Mel & Carm Specialist

Position Summary

The MEL specialist will collaborate closely with the consortium partner lead on MEL, Adapt Peacebuilding (AP). The Specialist will oversee the monitoring and data collection of the project, co-lead outcome harvest exercises, design and implement surveys, research, analyze data to provide insight to the project team, and contribute to lead on report writing. He/she will ensure that performance monitoring and results reporting tools and processes across the entire project are in place, effectively implemented and well systematized among consortium/partner members. They will also be responsible for information management via the project reporting system including Tola data (Mercy Corps’ proprietary indicators tracking system). The MEL Specialist will be an integral member of the project team leading and reflecting processes, leading discussions on members’ and participant’s feedback. The Specialist in collaboration with AP will also be responsible for the capacity building and mentoring strategy for program staff on themes related to monitoring, evaluation, accountability, reporting, and learning. The MEL Specialist is expected to collaborate with Adapt Peacebuilding especially regarding complex-aware, adaptive MEL approaches aimed at capturing emergent changes and interrogating causal linkages between activities and outcomes, with the aim to review and adapt the project theory of change and workplan

Essential Job Responsibilities (Strategy and Vision)

• Work closely with AP and MC MEL Specialist online and while in the country to develop and implement MEL Plan for the program and upcoming proposals.
• Collaborate with the program teams, consortium members, and partners, to ensure an effective MEL system.
• Develop data quality assessment plan.
• Lead and update learning agenda and provide technical contributions to research and outcome measurement.
• Lead on the bi-annual narrative reporting to donors based on collected data and sense-making processes, coordinate reporting with local partners, specifically tracking deadlines, ensuring adherence to monitoring formats and requirements, ensuring reporting quality and accuracy, and writing, editing, and submitting reports.
• Develop and maintain strategic learning partnerships with key relevant academic and research institutions to enhance the learning and advocacy efforts of the program.

TECHNICAL LEADERSHIP AND PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

• Ensure proper documentation is in place including filing project documents, and indicators data sets, including surveys, research, studies, assessments and regular reports.
• Design how to integrate context indicators into the MEL system based on the result of regular contex analysis to strengthen how the program interacts with the context and conflict dynamics.
• Develop conflict sensitivity monitoring tools and implement regular monitoring using an evidence-bas approach to ensure conflict-sensitive practices.
• Participate in and organize regular monitoring, evaluation, research and studies being conducted and review the deliverables with quality standards.
• Ensure appropriate mechanisms that enhance learning among partners for conflict sensitivity hub in Ethiopia.
• Ensure adherence to program management minimum standards in carrying out his/her duties, advising and supporting other staff in the same as required.
• Compile progress against indicators and report back to the team according to the MEL plan.

ADAPTIVE M&E SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION (WITH AP MEL

• Co-lead the participatory development of theories of change, outcome mapping assumptions, and performance management expectations for each of the three workstreams.
• Support and lead the bi-annual outcome harvesting sessions in which the hub’s achievements are examined, with validated significance and contribution analysis.
• Accompanying strategy testing sessions to validate the theory of change and assumptions and propos amendments to the work plan or performance management frameworks.
• Support the bi-annual narrative reporting to donors based on the data and sense-making from these processes.
• Coordinate reporting with local partners, specifically tracking deadlines, ensuring adherence to monitoring formats and requirements, ensuring reporting quality and accuracy, and writing, editing, and submitting periodic reports.
• Design and establish complexity-aware approaches to MEL as a key MEL function for the conflict sensitivity hub.
• Provide technical guidance for HDP actors on embedding conflict sensitivity into program design, implementation, and evaluation processes.
• Develop tools and frameworks to guide the operationalization of conflict-sensitive practices for HDP actors.

GENDER INTEGRATION

• Design and implement strategies to ensure gender equality is a core component of conflict-sensitive programming.
• Develop, adapt, and deliver gender-sensitive training modules tailored to local and international stakeholders that are integrated in the CS training.
• Conduct in-depth gender and conflict analyses to identify risks and opportunities for interventions, ensuring inclusive programming.

CAPACITY BUILDING

• In collaboration with consortium partner and capacity building adviser facilitate training and workshops on conflict sensitivity which integrates gender.
• Mentor Hub staff and partners to operationalize gender-sensitive and conflict-responsive approaches.
• Support the organizational accompaniment process, helping partners integrate these practices into their operational cycles.

RESEARCH AND KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT

• Contribute to thematic research on the gendered dimensions of conflict and peacebuilding.
• Analyze lessons learned from Hub activities and disseminate findings through workshops, reports, and forums.

CONVENING AND PARTNERSHIPS

• Organize and facilitate workshops and dialogues to improve coordination and learning among HDP actors on gender and conflict-sensitive programming.
• Strengthen partnerships with INGOs, CSOs, and other organizations focused on gender equality and conflict sensitivity.
• Advocate for gender-sensitive conflict approaches at national and international forums to influence policy and practice.

Accountability

Reports Directly To: ECSH Director

Technical Line Report To: Strategic and Convening Manager

Works Directly With: ECSH Research and capacity building team

Knowledge and Experience

• BA/master’s degree in economics, statistics, monitoring and evaluation, project management or another relevant field required (Change in degree level and field specialization).
• 5-7 years of experience in the areas of program development and monitoring, evaluation and learning in Humanitarian, Development, and Peacebuilding program contexts.
• Proven capacity to effectively collaborate with colleagues online and offline.
• Demonstrated experience in program implementation, research, analysis, and capacity building related to conflict analysis, conflict sensitivity, and peacebuilding.
• Demonstrated expertise in managing consortium-based programs, ensuring effective collaboration, coordination, and alignment among diverse partners.
• Demonstrated experience in facilitation and training and mentoring of others.

Success Factors

• Proven ability to lead politically sensitive initiatives, leveraging strong diplomatic skills and strategic relationship management to navigate complex stakeholder landscapes.
• Having strong networking experience across the country and with relevant HDP actors.
• Strong understanding of conflict analysis tools and methodologies.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of Ethiopia and donor-led humanitarian, peacebuilding and development initiatives.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to work effectively with consortium partners and donors.
• Fluency in written and oral communication in English and at least one local language.
• The ETCSH-MEL Specialist should demonstrate strong communication, adaptability, and cultural sensitivity at the time of hire. Over time, success will depend on fostering a learning culture, guiding partners through conflict-sensitive monitoring, and promoting collaboration. Key soft skills include resilience, empathy, active listening, and the ability to navigate politically sensitive situations while achieving measurable outcomes.

GESI (GENDER, EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND SOCIAL INCLUSION)

• Adherence of gender minimum standards.
• Allocate budget for GESI related activities and staff capacity building on GESI.
• Make sure GESI issues are properly reflected during program management.
• Support the organization’s commitment to age and gender inclusive team building process to promote an inclusive and equitable workplace culture.
• Support staff Capacity Building on increase staff knowledge of GESI.
• Coordinate with GESI Technical team to improve gender-responsiveness of program /Project MEAL system.
• Increased commitment to Gender Equality Diversity and Social Inclusion.

Skills Required:

• Economics / Statistics
• Social / Science / Project / Management / Development