Вакансія
Program Quality, Evidence & Learning (QEL) Director
Огляд
- 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 worldwide, partner to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within.
- The Program Quality, Evidence and Learning (QEL) Director oversees the teams and work streams supporting strong program delivery and quality across Mercy Corps by integrating context-driven best practices, technical approaches, quality standards, and accountability mechanisms.
Обов'язки
Strategy and Vision
- develop and lead on compelling Program Quality, Evidence, and Learning strategic directions that reflect Mercy Corps Ukraine’s Country Strategy FY24-26 and align with P2P, Global, and Regional MENAE strategies
- use the recently developed Annual Implementation Plan (AIP) to deliver on key objectives and targets related to Program Quality, Evidence, and Learning, and contribute to other workstreams as needed
- ensure the QEL unit of Mercy Corps Ukraine is cohesive, efficient, well-staffed, and that team members understand the unit’s mandate and priorities, with onboarding support for new members as required
- serve as a key partner to the DoP to ensure QEL workstreams, initiatives, and priorities are integrated across all programs and coordinated effectively
- collaborate and coordinate with Regional and Global TRaQ and E&L teams, ensuring Ukraine’s participation in TRaQ and E&L-led workstreams while securing necessary support as needed
- contribute to Mercy Corps Ukraine’s impact delivery through the QEL team’s mandate and priorities
- contribute to other organizational commitments whenever possible (climate smart, innovative and creative, evidence-driven, locally-led, safe, diverse, and inclusive)
Program Performance & Quality
- lead in establishing efficient program quality systems, processes, and tools across Mercy Corps Ukraine’s program portfolio
- champion and provide technical support and guidance to Program Leads around Mercy Corps’ Program Management Policy and its minimum standards to ensure transformational impact and high-quality program execution
- support Program Leads and teams with implementing the Program Management (PM@MC) Policy, procedures, and standards (inclusive of PM, CARM, MEL, GESI in Program Management, Cash Transfer/Goods Distribution Programs, and Infrastructure), overseeing efforts to conduct gap analysis, develop action plans, and provide continuous support
- oversee efforts to ensure that all programs in Ukraine adopt and use recommended program filing structures to improve record retention, documentation management, standards adherence, and information sharing
- support the DoP in facilitating effective collaboration between program teams (grants/new business, program implementation, and QEL teams) to ensure program quality and adherence to standards
- support the overall program cycle—from identification and design, kick-off to close-out—to drive strong evidence-based program design, promote adaptation, and ensure that evidence and learning are generated throughout the program lifetime
- work closely with the Regional TRaQ team as needed to address program quality gaps in a timely manner
- support the Monitoring and Evaluation (MEL) teams with a focus on quality assurance processes (including MSR and TolaData) across the country
- support the development of sector guidance and lead MEL Teams in developing MEL frameworks aligned with the country strategy
- support the Community Accountability Reporting Mechanism (CARM) teams, ensuring effective systems across all programs and regular review of CARM data for program adaptation
- ensure that appropriate CARM systems are in place for all programs and that results are utilized for implementation improvements and learning
- support the CARM teams in expanding accountability frameworks as necessary
- support the GESI team in leading the roll-out of Gender, Diversity, and Inclusion as a priority area for Mercy Corps Ukraine’s programs, ensuring GESI minimum standards are met
Evidence Generation & Learning
- lead Mercy Corps Ukraine’s evidence-driven commitment and support the development of an evidence and learning vision in collaboration with the Regional Evidence and Learning Unit and other evidence generation teams, contributing to a culture that values evidence and learning
- coordinate with the Regional ELU to establish key evidence and learning priorities for Mercy Corps Ukraine at country and/or program level, aligned with the Country Strategy and the Global and MENAE Evidence and Learning Agenda (ELA)
- develop and integrate knowledge management systems to improve the processing, analysis, and utilization of data and evidence generated across programs
- coordinate and collaborate with Mercy Corps Ukraine and Regional Crisis Analysis teams to incorporate relevant CA work into the broader evidence and learning framework
- collaborate with Mercy Corps Ukraine/Regional TRaQ/Technical teams to include technical assessments and other outputs as applicable to the evidence and learning priorities
- support program teams at the business development stage to ensure all new programs are designed based on evidence
- support program teams at inception to establish key learning and/or research questions in collaboration with technical experts
- lead the development of processes for integrating cross-program learning, ensuring lessons learned inform future program design with a focus on adaptive management
- establish and resource strategic local and regional partnerships with research firms, academic institutions, analysis agencies, and data processing organizations to advance Mercy Corps Ukraine’s evidence and learning goals
- contribute to Mercy Corps Ukraine’s influence objectives by organizing and disseminating generated evidence and learnings through various platforms
Team Management
- supervise and manage all QEL team members, ensuring their work aligns with strategic goals and contributes effectively to the QEL team’s objectives
- create and sustain a safe, diverse, and inclusive work environment of mutual respect where team members are encouraged to grow, learn, and achieve excellence
- promote accountability by communicating expectations and providing constructive feedback through regular performance reviews
- provide team members with information, tools, and resources to improve performance and achieve objectives, including capacity strengthening as needed
- ensure appropriate staffing within the QEL team and that all staff understand and can perform their roles effectively
Representation and Coordination
- coordinate internally with teams at the country, regional, and global levels to ensure successful delivery of the QEL mandate
- collaborate closely with regional Evidence and Learning and TRaQ teams for needed technical support
- lead efforts to share best practices within the humanitarian and development community in Ukraine regarding evidence, learning, and program quality
- contribute to positioning Mercy Corps Ukraine as a thought leader in relevant technical areas
- represent Mercy Corps in external coordination and donor meetings as required
- participate in Complex Program board calls and follow-up as needed
Вимоги
- bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree or equivalent in a related field (Humanitarian or International Development) preferred
- at least 7 years of experience providing coordination or management support to program implementation
- experience working in Ukraine
- proven ability to work cooperatively with internal and external stakeholders and to play a leadership role in convening groups, with strong relationship-building and coordination skills
- extensive experience in program quality, monitoring and evaluation, evidence and learning, research, and information management within P2P technical areas
- willingness and ability to travel frequently to Mercy Corps program sites and field locations, including insecure environments
- excellent listening, communication, and networking skills with the ability to work with diverse populations
- strong presentation skills with capacity to deliver and facilitate training and capacity-strengthening interventions
- analytical problem-solving skills with strong understanding of project cycle management and coordination
- high level of self-awareness and self-development, with the maturity to handle constructive feedback
- flexibility in adapting leadership and management style as needed
- experience conducting research, drafting, and presenting reports to varied audiences
- fluency in written and verbal Ukrainian and English
Умови
- full-time position
- work in Kyiv