Monitoring, Evaluation, Knowledge and Management (MEKM) Officer

Job Posting Organization:
Mercy Corps is a leading global organization that operates in more than 40 countries, driven by the belief that a better world is possible. Established in 1979, Mercy Corps focuses on disaster relief and development, partnering with communities to implement bold solutions that help people overcome adversity and build stronger communities. In South Sudan, Mercy Corps has been active since 2005, working to support displaced and disenfranchised populations affected by ongoing conflict. The organization collaborates with various donors, including the UK Department for International Development, Swiss Development Cooperation, and the European Union, to empower communities to recover from crises and improve their livelihoods.

Job Overview:
The Monitoring, Evaluation, Knowledge and Management (MEKM) Officer plays a crucial role in the Sustainable Agricultural Development Project (SADEP), a seven-year initiative aimed at enhancing resilience and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security for rural communities in South Sudan. The MEKM Officer will coordinate the establishment and maintenance of the project's monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system, ensuring that project progress is tracked effectively. This position requires collaboration with project teams and stakeholders to facilitate evidence generation and knowledge management, ultimately supporting evidence-based decision-making. The MEKM Officer will be responsible for conducting field monitoring visits, data analysis, and reporting, as well as promoting a culture of learning and continuous improvement within the project.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The MEKM Officer's responsibilities include designing, implementing, and maintaining a robust M&E system to track progress against SADEP objectives. This involves ensuring timely collection and validation of project data, developing performance indicators, and conducting regular field monitoring visits. The officer will facilitate knowledge management by documenting lessons learned and best practices, and will conduct quantitative and qualitative data analysis using statistical software. Additionally, the MEKM Officer will prepare periodic M&E reports for management and donors, plan and conduct research studies to assess project outcomes, and provide guidance and training to project staff on M&E tools and methodologies. Compliance with donor reporting requirements and organizational policies is also a key responsibility.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a postgraduate degree in Monitoring and Evaluation, Demography, Statistics, Economics, Rural Development, or related fields from a reputable university. A minimum of eight years of direct experience in monitoring and evaluation of rural development projects is required, along with demonstrated experience in designing and implementing M&E systems. Proficiency in data processing and management of large-scale surveys is essential, as is experience with statistical packages such as SAS, SPSS, and Advanced Excel. Strong research skills and excellent oral and written communication skills in English are mandatory, along with proven integrity in handling public resources and executing duties.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a postgraduate degree in relevant fields such as Monitoring and Evaluation, Demography, Statistics, Economics, or Rural Development. Candidates should have a strong foundation in research methodologies and data analysis techniques, as well as familiarity with M&E tools and frameworks.

Experience:
The MEKM Officer should have at least eight years of relevant experience in monitoring and evaluation, particularly in rural development and national projects. This experience should include designing and implementing M&E systems for complex projects, as well as managing large-scale surveys and data analysis.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position, as effective communication is essential for collaboration with project teams and stakeholders. Additional language skills may be considered an advantage, particularly in local languages relevant to the communities served by the project.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in Juba, South Sudan, and requires up to 40% field travel to support project delivery, which may involve travel to insecure locations. Mercy Corps is committed to ongoing learning and encourages team members to dedicate 5% of their time to personal and professional development activities. The organization values diversity and is an equal opportunity employer, committed to providing a safe and inclusive work environment. Team members are expected to adhere to the organization's Code of Conduct and safeguarding policies.