Senior Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning Officer At Mercy Corps

The Position

Monitoring progress and evaluating results are key management functions in any performance-based management plan. Mercy Corps needs a Senior MEL Officer to support and strengthen project monitoring, evaluation, and Learning (PMEL) procedures. He/She will conduct local field visits to project locations to verify proper use of monitoring tools, review all data fed in from the field, and report recommendations to the MEL Manager & Technical Project Manager; he/she will also manage M&E tools to track implementation performance in line with the logical framework. Promote knowledge sharing through the organization's operational processes to ensure seamless exchange of information across systems, as well as actively seeking innovative MEL good practices for local operations; Oversee the data entry and analysis of data and ensure that data is verified for accuracy and inconsistencies are addressed.

Contribute to project reporting by consolidating data regarding progress toward project indicators. Design baseline and end-line surveys, including developing TORs, identifying consultants, training data collection teams, coordinating data entry and analysis, and writing reports. Provide technical assistance and capacity building to staff and partners in the implementation of M&E activities. Lead and conduct analysis of quantitative data as well as qualitative data on all project inputs, outputs, and outcomes. Advise on best M&E solutions to be adopted by the project staff to digitize data collection, analysis, and reporting. Prepare data visualizations for reports and presentations that reflect planned versus achieved key activities.

Working under the supervision of the Technical Project Manager, the Senior MEL Officer will support the design, implementation, and strengthening of monitoring, evaluation, and learning systems. The role involves data management, field monitoring, reporting, and capacity building to ensure high-quality program delivery and accountability.

Essential Responsibilities

Project Coordination and Implementation

• Develop and implement M&E frameworks, tools, and systems
• Support baseline, midline, and endline surveys and impact evaluations
• Ensure gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) integration

Monitoring & Evaluation

• Lead the implementation of the project's Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) framework.
• Conduct routine field monitoring visits and beneficiary verification.
• Track progress against project indicators and milestones.
• Support donor monitoring visits and technical assessments.

Data Management

• Oversee data collection, validation, and analysis
• Manage databases and dashboards
• Support use of digital data collection platforms

Capacity Building

• Train staff and partners on MEL tools and systems
• Provide on-site mentoring and technical support

Knowledge Management & Reporting

• Review data collection tools and reporting templates
• Support data-driven reporting
• Document success stories, lessons learned, innovations, and best practices.

Risk Management and Compliance

• Identify implementation risks and recommend mitigation measures.
• Ensure compliance with donor regulations, Mercy Corps policies, safeguarding requirements, and security procedures.
• Promote environmental and social safeguards throughout implementation.
• Report incidents, challenges, and emerging risks in a timely manner.

Minimum Qualifications & Transferable Skills

• Bachelor's degree in development studies/social works/communication/Sociology/Finance, Economics or relevant Disciplines.
• At least 5 years of M&E or relevant research experience for INGOs and development agencies.
• Proven ability to design both qualitative and quantitative data collection tools and provide relevant analysis.
• Statistical skills and experience working with statistical software are strongly preferred.
• Willingness and ability to travel frequently to project villages, often in remote locations.
• Sound analytical capacity, documentation, and communication skills to communicate with internal and external audiences.
• Strong planning, coordination, reporting, and organizational skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, facilitation, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and mobile data collection platforms.
• Fluency in English is required; knowledge of Hausa and other local languages spoken in Katsina State is highly desirable.
• Professional certification in Project Management (PMP, PRINCE2, or equivalent) is an advantage.