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Location: Remote (with 10–20% travel to Sudan)
Position Type: Full-time, Regular
Department: Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning
Salary: Commensurate with experience
About Mercy Corps
Mercy Corps is a leading global humanitarian and development organization committed to creating a better world. Operating in more than 40 countries, the organization partners with communities to tackle the root causes of poverty and conflict and build resilient, self-reliant societies. Mercy Corps has been present in Sudan since 2009, delivering programs that support economic recovery and long-term development.
Position Overview
The Senior Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL) Manager will provide high-level technical leadership and strategic direction to strengthen MEL systems in Sudan. This role is designed as a transitional leadership position while MEL responsibilities are transferred to a national MEL Manager.
The Senior MEL Manager will work remotely and report to the PaQ Director, collaborating closely with MEL staff in Sudan. The primary focus will be on capacity building, systems strengthening, and ensuring evidence-based program design and implementation.
Key Responsibilities
1. Capacity Building & Team Management
- Lead performance management of MEL team members, including the MEL Manager and MEL Systems Manager.
- Oversee MEL staffing needs, including recruitment and training.
2. Strategic Evidence Generation
- Develop a cohesive MEL strategy for evidence generation and adaptive learning across all programs.
- Conduct an evidence gap analysis, reviewing internal and external data sources.
- Lead development of MEL workplans aligned with program milestones.
- Ensure alignment and integration of all MEL studies and assessments into a unified strategic framework.
3. Evidence Use & Adaptive Management
- Interpret and communicate MEL findings clearly and effectively for various audiences.
- Facilitate sensemaking workshops and reviews to revise Theory of Change and program implementation strategies.
- Champion adaptive learning practices throughout the program lifecycle.
4. MEL System Design & Oversight
- Guide the national MEL Manager in designing program- and country-level MEL systems.
- Oversee the development of results chains and logical frameworks to ensure strategic alignment.
- Ensure MEL tools and systems are aligned with donor requirements and internal standards.
5. Strategic Planning & Reporting
- Collaborate with regional leadership to support strategic planning and reporting.
- Contribute to regional reporting on performance indicators, budgets, and staffing.
- Monitor and manage regional MEL budgets and deliverables.
6. Risk Management & Compliance
- Support Sudan’s MEL systems to meet Mercy Corps’ risk management and compliance requirements.
- Collaborate with internal audit, safeguarding, and ethics teams to track findings and support implementation of recommendations.
- Support preparedness and response efforts for disruptive events.
Supervisory Responsibility
- Direct Reports: MEL Manager, MEL Systems Manager
- Reports to: PaQ Director
- Works closely with: Sudan program teams, support functions, and global MEL staff
Qualifications & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., International Development, Social Science, Statistics); Master’s preferred.
- 6–8 years of experience in monitoring and evaluation, preferably in complex humanitarian or development settings.
- Proven experience in designing MEL systems, strategies, and tools.
- Expertise in data analysis, visualization, and communicating learning for impact.
- Strong facilitation, mentoring, and training skills.
- Experience with adaptive management processes such as pause-and-reflect or sensemaking.
- Excellent written and verbal communication in English; Arabic is an asset.
- Ability to travel to Sudan up to 20% of the time.
Success Factors
The ideal candidate will have a strong analytical mindset, a passion for learning, and the ability to translate data into actionable insights. They will thrive in complex environments and have a collaborative approach to leadership. A strong commitment to local capacity building and inclusion is essential.
Safeguarding & Ethics
Mercy Corps is committed to safeguarding all individuals it comes into contact with. All staff must adhere to the organization’s Code of Conduct and complete annual safeguarding training. Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer and actively encourages candidates from diverse backgrounds, including women, people with disabilities, and underrepresented communities, to apply.
How To Apply
Interested candidates should apply via Mercy Corps’ official careers portal.
Application deadline: Rolling basis. Candidates are encouraged to apply early.
