MEAL Specialist job at Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. Now, and for the future.

Program Summary

The PROPEL Africa Project (Pathways to Resilience, Opportunities, Professional Employment and Learning) aims to address the persistent challenge of youth unemployment and underemployment in Liberia, Senegal, Tanzania, and Uganda. Currently, young people encounter systemic barriers to securing dignified employment, arising from misalignments between skills development and labour market needs, and inadequate access to financial resources. Implemented by JA Africa and Mercy Corps, PROPEL responds to these challenges through a dual approach: equipping underserved youth aged 15–30 with relevant, demand-driven business, employability, and life skills, while simultaneously improving the way the labour market works for young people.

Position Summary

The Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) Specialist leads the design and implementation of a robust MEAL system for the PROPEL Africa program. They ensure that data informs decision-making, support adaptive management, and meet donor and organizational standards. The role oversees the development of harmonized tools and processes, data systems, and integrated learning across four countries and between the two principal implementing partners. The MEAL Specialist will work closely with the JA Africa MEAL focal point to provide overall consortium leadership, supervising the work of country-level MEAL team members.

Responsibilities or duties

MEAL Systems Design & Implementation

• Lead development of the program MEL Plan, including results frameworks, Indicator Performance Tracking Table, data collection tools, and learning plans.
• Ensure harmonized MEAL tools and processes across Mercy Corps and JA Africa, including standardization of data collection methods and integrated data management systems.
• Oversee annual surveys and baseline and final evaluations, ensuring compliance with donor and Mercy Corps best practices and requirements.
• Track value-for-money and social return on investment indicators as required to ensure stewardship of donor resources and effectiveness of programming.
• Manage data quality assurance processes and support country teams in MEL implementation.

Learning & Adaptive Management

• Facilitate consortium-wide quarterly and annual reflection and learning sessions with country teams and technical leads.
• Collaborate closely with the JA Africa MEAL focal point for joint analysis and reporting.
• Produce evidence-based insights for strategic decision-making and donor communication.
• Lead documentation of best practices, lessons learned, and program adaptations.

Capacity Building

• Provide training and mentorship to country MEAL teams and partners.

Accountability

• Ensure community feedback mechanisms are functional, inclusive, and responsive.
• Support safe data collection and safeguarding-integrated MEAL practices.

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward 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.

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.

Safeguarding Responsibilities

• Actively learns about safeguarding and integrates it into their work, including safeguarding risks and mitigations related to their area of work.
• Practices the values of Mercy Corps, including respecting the dignity and well-being of participants and fellow team members.
• Encourages openness and communication in their team; encourages team members to submit reports if they have any concerns using reporting mechanisms, e.g., Integrity Hotline and other options.

Supervisory Responsibility

Dotted line supervision of country-level MEAL focal points.

Accountability

• Reports Directly To: PROPEL Program Director
• Works Directly With: Country Teams, Ecosystem Support Functions Specialist, Financial Inclusion Specialist, JA Africa MERL Manager, and Mercy Corps’ Global and Regional Technical and Quality teams

Qualifications or requirements

Knowledge & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s preferred in social sciences, statistics, economics, or related field.
• 5–7 years of MEAL experience, ideally in youth employment, market systems, or livelihoods programs.
• Experience with digital data systems (CommCare, PowerBI).
• Strong analytical and communication skills; experience with multi-country programs is an advantage.

• Lead development of the program MEL Plan, including results frameworks, Indicator Performance Tracking Table, data collection tools, and learning plans.
• Ensure harmonized MEAL tools and processes across Mercy Corps and JA Africa, including standardization of data collection methods and integrated data management systems.
• Oversee annual surveys and baseline and final evaluations, ensuring compliance with donor and Mercy Corps best practices and requirements.
• Track value-for-money and social return on investment indicators as required to ensure stewardship of donor resources and effectiveness of programming.
• Manage data quality assurance processes and support country teams in MEL implementation.
• Facilitate consortium-wide quarterly and annual reflection and learning sessions with country teams and technical leads.
• Collaborate closely with the JA Africa MEAL focal point for joint analysis and reporting.
• Produce evidence-based insights for strategic decision-making and donor communication.
• Lead documentation of best practices, lessons learned, and program adaptations.
• Provide training and mentorship to country MEAL teams and partners.
• Ensure community feedback mechanisms are functional, inclusive, and responsive.
• Support safe data collection and safeguarding-integrated MEAL practices.

• Experience with digital data systems (CommCare, PowerBI).
• Strong analytical and communication skills.

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s preferred in social sciences, statistics, economics, or related field.
• 5–7 years of MEAL experience, ideally in youth employment, market systems, or livelihoods programs.
• Experience with digital data systems (CommCare, PowerBI).
• Strong analytical and communication skills; experience with multi-country programs is an advantage.