Job Description

About 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

The Program / Department / Team  
Mercy Corps has been operating in Zimbabwe since 2002 focusing its interventions on a multi-sectoral market systems development portfolio mobilizing communities to promote small-scale agriculture and revive local economies. MC Zimbabwe seeks to support at-risk communities in Zimbabwe - with a specific focus on young people, women, and other marginalized groups - to move towards sustainable development through building resilience and strong inclusive systems in the face of climatic and economic shocks and stresses. Market driven approaches are at the heart of Mercy Corps’ programming. Mercy Corps facilitates the development of systems that increase incomes and improve access to goods, with services, and employment opportunities, while reducing the risks and effects of shocks and stresses. 

Team Efficiency and Effectiveness
Achieving our mission starts with how we build our team and collaborate. By bringing together individuals with a variety of experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives, we strengthen our ability to solve complex challenges and drive innovation. We foster a culture of trust and respect, where every team member is valued for their contributions, empowered to reach their full potential, and motivated to do their best work.
We recognize that building a strong and effective team is an ongoing process, and we remain committed to learning, improving, and growing together.

Equal Employment Opportunity
Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out different backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact.

We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

Safeguarding Risk Rating: Level 3

Duties and Responsibilities

Essential Job Responsibilities
Monitoring and Evaluation Oversight
• Ensure existing MEL systems (tools, databases, GIS maps) function effectively to support ongoing data tracking and reporting.
• Oversee timely and accurate data collection, including periodic surveys, exit interviews and routine field monitoring.
• Regularly travel to implementation sites to monitor MEL activities and ensure high-quality implementation.
• Conduct routine data quality audits and field spot-checks to verify accuracy and completeness.
• Coordinate with program managers to ensure that regular monitoring activities are being performed according to schedule.
• Work closely with Team leader to ensure monitoring outputs adequate for management and reporting purposes.

Data Management, Reporting & Performance Tracking
• Ensure completeness and timeliness of data entry and reporting processes.
• Clean, analyse, and visualize data to facilitate reporting and informed decision-making.
• Oversee the preparation of GIS maps and maintain linked information databases.
• Collaborate with program teams to generate bi-weekly and monthly data summaries.
• Prepare summary reports as requested by the Country Director or other senior staff.
• Manage indicator tracking against program targets and donor commitments to identify trends, gaps, and opportunities for adaptive management.

Research, Learning & Knowledge Sharing
• Serve as a liaison between Mercy Corps program staff and collaborating research institutions for data-based research projects, as directed by the program’s leadership.
• Facilitate quarterly learning sessions to translate data insights into actionable implementation strategies.
• Coordinate documentation of lessons learned, success stories, and case studies for internal and external use.

MEL Team & Process Leadership
• Serve as primary MEL focal point for internal Mercy Corps teams and external partners.
• Supervise and mentor MEL Officers, ensuring adherence to protocols and timelines.
• Coordinate hiring, management & logistics of short-term personnel for data collection activities.
• Support capacity-building initiatives for MEL staff, program teams and partners on MEL tools and data collection processes.
• Optimize workflows to ensure efficiency in data collection, entry, and utilization.
• Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.

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.

Qualifications and Experience

Knowledge and Experience
• Master’s degree in Statistics, Operations Research, Economics, Social Sciences, Monitoring & Evaluation, or any related field.
• At least 3 years’ experience in leading MEL component of a complex project funded by an international donor (FCDO/EC/UN/USAID). Experience with market system development or livelihoods programming is an added advantage.
• Practical and theoretical knowledge in program monitoring and evaluation methods, including survey design, sampling & interview techniques, and mixed-methods data collection approaches.
• Proficiency in basic quantitative analysis, including statistical methods and data interpretation is required
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications including Excel and Word is required.
• Experience with mobile data collection platforms (e.g. CommCare, ODK), statistical software (e.g. SPSS, Stata, R) and database management platforms (e.g. Access) is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of GIS mapping is required.
• Proven ability to build, mentor, and lead MEL teams.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English is required.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including comfort and ability to engage professionally with project participants while representing Mercy Corps is essential.

How to Apply

Safeguarding & Ethics
Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC and have signed on to the Misconduct Disclosure Scheme

By applying for this role an applicant confirms that they have not previously violated an employer’s sexual misconduct, sexual exploitation and abuse, child safeguarding or trafficking policy. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times.

Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct e- learning courses upon hire and on an annual basis. As an applicant, if you witness or experience any form of sexual misconduct during the recruitment process, please report this to Mercy Corps Integrity Hotline
([email protected]).

How To Apply
Applicants are required to download and sign the MC Candidate Declaration Form (copy and paste this link to your web browser)
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fL8jWQxlsNyykTbZ-4JkFz36XayX6RBO/edit#heading=h.gjdgxs and submit together with CV and Cover letter to Mercy Corps Human Resources at [email protected] by COB 5 May2025. Please note that CV and Cover should be on one document.
Applications should be clearly marked with the position applied for in the email subject line.
Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity organization and encourages both female and male candidates to apply. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Applicants will be considered on a rolling basis and shortlisting will proceed as applications are received.