Note: The job is a remote job and is open to candidates in USA. Mercy Corps is a leading global humanitarian and development organization working with communities in the frontlines of conflict and climate change. The MSD MEL & Adaptive Learning Consultant will strengthen the team's capacity to design and apply monitoring, learning, and adaptive management approaches aligned with Market Systems Development principles.
Responsibilities
- Conduct MSD MEL Capacity Assessment and Develop Capacity Strengthening Plan
- Conduct a participatory MSD MEL systems and capacity review, combining:
- Existing survey findings
- Consultations with team members and managers
- Review of current MEL systems and practices (including institutional MEL and tech platforms)
- Identify group and individual capacity strengths and gaps, with a strong focus on practical application
- Develop a prioritized, resource-conscious capacity strengthening plan that integrates training, mentoring, and systems development throughout the assignment
- Deliver Practical Learning Session(s) on Foundations of MSD MEL
- Design and facilitate applied learning session(s) that establishes a foundational understanding MEL for MSD. Introduce and explore core MSD MEL concepts aligned with the DCED Standard, including:
- Systemic change and results chains
- Market actor performance and incentives
- Adoption, behavior change, and sustainability pathways
- Adaptive management and evidence-based decision-making
- Provide coaching and mentoring (individual and small group) tailored to identified gaps
- Support prioritized key staff to apply MSD MEL approaches directly to ongoing MSD interventions and programs, including:
- Troubleshooting real challenges
- Strengthening confidence in using MSD MEL frameworks and tools
- Using learning questions, evidence generation, and structured reflection processes to support adaptive management and evidence-based decision-making
- Ensure capacity strengthening is contextualized across the portfolio, including:
- Direct business development support
- MSD intervention
- Emphasize improving measurement of spillovers, incentives, and system-level effects to support better strategic planning
- Provide ongoing technical advisory and operational support to apply systems in real time, troubleshoot implementation challenges and strengthen consistency and quality of MEL practice
- Provide hands-on support to design, adapt, and operationalize MEL systems and tools, ensuring:
- Alignment with DCED standards (pragmatically applied)
- Integration with MC Ukraine’s institutional MEL systems and technology and applicable across the full program portfolio
- Support development and refinement of practical deliverables, including:
- Results frameworks, results chains and key performance indicators
- Measurement and management systems for partnerships and systemic change
- Monitoring and learning tools embedded in program workflows
- Guide creation of an internal MSD MEL Toolkit, including:
- Adapted templates, that enable teams to apply MSD MEL approaches in practice
- Practical guidance notes that clarify how to measure and interpret system-level and attributable change
- Tested examples from implementation that can support future programming and staff onboarding
Skills
- Advanced degree in Monitoring & Evaluation, Economics, Business Administration, International Development, Social Sciences, or a related field
- Minimum 7 years of experience in MEL, adaptive management, and learning systems for development programs
- Demonstrated experience with Market Systems Development (MSD), private sector engagement, economic development, financial inclusion, or livelihoods programming
- Proven expertise in MSD results measurement, including results chains, learning agendas, intervention validation, adaptive management, and partner performance monitoring, applying the DCED standard
- Experience designing and facilitating capacity strengthening initiatives, including training, coaching, and mentoring of MEL and program teams
- Strong ability to translate technical MSD and MEL concepts into practical tools, templates, and guidance for program implementation
- Experience developing MEL frameworks, monitoring tools, learning products, and knowledge management resources
- Excellent facilitation, communication, analytical, and report-writing skills
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