Monitoring, Evaluation, & Learning Technical Officer

Position Summary

The Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Tech Officer will join the Ukraine response MEL Team and will work to help set up data systems/structures and oversee data management processes - including data collection, data analysis, reporting, and visualization. This position will conduct capacity building on MEL technologies with our implementing partner teams in the Ukraine Response.

 What We’re Looking For

We’re looking for someone with a passion for technology or data. (Preferably both!) You should be ready to help us develop and manage our data and tech systems that allow us to improve our programs - and the lives of others. You must be willing to learn from our team and develop skills in new technology tools, databases, and data visualization platforms and techniques.

Must have a personal commitment to data quality and security, an interest in quality improvement – and using data analysis to make decision-making easier, and more effective. Working collaboratively with our MEL/Tech team in Ukraine and around the world be a key part of this role so we’re looking for someone can be flexible, learn quickly and help adapt technology to make our programs better.

Any skills you have gained through education, volunteer, work, or life experience that are relevant for the position will be considered. Be sure to fully explain transferable skills and success factors and how they apply to this position in your cover letter and interview process.

Detailed Job Responsibilities

1. MEL Design & Planning:

• Support the MEL Manager and Senior MEL Officers in developing, rolling out and managing data collection applications.
• Support the MEL Data Management & Automation Lead on strategy, tools, deliverables and specific tasks as needed.
• Support reviews and updates of all MEL workplans, activities, and deliverables.
• Support the setup and refinement of the MEL tech system, including CommCare databases and Power BI. (We will train on all relevant platforms.)
• Support the development of the technical infrastructure for high quality qualitative and quantitative M&E indicators, tools, participatory and inclusive processes and protocols for data management, including data collection, analysis, reporting, storing, visualization.
• Contribute to setting up relevant MEL technology and information management platforms following Mercy Corps guidance and donor requirements.

1. MEL Implementation:

• Contribute to the setup and deployment of appropriate MEL Technologies in the Ukraine response. This may include: (a.) Developing MEL instruments including applications in CommCare, (b.) Testing MEL instruments, (c.) Conducting data visualization with technology platforms like Power BI, etc.
• Work with partner organizations who are engaged in data processes and management to ensure smooth and coordinated third party monitoring practices through CommCare.
• Ensure troubleshooting during intensive data collection processes on an ongoing basis by liaising with implementing partners and Mercy Corps field teams.
• Ensure coordination of technical areas across MEL staff and partner work.
• Conduct occasional trainings for implementing partners on data collection.
• Work closely with MEL and technical leads, conduct data analysis and help give feedback on data visualizations - and promote use of the data for program decision making. This may include participating in regional technical meetings to present data, assisting with learning sessions, and helping to conducting analysis of data with other MEL team members.
• Oversee the implementation of MEL Standard Operating Procedures (SoPs) and tools to ensure quality and consistency throughout the MEL process. This may include helping to conduct Data Quality Assessments, validation checks, re-analysis, etc.
• Help facilitate learning activities with program, operations and other units involved in the emergency response, such as after-action review, performance reviews, etc.

 Knowledge & Experience  

Required:

• Academic degree in any field.
• 1+ years of experience with one or more general purpose programming languages.
• Experience or interest in working with databases.
• Expertise in Excel, including using formulas and creating graphs.
• Demonstrated ability to critically evaluate data, identify errors and weaknesses, and conduct data cleaning and manipulation.

Preferred:

• Degree in computer science, technology, or related field.
• 1 year of experience in international relief and development programming or similar positions preferred; especially in MEL or program management functions.
• Experience with statistical packages including STATA, SPSS or R.
• Experience using MEL technologies: Ona/ComCare for data collection, Tableau or PowerBI for data visualization and reporting.
• Experience facilitating technical trainings and consultations strongly preferred.
• Experience in undertaking both quantitative and qualitative interviews is preferred.

Language Skills:

• Working knowledge of English is required.
• Fluency in Russian or Ukrainian is required.