Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Graduate Trainee at Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps, a global humanitarian organization, are hiring a Graduate Intern - Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning in Nairobi.

Mercy Corps is powered by the belief that a better world is possible. To do this, we know our teams do their best work when they are diverse, and every team member feels that they belong. We welcome diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be stronger and have long term impact.

Country MEL Department Summary

The Mercy Corps Kenya Country MEL function supports programmes to generate credible evidence, strengthen accountability, improve programme quality and use learning for timely adaptation. The function works across a diverse portfolio that includes resilience, livelihoods, peacebuilding, humanitarian response and Market Systems Development (MSD) programming.

The department supports results frameworks and indicators; participant and partner data management; digital data collection; data-quality assurance; research, assessments and evaluations; outcome measurement; dashboards; learning and reflection processes; and responsible use of data. It is also advancing the Mercy Corps MEL Tech Automation workflow using CommCare, Microsoft Azure-linked data pipelines and Power BI.

General Position Summary

The Graduate Intern – MEL is a position within the Country MEL team. Under supervision, the Intern will support the management, quality assurance, analysis and use of programme data across the Mercy Corps Kenya portfolio.

The Graduate Intern will receive exposure to the MEL cycle, including results measurement, digital data collection, data cleaning and validation, dashboard development, basic statistical analysis, documentation, research support, learning and adaptive management.

In this role, the Graduate Intern will gain practical exposure to analyzing market systems, understanding the behavior of market actors, assessing the sustainability of programme results, and evaluating how development initiatives contribute to long-term, inclusive change.

Essential Job Responsibilities

MEL Data Systems and Documentation

• Support the testing, review and documentation of digital data-collection tools and workflows, including CommCare forms and applications.
• Assist with preparation and maintenance of data dictionaries, indicator mappings, user guidance, system documentation and change logs.
• Support routine checks on data synchronization, completeness and system functionality, and document issues for resolution by the responsible technical staff.
• Assist with organizing programme databases, evidence files and MEL records using agreed naming, version-control and access protocols.
• Provide basic user support and contribute to simple learning materials for programme teams and partners, under supervision.

Data Management, Quality and Responsible Data

• Support data cleaning, coding, validation, deduplication and preparation of programme, participant and partner datasets.
• Conduct routine data-quality checks for missing values, inconsistencies, duplicates, unusual patterns and incomplete supporting documentation.
• Assist programme and MEL teams to track and resolve identified data-quality issues while maintaining a clear audit trail.
• Apply approved confidentiality, access-control, data-protection, anonymization and secure file-handling procedures.
• Support preparation of validated datasets for reporting, dashboards, research and evaluation activities.

Data Analysis, Visualization and Reporting

• Use Excel and other approved tools to produce basic descriptive statistics, summaries, tables, charts and routine analytical outputs.
• Support the preparation, testing and updating of Power BI dashboards and standardized programme performance reports.
• Assist with disaggregation and trend analysis by geography, sex, age and other relevant inclusion or programme variables.
• Support analysis of participant reach, outcomes, service access, partner performance and programme implementation trends.

MEL, Research, Learning and Adaptive Management

• Assist with survey preparation, digital-tool testing, field monitoring, assessments, evaluations and other evidence-generation activities.
• Support basic quantitative and qualitative data organization and analysis, including coding of structured qualitative information where appropriate.
• Support analysis of MSD information, including market-actor reach and performance, changes in access and use of services, behaviour and relationship changes, inclusion, sustainability and emerging signs of wider system change.

Collaboration and Professional Development

• Work collaboratively with Country MEL colleagues, programme teams, partners and relevant regional or global technical teams.
• Participate actively in supervision, coaching, mentoring, structured learning activities and periodic performance discussions.
• Maintain accurate records of assigned work, learning progress and completed deliverables.
• Demonstrate professional conduct, curiosity, integrity, attention to detail and openness to feedback.
• Perform other closely related learning assignments agreed with the supervisor and consistent with the purpose of the graduate trainee role.

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 Beneficiaries

• Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards 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.
• Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values always and in all in-country venues.

Safeguarding

• 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: None

Accountability:
Reports Directly To: MEL Country Manager
Works Directly With: Country MEL team members, programme MEL focal points, programme teams, partner organizations, and relevant regional or global MEL Technology teams.

Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills

• A bachelor’s degree in data science, Statistics, Applied Statistics, Economics and Statistics, Information Systems, Computer Science, Information Technology, Business Information Technology, Mathematics and Computer Science, Operations Research, Actuarial Science, Monitoring and Evaluation, or another closely related quantitative discipline.
• Candidates from a technical or computing discipline should demonstrate basic exposure to MEL, research or programme-performance concepts through coursework, academic research, volunteering or self-directed learning. Candidates from Monitoring and Evaluation or a related development discipline should demonstrate foundational quantitative, data-management and digital-systems capability.
• Graduated within twelve (12) months for bachelor's degree holders; or Awaiting graduation, completed course work
• Basic understanding of MEL concepts, such as theories of change, results frameworks, indicators, data collection, data quality, analysis, reporting, learning and adaptive management.
• Foundational knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methods gained through university coursework, a final-year project, capstone assignment or equivalent academic work.
• Basic competence in Microsoft Excel, including data organization, formulas, sorting, filtering, tables, charts and preferably pivot tables or lookup functions.
• Demonstrated interest in learning Power BI, CommCare, databases, SQL, Microsoft Azure and statistical or programming tools such as Stata, SPSS, R or Python.
• Ability to think analytically, identify inconsistencies, follow procedures and communicate findings clearly in writing and verbally.
• Strong attention to detail, integrity and willingness to handle confidential information responsibly.
• Ability to work respectfully and collaboratively in a diverse team and to seek guidance when needed.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English; working knowledge of Kiswahili is required.
• Willingness and ability to travel to programme locations when required.

Success Factors

The successful Graduate Trainee will be curious, ethical, organized and eager to learn. They will pay close attention to data quality and confidentiality, ask for guidance when unsure, communicate clearly and work constructively with both technical and programme colleagues. They will be able to connect data tasks to programme questions and gradually develop confidence in translating evidence into practical insights, including adaptive and market-systems programming.

Living Conditions/Environmental Conditions

The position is expected to be based in Nairobi and may require periodic travel to Mercy Corps programme locations across Kenya. Travel may include locations where amenities are limited and where security procedures or restrictions apply. Housing for this role is individual housing.

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.

Apply for this vacancy

---

---