Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Specialist (Regional) – PROPEL, Kampala - Uganda

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Specialist (Regional) – PROPEL, Kampala - Uganda | Mercy Corps

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Specialist (Regional) – PROPEL, Kampala - Uganda

Mercy Corps Kampala International Mid level

Apply

Summary by Impactpool

The Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) Specialist will lead the design and implementation of a robust MEAL system for the PROPEL Africa program, ensuring data informs decision-making and meets donor standards. This role involves overseeing the development of tools and processes, managing data quality, and facilitating learning sessions across multiple countries. The MEAL Specialist will also provide training to country teams and ensure community feedback mechanisms are effective. The position requires collaboration with various stakeholders to enhance program effectiveness and accountability.

Candidate Requirements:

Bachelor's degree required; Master's preferred in social sciences, statistics, or economics

5–7 years of MEAL experience, ideally in youth employment or livelihoods programs

Experience with digital data systems (CommCare, PowerBI)

Strong analytical and communication skills

Ability to collaborate across organizations

Description

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Specialist(Regional) – PROPEL, Kampala - Uganda  

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.

Program Summary

The PROPEL Africa Project (Pathways to Resilience, Opportunities, Professional Employment and Learning) aims to address the persistent challenge of youth unemployment and underemployment in Liberia, Senegal, Tanzania, and Uganda . Currently, young people encounter systemic barriers to securing dignified employment, arising from misalignments between skills development and labour market needs, and inadequate access to financial resources. Implemented by JA Africa and Mercy Corps, PROPEL responds to these challenges through a dual approach: equipping underserved youth aged 15–30 with relevant, demand-driven business, employability, and life skills, while simultaneously improving the way the labour market works for young people.

Position Summary

The Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning ( MEAL ) Specialist leads the design and implementation of a robust M EAL system for the PROPEL Africa program. They ensure that data informs decision-making, support adaptive management, and meet donor and organizational standards. The role oversees the development of harmonized tools and processes , data systems, and integrated learning across four countries and between the two principal implementing partners. The MEAL Specialist will work closely with the JA Africa MEAL focal point to provide overall consortium leadership , supervising the work of country-level MEAL team members.

Essential Responsibilities

MEAL Systems Design & Implementation

Lead development of the program MEL Plan, including results frameworks, I ndicator Performance Tracking Table , data collection tools, and learning plans.

Ensure harmonized MEAL tools and processes across Mercy Corps and JA Africa , including standardization of data collection methods and integrated data management systems .

Oversee annual surveys and baseline and final evaluations, ensuring compliance with donor and Mercy Corps best practices and requirements. 

Track value-for-money and social return on investment indicators as required to ensure stewardship of donor resources and effectiveness of programming.

Manage data quality assurance processes and support country teams in MEL implementation.

Learning & Adaptive Management

Facilitate consortium-wide quarterly and annual reflection and learning sessions with country teams and technical leads .

Collaborate closely with the JA Africa MEAL focal point for joint analysis and reporting.

Produce evidence-based insights for strategic decision-making and donor communication.

Lead documentation of best practices, lessons learned, and program adaptations.

Capacity Building

Provide training and mentorship to country MEAL teams and partners .

Accountability

Ensure community feedback mechanisms are functional, inclusive, and responsive.

Support safe data collection and safeguarding-integrated MEAL practices.

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.

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.

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

Dotted line s upervision of country-level MEAL focal points.

Accountability

• Reports Directly To: PROPEL Program Director

• Works Directly With: Country Teams, Ecosystem Support Functions Specialist, Financial Inclusion Specialist, JA Africa MERL Manager, and Mercy Corps’ Global and Regional Technical and Quality teams

Knowledge & Experience

Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s preferred in social sciences, statistics, economics, or related field.

5–7 years of MEAL experience, ideally in youth employment, market systems, or livelihoods programs.

Experience with digital data systems ( CommCare , PowerBI ).

Strong analytical and communication skills; experience with multi-country programs is an advantage.

Success Factors

A successful MEAL Specialist is committed to data-driven learning and adaptive management. They can  translate complex data into actionable insights. Bring s trong interpersonal skills with an ability to collaborate across organizations.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

This position is based in Kampala , Uganda . I t requires up to 40% travel to support country programs, which may include travel to insecure locations where freedom of movement is limited and areas where amenities are limited.

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 committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, , , 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

[Click the Apply button below to see the contact details]