Description

Project Location(s): Nairobi, Kenya

Contract Duration : 7 Months with possibility of extension based on funding (Current secured funding runs upto May 2026)

Job Type: Consultancy

Background:

•  Collaborate with CCS Secretariat to refine and implement a localized MEL strategy that aligns with the consortium’s vision and adapts to the dynamic humanitarian context in Sudan.
•  Ensure the quality and harmonization of consortium data by regularly implementing parameters and guidelines for database management, data cleaning, and reporting, and by conducting regular quality control reviews of partner submissions.
•  Strengthen the capacity of MEL teams at national and local levels by supporting the adoption and integration of consortium MEL tools, methodologies, and practices that improve data collection, analysis, and reporting.
•  Coordinate regularly with CCS partners on the management of information systems and the implementation of MEL activities, identifying opportunities for improvement and context-driven solutions.
•  Proactively communicate feedback, challenges, and lessons learned from partners to the Secretariat MEL team, ensuring that regular engagement across different workstreams informs the continuous improvement of MEL systems, tools, and approaches.
•  Contribute to consortium-wide planning and coordination by bringing insights from partner-level and local-level implementation to inform MEL strategies and engagement approaches.

•  Manage and maintain the CCS CommCare system and consortium databases, ensuring that all data entered by partners is accurate, complete, standardized, and regularly updated to enable high-quality analysis, reporting, and learning. This includes receiving, reviewing, and actioning partner requests in a timely and organized manner, keeping track of adjustments at state and partner level, and regularly updating the CommCare Logs to ensure accountability and transparency with partners.
•  Lead and carry on the weekly deduplication case management process, including downloading weekly deduplication results, reviewing and acting on flagged cases, closing or marking potential duplicate households, and providing timely feedback to partners and Secretariat on how to improve the process. Ensure that all deduplication steps are followed and documented consistently within CommCare and through regular coordination with partner MEL focal points.
•  Act as the main MEL focal point for data updates, completeness, and consistency in the Service Mapping and Referral Pathways program components, ensuring standardized and harmonized use of referrals/service mapping forms and data points across partners. This includes receiving and integrating beneficiary data shared by external organizations collaborating with CCS on referrals and ensuring that referred households are uploaded and monitored in a timely and consistent manner.
•  The IM Coordinator will provide regular support to partners’ referral officers and coordinate closely with the CCS Protection Lead to strengthen harmonization and accountability in Service Mapping and Referral Pathways.
•  Support the MEL Tech Lead and the Data Systems Engineer in the design and programming of data collection tools, including Kobo forms for specific activities, manual data collection forms, and Excel templates to facilitate data cleaning, migration, and harmonization.
•  Work closely with the CCS Lead on MEL Technologies and the CCS Data Systems Engineer and Integration Specialist to address needs related to data migration across systems or CommCare project spaces, operationalize and test automated Data Quality Checks, and contextualize MEL systems to better meet partners needs.
•  Provide regular support and troubleshooting for partner MEL teams on data management and CommCare usage, ensuring smooth implementation of daily MEL activities and reinforcing harmonization across partners.
•  Supervise compliance with consortium-wide minimum MEL standards in data entry and information management, identifying issues or inconsistencies and proposing corrective actions in collaboration with the MEL Manager.
•  Ensure that information is shared in a timely and systematic way with consortium partners and external actors, supporting coordination, synergies, and the avoidance of duplication in areas of overlapping operations.
•  Document IM processes, tools, and performance under their responsibility and produce regular updates to the Secretariat MEL team to inform adaptive management and improvements to the consortium MEL system.

•  Support the regular monitoring of consortium activities, including registrations, verifications, distributions, post-distribution monitoring (PDMs), and additional assessments across all program components. Ensure that shared monitoring standards are applied consistently, such as adherence to sample sizes, timeframes between registration and distribution, and the interval between distribution and PDM, among others.
•  Contribute to the preparation of reports for donors, the Cash Working Group (e.g., 5Ws), and other stakeholders, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and timeliness in collaboration with the CCS MEL Secretariat.
•  Serve as the focal point for updating and maintaining program data in Mercy Corps’ TOLA system, ensuring data quality, accuracy, and completeness for consortium reporting.
•  Support the preparation and facilitation of Pause and Reflect sessions, bringing insights from both regular MEL activities (registrations, distributions, PDMs, and assessments) and IM/case management processes. These sessions will focus on systematizing, socializing, and reflecting on monitoring practices, data collection processes, implementation trends, and proposing ways to strengthen coordination, harmonization, and good practices across the consortium at different levels. Collaborate with the MEL Secretariat Team to review findings from monitoring and evaluation activities, ensuring that insights are translated into actionable recommendations for adaptive programming and partner support.
•  Generate periodic reports on referrals, deduplication, Data Quality Assessments (DQAs), case management actions, and other MEL system processes, summarizing findings, lessons learned, and adjustments. These reports will provide critical inputs for operational learning, adaptive management, and strengthening harmonization across partners. 
•  Support the socialization and use of dashboards across partners as a mechanism for regular reporting, ensuring that data visualization tools are accessible and relevant. Use this process to flag inconsistencies or needed improvements to the MEL Secretariat, contributing to the continuous enhancement of consortium-wide data visualization, reporting, and learning systems.
•  Manage user access to the CommCare system, including web and mobile accounts, and update the organizational structure within the system to reflect program implementation areas and partner arrangements. This includes regularly monitoring that active mobile users have updated their CommCare applications to the latest version available, ensuring there are no duplicated mobile users per organization/state, and maintaining secure, accurate, and up-to-date access management.

•  Contribute to the design and documentation of guidance, lessons, and training materials to strengthen partners’ understanding, appropriation, and application of MEL processes and tools.
•  In coordination with the MEL Tech Lead and the Data Systems Engineer and Integration Specialist design and deliver regular trainings, refreshers, and capacity-strengthening activities with partner teams. This includes support on data collection and management for program outcome indicators across program components, ensuring appropriation and harmonization of MEL approaches, systems, and tools. 
•  Provide regular feedback to CCS partners to improve data quality, completeness, and ownership of their data. This includes fostering understanding of variables collected through different tools, validation criteria, recommended case management actions, and adherence to data protection guidelines.
•  Support the documentation and follow-up of CCS MEL Technical Working Group meetings, ensuring that agreements, decisions, and discussions are accurately recorded and effectively put into practice across the consortium partners.
•  Engage in regular follow-up with partners to ensure the consistent adoption of MEL tools and practices, supporting broad application of the consortium’s MEL approach across program levels and components.

•  Ensure that all MEL and IM activities adhere to data protection and safeguarding standards, including the operationalization of recommendations and action points from the Data Protection Impact Assessment. Proactively flag gaps or concerns regarding data collection, transformation, access and sharing across consortium levels, team members, and external actors to uphold accountability and good practice.
•  Ensure accountability in handling partner data requests by actioning and confirming them in a timely and organized manner. Guarantee that partners are informed of what actions were taken on their data, how, and why, while providing regular feedback to support continuous improvement.
•  Oversee the safeguarding aspects of the deduplication process, ensuring that personally identifiable information (PII) is handled responsibly and that all steps follow consortium standards. Carefully review results to identify gaps or flaws, strengthening the process to mitigate the risks of duplicate payments or, conversely, households being excluded from assistance due to insufficient confirmation of duplication.
•  Promote a culture of safeguarding and accountability in MEL activities, ensuring that data collection, management, and reporting processes respect confidentiality, informed consent, and the dignity and rights of affected populations. This also includes making sure that feedback from partners is systematically captured, communicated to the Secretariat, and considered in the adaptive and inclusive design of the consortium’s MEL approach.

•  Handle partner requests related to data cleaning, migration, and updates in a timely and well-documented manner, maintaining transparent communication on actions taken and outcomes. This includes reviewing partner submissions, implementing corrections or uploads as needed, and updating the CommCare mobile and web user management system
•  Develop Standard Operating Procedures (SoPs) for information management processes, including data entry, deduplication, referrals, service mapping, and reporting workflows.
•  Design data validation matrixes detailing verification criteria, thresholds, and corrective actions to ensure data consistency across partners.
•  Create a partner MEL compliance checklist to monitor adherence to consortium minimum standards in data collection, cleaning, and reporting.
•  Document a CommCare access management protocol outlining user roles, permissions, and maintenance procedures.
•  Maintain and regularly update partners’ data submission tracker documenting data transfers (sent, received, validated, actioned) to strengthen transparency and accountability.
•  Develop and manage a deduplication tracker and case management log to record flagged cases, partner follow-up actions, and resolution timelines.
•  Design and implement a Data Quality Assessment (DQA) tool and produce quarterly DQA summary reports with findings and recommendations.
•  Update and maintain indicator and achievement trackers, ensuring alignment with consortium logframes, reporting cycles, and donor requirements.
•  Compile clean and validated datasets for consortium reporting (e.g., 5Ws, donor submissions, and TOLA updates).
•  Produce quarterly data review presentations for Pause and Reflect sessions summarizing progress, gaps, and lessons learned.
•  Generate short analytical summaries on deduplication, referrals, and DQA processes to inform adaptive management.
•  Provide regular support and troubleshooting to partner MEL teams on data management, CommCare usage, and adherence to consortium standards.
•  Develop and deliver training packages and user guides covering data cleaning, validation, dashboard use, and harmonization practices.
•  Facilitate quarterly training sessions or refresher workshops to strengthen partner capacity on MEL systems, IM tools, and data protection.
•  Maintain a partner coaching and feedback tracker documenting training sessions, technical support provided and agreed follow-up actions.
•  Maintain a CommCare system logbook and version control register documenting partner requests, changes, and technical adjustments.

•  7 months (based on continued availability of funds, currently secured are through to May 2026)   

•  CCS MEL Manager

•  HQ Technical Support, CCS Chief of Party and Deputy Chief of Party, CCS MEL and broader Secretariat team, partners’ MEL national/local teams (including Mercy Corps Sudan MEL team) 

•  Education: BA/S or equivalent in Social Sciences, Data/Computer Science, Economics, Statistics, or a related field. A postgraduate degree in a relevant field is a strong advantage.  
•  Experience: Minimum of five (5) years of progressive experience in Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning roles, with at least three (3) years of specific experience in information management, case management, data systems administration, and coordination in humanitarian or development programs.  
•  Demonstrated experience working with international donors such as ECHO, FCDO, SDC, and US State Department, with knowledge of donor reporting requirements, data quality standards, and compliance frameworks.  
•  Proven expertise in information management systems and data collection tools, with hands-on experience in platforms and languages such as CommCare HQ, Kobo, ODK, and XLS form design/programming. This includes user management, system administration, data harmonization across partners, as well as developing digital and manual data collection tools. Experience in CommCare HQ is highly preferable. 
•  Strong skills and experience in database management, including designing and implementing validation rules, maintaining data integrity, troubleshooting errors, and ensuring accuracy and completeness across large datasets. Demonstrated ability to optimize databases for usability and reliability, with an intuitive understanding of data structures and quality assurance practices. 
•  Proficiency with MS Office software (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint) and advanced Excel skills, including formulas, pivot tables, data validation, and data visualization for analysis and reporting. 
•  Demonstrated experience in providing technical support, mentoring, and training for diverse teams, ensuring harmonization of MEL tools and approaches across multiple organizations. 
•  Experience supporting MEL and IM systems in emergency and complex crisis contexts, including rapid needs assessments, adaptive response planning, and effectively managing competing priorities within tight deadlines. 
•  Experience in monitoring and reporting on program indicators for humanitarian or development interventions in line with donor standards and requirements, preferably with specific experience in cash and voucher assistance (CVA) programming. 
•  Strong interpersonal, communication, and facilitation skills, with the ability to coordinate effectively across national and international partners and foster collaboration in a consortium setting. 
•  Proficiency in English and Arabic required. 

Preferred (not required):

•  Knowledge and experience with data visualization tools such as Power BI, Tableau, or Google Data Studio, including dashboard design and data storytelling for decision-making.
•  Familiarity with data protection principles and standards, including GDPR or humanitarian data protection guidelines, and their application in program data management and sharing.
•  Experience with statistical software or programming languages (e.g., Stata, R, Python) for data analysis and management of large datasets.
•  Knowledge of GIS tools and mapping software (e.g., QGIS, ArcGIS) to support spatial analysis and enhance monitoring and reporting.
•  Experience in cash and voucher assistance (CVA) programming, particularly in monitoring indicators for cash-based responses, is desirable.

Team Engagement and Effectiveness