Mercy Corps
Position Title: Database & MIS Coordinator
Requisition Number: DATAB002987
Full-Time
Location: Nairobi
Travel Required: Yes
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
With funding from USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA), Mercy Corps’ Nawiri Program is leading a consortium of Kenyan and international partners on a five year journey to sustainably reduce persistent acute malnutrition in Turkana and Samburu Counties of Kenya.
Through a phased approach that emphasizes evidence gap analysis, as well as partnership, learning, and co-creation, the program takes a robust county-centered design with government leadership, active engagement from communities, the private sector, and civil society.
Mercy Corps’ consortium brings together the global leadership, research capacity, technical expertise, and implementation experience necessary to partner with local institutions to test, adapt, and scale evidence-based solutions.
Together we will sustainably reduce persistent acute malnutrition for vulnerable populations in Turkana and Samburu counties.
The Position Summary
The database and MIS coordinator will work directly under the Nawiri MIS Manager as well as with the broader MEL team to operationalize Nawiri’s Management Information System.
S/He will lead and coordinate MIS development including information gathering, translation of user needs into system specifications, developing and roll-out of mobile and web platforms, developing of standard operating procedure (SOP) to ensure optimal use of information systems, consistency, and data quality standards.
S/He will provide timely technical backstopping on the CommCare platform for data management, ICT support on mobile technology and database, and continuous adaption to the data management system to include emerging data needs.
Working with County Data and Information Advisor, S/He will support county GIS and Information system interventions as part of broader system strengthening support for Turkana and Samburu.
S/He will be a member of the MIS team responsible for developing, implementing, and supporting the technology tools and data storage platform for the USAID Nawiri.
This includes CommCare, Microsoft Power BI and Microsoft SQL Server Azure based data warehouse.
Working in partnership with staff at various levels and locations, the Database and MIS coordinator will performs a key role in analyzing, developing, and improving tools and processes contributing to the successful rollout of the effective Monitoring and Evaluation System.
Essential Job Responsibilities
PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
- Work closely with the MIS Manager to produce and update work-plans for data management, analysis, and reporting.
- Work closely with the MEAL team and other stakeholders mapping information management scope which include data gathering, analysis and use to inform development or improvement of Data Management Information Plan.
- Develop and support measurement data platforms using CommCare and MS stack technologies (Azure Data Factory, SQL, PowerBi, PowerApps etc), and in accordance with agreed development standards.
- Develop related technical documentation of data platforms developed such as user guides, setup manuals etc for the implementation team and end users.
- Design and model data for technology products to inform development of operational databases.
- Support during rollout of developed data platforms and provide second line technology support to all the deployed platforms.
- Conduct data management capacity needs assessments for project staff and roll-out Data
- Management and Information Systems capacity building activities with support from the MIS Manager.
- Carry out requirement analysis and develop wireframes, prototypes and develop databases and software to support the implementation of Nawiri project activities
- Support development, testing and roll-out of mobile data collections including ensuring that data collection protocol and SOP are in place to guide data quality and collection at county level.
- Conduct regular Data Quality Assurance (DQA) with county team to assess the validly, reliability, and quality of data collected
- Build quality checks in CommCare mobile data collection tools to minimize data errors.
- Support development of USAID Nawiri Database and CommCare platform for data storage and collection – including building syntax for exporting data from Nawiri Partner databases and County government MIS systems.
- Conduct capacity building activities including the training of staff in mobile data collection tools, data analysis and visualization and database operability at central and county level.
- Support rolling out and management of project community accountability and reporting system (CARM) at county level including system maintenance.
- Support rolling out and management of Nawiri Work-plan Activity Tracker –Smartsheet and other platforms employed by the project for project management.
- Support mapping efforts including collection of geo-spatial data, entry in GIS platform and production of map to highlight Nawiri operating areas and achievements.
- Support updating of Indicator Performance Tracking Table (IPTT) during reporting and support uploading of data in USAID Partner Reporting Template and Digital Library.
- Remain flexible and open to taking on new responsibilities as Nawiri continues to evolve and progress – especially as requested/guided by the MIS and M&E Managers.
- Supervise MIS officer at county level including mentoring on USAID Nawiri MIS system and roll-out
REPRESENTATION
- Develop the necessary relationships and partnerships with consortium partners – with focus on M&E
- Identify, build and manage trusted partnerships with consortium agencies, local government and other stakeholders
- Effectively communicate the program’s best practices to build Mercy Corps’ positive image with development stakeholders
SECURITY
- Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.
- Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership
ORGANIZATIONAL LEARNING
- As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve, we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.
ACCOUNTABILITY TO PARTICIPANTS
Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.
Supervisory Responsibility:
- No direct supervisory responsibility. Will have dotted supervisory roles for all the Nawiri partner MIS officers in Samburu and Turkana counties.
Accountability
- Reports Directly To: Database & MIS Manager
- Works Directly With: MEL Manager, MEL Coordinators, M&E Officers, M&E Assistants, Data Officers, Technical Staff and County Government Turkana or Samburu
Minimum Qualifications & Transferrable skills
- BSc in Information Technology, Information Systems, Information Technology or equivalent
- At least five (5years of professional experience in developing and management of databases and information systems
- Experience in Android Studio or equivalent mobile data building platforms
- Experience in information systems frameworks such as Node js, Laravel, Codeigniter or equivalent
- Experience in building APIs
- Competence in coding and working with digital data collection platforms Open Data Kit/ CommCare/ KoboCollect
- Competence in using visualizing tools such as Power BI or Tableau
- Competence in GIS mapping and visualization using ArcGIS/QGIS or similar tools
- High degree of computer literacy and typing proficiency; Excel and Word skills.
- Fluency in written and oral English. Must be able to read and interpret documents and communicate with others as necessary to perform job duties effectively.
- Direct experience implementing programs or M&E in an NGO context
- Experience working with enterprise grade systems implemented in multiple departments to collect, store, and visualize data specifically CommCare and PowerBI or similar
- Advanced level experience of MS Excel including developing macros and consolidating data from multiple Excel spreadsheets
- Experience working with Microsoft T-SQL, Azure SQL Server, Data Factory, SSIS/other ETL tools, data modeling and data factory and warehouse development.
- Experience providing support for enterprise-level platforms with significant numbers of users and varying IT infrastructure
- Strong experience with mobile data collection and/or case management using CommCare and/or Microsoft PowerApps.
- Experience with enterprise data architectures, integration, and master data management
Success Factors
The ideal candidate will have a strong curiosity for understanding and working effectively within the complex cultural, political, security and social environment of Kenya.
S/He will be an excellent communicator and multi-tasker, and able to work in ambiguous situations.
S/He must be able to demonstrate a commitment to promoting a culture of critical inquiry and learning be tolerant and flexible, and able to work in difficult and stressful environments and follow procedures.
The successful candidate will be focused on team-building and capacity-building of county staff; be a strategic thinker, have strong skills in design monitoring and evaluation of development programs and maintain a sense of humor.
Travel
Must be willing to travel up to 50% of time Success Factors
Ongoing Learning
As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve, we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges.
We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.
We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse 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 and 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
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply. Mercy Corps does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process.
Travel Required
Yes. 50% travel
How to Apply
CLICK HERE to apply online.
Deadline: 7th November 2022