector actors to ensure harmonised reporting and adaptive learning.
• Fluency in English required. French is highly desirable – B2/C1 or higher
• Experience working in DRC or similar fragile and emerging market contexts strongly preferred. Advanced degree or equivalent experience

Success Factors

A successful candidate will have a demonstrated ability to lead a team and communicate effectively with team members and colleagues of varied work styles and cultures, follow procedures, and meet deadlines with flexibility and creativity in planning and problem solving. The candidate will have a proven ability to learn quickly, multi-task, prioritize, take initiative, and be accountable for results, understand the larger picture while remaining focused on the details, problem solving, work within a complex and sensitive setting and to follow laws and security protocols. The most successful Mercy Corps team members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments and make effective written and verbal communication a priority in all situations. In DRC, patience, diplomacy, tenacity, compassion, and determination are all success factors.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position is based in Kinshasa, DRC. Housing for this role is in a private apartment under housing allowance regulations. Rest and recovery cycle follows the Country Office R&R policy. Kinshasa has limited security regulations, and has many options for healthcare, shopping, restaurants, and social life.

The position requires travel to various locations within Kongo Central, Kwilu, Mai-Ndombe, and Kwango. This may include unstable areas with strict security rules and limited amenities. Living conditions in the field locations are clean and secure, but basic.

While conditions in much of the country are improving, there are still pockets of violence and insecurity, and petty crime is present. Mercy Corps' offices experience variable levels of insecurity and adapt their procedures accordingly. Due to poor infrastructure, air travel is often necessary to get from one end of the country to the other.

Mobile phones and cellular service are widely available. Internet is limited, but available in all Mercy Corps’ offices. There are a number of health services available with several evacuation options for serious illnesses. There is reasonable access to most consumer goods, although it must be noted that imported goods can be more expensive than in other locations.

 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. 

Team Engagement and Effectiveness

Achieving our mission starts with how we build our team and collaborate. By bringing together individuals with a variety of experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives, we strengthen our ability to solve complex challenges and drive innovation. We foster a culture of trust and respect, where every team member is valued for their contributions, empowered to reach their full potential, and motivated to do their best work.

We recognize that building a strong and effective team is an ongoing process, and we remain committed to learning, improving, and growing together.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected under applicable law.

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 and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. 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.

As an applicant, if you witness or experience any form of sexual misconduct during the recruitment process, please report this to Mercy Corps Integrity Hotline ([email protected]).