MERL Specialist - Mastercard Foundation Africa Growth Fund

Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA) invites applications for Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning (MERL) Specialistto join our dedicated and talented team in Africa on our mission to create business solutions to poverty! 

MEDA’s work is built on a foundation of Mennonite business roots and faith-based values, within the global context of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. We believe business solutions are effective interventions to address poverty. Through a market-systems approach and strategic partnerships, MEDA enables access to finance and provides business and technical expertise to build transformative agri-food market systems that create decent jobs, allowing traditionally excluded groups to become active participants in a sustainable economy. MEDA welcomes all who share our values and want to join us in our mission. To find out more about MEDA, please visit our website at www.meda.org. 

POSITION SUMMARY 

The MERL Specialist will provide support to the Director of MERL in ensuring effective Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning systems and processes are in place for the Mastercard Foundation Africa Growth Fund initiative. The role requires a strong research and impact measurement background with experience in impact investing, entrepreneurship development and job creation. The MERL Specialist will work closely with MEDA’s Monitoring and Impact Measurement (MIM) department, Learning Partner Organization (LPO), and the Mastercard Foundation’s external Impact Partner Organization.

• Job Status: Full-time, starting in October/November 2024 to March 31, 2027

• Location: Accra, Ghana  | Nairobi, Kenya

• Reporting Manager: Director, MERL

RESPONSIBILITIES

Data Analysis and Reporting (30%) 

Conduct continuous in-depth analysis of the Fund's portfolio performance, prepare quality reports on a quarterly basis in a timely manner. These includes:

• Provide support to the Learning Partner in gathering and updating data from Investment Vehicles (IVs) and Portfolio Companies (PCs).
• Monitor and track key performance indicators (KPIs), including financial performance, and impact metrics relevant to the Fund's objectives.
• Analyze data to identify trends, strengths, and areas for improvement.
• Evaluate the performance of individual PCs and IVs, as well as the overall portfolio.
• Identify potential risks or challenges within the Fund’s portfolio IVs and PCs and provide recommendations to mitigate identified risks.
• Coordinate with the Fund’s partners in preparing detailed quarterly performance reports summarizing the information to include key findings, insights, outcome stories and actionable recommendations.

Learning and Knowledge Sharing (20%) 

Develop evidence-based knowledge products, coordinate with the Fund’s Learning and Communications partner, and share insights to improve project implementation and ecosystem engagement. These includes: 

• Develop evidence-based learning products, such as reports, briefs, case studies, toolkits, and infographics.
• Ensure the learning products developed by the Learning Partner are aligned with the Fund’s objectives and target audience needs.
• Provide support to the Learning Partner in developing internal and external knowledge products.
• Provide support to the Learning and Communications Partner in coordinating dissemination activities at ecosystem events.

MERL System Implementation (20%) 

• Work with the LPO to improve and optimize the Fund’s MERL systems for data collection and visualization, enhancing its utility for partners, IVs, and PCs, while developing MERL services to meet donor requirements and strengthen MEDA’s capacity.

• Engage regularly with the LPO and BDS Partner in the maintenance and optimization of the Fund’s Impact, ESG/GDEI dashboards.
• Coordinate joint efforts to ensure that the upgraded MERL systems meet the needs of partners, IVs, and PCs, making information more accessible and actionable for stakeholders.
• Provide data reporting templates to partners, IVs and PCs and provide training on tracing and tracking impact data and outcomes.
• Ensure that data collection processes are aligned with donor requirements and Fund objectives - including specific criteria such as gender, age, and geographic distribution.

Capacity Building (20%) 

• Provide capacity-building support to IVs and PCs to enhance their impact measurement capabilities while ensuring staff and partners understand MERL requirements for data gathering and reporting.

• Develop and deliver training programs to IVs and PCs to strengthen their impact measurement capabilities especially on tracing and tracking impact data and outcomes.
• Support efforts in socializing the Fund’s Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning (MERL) vision and requirements to IVs and support alignment with their investor reports.
• Establish regular check-ins with the LPO to address any challenges they face in meeting MERL requirements.
• Gather feedback from IVs and PCs to continuously improve the capacity-building efforts and ensure they meet the evolving needs of the Fund.

Other Duties (10%) 

• Participate in MERL and partner meetings.

• Coordinate with partners to prepare them for the Consortium retreat, ensuring they have the necessary materials and understand the retreat’s objectives.
• Collaborate with the LPO and provide technical support in preparing for ecosystem events and convenings.
• Organize and participate in internal learning meetings, Operations Committee (OC) meetings ensuring that MERL lessons and issues are discussed with relevant teams.
• Carry out additional tasks and responsibilities as assigned by supervisors or as required by the project's evolving needs.
• Provide general support to the MEDA’s Impact and Knowledge Management team and other departments as needed.

REQUIREMENTS

Education/Experience:

• Master’s in International Development, Economics and Statistics, Sociology or a related field.

• Ideal to have 4 to 6 years of experience in Impact Measurement, MERL Systems, as well as supervisory & managerial. 

Additional Qualifications:

• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills.
• Experience in impact investing, entrepreneurship, and job creation.
• Ability to integrate information technology and automated data systems into MERL processes.
• Knowledge of Gender and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) frameworks, with the ability to integrate these into MERL processes. Data visualization and PowerPoint presentation skills.
• Experience managing complex MERL systems and working in partnership-type interventions.
• Excellent relationship management, networking, presentation, and communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in diverse cultural settings.
• Proficiency in English; French or regional languages are an asset.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis when received. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. Only successful applicants will be contacted.

MEDA is an equal opportunity employer and accommodations are available during all phases of the recruitment process. We ask that any applicants requiring accommodations make their needs known in advance.

Please note - MEDA is working with a recruitment partner (Millar Cameron) on this search and selected candidates will go through a screening process with Millar Cameron before meeting MEDA Hiring team.