About Mercy Corps

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 around the world, we partner to put bold solutions

into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within.

Now, and for the future.

 

The Program / Department / Team

USAID Informal Livelihoods Advancement Activity (Iqlaa) is a five-year USAID-funded program that

aims to put Jordan’s home-based businesses (HBBs) and Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) on a path to

recovery, help them access the safety net measures in Jordan, and, most importantly, regain productivity and

growth.

Mercy Corps approach to Iqlaa integrates direct assistance with market systems development (MSD)

interventions to support MSEs along the full journey from recovery to growth and resilience. Grounded in

evidence-based, adaptive, and inclusive support, Jordan’s MSEs can emerge stronger and more resilient,

transformed through new ways of doing business and improved access to finance, markets, and services. The

program encourages and supports the participation of all MSE-owner segments.

Mercy Corps approach is committed to supporting MSEs build back, formalize, and grow, emphasizing

systems-level change, equitable opportunities, and a dignified work environment for all.

Mercy Corps leads on the implementation of Iqlaa, and weaves together technical expertise from a robust set

of national, regional, and international partners.

 

The Position

The MEL Data Assistant will support the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) functions across all

Iqlaa interventions. S/he will be responsible for assisting in routine and periodic daily data collection,

coordination with consortium partners and subgrantees, and maintaining up-to-date and accurate MEL

records. The Data Assistant will support the implementation of MEL activities in line with donor requirements

and internal MEL frameworks.

 

The MEL Data Assistant will be responsible for drafting data collection tools and instruments, ensuring that

Iqlaa MEL activities meet all applicable policies or guidance notes. The MEL Data Assistant will ensure that

all data collection tools are well-designed and that program teams, including partners, have the capacity to

collect accurate data in line with Iqlaa’s MEL frameworks, systems, and automated tools.

Overall, the MEL Data Assistant will be responsible for following up on the ongoing and upcoming activities

to maintain quality data verification, baseline data collection, ensuring high-quality monitoring, evaluation,

and learning efforts, and promoting a culture of data use for adaptive management and improved program

outcomes.

 

 

This role requires a strong focus on conducting daily phone-based interviews with micro and small

enterprises (MSEs) and program participants to collect qualitative and quantitative data, with clear daily

targets and documentation requirements. The Data Assistant must have strong writing skills in both Arabic

and English to document findings and produce regular summaries and reports. Additionally, the role

requires strong organizational skills and the ability to maintain a well-structured call tracker to monitor

the progress of completed interviews.

 

Essential Responsibilities

• Ensure the timely and high-quality implementation of MEL activities and data collection tools, utilizing

Iqlaa’s program quality and learning (PQL) automated systems with a particular focus on qualitative data

analysis and reporting.

• Assist in developing data collection tools and instruments in coordination with relevant stakeholders,

including partners and implementing organizations, and support their timely development, testing, and

deployment.

• Collaborate with the PQL team to design tools that align with Iqlaa’s MEL frameworks and enable partners

and field teams to collect accurate and reliable data.

• Maintain proper MEL documentation, including indicator folders containing raw data, analysis workbooks,

tools, and all related evidence.

• Support the implementation of MEL activities across all Iqlaa interventions, covering routine monitoring,

data collection, and reporting tasks.

• Conduct regular data collection and validation exercises through field visits, phone interviews, in-person

interviews, and desk-based reviews.

• Contribute to the preparation and updating of quantitative and qualitative data collection tools in

collaboration with the MEL team.

• Develop professional and comprehensive analytical reports for the qualaitive and quantitative data

collected.

• Follow up with technical teams, implementing partners, and subgrantees to ensure timely data submission

and address any gaps as assigned by the supoervisor.

• Enter, clean, and organize data received from partners and internal teams, ensuring consistency and

accuracy.

• Articulate and communicate lessons learned emerging from the data collection processes and tools with

the relevant supervisors and stakeholders.

• Participate in periodic review and learning sessions to support adaptive management and continuous

program improvement.

• Ensure that data collection activities comply with Iqlaa’s MEL protocols and donor reporting requirements.

• Ensure data protection in accordance with Responsible Data Policy and evaluation requirements.

• Ensure monitoring and evaluation plans and tools, data collection, entry, cleaning, and storage are

appropriately implemented by the subordinates as assigned by the supervisor.

• Assist in analyzing monitoring and evaluation qualitative data to an appropriate standard and use analysis

results to inform project decision-making.

• Ensure compliance with relevant Mercy Corps MEL policy and donor MEL policies and regulations.

• Complete any other duties assigned.

• Develop data collection tools and instruments – including digitized data collection methods

i.e. ODK collection built on XLS forms.

• Supports the PQL Director and the Senior MEL and IM Coordinator in the annual surveys. Mid-line

evaluation, and final internal performance review and evaluation.

• Assist in organizing and filing source documents and data verification materials in a systematic manner.

 

Reporting

● Ensure appropriate internal communication and feedback systems are in place and functioning so that

MEL informs project planning and implementation.

● Ensure high quality and timely preparation of MEL data for reports as requested by the supervisor.

● Contribute to the regular MEL reports.

HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE MANAGEMENT

● Oversee the responsible management and maintenance of ICT equipment in the MEL team according

to Mercy Corps asset management policies and procedures.

● Manage the purchase/subscription and renewal of technology software and platforms used in IQLAA

in close coordination with the country MEL Advisor.

● Prepare a data protection plan in coordination with the relevant stakeholders.

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: NA

Reports Directly To: MEL Coordinator

Works Directly With: Program Quality and Learning (PQL) Director, Senior MEL and IM

Coordinator, PQL team, Technical leads, Communications team, procurement team, and finance

teams.

 

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.

 

Knowledge and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in quality management, Project Management, Sociology, Social work Economics,

Statistics, International Development, or a related field.

• Minimum of 1 year of relevant experience in data collection or MEL-related tasks. Experience working on

international development or humanitarian assistance projects, especially in MSEs or Home-Based

Business (HBB) development, is a strong asset.

• Strong skills in data collection, communication, and database management.

• Excellent writing skills in both Arabic and English, with the ability to prepare high-quality reports and

maintain organized data trackers.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and Word.

• Experience in developing XLS forms and using ODK (Open Data Kit) is required.

• Full professional fluency in Arabic and English, both spoken and written.

 

Success Factors

▪ Deep commitment to humanitarian principles and values.

▪ Willingness to learn new skills and methodologies.

▪ Ability to work under pressure, independently, and with limited supervision.

▪ Demonstrated organizational skills.

▪ Demonstrated creative problem-solving skills.

▪ Security, political and cultural awareness.

▪ Ability to provide a high-quality report in English.

▪ Ability to multi-task while meeting several pressing deadlines.

▪ Mature, responsible, and diplomatic in their interactions with others.

▪ Pays attention to detail and is meticulous, thorough, and results-oriented.

 

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position is based in Amman, Jordan and it may require up to 10% to travel regularly to Mercy Corps

field offices and project sites.

 

Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours when deployed in a

field posting or on a visit to a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a

professional manner and respect local laws, customs, and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times

and in all in-country venues.

Fostering a diverse and open workplace is an important part of Mercy Corps’ vision. Mercy Corps is an

Equal Opportunity Employer regardless of background. We are committed to creating an inclusive

 

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.

 

Team Efficiency and Effectiveness

Achieving our mission starts with how we build our team and collaborate. By bringing together individuals

with a variety of experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives, we strengthen our ability to solve complex

challenges and drive innovation. We foster a culture of trust and respect, where every team member is valued

for their contributions, empowered to reach their full potential, and motivated to do their best work.

We recognize that building a strong and effective team is an ongoing process, and we remain committed to

learning, improving, and growing together.

 

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively

seek out different 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 elearning

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).