Somalia Design Monitoring & Evaluation and Communications Director

PROGRAM/ DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:

Mercy Corps has been working in Somalia since January 2005, in support of Livelihoods Recovery, Peace Building and Emergency Response programs throughout much of the Country. Since 2005, funding has been a mix of private donations, DfID and USAID. Currently, Mercy Corps Somalia has offices in Bossaso and Garowe in Puntland, Galkacyo in Galmudug, Mugadishu and Hargeisa in Somaliland. The program is growing at a healthy pace and will soon open several more field offices to support newly funded programs. The Design Monitoring & Evaluation and Communications Director is responsible for ensuring that Mercy Corps programs in Somalia contribute to Mercy Corps’ mission of alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression by helping people build secure, productive and just communities.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

Design Monitoring & Evaluation and Communications Director is responsible for ensuring that Mercy Corps programs in Somalia contribute to Mercy Corps’ mission of alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression by helping people build secure, productive and just communities.

The Design Monitoring & Evaluation and Communications Director is expected to provide quality assurance of program implementation of gender, youth, protection, monitoring and evaluation, communication and advocacy; and ensure that Mercy Corps programs/projects bring a significant contribution to reducing poverty and build secure, productive and just communities, and play a leading role in transforming Mercy Corps programs in Somalia.

S/he will oversee and develop high quality design and implementation of long term development and emergency programs, and lead the development of new and innovative initiatives that effectively address the underlying causes of poverty in line with Mercy Corps Programming Principles. S/he must also ensure that systems and people are in place to ensure the proper management of those projects and programs. S/he will work closely with, Integrated Humanitarian Response Director, CoP SEEDS/SYLI, DCD and is supported by relevant staff at the Africa Regional Office and Mercy Corps HQ levels.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Vision, Leadership and Strategy:

Provide leadership to field offices in developing individual program level M&E systems that inform and improve each program, as well as feed into the broader nation-wide M&E system and country strategy. Lead and build capacity of an M&E team made up of national staff. Continue to develop and improve systems that improve Mercy Corps Somalia’s ability to analyze and represent impact internally and externally, and to communities themselves. Participate in Somalia management meetings and country-wide strategy sessions.

Monitoring and Evaluation:

Coordinate with DM&E Managers/Officers to establish and maintain effective program reporting, monitoring and evaluation systems for both internal and external use for timely and smooth monitoring of program progress and impact and make program adjustments accordingly. Ensure the development of appropriate monitoring, tracking and reporting systems, tools and templates that enhance monitoring of program outputs and quality, generate quality evidence on program impact and promote and ensure use of data for decision-making processes. Support development of a data management system that serves country programs and is accessible across the organization. Provide technical support and capacity building for assessments and evaluations. Provide input as to M&E systems and act as a link to HQ M&E technical staff and Mission Metrics. Set-up and supervise the Somalia M&E Communication Unit including hiring, orienting and supervising M&E staff and program managers as appropriate. The DM&E and Communications Director will play a central role in all evaluation, design and implementation and developing the capacity of a national team to conduct internal evaluations.

Closely coordinate with the DDCD, CoP SYLI/SEEDS and DIHR to develop and promote the use of standard indicators, tools and forms (as appropriate), and M&E practices across all programs and coordinate the collection of information required for country-level management, documentation, and external representation. Coordinate with the Information Technology department to ensure efficient and transparent data management systems within programs. Identify country-level data requirements and ensure its collection.

Quality and Accountability:
Coordinate with DDCD, CoP SYLI/SEEDS and DIHR to build systems that promote beneficiary accountability by ensuring that communities participate in initial assessments and program design, are informed about our programs and what we do, are aware of their entitlements, are comfortable to give feedback and that feedback in used to improve the quality of our programs. Ensures integration of M&E and accountability systems that are compliant with Humanitarian Partnership International benchmarks, SPHERE and other relevant standards. Support a culture of learning between programs, through consistent sharing of M&E processes and systems.

Organizational Learning and Capacity Building:

Develop a comprehensive staff training series to build team capacities in the area of monitoring and evaluation and reporting. Build the capacity of all relevant team members to develop and maintain an excellent M&E system, including the periodic reflection and analysis of program monitoring data. Develop plans to mentor and coach staff to build their capacity to enable them to develop excellent reports and other documents. Facilitate development and execution of context-specific GIS/IT solutions to improve team collaboration, coordination and performance. Work with the DCD to strengthen linkages with other actors (Mercy Corps HQ e-Learning specialists, LINGOS, etc.) to enhance organizational learning which directly impacts staff performance and productivity.

Information Management:

Manage the development of improving monitoring and tracking systems. Assist the communications team to ensure that all communications are in line with MC values and goals in relation to the DM&E and Communications unit. Develop and implement plans for further integration of information management systems within Mercy Corps and across partner agencies. Manage the institutional knowledge within the Somalia program and contribute to wider knowledge management.

Proposal Development and Reports Management:

Coordinate with field program staff and other relevant MC stakeholders on proposal development, project design in pursuit of high impact and cost effective program strategies and activities. Gather information needed for concept papers and proposals and serve as primary drafter and editor of proposals, donor reports, concept notes and needs assessments for dissemination. Maintain a comprehensive list and schedule of private and institutional funding reports, including the detailed requirements necessary for each donor/grant and/or project, develop a program reporting schedule, and prepare and review project/program reports to ensure that reports are accurate, clear, in the proper format and on time. Develop program and operational reporting templates that facilitate the acquisition and aggregation of information in programs.

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 towards 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.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

Deputy DM&E Manager, DM&E Coordinator, Database & SharePoint Focal Point with technical oversight of field-based M&E Officers.

ACCOUNTABILITY:

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Country Director

WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: DCD, CoP, DIHR, Program Managers, DM&E Manager, DM&E Coordinator, GIS Officers, Database & SharePoint Focal Point with technical oversight of field-based M&E Officers.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

• A minimum of 7 years’ experience in the areas of program development, communications, monitoring GIS and evaluation.
• Must have extensive training skills and experience working with a variety of donors.
• Advanced computer skills and experience developing data management systems required.
• Experience with quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis methodologies.
• Somali fluency strongly preferred.
• Previous experience in East Africa strongly preferred.

SUCCESS FACTORS:

The successful DME and Communication Director will possess in-depth expertise in multi-sectoral programs. S/he will have demonstrated knowledge of working independently, good knowledge of approaches to livelihoods and resilience, direct experience of program appraisal, monitoring and evaluation and of developing partners’ capacity, understanding of advocacy, campaigning and lobbying, experience of facilitation and training and project reporting to major institutional donors preferably on a large scale. S/he will be able to lead and communicate effectively with team members of varied work styles, follow procedures, and meet deadlines. S/he will be flexible and creativity in planning and problem solving. Proven ability to learn quickly, take initiative, and be accountable for results. The most successful Mercy Corps staff 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. Demonstrated experience with proposal development with range of international donors (i.e. USAID, OFDA, EU, DFID) and Experience and skills in organizational change processes.

LIVING CONDITIONS/ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

The DME and Communication Director will be based in Hargeisa, and support activities throughout Somalia. This is an unaccompanied post in a highly insecure environment. Up to 50% travel to field sites within Somalia is expected.

Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of 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.

Mercy Corps is an AA/EOE.

How to apply:

Apply online at our website:
http://mercycorps.silkroad.com/epostings/submit.cfm?fuseaction=app.dspjo...