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.

The Department

Mercy Corps’ Technical Support Unit (TSU) is a key part of the Program Department. TSU subject-matter experts help set agency strategy and provide consultation – from assessment and design through project implementation and results measurement – to field offices worldwide, in some of the world’s toughest places. TSU team members lead research, foster organizational learning, represent Mercy Corps to external audiences, and develop partnerships. The TSU is also integral to global business development and revenue.

The Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) and Knowledge Management (KM) is a member of the TSU and will support the Gender and Youth Capacity Building, Learning and Small Grants Associate Award (AA) under Implementer Led Design, Evidence, Analysis, and Learning (IDEAL) program. This AA is an $8.8 million dollar program over 5 years designed to provide strategic capacity strengthening to implementing partners of USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) and other food security stakeholders.

The Position

The Senior MEL/KM Coordinator will support all activities for the GAYA Associate Award. This position will support the Technical Advisor for Research and Learning in carrying out the program’s M&E and research functions. This position will also support the Advisor for Knowledge Management and Communications in reviewing written materials – ensuring 508 compliance and clearly written products. Finally, this position will support the Program Officer with logistics and administrative support.

Essential Responsibilities

MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING (MEL) – 40%

• With oversight from the Technical Advisor for Research and Learning, contribute to the development and implementation of MEL tools and processes including event feedback forms, pre/post tests, stakeholder surveys, interviews and focus group discussion tools, to identify and prioritize knowledge and resource gaps within gender and youth.
• Support the Technical Advisor for Research and Learning to produce event summary reports, target vs actual reports, and presentations of quantitative and qualitative data and findings. Record actuals in Tola on a semi-annual basis.
• Support the Technical Advisor for Research and Learning to maintain and use database management standard operating procedures (SOPs) to record indicator data.
• Support the Technical Advisor for Research and Learning to train GAYA team members in how to use SOPs and contribute to the MEL system.
• Support the Technical Advisor for Research and Learning to update and analyze the stakeholder engagement tracking database, and other learning trackers and systems.

KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT AND COMMUNICATIONS (KM/COMMS) – 40%

• Support the GAYA Advisor for Knowledge, Learning, and Communications in curating content for the GAYA newsletter.
• Support the GAYA Advisor for Knowledge, Learning, and Communications in reviewing and copyediting written materials (reports, briefs, blogs, powerpoint presentations) for GAYA’s workstreams – ensuring 508 compliance and clearly written products.
• Support Program Officer with maintenance of internal document management systems, including maintaining the knowledge product database.
• Attend regular KM/Comms coordination meetings with Save the Children counterparts.
• Support the development of social media content to disseminate products, including writing LinkedIn and Twitter posts.
• Other support, as assigned.

PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION – 10%

• Support GAYA team members in planning selected events and activities, participate in key workshops, contribute to the development of selected tools and products to support GAYA workstreams.
• Represent GAYA at relevant events and meetings and document learning.
• Attend internal and external meetings, keeping minutes of selected meetings or sharing screen.

LOGISTICS/ADMINISTRATION – 10%

• Support Program Officer to ensure all GAYA financial transactions are processed, documented, tracked and filed.
• Support Program Officer in maintaining systems for the efficient procurement of equipment and services, payment processing, and financial reporting.
• Supporting GAYA team members with ad hoc administrative tasks and calendar coordination.
• Lead Logistics of in person workshops and travel to support the logistics/administration of in-person events as needed.

Supervisory Responsibility

None.

Accountability
Reports Directly To: Technical Advisor, Research and Learning
Works Directly With: GAYA’s Gender Advisor; Positive Youth Development Advisor; Advisor for Knowledge, Communications, and Learning; Small Grants Team; Program Officer; IDEAL Team; TSU team members including members of the Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Team and other IDEAL AAs (PWS, REAL, HAEC, PCS, IMPEL, and CALA); BHA Implementing Partners, and Mercy Corps HQ teams as appropriate including Resource Development, Finance, Leadership, and Organizational Effectiveness, Legal, Policy, and Advocacy; Mercy Corps Counterparts at HQ offices in Europe; and Mercy Corps’ donors and partners.

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 Qualifications & Transferable Skills.

• BA/S in International Development or 3 years of experience is required.
• One year of demonstrated experience in project management, MEL, and/ or administration support is required.
• Strong reporting, presenting and verbal communications skills.
• Experience working with USAID/BHA programs is a plus.
• Strong interpersonal skills: demonstrated relationship management experience, strong networking skills, and an ability to work collaboratively with others across difference.
• Knowledge of relevant technical sectors (gender equality, social inclusion, youth, protection) is a plus.
• Exceptional English written and verbal communication skills required.
• Language proficiency in French, Spanish, Arabic or Russian preferred but not required.

Success Factors

The MEL/KM Coordinator must be a detail-oriented multi-tasker who is able to communicate clearly and work under pressure. They must demonstrate patience, flexibility, and taking initiative to independently solve problems. Vital skills include communication (both written and verbal), as well as building and maintaining effective internal and external relationships. They must demonstrate the ability to understand and follow agency procedures, meet deadlines, and work both independently and as part of a complex distanced-based, multi-cultural team. An exposure to and interest in international development and/or humanitarian issues is important, and an understanding of the complex challenges faced by program teams operating in overseas environments is critical. They must demonstrate a passion for gender equality, diversity, and social inclusion issues.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position can be based in Portland, Oregon or Washington, DC or Remotely and may require up to 10% travel to activity locations, some of which may lack amenities or be in volatile environments where security protocols will need to be followed. Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. 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.

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.

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 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 elearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

As a safeguarding measure, Mercy Corps screens all potential US-Based employees. This is done following the conclusion of recruitment and prior to assuming full employment.

Our screening process is designed to be transparent and completed in partnership with new Team Members. You will have the opportunity to disclose any prior convictions at the conclusion of the recruitment process before the check is initiated. We ask that you do not disclose any prior convictions in your application materials or during the recruitment process.

Covid-19 Vaccine Policy for US-Based Employees

Mercy Corps has determined that, in an effort to protect the health, safety, and well-being of all Mercy Corps employees working in the United States, all U.S.-based employees must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, regardless of prior COVID-19 infection status. This policy is necessary to ensure not only the safety of our workforce, but the ongoing functionality of the organization.

This policy will be revised as needed to comply with federal, state, and local requirements, and to respond to changing guidance from public health authorities.

For new employees this requirement goes into effect within 10 business days of employment. Team members that travel are expected to comply with host-country requirements, including vaccinations. Failure to comply may impact your employment. Proof of vaccination or exemption must be provided.