US Monitoring and Evaluation Systems Support Intern

Tracking Code: 218579-927

Job Description

INTERN WORKSITE LOCATION:   Portland

DATES OF INTERNSHIP:   June/July, 2013

LENGTH OF INTERNSHIP:   3-6 months (as available)

FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR THE INTERNSHIP: This is an unpaid internship

Mercy Corps responsibilities

For the duration of this internship assignment the intern will receive:

• Computer
• Work Station
• All required office supplies

Intern responsibilities

Intern will remain responsible for all costs associated with:

• Housing in Portland
• Travel to and from Portland

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

Mercy Corps has made a commitment to strengthening its capacity and systems agency-wide to monitor and evaluate programs effectively, based on the twin principles of field-focused measurement and balancing rigor with utility. The Monitoring, Evaluation and Learing team leads this effort by 1) facilitating a network of more than 100 M&E-focused field staff worldwide linked together through an active, web-based Community of Practice; 2) technical support from HQ-based M&E experts; 3) development of a comprehensive suite of resources including guidelines, tip sheets, and template tools for data collection and management and analysis (Design Monitoring & Evaluation in a Box); 4) an initiative to articulate agency progress towards mission achievement (Mission Metrics).  This team is also engaged in independent research and operates from an agency-wide research agenda to explore key questions and test theories, while promoting quality research and evaluation designs in program development.

The internship is designed to support and help develop the activities of the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning team to carry out these functions with an emphasis on the technological and information systems needed to support the broader DM&E Community of Practice.  He or she will help advance the team’s ability to maximize technology in its own daily operations, as well as in its support to field practitioners.  Using computers and mobile technology platforms, as well as licensed and open source software applications, the intern will help the MEL team in a variety of ways, depending on his/her skills and interests.  Some examples include the following: 

• MEL Team Systems:  improving systems for monitoring and reporting on the MEL team’s work, including elements such as a help-desk ticket system, form builder, mapping, activity tracking, etc.
• Web-based platforms: modeling and supporting simple and efficient web-based platforms for the field to use to share information most efficiently.
• Mobile Data Collection:  help develop approaches for the use of mobile devices for collecting data in the field.
• Data visualization practices and capacities: our agency-wide results measurement system is ripe for deeper visualization and analysis techniques.
• ‘DM&E in a Box’ Resource Development: helping to advance and update the available resources (‘tip-sheets’) that provide guidance on monitoring and evaluation functions.  Possible topics include Survey Design, Data Analysis, Data Management, Data Visualization, Database Development, etc.).

OBJECTIVES:

It is expected that the intern will gain extensive learning in international development and the important role of Monitoring and Evaluation as a programmatic function, dependent upon the efficient use and sharing of information. Mercy Corps provides a vibrant learning environment, rich with opportunities for creative contribution. The intern will gain exposure to multiple and varied types of approaches to supporting and tracking field-level monitoring and evaluation (M&E). The intern will learn about the challenges of conducting M&E in developing countries and get an in-depth grounding in indicators and data use in the field, while having the opportunity to provide cutting-edge solutions and approaches. He or she will also be exposed to an innovative new performance measurement system designed to inform the agency on its mission-critical results and improve M&E practice agency-wide. 

DELIVERABLES:

Deliverables will be defined in coordination with the prospective intern to meet his or her specific skills and interests, but may include one or more of the following:

• Development of team activity/task  tracking system,
• Update of existing Data Management system (Excel and/or Access) in DM&E in a Box,
• Standard open-source tools developed for mobile data collection,
• New DM&E Tip Sheets on data management topics,
• Conducting webinar and/or in-house training or demonstration on data visualization

IDEAL CANDIDATE SHOULD POSSESS THE FOLLOWING QUALIFICATIONS:   

• Graduate student in international development, social sciences or related field with interest in research, program evaluation, and data analysis,
• Advanced coursework/experience  in data analysis, statistics, and information systems,
• Highly adept with various software, such as Office suite, Google applications, database development, data analysis/visualization, Sharepoint, etc.,
• Motivated, self-starter,
• Good interpersonal/communication skills

LIVING CONDITIONS:

This position is Portland-based.   Housing is not provided, but assistance in obtaining housing can be provided.   The Mercy Corps office is centrally located in downtown Portland and easily accessible by public transportation from all four quadrants of the city (northwest, northeast, southwest, and southeast), as well as neighboring towns.

Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. Staff are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

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