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

Mercy Corps works in places of transition, where conflict, disaster, political upheaval, or economic collapse present opportunities to build more secure, productive, and just communities. Providing emergency relief in times of crisis, we move quickly to help communities recover and build resilience to future shocks, and promote sustainable change by supporting community-led and market-driven initiatives. Recognizing both the great potential and the complex challenges faced by the Middle East, since 1989 Mercy Corps has been implementing a range of humanitarian assistance and development programs tailored to the specific needs of the region and of those communities where we work.

Mercy Corps has worked across Iraq’s 18 governorates since 2003, providing support to more than 5 million people affected by war, violence, and displacement. Mercy Corps Iraq focuses on (1) a relief-to-resilience pathway to meet the needs of conflict-affected communities leveraging agency expertise in conflict management and civil society development (2) a humanitarian response that empowers conflict-affected populations to meet their own needs (3) partnering with conflict-affected adolescents to address their diverse needs, promoting leadership and linkages with civil society, as well as access to education, psychosocial support, and economic opportunities; and (4) promoting reconciliation and foster trust across community divisions by strengthening conflict management and prevention mechanisms and enhancing social cohesion.

The Position

The MEL Coordinator is a core member of Mercy Corps Technical Support, Evidence, and Program Quality (TEQ) unit. Reporting to the Program Manager and working closely with the Regional MEL Advisor, the MEL Coordinator provides technical leadership and coordination for the MEL functions across programs under their portfolio, including consortium-level coordination. He/she ensures that robust MEL systems are developed, implemented, and maintained in alignment with Mercy Corps’ global standards and donor expectations. This includes supporting the design of result chains and indicator tracking systems, managing digital data collection and MEL tech automation tools, supporting the rollout of assessments and evaluations, and promoting strong data management practices internally and with partners.

Additionally, the MEL Coordinator plays a key role in driving a culture of evidence-based programming and adaptive learning. He/She facilitates regular reflection sessions, leads the documentation of lessons learned and success stories, and ensures that findings are translated into actionable insights. The MEL Coordinator leads MEL donor reporting and supports new proposals, while also strengthening the MEL capacity of Mercy Corps and partner staff through targeted training and technical support as needed and in collaboration with the Regional MEL Advisor. The MEL Coordinator ensures that high-quality data is readily available to inform decision-making, support accountability to participants, and enhance the overall impact of Mercy Corps’ programming in Iraq.

Essential Responsibilities

MEL System Development & Oversight

• Support the development and revision of theories of change, result chains, logframes, and sector strategies, ensuring consistency with program proposals and country strategies.
• Lead the design and rollout of monitoring systems, indicator tracking tools, and data collection instruments, in collaboration with program teams and consortium partners.
• Coordinate with the MEL Technical Working Group (TWG) and partners to prepare monitoring plans and performance frameworks aligned with action plans and budgets.
• Review the quality and relevance of program data, baseline/endline data, and data collection methodologies.
• Ensure all MEL activities align with Mercy Corps’ and donor standards, policies, and quality benchmarks.

Routine Monitoring, Data Management & Reporting

• Facilitate and/or lead routine monitoring activities, including field visits, data collection, and on-site spot checks with Mercy Corps and partner teams.
• Contribute to or lead the design, planning, and execution of assessments, baselines and endlines.
• Oversee the rollout and maintenance of the MEL technology automation initiative, ensuring usability and sustainability in line with the regional and global standards.
• Ensure availability, use, and maintenance of data collection tools, databases, and dashboards for quality data aggregation and visualization, in line with the MEL Tech Automation mandate.
• Analyze monitoring data and ensure timely dissemination of insights to program teams for adaptive decision-making.
• Support and/or lead preparation of program monitoring reports, including donor reports, implementation updates, and learning briefs.
• Maintain an organized, up-to-date repository of MEL documents, tools, datasets, and reports.
• Deploy and manage enumerators and data collectors, including recruitment, training, supervision, and payment processing.
• Ensure high data quality through coaching, validation checks, and direct support to field staff and partners.
• Ensure program results framework is reflected on TolaData platform and regularly update indicator results.
• Lead on reporting participant count data and Organizational Outcome Measurement (OOM) for Iraq country programs.
• Regular travel to field sites for monitoring activities and other related duties.

Learning & Adaptive Management

• Coordinate learning activities including after-action reviews, reflection sessions, and learning dissemination efforts in collaboration with program teams.
• Document and share lessons learned, success stories, and best practices across programs.
• Contribute to or lead internal learning products such as case studies, presentations, briefs for donors and partners and Final Internal Performance Reviews (FIPR).
• Use MEL data and findings to generate strategic recommendations for program improvements and adaptive planning.
• Work closely with regional MEL advisor and external consultants (if any) to ensure quality evaluation design, sampling, data collection, and reporting.

Capacity Building & Technical Support

• Support capacity building of program and partner staff on MEL principles, tools, and systems.
• Provide ongoing coaching and refresher training on MEL minimum standards and best practices in line with the MEL policy.
• Identify gaps and technical support needs related to MEL systems and propose appropriate support or solutions in collaboration with the Regional MEL Advisor.

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 relevant 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

Enumerators and data collectors.

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Program Manager

Technical reporting To: Regional MEL Advisor

Works Directly With: Program Teams, Consortium partners, Operations/Logistics, Regional technical 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.

Success Factors

The successful MEL Coordinator will show flexibility, and a willingness to test, adapt, and improve. S/he will seek to produce information and learning that is genuinely useful for the program staff in informing their strategic and operational decisions. S/he will see the value in quantitative data, but will also be enthusiastic about conducting qualitative research in order to attain greater meaning.  S/he will have the ability to learn quickly, take initiative, and be accountable for results. S/he will have the ability to understand the larger picture while remaining focused on the details.

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 environment.

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 Engagement 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 committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected under applicable law.

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).

Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills

• BA/S or equivalent in International Development, Social Sciences, Information Technology or a related field required; coursework in research and evaluation methodologies and statistical analysis is preferred.
• 3 years of active M&E work experience in humanitarian and transitional developmental programming required, with understanding of complex programs
• Ideal candidate will have both theoretical and practical background in M&E and skilled in qualitative and quantitative M&E methodologies and techniques including rapid appraisal techniques and remote monitoring in hard-to-access areas.
• Experience with education programming, youth interventions, and/or related monitoring activities preferred.
• Excellent computer skills, including experience with: Excel, PowerPoint, PowerBI, Publisher, SPSS, and any other statistical packages are preferred.
• Demonstrated attention to details, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines, prioritize activities and work independently and cooperatively with team members are required.
• Experience with qualitative and quantitative data collection is required.
• Experience with data analysis, including various methods and software, is required.
• Experience supervising data collectors, and managing team workloads is desired.
• Experience analyzing and synthesizing data, and developing reports required.
• Strong analytical, multi-tasking, organizational and prioritization skills are required.
• Experience with a range of institutional donors such as MYRP, ECHO, GAC, GIZ, USAID/BHA, BPRM, SIDA and DFID is an advantage.
• Knowledge of Sphere standards and other training in humanitarian response preferred.
• Commitment to working with vulnerable groups regardless of race, religion or gender.
• Excellent interpersonal, negotiation, and overall communication skills are required.
• Fluency in written and spoken English, Arabic is required.
• Candidate must be willing to travel to field sites.

ALL APPLICATIONS/ CVs SHOULD BE RECEIVED BY November 6, 2025

Potential candidates for the post will be contacted for an interview and processed according to Mercy Corps Human Resources policies and procedures. Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for a potential interview. Any documents submitted will remain with Mercy Corps and will not be returned to candidates.

Female Candidates are encouraged to apply for This Position. 

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have a sustained global Impact.

Mercy Corps Iraq ensures a safe and inclusive working environment for women and men through field security training and measures to provide secure working arrangements on-site and in the office.

Interested candidates can apply through this link: Link Here