Company Profile

MEDA’s work is built on a foundation of Mennonite business roots and faith-based values, within the global context of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. We believe business solutions are effective interventions to address poverty. Through a market-systems approach and strategic partnerships, MEDA enables access to finance and provides business and technical expertise to build transformative agri-food market systems that create decent jobs, allowing traditionally excluded groups to become active participants in a sustainable economy. MEDA welcomes all who share our values and want to join us in our mission. To find out more about MEDA, please visit our website at www.meda.org.  

Job Description

Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA) invites applications for a Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) Specialist to join our dedicated and talented team in Ghana on our mission to create business solutions to poverty! 

POSITION SUMMARY 

Reporting to the Chief of Party of the Mastercard Foundation Africa Growth Fund (“MFAGF”), the MERL Specialist is responsible for ensuring the overall success and effective support on all MERL related issues. The MERL Specialist will provide support in planning and implementing leading edge monitoring and evaluation (M & E) services with a focus on the introduction of innovative MERL approaches and the utilization of an appropriate mix of methodologies and providing excellent client service. Travel within sub-Saharan Africa is a requirement.

• Job Status:  Full-time Contract
• Anticipated Start Date: August 2022
• Location: Accra, Ghana or Nairobi, Kenya. Other locations within sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) will be considered

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

he MERL Specialist will work closely with the Learning Partner Organization (LPO) and MEDA’s Monitoring and Impact Measurement (MIM) department to implement the following activities.

• Ensure that effective MERL systems and process are in place to support the implementation of the “Mastercard Foundation Africa Growth Fund (“MFAGF”) initiative
• Develop new and enhanced MERL services as needed and ensure the MFAGF staff and partners have adequate knowledge of MERL approaches
• Identify and develop strategic or emerging MERL issues that increase MEDA’s capacity to serve the needs of targeted clients while responding more effectively to donor requirements
• Ensure that the Initiative staff and partners have shared understanding of MERL requirements, including skills in data gathering and reporting
• Perform qualitative and quantitative analysis of data gathered from Initiative partners, portfolio companies and relevant stakeholders
• Support the LPO in convening learning forums and events and document proceedings for dissemination amongst the Initiative partners
• Work with the LPO to automate data gathering and reporting practices
• Ensure accurate and timely data gathering for quarterly reports
• Partner with relevant local institutions (e.g., universities, evaluation networks) to strengthen MERL capabilities
• Liaise with the Impact Partner Organization (IPO) to report on impact data
• Develop evidence-based knowledge products and share them widely within MEDA and among the Initiative partners
• Coordinate with Marketing and Communication team on providing client stories and impact related information
• Actively participate in MERL and other committee meetings

Any other duties and/or requirements as assigned 

Required Skills or Experience

Education: Masters-level university degree in international development, economic development, gender studies or related field or an equivalency acquired through formal education, work experience and self-learning.

Experience: Minimum 10 years’ experience in international development with demonstrated experience in MERL practices.

Additional Qualifications: 

• Appreciation and support of MEDA’s mission, vision and values.
• Understanding and appreciation of business principles, international development and MEDA’s approach of creating business solutions to poverty.
• Demonstrated aptitude at integrating information technology and automated data collection systems into programming.
• Demonstrated experience in impact investing monitoring, impact measurement and ESG reporting
• Critical analysis and strategic thinking skills.
• Written and verbal presentation as well as interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability and willingness to work in and with a wide range of cultures and in varying international locales. Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a fluid and dynamic environment and to adopt to new challenges.
• Demonstrated written and analytical skills in program design.
• Efficiency in organizing and prioritizing several tasks at once. Strong attention to detail and quality.
• Proficiency in a foreign language is an asset.
• Excellent computer skills.