Mercy Corps MEL Manager SMART Sudan Job 2026
Mercy Corps is recruiting a Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Manager for its EU-funded Strengthen Markets, Agroecology, Resilience & employment (SMART) programme in Sudan. The position offers an opportunity for an experienced MEL professional to support a major humanitarian, development and resilience programme operating in a complex and challenging environment.
The role is associated with Zalingi, Central Darfur, and is designed as a remote position with periodic travel to programme locations in South and Central Darfur. The position provides strategic leadership and technical support to strengthen the programme’s monitoring, evaluation, learning, accountability and reporting systems.
About the SMART Programme
SMART is a 48-month programme implemented by Mercy Corps Netherlands together with Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Germany (VSF Germany) and funded by the European Union.
The programme works in South Darfur and Central Darfur, focusing on sustainable and resilient livelihoods and food security among rural communities affected by food insecurity, climate change and conflict.
SMART is expected to directly benefit approximately 200,000 people, including internally displaced people, women and youth.
The programme has three key objectives:
- Increase the productivity and profitability of smallholder agriculture and livestock value chains through agroecological practices.
- Create decent employment opportunities for youth and women, including displaced and refugee populations.
- Improve sustainable and equitable access to natural resources to support food security, reduce conflict and enable voluntary return of displaced people.
The programme uses a humanitarian-development-peace nexus approach and adaptive management to respond to Sudan’s changing operating environment.
What Will the MEL Manager Do?
The MEL Manager will provide leadership to the SMART programme’s MEL function and help address critical MEL gaps identified during implementation.
A major responsibility will be reviewing existing MEL systems, tools and processes and developing a time-bound plan to strengthen programme performance.
The successful candidate will also oversee monitoring activities, data quality assessments, evaluations, assessments and evidence generation. They will ensure that quantitative and qualitative information is properly collected, analysed and used to improve programme decisions.
The position also involves leading the programme’s Learning Agenda, supporting reflection and sense-making processes, and helping programme teams translate evidence into adaptive management decisions.
Data, Research and Digital Systems
The role has a strong technical component. The MEL Manager will support the management of programme data systems and real-time data flows, working with tools including CommCare, Microsoft Azure and Power BI.
Responsibilities include maintaining data quality, conducting verification and spot checks, supporting qualitative research, and applying approaches such as outcome mapping and contribution analysis.
The manager will also help ensure that participant data is protected throughout collection, storage, transfer and sharing.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants should have a Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, monitoring and evaluation, statistics, international development or a related field. A relevant Master’s degree is preferred.
Candidates should have at least five years of progressive experience in programme monitoring, evaluation, learning and adaptation, including experience designing and managing MEL systems, leading evaluations and assessments, managing teams and strengthening partner capacity.
Experience with qualitative research, mixed-methods evaluation, baseline and endline studies, household surveys and primary data collection is also required.
Strong digital literacy and experience with quantitative data analysis and mobile data collection platforms, preferably CommCare, are important for the position.
Location and Working Conditions
The position is based in Zalingi, Central Darfur, with up to 40% travel to programme locations, including potentially insecure areas with limited freedom of movement and amenities.
Candidates should therefore be comfortable working in complex humanitarian and operational environments. The role also includes supervisory responsibility for MEL Officers and MEL Consultants.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should review the full vacancy requirements and submit their application through the Mercy Corps recruitment portal.
Application: Official Mercy Corps recruitment portal.
The opportunity is particularly relevant to experienced MEL, evaluation, research, data and international development professionals looking to contribute to evidence-based programming in Sudan.
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