ROLE TYPE: 1 Year FTC
LOCATION: Remote - globally flexible. Preference for Aden/Beirut/Amman. Travel to Aden, Yemen, may be required occasionally.
REPORTING TO: MEAL Manager
CLOSING DATE: 10th September 2024
About Ark
ARK is a social enterprise, empowering local communities through the provision of agile and sustainable interventions to create greater stability, opportunity and hope for the future.
We believe that strong, resilient communities are the foundation of local, national, regional and international development and stability - and ultimately a safer, peaceful and more prosperous world. At ARK, we have delivered research and programmatic interventions validating this approach in over twenty countries since 2008. As a social enterprise, we work in partnership with communities, our donors, and other implementers to build local capacities, generate opportunities, and bring about sustainable change.
Learn more about our impact here: https://www.ark.international/impact
About The Role
ARK's Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) function plays a key role in the evidence-based design and delivery of its portfolio of programmes and projects, which range from conflict prevention and mitigation, stabilisation and development to security sector capacity building and the climate/conflict nexus, among other areas.
We're now recruiting a Management Information Systems (MIS) Coordinator to support ARK's MEAL Department with the design, development, and operation of an MIS system to support the successful delivery of ARK's USAID projects in Yemen. The MIS Coordinator will make a key contribution to the quality, effectiveness, adaptability, and appropriateness of ARK's delivery and its accountability to donors and affected communities/populations.
The MIS Coordinator will initially lead the design and development of an appropriate MIS system, using industry-standard data capture software, databases, and dashboards, and configure the system to the needs and performance monitoring indicators of ARK's USAID projects in Yemen. Then, the MIS Coordinator will administer the system in all aspects, including ensuring that information flows from ARK's delivery team and local partners into the core database, is quality checked and validated, and is analysed and presented in appropriate reports and dashboards to support decision-making processes and reporting. The MIS Coordinator will develop a case management functionality to track individual beneficiaries and the goods and services they have received so that the programme team can make appropriate decisions on individual cases. The MIS Coordinator will develop user manuals and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and train ARK and local partner colleagues to use any data capture software/applications.
The MIS Coordinator will work closely with ARK's MEAL colleagues, who will support the MIS Coordinator in mapping the project data flows and understanding the system of indicators, arranging data collection activities in the field, and developing appropriate questionnaires that the MIS Coordinator will code into the data collection application.
What You'll Be Doing
MIS Design and Implementation
- Oversee the design, development, and implementation of a project-level MIS system, including the development of a data model, technical evaluation of an appropriate solution, configuration of a database, and development of data collection forms (questionnaires to be developed by the MEAL Manager and given to the MIS Coordinator to code)
- Oversee the development of a case management functionality that allows the programme team to understand what goods and services an individual beneficiary (or household) has received, and take and log decisions relating to this beneficiary
- Operationalise the MIS system, including overseeing, with the support of the MEAL Manager, the capturing of data from the ARK field teams and local partners, the quality assurance and validation of that information, and storing it in the database
- Generate dashboards that can show the status of project indicators and that permit exploration of the data e.g., drilling down to understand location, gender disaggregation, etc
- Oversee the storing of project data to ensure data integrity and protection of any personal information
- Oversee the administration of system users and the overall security of the system
Training
- Develop user manuals and SOPs for different system users
- Design and implement a training programme for ARK project staff and local partner staff on how to interact with the MIS (e.g., training on data collection processes) and any data collection forms
- Design and implement a training programme so that ARK project staff know how to engage with and exploit the information available in the dashboards to support decision-making processes
Requirements
Competencies
- Communication—The ability and willingness to align one's own behaviour with the organization's needs, priorities, and goals and to act in ways that promote the organization's goals or meet organizational needs
- Commitment and Interest in the Topic - The openness to new ideas and the desire to continuously learn and develop new skills
- Attention to Detail - Closely observe and manage small aspects of tasks, ensuring accuracy and precision in work
- Adaptability - The willingness to accept changes and the ability to maintain effectiveness in a changing environment
- Planning and Organisation - The ability to develop clear, efficient and logical approaches to work
- Teamwork - The ability to work effectively as part of a team, including the ability to collaborate, build relationships, and contribute to a positive team dynamic
Essential Skills And Qualifications
- Extensive track record designing, developing, and managing MIS in a development context
- Experience working with relevant database design, data collection and dashboard applications e.g., SQL, Shiny, ONA, ActivityInfo, ODK, Kobo, PowerBI, Tableau, etc
- Experience developing case management functionality
- Experience working with or alongside Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) functions, demonstrating engagement with indicators and Results Frameworks/Logical Frameworks
- Experience developing user manuals/SOPs and conducting training on them
- Experience of working in fragile and conflict-affected states, including experience working remotely or semi-remotely
- Commitment to the conduct of ethical research with human subjects and advanced knowledge of gender mainstreaming, conflict sensitivity and Do-No-Harm principles
- Understanding of data protection principles and processes
- Full professional fluency in English.
Desirable Skills And Qualifications
- Degree in a relevant subject, e.g. Computer Programming, Database Design, MIS Systems
- Experience working on USAID programmes
- Experience of working on/in Yemen
- Working proficiency in Arabic and English
Benefits
Why join ARK?
- Impactful Work: Your expertise will directly impact the lives of those in need.
- Global Reach: Collaborate with international experts and local stakeholders.
- Innovation: Engage in pioneering solutions for sustainable change.
- Career Growth: Expand your horizons with varied projects and challenges.
Our People
Our team covers a diverse range of professional backgrounds, from diplomacy, humanitarian, development and the military, to the UN, civil society groups, multilateral organizations, journalism and the private sector.
Smart: We think deeply about things. We're proud of our institutional knowledge and our grounding in rigorous research, which we use to make informed decisions.
Humble: Our work leaves little room for pride or arrogance. Our operating environment is constantly evolving, and we recognize out limitations. We believe in and rely on the education and experiences of others while remaining quick to read, invite feedback, and ask sensible questions.
Accountable: Each of us want ARK, its partners, and beneficiaries to succeed. This means taking initiative, assuming ownership when necessary and never giving up on our beneficiaries. We are committed and accountable, to both our donors and the communities we serve.
Collegiate: We know we are stronger together and that every contribution counts. We trust each other and always support each other.
Outspoken: We tackle diverse challenges, and we always want to find the best solution to a problem. We aren't afraid to share our opinions, and we want to hear those of others too.
ARK Group is an equal opportunity employer. We actively seek a diverse applicant pool and encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. ARK Group does not discriminate on the basis of ability, age, gender identity or expression, national origin, race and ethnicity, religious beliefs or sexual orientation. We welcome all kinds of diversity. ARK Group places human dignity at the center of its development and stabilization work and is this committed to the protection from sexual exploitation and abuse of children and adults. All ARK Group employees and related personnel are expected to share this commitment and only those who also uphold these values will be recruited as part of our team. This vacancy is therefore subject to a range of due diligence checks.