Monitoring, Evaluation, and Research (MER) Manager

About NSDation

At NSDation Consultancy Services, we provide monitoring, evaluation, research, assessment, and capacity strengthening services to international NGOs and humanitarian actors across the MENA, Europe, and Africa regions. Our expert team, with extensive and tangible experience, ensures high-quality, contextually relevant services that drive sustainable change. We prioritize respect for human dignity, amplifying the diverse voices of affected communities to inform more effective and inclusive responses. Committed to helping organizations achieve excellence, we foster accountability, inclusion, and innovation in every project, empowering our clients to navigate complex challenges and contribute to a more just and equitable world.

Position Overview

The MER Manager will be responsible for overseeing monitoring, evaluation, and research projects. This role includes managing research teams, designing methodologies, developing technical data collection tools, overseeing data management, and leading reporting and quality assurance. The MER Manager will also conduct assessments and research to support project goals. Proficiency in professional English and Arabic, and experience in the MENA, Europe, and Africa regions are essential.

Key Responsibilities

Project Management

• Lead and manage teams conducting monitoring, evaluation, and research projects.
• Assign roles and responsibilities across the research teams, ensuring clarity and alignment with project objectives.
• Manage internal communications effectively, facilitating information sharing and collaboration among team members to enhance project efficiency and outcomes.
• Develop project plans, timelines, ensuring all activities are completed on time and within budget.

Methodology Design

• Develop comprehensive research design reports encompassing methodologies, sampling strategies, quality assurance standards, ethical considerations, project workflows, risk assessments, mitigation strategies to ensure thoroughness and effectiveness in project planning and execution.
• Develop technical data collection tools (e.g., surveys, interview guides, observation checklists, FGD protocols) ensuring they are aligned with project objectives.
• Develop communication protocols and operational guidelines customized for each project, delineating clear plans, standards, requirements, and tasks to guide the data collection phase effectively and ensure consistency and adherence to project objectives.

Data Collection Management

• Oversee data collection processes to ensure accuracy, reliability, and validity.
• Contribute to data management, including data cleaning, storage, and analysis.

Research and Assessment

• Conduct comprehensive assessments and research to support project development and implementation.
• Analyze research findings to provide actionable insights and recommendations.

Quality Assurance and Ethics

• Develop specific quality control measures for project management processes, including planning, execution, monitoring, and reporting.
• Create ethical protocols tailored to project requirements, addressing potential ethical considerations such as data privacy, confidentiality, informed consent, and vulnerable populations.
• Implement measures to safeguard the rights and welfare of all individuals involved in the project, including the development of protocols for engaging with vulnerable groups, such as children or marginalized communities.
• Conduct regular quality audits throughout the project lifecycle to assess adherence to quality assurance standards and identify areas for improvement.

Risk Management Strategies:

• Identify potential risks and challenges related to data collection, analysis, and reporting, and develop risk management strategies to mitigate their impact on project quality and timelines.
• Regularly review and update risk registers, contingency plans, and mitigation measures to adapt to changing project dynamics.

Reporting:

• Lead the preparation of comprehensive MER reports, summarizing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.

Capacity Building:

• Provide training and support to team members on MER methodologies and tools.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement and learning within the team.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Foster collaborative communication with project stakeholders, including clients, partners, and beneficiaries, to establish robust channels for timely communication and seamless information sharing.
• Facilitate workshops and meetings to discuss MER findings and incorporate stakeholder feedback.

Qualifications

Education

• Master’s degree in social sciences, International Development, Economics, or a related field.

Experience

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in conducting monitoring, evaluation, and research activities across diverse projects and sectors.
• Strong background in designing methodologies and developing technical data collection tools in disaster and conflict settings.
• Proven team and project management experience.
• Experience working within the MENA, Europe, and Africa regions, showcasing a deep understanding of regional contexts, challenges, and best practices for effective project implementation.
• Experience working within the MENA, Europe, and Africa regions.

Skills

• Professional proficiency in English and preferably Arabic.
• Advanced skills in data collection, management, and analysis.
• Excellent report writing and presentation skills.
• Proficient in MER software and tools (e.g., SPSS, STATA, Excel).
• Strong leadership and team management abilities.

Competencies

• Strong cultural sensitivity and ability to work in diverse environments.
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of stakeholders.