MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING (MEL) TECH COORDINATOR

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is powered by the belief that a better world is possible. To do this, we know our teams do their best work when they are diverse, along-term members feel that they belong. We welcome diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be stronger and have long term impact.

The Program / Department / Team

Mercy Corps is launching a new multi-year food security and education program in Liberia, working across Grand Bassa, Rivercess, Grand Gedeh, and River Gee counties in partnership with international and national organizations. The program aims to improve school meals, literacy outcomes, and the community and government systems that sustain these gains over time, in close coordination with national and local stakeholders.

The Position

The MEL Tech Coordinator leads the design, operation, and continuous improvement of the program’s MEL technology and is the program’s technical owner for its routine data systems. Core platforms are CommCare (mobile data collection and case management), Microsoft Azure (central data storage and automated extract–transform–load pipelines), Microsoft Power BI (dashboards and analysis), TolaData (indicator results tracking), and QGIS (geospatial analysis).

The coordinator turns the program’s Performance Monitoring Plan (PMP) into a working data system: case-managed CommCare applications that track schools, students, teachers, suppliers, and commodities across 234 schools; data pipelines that bring together data from Mercy Corps and consortium partners; and dashboards that put timely, accurate information in front of program managers, government counterparts, and the donor. They promote data-driven decision-making by working with technical, managerial, and operational team members to produce visualizations used for decision-making, reporting, and program adaptation.

The Azure data pipelines will be built by Mercy Corps’ MEL Technology team at program start-up. The Coordinator works alongside that team from day one and progressively takes over operation, maintenance, and extension of the pipelines, with in-house Azure training provided. The Coordinator provides technical (dotted-line) oversight to MEL Officers, the MEL Assistant, and enumerators on the use of MEL tools, and works with consortium partners and MOE counterparts to align data standards and support interoperability with School Connect.

Essential Responsibilities

MEL TECHNOLOGY ARCHITECTURE AND REQUIREMENTS

• Lead requirements gathering with MEL, program, consortium partner, and government stakeholders for all data collection, management, storage, analysis, and reporting needs, ensuring every PMP indicator and reporting requirement is mapped to a data source, tool, and workflow.
• Develop and maintain data flow maps, a program data dictionary, and a catalog of all data sources, covering primary data collected by Mercy Corps and partners and secondary data such as MOE and School Connect data.
• Lead the standardization of variables, codes, and unique identifiers (school, student, location, commodity) across tools and partners, so that data can be harmonized with minimal manual effort.
• Jointly review and update the MEL Tech Plan with the MEL Lead, in accordance with Mercy Corps MEL policy, and maintain a technical workplan for MEL technology.
• Ensure that the database is always functioning and accessible to designated individuals.
• Advise on technology choices so that program needs, connectivity constraints, and sustainability drive the tools used and the support provided.
• Document system database contents and protocols, and update SOPs for smooth operation.
• Conduct quality checks of results and evidence in TolaData periodically, and other TolaData-related standards as per organizational MEL policy.

COMMCARE CASE MANAGEMENT AND DATA COLLECTION

• Design, build, and maintain the program’s CommCare applications, including case structures (case types, parent–child relationships, and case properties) for schools, students, teachers, suppliers, and commodity tracking, and the full case lifecycle from registration through follow-up and closure.
• Configure the organization structure, locations, case sharing and ownership, mobile worker accounts, user roles, and permissions so that each user sees only the cases they need.
• Build robust form logic, including validation and skip logic, calculations, lookup tables, GPS capture, and repeat groups, optimized for offline use and delayed synchronization in low-connectivity areas.
• Manage application versioning and release (testing, staging, and deployment) and ensure field teams always have the current version of all MEL tools and documents.
• Lead the data systems for beneficiary registration and verification (full registration in Year 1 and list update in Year 3), including de-duplication and unique identifier management.
• Support configuration of digital tools for routine monitoring, commodity verification, and annual pupil panel data collection, including tracking panel pupils across years.
• Set up and manage data exports, OData feeds, and Data Forwarding/API connections from CommCare to Azure and Power BI.

DATA INTEGRATION, PIPELINES, AND STORAGE

• Work alongside the Global MEL Technology team as the Azure data pipelines are built, and progressively assume responsibility for operating, monitoring, maintaining, and extending them (e.g., Azure Data Factory, Azure SQL Database, Azure Data Lake Storage).
• Define and maintain automated data cleaning, validation, and de-duplication rules; monitor pipeline runs; and resolve failures and data integrity issues promptly.
• Integrate data from consortium partners (e.g., literacy assessment data from RTI International and qualitative data from LIPACE and SCIDA) and other sources into the central database, working with partners on shared data standards and data sharing agreements.
• Support alignment of program tools and data structures with Government of Liberia systems, including School Connect and MOE structures, and support the phased transfer of selected tools to government as part of the program’s graduation pathway.
• Ensure databases and pipelines are always functioning and accessible to designated users, with backups in place, and document database contents, protocols, and SOPs.

ANALYTICS, VISUALIZATION, AND DATA USE

• Design, build, and maintain Power BI reports and dashboards that track progress against PMP targets, commodity stock and reconciliation, school feeding reliability, and other management needs, including data modeling, Power Query transformations, DAX measures, scheduled refresh, and row-level security.
• Conduct periodic quality checks of results and evidence in TolaData, and apply other TolaData standards in accordance with Mercy Corps MEL policy.
• Produce maps and spatial analysis in QGIS to support targeting, monitoring, learning, and reporting.
• Prepare datasets, tables, and visuals for semi-annual and annual reporting to USDA through FAIS; compare figures in reports against the database; and identify and resolve discrepancies.
• Present data in monthly and quarterly reviews, adaptive management workshops, and learning events, and, with the MEL Lead, facilitate sensemaking discussions with program teams, partners, and government counterparts.

DATA PROTECTION AND DATA QUALITY

• Implement Mercy Corps’ Responsible Data Policy across all MEL systems, including informed consent capture, encryption, access controls and permissions, data minimization, retention, and secure disposal.
• Support Privacy Impact Assessments and the ethical review process before baseline fieldwork, and develop and maintain data protection SOPs across program and partner activities.
• Support semi-annual Data Quality Assessments in all four counties against USDA’s data quality standards (validity, integrity, precision, reliability, and timeliness), and lead resolution of technical issues identified.
• Regularly review incoming data to locate and resolve data entry and integrity issues, and conduct site visits to confirm that MEL tools and systems are used correctly by all staff and partners.

CAPACITY BUILDING AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT

• Provide technical (dotted-line) oversight, coaching, and mentoring to MEL Officers, the MEL Assistant, and enumerators on MEL tools and data workflows.
• Establish a systematic process for MEL technology support: document, prioritize, and track support requests, and build field teams’ ability to troubleshoot common issues themselves.
• Design and deliver training for staff, enumerators, consortium partners, and government counterparts on CommCare, data quality, dashboards, and data use, adapted to varying levels of technical capacity.
• Develop and maintain user guides, technical guidance, and templates, and communicate data-related deadlines to field teams under the guidance of the MEL Lead.

SECURITY

• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
• Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.

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

No direct reports. The MEL Tech Coordinator provides technical (dotted-line) oversight to MEL Officers, the MEL Assistant, and enumerators on the use of MEL technology and data workflows.

Accountability

Reports Directly To: MEL Lead

Works Directly With: MEL Coordinator, MEL Officer, MEL Assistant, program technical leads, consortium partner MEL staff, MOE counterparts, Program Manager, and the regional/global MEL Technology support team

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills
Any skills you have gained through education, volunteer, work, or life experience that are relevant for the position will be considered. Be sure to fully explain transferable skills and success factors and how they apply to this position in your cover letter.

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information systems, data science, or a related field.
• 4+ years of experience in data systems, MEL technology, or information management, including hands-on work with CommCare and Power BI.
• Demonstrated proficiency in CommCare case management: designing case structures and case sharing, building applications in App Builder with advanced form logic, managing mobile workers, user roles, and locations, and managing application releases. Experience limited to basic form-based data collection is not sufficient.
• Demonstrated proficiency in Power BI: data modeling, Power Query, DAX, publishing to and managing workspaces in the Power BI Service, scheduled refresh, and row-level security.
• Strong data cleaning, validation, and manipulation skills, and the ability to critically evaluate data and identify errors and weaknesses.
• Advanced Excel skills and proficiency with Microsoft Office and SharePoint.
• Demonstrated experience designing and delivering technical training to users with varied technical capacity.
• Fluency in spoken and written English.
• Availability to travel regularly to program counties, including areas with limited amenities.

Preferred

• Experience with Microsoft Azure (e.g., Azure Data Factory, Azure SQL Database, Azure Data Lake Storage) or another cloud data platform. Mercy Corps provides in-house Azure training; candidates who meet the required qualifications but lack Azure experience are encouraged to apply.
• Working knowledge of SQL; experience with Python or R is an advantage.
• Experience with QGIS or other GIS software.
• Experience with XLSForm-based tools (e.g., ODK, Kobo Toolbox).
• Experience with TolaData or other indicator tracking systems.
• Experience with school feeding, education, or USDA-funded programs, or with government education management information systems.
• Knowledge of data protection principles and responsible data practice in development or humanitarian contexts.
• Experience in international relief and development programming, especially in MEL functions.

Shortlisted candidates will be required to complete a practical assessment of their CommCare case management and Power BI skills.

Success Factors

The successful candidate will be a hands-on builder who owns the program’s data systems end to end and treats data quality and participant privacy as non-negotiable. They will combine strong CommCare and Power BI skills with the curiosity and discipline to learn new platforms quickly, including Azure, through structured and self-directed learning. They will be motivated by reducing the time and effort that field staff and partners spend on data, will ensure that program needs, not tool preferences, drive technology choices, and will build the capacity of colleagues, partners, and government counterparts so that systems outlast the program.

They will communicate clearly with technical and non-technical audiences, solve problems independently, and work collaboratively with teams of varying technical capacity. They will act ethically at all times regarding the privacy and security of program participant data, communicate ethical concerns up the chain of responsibility, and ensure the concerns are resolved appropriately. The most successful Mercy Corps team members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and challenging environments, and make effective written and verbal communication a priority.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position is based in Liberia and requires regular travel to program counties (Grand Bassa, Rivercess, Grand Gedeh, and River Gee), including to areas with limited amenities. Team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours when deployed in a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs, and organizational policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

Ongoing Learning

In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse 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 & 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 Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. 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 (integrityhotline@mercycorps.org).